Fresh healthy air is vital for all of us but the hay fever sufferer or the person with asthma needs to be able to breathe allergy-free air.
If you have an air conditioner or heater, you need to make sure it is clean.
There are duct-cleaning companies who will come to your home, clean, and sanitise all your ducts.
Make sure the filters are cleaned regularly too.
When vacuuming make sure your filters are cleaned regularly too.
You can get special vacuum cleaners that have super filters if one of your family members has asthma or severe allergies.
These filters are the same as the ones used in hospitals and they prevent dust particles from being redistributed through the air.
Dust mites are another source of irritation to the allergy sufferer.
It is actually the faeces of dust mites that cause the problem.
You need to vacuum regularly with a well-maintained vacuum cleaner.
Soft furnishings should be cleaned regularly.
Mattresses should be vacuumed and aired in sunlight regularly.
Strong odours are often an indication that the source could be a problem for allergy sufferers.
Things like paint smells or strong chemical cleaners.
It is best to use natural cleaners in the home but if you choose to use strong chemicals, you must use them in a well-ventilated area and air the rooms well afterwards.
Insecticides and repellents are another common source of irritation for allergy sufferers.
Flywire screens for windows and doors are better than fly sprays.
There are naturally based alternatives to chemical fly sprays but I feel it is better to keep them out than to poison the air trying to destroy them.
Planting fly and mosquito repellent plants around your doors and windows is another people friendly way of deterring insects from entering your home.
Mould is another trigger for allergy sufferers.
Make sure your home is free of mould.
The bathroom is the first place we think of to keep mould free but there are other mould prone areas in some homes.
Check under your home for standing water.
Check the walls for any mould growth.
Check windows and windowsills.
If your rooms are not aired well they can develop mould growth, especially in the winter when we tend to rely on artificial heating all the time.
Pet dander is another problem for some allergy sufferers.
If you have pets inside your home, they should be bathed and groomed regularly.
If you put these suggestions to use in your home, you should have a people friendly home for all but the worst allergy sufferers.