Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning time! Today is the first day of spring, and for those living in the colder parts of the United States, many are looking forward to getting outside and taking care of their lawns, flower beds, decks, etc. But spring also means pollen — and for those suffering from seasonal allergies, it can mean sneezing, coughing, a runny nose and watery eyes.

While it’s great to think about getting outside, it’s equally important to prepare the interior your home for allergy season by performing a thorough spring cleaning. Below are a few things you can do to help reduce allergens in your home:

• Change your HVAC filters: When your fan is on, all of the air in your home will pass through your system’s air filters, and when they get clogged, dust and other irritants will end up in your home instead of the filters. If you have replaceable filters, now is a great time for a fresh new set.
• Consider a Trane CleanEffects filtration system: While no filter on the market is 100% effective, this cutting edge system can trap up to 99.98% of all airborne allergens. This system is 100 times more effective than your standard 1” thick air filter, and it is so powerful, that it can cut your need to dust in half. If powerful filtration is something you think will benefit you and your family, speak to a Trane CleanEffects expert.
• Seal your home: Simply put, do everything you can to prevent outside air from getting into your home. We know the allure of opening your doors and windows to get fresh air into your home strong, but if you suffer from seasonal allergies, doing this will simply allow pollen to flood your home. Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to prevent allergen infiltration.
• Dust, vacuum and sweep your home: Use an absorbent microfiber duster to trap particles as opposed to just pushing them off surfaces and into the air. When vacuuming rugs, use a good quality vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap as much dust as possible, and on hard surfaces, such as tile and wood floors, sweep and mop regularly.

While there is no method that is 100% effective at protecting your home from dust and allergens, doing the above will go a long way in allowing your family to breathe a little easier this spring.