Indoor allergies can be tough to contend with. For one thing, there are so many things in the common home that folks can be allergic to such as dust mites, animal dander, molds and more. Although it’s impossible to completely eliminate these allergens, there are steps you can take to improve the situation for yourself and/or your loved ones.

To reduce problems with dust mites, you should:

• Use zippered, plastic covers on pillows and mattresses.
• Keep the number of stuffed animals in bedrooms to a minimum.
• Remove carpet from the bedroom. (If you can’t do that, then vacuum at least once a week!)
• Wash bedding and stuffed animals in hot water each week.
• Ensure that your relative humidity stays at 50% or less indoors at all times. Using a dehumidifier can help.

To keep problems with indoor mold to a minimum, you should:

• Steer clear of damp basements, garages or other wet and warm areas that tend to trap mold.
• Keep your air vents clean and clear of mold.
• Wash your shower at least every other week and replace the shower curtain once a season.
• Make sure that leaky faucets and pipes don’t stay that way for long.
• Avoid vaporizers. They fill the air with moisture and leave it there.

To alleviate issues with pet dander, you should:

• Consider removing the pet from your home, or not even getting one in the first place.
• Take the pet out of the allergic individual’s room.
• Vacuum the room where the pet lives, and do it frequently (like once a week).
• Wash the pet weekly. This will decrease the amount of dander, urine and dried saliva, all of which can cause problems for the allergic person.
• Choose pets without fur and/or feathers.

Several general things you can do include:

• keeping windows closed,
• regularly using a dehumidifier,
• buying box fans for your windows to circulate clean air,
• and covering food and garbage to keep cockroaches at bay.

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