Allergy-proof your home with these 26 expert tricks

Eliminate allergies and create a harmonious home

Do you feel like you are allergic to your own home? Indoor allergies cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and itchy skin. Home allergy triggers can be dust mites and their droppings, pet dander, mould spores, and pollen brought in from outside.

Click or scroll on for quick tasks and easy tips that will reduce irritants to allergy-proof your home...

Leave outdoor allergens at the door

Are you someone who walks through the house in your shoes, or are you strict about taking yours off at the door? Well, if you're the former, then you might want to pay attention. That's because shoes pick up mould and allergens like pollen, as well as scary germs and bacteria such as E. coli.

To avoid treading outdoor allergens through the house, create a spot to remove shoes in the hallway. Place a coir mat inside the door to catch dirt and dust particles from footwear. You might also want to vacuum this area regularly during allergy season.

Consider low-allergy plants

Hay fever season typically runs from early spring all the way through the summer months, with sufferers being triggered by tree, grass, and even weed pollen. The condition – known as allergic rhinitis – can cause the nose, eyes, throat, and sinuses to become swollen, irritated, and inflamed. 

Sufferers should stick to low-allergy plants in the garden and avoid wind-pollinated varieties. Keep weeds at bay and maintain well-mowed grass to feel the difference.

If you have any plants with a high pollen count, ensure they are placed well away from your windows to help cut down the amount of pollen travelling into your home and worsening any symptoms.

Don't overlook the sofa

If you find yourself sniffing and sneezing at home, then your sofa could be the culprit. Upholstered furniture prompts sofa dermatitis and can cause everything from itchy eyes to sneezing fits.

Some people may experience hives, red skin, or itching upon contact with the couch, often caused by a chemical called dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which is added to sofas to prevent mould and keep them smelling fresh. However, many are allergic or sensitive to it. Try brushing and beating the sofa before vacuuming it to dislodge dust trapped in the fabric. Vacuum weekly and regularly wash any removable covers.

Featured sofa available from Loaf

Keep your bed frame and headboard clean

If allergies feel especially worse in the morning, it could be down to what you share your bed with. Shockingly, an estimated 84% of surveyed American homes and 68% in Europe were found to have detectable dust mite allergens in their beds, according to Dyson.

Regularly cleaning your bed frame or fabric headboard will keep dust to a minimum, while choosing certified anti-allergy bedding will help reduce exposure to dust mites.

Featured headboard available from The Headboard Workshop

Vaccuum the mattress

Vacuuming the bed should be part of everyone's seasonal deep clean. But allergy sufferers should make this household chore a regular occurrence.

It's a good idea to vacuum your mattress weekly to make sure that absolutely no trace of allergens is left to haunt your dreams. And don’t forget to flip it to vacuum both sides.

Refresh bed linen regularly

Put the reassuring phrase "it will all come out in the wash" to the practical test by changing bed linen regularly.

By far the most effective way to get rid of bed mites is to wash your sheets at least once a week at the highest temperature stated on the care instructions. Freshly laundered sheets will keep lingering allergens to a minimum, especially if they are certified anti-allergy products and made from hypoallergenic fibres.

Featured bed linen available from Soak&Sleep

Remove any trace of mould

The presence of excess moisture can soon lead to the development of damp and mould, and it can not only wreak havoc on your home but also on your health, causing respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies, or asthma. It can also affect the immune system.

Prevention is the key, so always make sure the fan is on or the window is open when taking a shower or bath, keep lids on saucepans when cooking, and check that seals around doors, windows, and pipes are in good condition.

Dry clothes indoors, but safely

Although the idea of a fresh breeze and sunshine-dried laundry seems delightful, clothes can become a magnet for allergens. Therefore, you may need to skip the outside clothesline on high pollen count days.

However, drying clothes indoors can release pollutants such as lint, dust, and laundry detergent particles into the air, potentially affecting indoor air quality.

Drying clothes inside can also raise the humidity of the room, and as the wet clothes dry, moisture is released into the air and creates the ideal conditions for the growth of mould. It's advisable to use a dehumidifier at the same time or ventilate properly by opening windows.

Invest in an air purifier

Another fantastic way to improve your indoor air quality is by investing in an air purifier. These clever gadgets are designed to draw in dust and airborne particles, leaving indoor air fully filtered and, well, purer.

The good news is they are now widely available and affordable. A good model will improve air quality quickly, quietly, and by using as little energy as possible. Some are even compact and stylish, and can be connected to your smart home technology system.

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Regularly change air filters

If you own an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) unit, then you will already be benefiting from improved indoor air quality. The paper filters that are generally used in such systems, including air-conditioning units, are designed to trap large particles, like dust.

However, things like mould, bacteria, and pollen are much smaller in size and can slip through the fibres in regular filters, meaning they get circulated through your ductwork and blown back into your space. To prevent this, use HEPA filters and replace them every 90 days.

Dust bust corners and crevices

Dust can accumulate in the most out-of-reach places, such as under the bed, so it's important to pull out furniture and remove obstacles to reach those tricky corners and crevices.

Implementing a vacuuming schedule will help to ensure that dust, dirt, debris, and pet hair are cleaned regularly. Hard floors, carpets, and rugs are commonly vacuumed, but upholstery, mattresses, ceilings, and walls may be overlooked. Tackle any big jobs with a powerful vacuum or broom and finish any hard floors with a wet mop.

Dust tops and bottoms of cabinets

As well as tackling corners and crevices, you need to ensure you're cleaning the tops and bottoms of your cabinets, as dust can easily gather there. You might need a step ladder to reach higher spots, and you'll want to ensure you vacuum or sweep away any debris before using a wet cloth to remove finer specs of dust. Don't forget the tops of your kitchen cabinets and those often-overlooked baseboards.

Featured kitchen available from Benchmarx Kitchens

Regularly clean blinds and curtains

What happens when windows are opened next to dirty curtains and blinds? Allergy-inducing dust is blown inside and around rooms. So, use a vacuum with an attachment to clean curtains and blinds regularly.

Venetian blind cleaners with individual brushes for slats are handy. Alternatively, use the tong hack as suggested by One Crazy House: "Neatly wrap your dust cloths around each side of your tongs and secure them with two rubber bands a piece".

Declutter regularly

A cluttered home will automatically attract dust. The more possessions a person has lying about, the less likely they are to be able to frequently dust and vacuum, which can be a trigger for dust allergies

Get on top of decluttering your home – little and often is key – and you'll soon find dust has fewer places to settle. Plus, housework will become a doddle.

Learn to damp dust

Damp dusting is such a simple trick that makes a huge difference to allergy sufferers, and it's a method to adopt if you want to clean your home like a professional.

Gemma Bray, owner of @the_organised_mum on TikTok, explains: "It purely means that I use a damp cloth (usually a microfibre cloth) to wipe surfaces. When you damp dust, you trap all the dust on the cloth, which stops it from being sent into the air in the room."

Select house plants carefully

House plants are a joy to own. They add lush, natural colour, purify the air and, as research suggests, improve our well-being. That being said, allergy sufferers need to be selective, because varieties that flower will release pollen into the air. Also, mould can grow on top of the plant soil if it gets too wet. Avoid over-watering and poor drainage, and your plants should stay mould free. 

Plus, many people overlook the dust that accumulates on houseplants. Dusting houseplants once a week greatly benefits your health and your plants.

Featured houseplants available from Leaf Envy

Rid dust from the vacuum cleaner

When did you last empty your vacuum cleaner or change the dust bag? It can be easy to forget that housework tools need an MOT too, and without regular maintenance, a vacuum cleaner can clog up and fail to do a thorough job. Or worse, redistribute dust and dirt to other parts of the home.

Regularly clean your machine's canister, filter, and base plates to ensure thorough suction. You should also empty the collection chamber after every use.

Swap out scented candles

Who doesn't love a scented candle? An allergy or asthma sufferer, of course! They can be an irritant as they emit VOCs. Avoid lighting scented candles or spraying air fresheners if you find that you are coughing or feel more breathless. If symptoms are mild, opt for a beeswax candle instead because these are the cleanest.

Select a specialised vacuum cleaner

Vacuum cleaners specially designed to combat allergens will offer a more specialised cleaning. Look for products that have advanced HEPA filtration and allergy-free emptying solutions. Try using a criss-cross pattern while vacuuming, as moving the vacuum in different directions will ensure you are getting deeper into the fibres of the carpet to pick up more pollen.

Mix a dust-repellent spray

Here's how to turn a dusting chore into a strangely satisfying cleaning job. This natural DIY spray can keep surfaces cleaner. Mix ½ cup of water (125ml), ¼ cup of vinegar (60ml), 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and a few drops of essential oil of your choosing to give your spray the perfect scent – remember to check if it’s safe for allergy sufferers and pets. Once sprayed, wipe the surface with a clean cloth. This dust-repellent spray will help keep dust and pollen away.

Convert to eco-cleaning

Making the switch to natural cleaning products will help with allergy-proofing your home. Avoid products with nasties such as chlorine and ammonia and opt for biological formulations instead. Plant-based formulations are full of live, healthy bacteria that attack dirt, eliminate odours, and dissolve grime.

Clean pet supplies regularly

Sadly for animal lovers, pet dander – the tiny flakes of skin shed by pets such as cats and dogs – can trigger asthma attacks. However, there are measures that you can take to reduce your risk. Invest in a zippable cover for your pet’s bed, which will help to reduce allergens – just be sure to check that it's machine washable and dust-mite proof, for the best results. You'll also want to ensure your dog's toys and walking accessories are regularly sterilised or wiped down.

Don't allow pets on the bed

The Sleep Foundation states that 56% of people sleep with a pet in the bedroom. They might be man's best friend, but pets carry allergens, including pollen, and can suffer from parasites, so allowing them onto – and even into your bed can aggravate allergies and lead to asthma.

If you can't bear to be without your fur baby for the night, consider providing them with their own bed on the floor.

Lay natural flooring

Sisal carpets have natural fibres and are great for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Unlike most synthetic materials, sisal doesn’t produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so it is fast becoming a popular flooring option, especially as it’s an environmentally friendly alternative.

Featured carpet available from Alternative Flooring

Avoid deep pile rugs

Stylish feature flooring needn't be a no-go for allergy sufferers. Low-pile carpets and rugs have shorter fibres, so it’s harder for dust, dirt, and other allergens to accumulate in them.

They’re easier to clean, and regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning will remove any allergy triggers. They’re available in different natural materials, including hypoallergenic options such as wool.

Featured rug available from Loaf

Coat walls in clay-based paint

VOCs can also be released from paints. Opt for a paint which emits low levels and, ideally, formulas that are virtually VOC-free. It is widely accepted that products that emit under 30 grams per litre are considered low, with virtually no VOC at 0.5 grams per litre.

Clay-based emulsion minimises condensation and deters mildew. It has exceptional breathability and is virtually VOC-free, so the ideal paint choice for allergy sufferers.

Featured paint available from Earthborn

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