8 simple steps to pollen-proof your home this allergy season

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By Brooke Kato

Sneeze season is upon us, much to the dismay of allergy sufferers.

An estimated 81 million people in the US were diagnosed with hay fever — a reaction to pollen from weeds, grasses and trees — in 2021, and symptoms, such as itchy eyes and sneezing, are often treated with over-the-counter allergy medication and spending less time in the outdoors.

While your home seems like an allergen asylum, there are little-known precautions to pollen-proof your abode to relieve some of your symptoms.

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Cleanliness, for one, is key. Vacuuming, dusting and mopping removes the dust, dirt and potential allergens from your home’s surfaces.

“Changing the way you dust and using a damp cloth instead of a feather duster will help collect more of the dirt and pollen – and stop this from filtering through the air,” Alex Williams, of the UK-based business Tiger Cleaning, told The Independent.

If possible, he recommended swapping household fabrics on furniture, curtains and carpets to easy-to-clean, washable materials, and switching from carpet to hardwood floors to “promote a healthier living environment.”

“Pollen can make its way into your home and nestle into the fibers of your carpet,” he explained.

Tips to pollen-proof your home

1. Dust with a damp cloth
2. Swap household fabrics for machine-washable materials
3. Opt for hardwood flooring and clean with a damp mop
4. Choose hypoallergenic bedding
5. Invest in blackout curtains
6. Keep windows shut and rely on indoor ventilation and air conditioning
7. Open windows at the end of the day when less pollen circulates
8. Choose the right indoor plants

While vacuuming can remove some of the pesky pollen, it’s easier to clean floors with “a damp mop” while opting for washable curtains and blinds make “for easy pollen removal and maintenance.”

Alex Gluhovsky, a spokesperson from the UK brand iWardrobes, said that hypoallergenic bedding made from bamboo or cotton can help with “minimizing exposure to allergens” because they are “naturally resistant to allergens.”

Additionally, he advised to invest in blackout curtains — not only will you get better shut-eye without the sunlight creeping in, but it also blocks pollen particles.

But you can’t live in the dark all the time. When you want to let some fresh air into your space, timing is everything.

“If you don’t know exactly what type of pollen you are allergic to, it can be difficult to know what time your allergens are the highest; however most flowers pollinate in the morning, between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m.,” Williams explained.

While it may not be in allergy sufferers’ best interest to open their windows, cracking them at the end of the day is preferable, “when there is less pollen circulating in the air.”

The best approach, he added, is to keep windows shut and rely on indoor ventilation and air conditioning to keep your space at a comfortable temperature, while an air purifier may also be an option for those whose stubborn symptoms persist.

“Rather than cooling your home by opening all your doors and windows, using air con means the air coming into your home is filtered from pollen particles, helping you breathe easier throughout hay fever season,” Williams noted.

For those with a green thumb who can’t stay away from beautiful house plants, Gluhovsky recommended plant parents research the species that may aggravate their allergies and those that won’t.

“Some plants release high volumes of pollen into the air, which can contribute to allergies and respiratory issues for hay fever sufferers,” Gluhovsky said, explaining that palms, orchids and ferns produce lower amounts of pollen than other plants.

He added: “Transforming your home into a pollen-free safe place is not just about cleanliness; it’s about creating a lifestyle that prioritizes your wellbeing, especially during peak allergy seasons.”