If you experience hay fever symptoms during spring, like a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes or sneezing, it’s important to keep your home healthy by cutting down on allergens.

Pollen season typically strikes South East Australia between 1 October and 31 December with pollen levels tending to be higher on warm dry days.

“Limiting your exposure to pollen – particularly in your home – can be a big help,” said Adele Taylor, Program Manager, Sensitive Choice at the National Asthma Council Australia.  “Most people affected by seasonal hay fever are allergic to dust mites, pollen or moulds.”

Here are some handy spring cleaning tips to help you prepare your home.

Follow these tips so that your family can breathe easier this allergy season:

• Wash sheets, pillowcases, soft toys in the bedroom weekly in water hotter than 55°C
• Cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with dust mite-resistant encasings
• Open curtains and air bedding in the sunshine and give them a regular clean
• Consider venetian blinds or flat blinds, which are easier to clean that heavy curtains. External shutters are another option
• Use a damp or electrostatic cloth to dust hard surfaces (including floors)
• Ask someone else to do the vacuuming, as this increases allergen in the air for up to 20 minutes. Also consider using a vacuum cleaner with an asthma and allergy sensitive HEPA filter
• Keep rooms dry and well ventilated
• Clear out the clutter

Another way to manage hay fever and/or allergy symptoms is to use products that may reduce allergy triggers in day to day life.

“The National Asthma Council created Sensitive Choice to help consumers identify asthma and allergy aware products,”- Ms Taylor.

Products marked Sensitive Choice have been assessed by an independent panel. So, next time you go shopping, look for the reassuring blue butterfly on product packaging, including bedding, cleaning products, vacuum cleaners, and more.

Sensitive Choice has helped Australians reduce their allergy reactions for many years. Its partners provide funds for research and education led by the National Asthma Council to reduce the health, social and economic impacts of asthma and allergies both in Australia and overseas.

If you are one of the four million Australians with allergy symptoms, visit Sensitive Choice for products and services that may be a better choice for you and your family.