McHardy Vacuum Blog

Allergies are never fun—find out what you can do to help prevent symptoms.

As the seasons change, so does the number of allergy sufferers we see.  Spring and Fall time habits, like increased cleaning, opening windows, and yard work, can cause some of us to have itchy eyes, sneezing, and wheezing symptoms.

Now, it’d be nice if we could avoid everything that aggravates our allergies or stop cleaning altogether, but it’s not that simple. The key is to develop a plan and use products that allow you to clean your home without triggering allergy symptoms.

For allergy sufferers, we recommend keeping on top of bag and filter changes in their vacuum. If you’re in need of a new unit, try a Miele vacuum with a HEPA filter or a Beam Central vacuum.

Select Miele vacuums are classified as HEPA sealed, which means no air is expelled from the vacuum without first passing through the bag, pre-motor, and exhaust filter. Beam central vacuums are actually clinically proven to reduce several types of allergy symptoms by removing the collected dust from the living areas. This ensures the cleanest air possible. Other vacuums can leak dust out of the machine, recirculating it in the air you breathe, which can cause symptoms to flair up.

It is also important to use cleaning tools that trap the dust instead of just pushing it around. For cleaning hard surfaces, like coffee tables, bookshelves, and counters, we recommend using a microfiber cloth, like eCloths. The hook-like fibers actually lock in the dust and allergen particles until the cloth is washed.

Musty odours can be a bother. The perfume-laden air fresheners used to mask the smell can be even worse for allergy and asthma sufferers as well as individuals with odour sensitivities. To remove odours without causing a coughing fit, try all-natural Fresh Wave products. No longer are harsh chemicals needed to get a clean house.

Allergy Symptom Prevention Tips:

• Find your triggers and what causes your symptoms. This way you can approach your cleaning tasks in a more systematic way or enlist others to help.
• Wear a mask if certain cleaning activities stir up or expose you to your triggers. If vacuuming causes a reaction, or if cutting the grass leaves you in a pile of sneezes, limit the amount of particles that are entering your body.
• Regular mattress cleaning helps with dust mite allergies. Using the upholstery tool on your vacuum, clean the tops, sides, and bottom of the mattress.
• Depending on your triggers, open or close the windows. If a stuffy room or odours are your trigger, keep the fresh air coming in. However, if outdoor allergens are your kryptonite, keep your windows shut, as they can be pushed inside with a breeze.
• Ensure dust is removed, not just moved around. When dusting, use a microfiber cloth and not a duster. Vacuum your bare floor surfaces instead of just sweeping.
• Invest in a high-quality air purifier. Lower-end units usually offer little to no relief of symptoms. Austin Air purifiers vary from 4 to 8 levels of filtration and ensure the air in your home is as clean as can be.