How to Reduce Allergies in your Home

There are many causes of allergies around the home, and they can come from many varied and sometimes surprising sources. A lot of them are from the materials used in construction, while others can come from things people put in their homes – anything from pets to carpets. Here we give you a few pointers to avoid allergies, which can be extremely distressing to people particularly susceptible to allergy problems.
First let’s look at the materials used in construction.
Insulation is one of the biggest culprits as far as allergies are concerned, and you should always try to ensure that you choose materials that do not produce dust or tiny fibres. These are usually invisible to the human eye so it’s important to ask carefully when buying, or speak to your builder who should be able to advise you. Also make sure that anywhere that is insulated is sealed so that it does not collect dust.
A lot of the chemicals used to build a house can also give off allergens. Look very closely at varnishes and plastic veneers in particular, although in theory any kind of paint can cause problems to particularly sensitive people, particularly when they are fresh. If you think you might be one of these people then try to air your house out properly for a few weeks before moving in, although they are best avoided if possible as some paints can take as long as two years to stop giving off smells.
Materials aside, the biggest cause of home allergies is accumulated dust. There is very little you can do to stop dust entering your home, however there are many steps you can take to stop it accumulating and causing problems. Almost any horizontal surface will collect dust so try to keep such surfaces to a minimum and regularly clean any that you might have. Examples of less obvious horizontal surfaces include: Venetian blinds, hand rails, any furniture, skirting boards, tops of cupboards and shelves.
Carpets are a big no-no for allergy sufferers as they can easily accumulate huge amounts of dust. Go for tiles or hardwood or similar and you will have far fewer problems. If you must have carpets then be sure to vacuum frequently and make sure the vacuum you are using has a very good fine particle filter, otherwise you are just pumping even smaller particles into the air and making the problem worse!
The other main culprits are pets and plants. Some plants produce pollen, especially at certain times of year, so be careful what you bring into your house. Pets are one of the biggest causes of home allergies and should definitely be avoided. But if you must have pets then you can take certain steps to reduce suffering: Keep them away from the bedroom as this is where you spend most of your time and this is also when you are most susceptible to allergies. Regularly clean any area where pets sleep and play. Try to avoid carpets and upholstered furniture as all of these can accumulate allergens from your pets' hair and saliva. Finally, if possible, try to reduce contact with your pets as much as possible. Again, if this is not possible, then be sure to always wash your hands after playing with them.
To ensure your home is constructed using allergy-free materials, it's best to contact a professional. The author of this article runs a team of builders in the Brisbane area who specialise in extensions but can help with any query. Take a look at their website for more details: www.extensionsbrisbane.com