How to Make Your Bedroom Allergy-Proof

Are allergies keeping you up all hours of the night and causing you to wake up with symptoms like a stuffy nose and coughing? It’s time to get rid of those allergens that have been bothering you.

Allergies can be a nuisance, but there are things you can do to minimize your chances of developing an allergic episode. In this article, we’ll talk about how you can make your bedroom allergy-proof so that you can sleep well and wake up refreshed. 

Replace your mattress with a new one

An old mattress may be the root cause of your allergy symptoms. Dust mites, a well-known allergen, love to reside on mattresses, and if you don’t regularly clean your bed, they can accumulate.

Purchasing a new mattress could help immensely. Many top manufacturers sell hypoallergenic beds specially designed for people who are vulnerable to allergies.

In addition to being hypoallergenic, there are also important factors to consider when getting a new bed, such as your budget, preference-based features, the space available in your room, and firmness. 

Change your pillowcases and sheets regularly

Dust mites are known for creating allergy symptoms, and they can easily collect on your sheets and pillowcases. Plus, they directly touch your skin, which means they also collect things like dead skin cells, sweat, and drool.

Even if you don’t have allergies, you should make a habit of changing your bed sheets once a week. You can either do a load of wash each week or purchase multiple sheet sets and switch them out. For further protection, consider investing in hypoallergenic sheets and pillowcases.

Don’t forget to clean other bedding items like pillows, the comforter, and the mattress. These don’t need to be cleaned as often, but if you’re extra sensitive to dust, cleaning them more regularly could help.

Keep your bedroom clean

A clean bedroom is not only healthier for you but can also help keep allergen levels low. If you have carpet or rugs in the room, these should be vacuumed frequently. However, experts suggest if you can remove the carpet, this should help significantly.

Dust can certainly accumulate on hardwood or linoleum floors, too, so you should sweep or mop at least once a week still. Also, don’t forget to dust areas like the nightstands, dressers, and bed frame. Extra clutter can also add to the problem, so focus on keeping your bedroom as clutter-free as possible.

Make cleaning a part of your routine and set a weekly reminder on your phone. Doing this will help you stay committed and make it more likely that you’ll keep up with the task. Plus, a clean home can improve your mood and help you feel more productive.

Choose furniture that’s easy to clean

While you may like the look of certain furniture pieces, they could be more challenging to clean than others. Therefore, we suggest selecting furniture pieces that are easy to maintain. For example, wood, metal, plastic, and leather will be easier to clean than upholstered pieces. 

Also, the fewer nooks and crannies a piece of furniture has, the better.

Remove pet dander from your bedroom

Pets can be wonderful companions, but their dander is not delightful for folks with allergies. Rather than let your dog or cat sleep on your bed or in the same room, invest in a quality pet bed and place it somewhere cozy in the home, such as the living room. If your pet is used to sleeping near you, this may take some time for them to get used to, but a nice bed of their own should help make the transition easier.

Use an air filter

You may also find using an air filter for your furnace and air conditioning system helpful. These devices work to eliminate allergens before they spread throughout your bedroom and cause allergy symptoms. 

If allergies are a constant problem in your home, having an air filter in each room may also be beneficial.

Close the windows at certain times

You may enjoy having the windows open to get an incoming breeze throughout the bedroom, but sometimes this can do more harm than good. If there is a lot of pollen outside or the outdoor air quality is particularly bad, this could cause an allergic reaction. Keep an eye out for bad pollen or air pollution days and close the windows accordingly.

Wash the window blinds

It’s easy to overlook the window blinds in the cleaning process, but these are also a haven for dust and dirt, especially if you enjoy leaving the windows open on occasion. Regularly washing them can help you stay ahead of the allergens that settle on them when they’re not cleaned. Plus, when they’re routinely washed, this ensures they continue looking nice for a long time.

Change your comforter

The comforter is another important bedding item you can switch out to a hypoallergenic product. Examples of great hypoallergenic comforters include bamboo, microfiber, and organic cotton. Some of these options may be more costly than others, but they should be worth it for folks with allergies.

Clean up spills or accidents immediately

Over time, you may experience a spill or accident on your bed, especially if you have kids in the home. If this happens, it’s vital to clean up the mess immediately on all bedding materials, including the mattress. If you let the liquid sit in the bed, it can eventually lead to a mold or mildew build-up, both of which could exacerbate allergy symptoms.

Use a mattress cover

Another way to help prevent allergy symptoms is to use a special mattress cover to reduce allergens and moisture. These covers tend to be waterproof and breathable, so there’s less chance of mold or mildew building up inside the mattress.

Conclusion

Your bedroom can serve many purposes, but it should always be a place that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. By following these tips for allergy-proofing your bedroom, you’ll be able to enjoy spending time there and sleep better at the same time.

About The Author: Jill Zwarensteyn is a content writer for Sleep Advisor. She is an experienced writer and journalist who has covered health and wellness, lifestyle, travel, and news content.

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels