When you come home from a long day at work, you want to sit down, relax and maybe watch a little TV. What you probably don’t like is coming home to an environment brimming with allergens ready to induce sneezing.

While you may not be able to stop every allergen from inviting themselves in, there are things you can do to prevent dust, pet dander and mold buildup from interfering with your life. Let’s take a look at five easy ways to turn your home into a symptom-free zone.

1. Clean the Floors

Dust mites and pet dander like to accumulate on the flooring—especially the carpeting. Vacuum all carpeting and rugs and sweep and mop all hardwood weekly. Move your bed and couch and clean under them every month, or as you notice dust accumulating.

2. Wash Bedding

An estimated 80% of houses in the United States have dust mites in at least one bedroom. You can keep dust mites at bay by washing your bedding weekly and your pillows every two to three months. If you have a vacuum, you can lightly sprinkle your mattress with baking soda, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and vacuum it thoroughly.

3. Run the Exhaust Fans

Georgia is a pretty humid place, and dust mites and mold thrive in humidity. Run your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans while cooking and showering to reduce moisture in the home. If you don’t have exhaust fans, you can try running a dehumidifier and opening a window until the moisture has left the building.

4. Wipe Down Hard Surfaces

You may not notice mold right away. It often starts small enough and grows over time. A good way to prevent mold from taking hold in your home is to wipe down the hard surfaces. These include but are not limited to your bathtub, toilet, bathroom and kitchen sinks, countertops and fridge.

5. Bathe Your Pets

If you already own pets, bathe and brush them weekly to reduce dander. If you’re allergic to dander and are considering adopting a furry friend from the LifeLine Animal Project, look for hypoallergenic breeds.

While adding new chores to your to-do list doesn’t sound fun, the symptom relief is worth the effort. For more information on managing your allergies, contact ENT of Georgia North today.