Tips for a home free of allergens

This time of the year, beautiful frothy blossoms alongside airborne mold and pollen from trees, weeds and grasses can make some of us feel like hell. Although I consider myself truly blessed being not one of those who suffer from the misery of pollen allergies, I cannot enjoy the springtime either. My husband suffers from severe hay fever allergies and most of the time in the spring we have to spend at home.

Independent research shows (according to Dyson) that indoor air pollution can be up to five times stronger than outside. Yet we spend around 90% of our time indoors (indoor generation – due to Covid 19 even more). Modern buildings are becoming better insulated to keep heat in and noise out – but this also traps potentially harmful particles indoors. In addition, every time a door or window is open, external pollutants such as allergens, pet hair or fine dust particles can be drawn into the building. If those microscopic particles are inhaled, they can cause allergic reactions, such as coughing, sneezing and itching. In Austria, about 1.7 million people suffer from allergies; in Switzerland around 3 million, in Germany 25 million people. Pollen and house dust mite allergies are the most common forms. In addition to medical- therapeutic measures, modern air purifiers are a way to make life easier for those affected.

One of the most useful tips we found researching on combating seasonal allergies was to get a good purifying fan with HEPA filter. The best choice was always Dyson. Through the years we have got several purifiers that are placed almost in every room of our apartment in Zurich – Dyson Purifier, Pure Humidify+Cool Weiss and now we also own Dyson Pure Hot+Cool. It automatically sensing particles and gases, capturing 99.95% of ultrafine particles, and projecting and circulating purified air using Air Multiplier technology.

Facts about Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link:

• 3 in 1: Year-round air purification. Heat control with a thermostat in winter. Cooling fan in summer.
• Senses pollutants in real time: Automatically detects and reports air quality levels in real time on PM 2.5, PM 10, VOC and NO2.
• Captures pollutants with 360° sealed HEPA and activated Carbon filters.
• The fully-sealed filter system combines an activated carbon filter to remove gases and a Glass HEPA filter that captures 99.95% of microscopic allergens and pollutants as small as 0.1 microns.
• Projects powerful airflow Air Multiplier technology delivers over 290 litres per second of smooth, yet powerful airflow – circulating purified air throughout the whole room.

In the meantime, when all the allergy sufferers advised to stay indoor, here are some of the best tips I found:

Tips for a home free of allergens

Source: aha! Allergiezentrum Schweiz „Willkommen zu Hause“

1. HOUSE DUST MITES

One teaspoon of house dust contains around 1,000 mites and up to and up to 250,000 of their allergy-causing excrement balls.

• Use mite-allergen-proof covers and bed linen and wash bed linen 1 time a week at 60°C once a week.
• Vacuum 1 to 2 times a week with a vacuum cleaner with a hoover that has an advanced filtration system (e.g. HEPA).

2. POLLEN

A single blade of grass contains 4 million pollen flowers of a single blade of grass.

• Ventilate at least 2 to 3 times a day; use pollen screens if necessary
• Dust regularly with a with a damp cloth
• Do not leave laundry dry outdoors

3. FRAGRANCES

26 Fragrances are particularly trigger allergies. These must be listed on Tobacco smoke is the most dangerous irritant indoors.

• Prefer cleaning products without fragrances, dyes and preservatives
• Light-coloured textiles contain fewer dyes and are therefore often dark ones

4. MOLD FUNGI

1- 3% of the population are allergic to mold fungi

• Remove mold and the cause of dampness immediately

5. FRESH AIR

An adult breathes in and out 12 – 15 times per in and out every minute

In the working world 5-10 percent of productivity lost is lost due to a la

• Ventilate at least 2 to 3 times a day
• Use an air purifier with HEPA filter

6. PLANTS

Flowering plants indoors can cause irritation to eyes and nose 

• If you have any problems, move them outside put them outside
• In winter: Air humidity max. 50% +
• Room temperature ideally below 21°C

7. ANIMALS

4% of adults react allergic to cat allergens, approx. 3% to dog allergens

• Use an air purifier with HEPA filter
• Remove carpets and dust traps

*Ad / This article was created in collaboration with Dyson / Image rights ©Family First & Elena Habicher.

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