If you have allergies you struggle every year with allergies, but did you know that you can harbor allergens in your home? For some people allergies are terrible all year long and we wonder why, here are a few ways to defeat allergies! By learning how to control the dust, mold, pollen and other contaminants that are making you sneeze and what causes them will make you better prepared all year long. Below are some common mistakes that you may be making that is causing you and your family to be unhealthy.

• Carpet vs tile – Everyone loves a nice carpet, it is soft on your feet and warm in the winter but carpet (even the cleanest) can harbor dust, mold and allergens. When you open your windows or let your pets in pet dander, pollen and mold spores come into your home and settle into your carpets. As you walk on the carpets those spores are released into the air and aggravate your allergies. The easiest way to get ahead of this is to replace your carpet with tile or hardwood floors. You can find beautiful tile to compliment your existing decor or if you don’t like tile and can’t afford a full hardwood floor replacement you can now find wood tiles for a fraction of the cost. 
• Vacuuming Without a HEPA Filter – Use HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters to prevent tiny particles of dust from being blown back out into the air.
• Forgetting to Change the Vacuum AC Filters – Changing the filter is an essential part of keeping dust out of the air and preserving the life of the machine. Change the filter once it’s showing wear and tear or every six months if you’re using a HEPA filter. Never run your heating or air conditioning system without filters, and be sure to change them at least every three months.
• Not Ventilating Your Bathroom – Running the exhaust fan (and making sure it’s vented to the outdoors) helps remove moisture from this naturally humid room.
• Not Attending to Your Gutters – Leaky gutters can cause excessive moisture to enter your basement or crawl space. If you don’t have covered gutters, frequent litter removal is a must year round.
• Too Many Textiles in Your Living Area – The living room and bedroom remember to keep upholstery to a minimum to reduce the amount of dust mites.
• Not Following Your Nose – If you detect a musty smell in your home, inspect closely until you find the source of the smell. The sooner you find the mold, the easier it will be to remove.
• Not Organizing Your Home Office – Clutter can harbor a plethora of dust mites this includes stacks of papers, old magazines and office equipment. File paper inside a cabinet to stay organized and keep dust away.
• Wearing Shoes Inside the House – Not only is wearing shoes indoors a health risk, but it can also increase allergens. Wet leaves bring in mildew and pollutants from grass get trapped on the bottom of shoes. Take your shoes off outside, or put them in a washable tray as soon as you walk in the door.
• Displaying Houseplants – You may enjoy your beloved fern, but houseplants encourage mold growth. Mold spores live in warm, wet dirt, so limit the amount and time you display them.