How to Allergy-Proof Your Home or Apartment, According to Experts

You may not be able to control what happens outside during allergy season, but learning how to allergy-proof your home can make a world of difference to your symptoms. A few small adjustments can keep pollen, dust and other irritants away, meaning you can sleep better, breathe easier and create a safe haven to recover.

“Frequently used spaces, such as the living room and bedroom, would be common places for allergen accumulation,” says Alexa Mieses Malchuk, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Geisinger. “Additionally, any room in which windows are open creates an opportunity for allergen accumulation outside.”

As for where other allergens might be hiding in your home? The answers might surprise you. Allergy sufferers need to be aware of what they are detecting. “The main thing that introduces allergens is us,” says Beth Oller, MD, a family medicine physician at Rooks County Health Center. Creating new habits at home, such as leaving outer layers in a designated area, changing clothes, or showering after an extended period of time outside, can help keep your space free of allergens.

We ask experts to give you a crash course on how to allergy-proof your home, room by room. From air filtration tips to mold prevention, we’ve got you covered.

Bedroom

If you find yourself up all night sneezing, it’s probably time to refresh your bedding. “When it comes to bedding, use allergen-resistant zippered covers on mattresses and pillows because it’s much harder for anything to get in,” says Dr. Oller. These allergen-resistant covers are also easy to wash. If you’re prone to allergies, Dr. Oller also recommends washing all of your bedding at least once a week. “The important thing is to make sure it’s in 130-degree water because that’s what kills the mites. So it has to be nice and warm,” she says.

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While you’re washing your mattress protector and bedding, Dr. Mieses Malchuck recommends vacuuming your mattress, as the dense material is an allergen trap. “Keeping a dedicated air purifier in the bedroom can also be helpful,” she says. Dr. Oller also recommends avoiding clutter, especially fabric items, like stuffed animals and decorative pillows, to streamline dust control.

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Snuggling with a pet can also make your symptoms worse during allergy season. “For people who are very prone to allergies, keeping pets out of the bedroom is probably an important thing,” says Dr. Oller. Even if you’re not allergic to dogs, their fur can retain external irritants that easily transfer to your bedding. If you’re in a small space (or your furry friend is stubborn), Dr. Oller says regular bathing and grooming should be a priority when your symptoms increase.