Most people have common allergens in the bedroom, but the way they affect each person can vary greatly. Some of the most common allergens, like dust, mold, and pet dander, can be found in many bedrooms. They can negatively affect the way you sleep and cause you to wake up with a sore throat, stuffy nose, or cough. By reducing these common allergens in your bedroom, you can get a better night's rest and wake up feeling refreshed.

Dust

Dust is one of the most common household allergens, but, fortunately, it is easy to deal with through regular and thorough cleaning. Dust can collect in your curtains, carpet, rugs, and bedding to wreak bedtime havoc on anyone with allergies. To further stop the problem, you need to minimize the dust allergens from your bed. Use hypoallergenic covers for your mattress and pillows. Vacuum your mattress weekly and wash your bedding in hot soapy water once per week to remove dust buildup.

Pet Dander

If you have pets, then you likely have pet dander. Even mild dander allergies can cause sleep issues, especially if your pet sleeps in or on your bed. Washing your bedding regularly does help, but there are other steps to take. Some people prefer to remove carpets from the bedroom to reduce allergens. If that's not possible or desirable, you should be sure to vacuum your bedroom carpet or area rugs at least every other day. Encourage pets to sleep on a washable pet bed so that you can launder it weekly. Bathing your pets weekly can also help reduce dander.

Mold

Mold grows in moist conditions and is more common in areas where humidity is high year-round. Using a dehumidifier can be helpful for preventing mold growth in your home and, specifically, your bedroom. It's also important to change your air filters regularly to improve the air quality. Avoid opening your bedroom windows during wet weather to keep dampness out. If you have an en suite bathroom, make sure to keep it well-ventilated after you take a bath or shower.

You may not always be aware of allergens in your bedroom. But, they may be causing sleep-related issues that can prevent you from falling asleep and waking up feeling rested. Dust, mold, and pet dander are some of the most common bedroom allergens, but they are actually quite easy to deal with if you follow these tips to get rid of them.

If your home is dusty and full of other allergens, it might be time to clean it. Give it a good scrub with some of our nontoxic household cleaning products!

The air that is inside of your home can have a big effect on the health of you and your family. When you are constantly breathing in allergens like dust, dander, pollen and mold spores, this can cause a number of health issues. You can experience an increase in allergic rhinitis symptoms, asthma attacks and even upper respiratory illnesses. Improving your indoor air can go a long way towards decreasing the risk of these issues.

Filter Your Air

There are a couple of different ways that you can filter the indoor air that you breathe when you’re at home. Your HVAC system and furnace have a filter that air passes through before it is dispersed into your living space. There are a number of different filters that you can choose, but the requirements vary based on the type of furnace that you have. A HEPA-grade filter is the best choice if you’re looking to remove allergens. You can also use a stand-alone air purifier in rooms that you want to be especially clean.

Remove Carpet

Carpet tiles in the home can harbor a lot of allergens. Even if you vacuum regularly, there are allergens that can work their way into the deep fibers of a plush carpet. According to Floors Direct, Hardwood floors can be a downside in humid areas but engineered hardwood can resist moisture damage better. This type of flooring allows you to clean up easier and more thoroughly.

Open Your Windows

With all the different allergens that can accumulate inside your home, it’s important that you periodically open your windows to get some fresh air. In the warmer months, it is a lot easier to do this. In the winter, you may only be able to open your windows for 10 minutes each day. If you have fans in your bathroom, it is recommended that you run them for about one full hour each day. This is a way to circulate the air in your home and make it cleaner. It’s often difficult to determine if you have allergens floating around your indoor air. While you can’t necessarily see them, you can listen to your body. If you’re not feeling well a lot of the time, indoor allergens may be to blame.

Try a few different ways of freeing your home from allergens, and see if you notice a difference in how you and your family are feeling.

Interested in keeping your home clean? Check out this other article: What You Should Clean Before Winter Hits

As the world becomes more aware of the environmental challenges we face, green remodeling has become more popular. Green remodeling differs from conventional remodeling because it focuses primarily on energy conservation and efficiency. A successful green remodel results in lower energy costs for you and your family as well as a lighter energy footprint, which has a beneficial impact on the wider environment that we all share. Here are a few reasons that you should consider a green remodel of your home.

Reducing Allergens

Many older homes and those built with certain materials can create a toxic stew of allergens that travel throughout the home. Allergens commonly found in the home include mold, dust, shed skin from household pets or unwanted pests and more. Kids, people with asthma or other respiratory conditions and the elderly are especially sensitive to these indoor allergens. Some allergens, like mold, can be detected with in-home test kits. Air filtration is one of the most effective means of reducing the number of allergens in the house. Inexpensive air filters can be placed around the house strategically to clean the air continuously. If your HVAC system is older, consider replacing it. Decluttering your home by removing as much furniture and accessories throughout the house that tend to collect dust can also reduce the allergen burden.

Improving Air Quality

Some home renovations improve indoor air quality, creating a healthier living environment in addition to improving energy efficiency in the home. As mentioned previously, airflow is crucial for improving the quality of your home’s air. If you are considering new flooring, then hardwood surfaces might be a better bet than carpet because they tend to collect less dust, creating healthy air. If you live in an area with clean outdoor air, consider renovations that increase outside airflow into the home, such as a trickle ventilator placed in the kitchen.

A Healthier World for Everyone

The best green remodeling jobs can create as much as a 75 percent reduction in energy consumption. Not only does this mean lower monthly bills, but you are making a small but important contribution to our collective action to reduce carbon emissions and save the planet. We are all part of a global community, so why not do your part to be a good steward of the planet?

Remodeling your home can be a messy process, but it doesn’t have to be harmful to the environment. Invest in a green remodel of your home to save money and make the environmental future brighter for everyone.