When you are a builder or someone who simply loves DIY, then nothing is going to get your motor running quite like buying a home that is a fixer-upper.
For those who don’t know, a fixer-upper is a property that is a bit run down when it is bought, and when it is purchased, it is made over, either for the owners to live in, to sell on, or to place on the rental market.
However, it may be the case that you and other people who enter your new project begin sneezing excessively. This can point to an issue in the home itself in relation to allergens. So, here is a quick guide to follow to help keep those sneeze-inducing pests at bay!
Replace the Flooring
Starting with the most drastic, if you find that nothing is stopping your children, you, or even your dog from sneezing, then you may need to replace the flooring.
Dust mites and other allergens accumulate on carpets and flooring. This means that if there has been no one living in the home you have purchased for a while, you may have an accumulation of allergens in the floorboards. So, have them removed and have new, anti-allergen flooring laid, such as Quorn stone flooring, or another stone, such as granite. These are easy to clean and, by their nature, do not trap allergens.
Clean Everything Regularly
If you or a member of your family are reactive to allergens, then it may be the case that you will need to do deep cleans often.
This will involve cleaning all carpets with a deep vacuuming setting at least once a week, as well as the rugs and the soft furnishings. You will also need to dust a lot, in areas like shelves, blinds, and windowsills, to remove any dust. Be sure to also wash bedding, curtains, and any pillowcases and pet bedding in hot water. A 60-degree wash is sufficient to destroy most allergens, even on pet bedding!
Low Humidity
Many people are surprised to learn that dust mites and mould love humid environments. To prevent them from getting out of control, aim to keep your home humidity levels between 30%-50%. Many people opt for small, windowsill dehumidifiers to combat this in winter months when humidity is at its highest. During the summer months, make sure that every room has proper ventilation. If you have an extreme case of dampness in one room, then you may need a plug-in humidifier to alleviate it. Just be sure to empty the tray at least once a day!
Air Purifiers
Yes, there is now the option to have air purifiers in your home. These are known as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and, as you may have guessed, they remove allergens from the air. Place them all around the house to get the most effective defence against allergens, and, of course, make sure the capacity of the air purifier matches the size of the room.
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