What a sensitive group of human beings we seem to be becoming. Every time we turn around there appears to be more and more people developing allergies and more things for us to become allergic to. It is believed by some to be because we have made our homes so airtight, in some cases the home is actually a bigger threat for things like allergens and mold than the outdoors.



The home is a haven for mold and allergens for several reasons, but there are precautions and measures we can take to help correct this problem. Starting with the most serious issue, mold, we must eliminate the things that cause it to develop and thrive in a home. Moisture and humidity are the main reasons we get mold. When there has been some serious water damage in a home, it is easy for mold to develop. This can sometimes require professional help to remediate. Other more common problems that cause mold are improper ventilation in rooms that get a lot of moisture like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and basements that have issues.

Having exhaust fans in these rooms can help dispel the moisture. Using dehumidifiers in areas like the basement or anywhere in the home when you live in a damp climate will also help. Keeping wet bathroom surfaces dry as much as possible and using disinfecting products for cleaning is also recommended to help reduce the risk of mold.

Allergens in the home have really increased over the years. Having your duct work cleaned occasionally is an excellent idea. The dust that accumulates duct work can be circulated back into the home whenever you run your heating or cooling system. It can be full of dirt particles, dust mites, and who knows what else. Carpeting is also a common problem area for allergens. Carpeting needs to be vacuumed and cleaned regularly to help reduce allergens here. When you vacuum, be sure your cleaner does not redeposit the dust back into the air. Vacuums that are not working properly will do this making your vacuuming process almost useless as far as cleaning up miniscule dust particles that contain allergens.

Some people are investing in clean air machines for their home. These devices continually suck air into them, filter it, and then return the cleaned air back into the home. It is just one more way to help reduce the allergens and dust in the home that so many have become so sensitive to.