Lawns, gardens, flowers and facades are what make a neighborhood look pretty and feel more like home. Unfortunately, the extra pollen can be a bit of a problem, especially for those who are allergic or suffering from asthma. In most cases prevention is better than a cure, but in this case that would be nearly impossible. Nevertheless, there are a few things that you could do to minimize the effects pollen has on your health and comfort.
Keep Clean
If you’ve been out doing gardening chores, the first thing you need to do once getting back inside is decontaminate yourself. If you don’t, you’ll only be spreading pollen all throughout the house and making it a nuisance for anyone with allergies. Walk in, dump your clothes in the washer and hit the shower to remove any and all traces of the golden powder off your body.
Park in the Garage
Cars tend to become a bed for pollen that gets constantly blown off with the wind. Whenever you use your car, you’ll be spreading the pollen from on the roof and windows everywhere inside. Giving your car an early morning wash is obviously a good thing to do, but if you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of pollen in the air, it helps to just keep the pollen off the outside of your car so that you can prevent it from settling inside. Oh, and never leave the windows down!
Close Doors and Windows
The time when flowers are in full bloom is usually the best time of the year, and one when you’d want to keep the windows and doors open to embrace nature. But the more air comes into your home, the more pollen it brings along with it, causing a lot of nasal drama especially for those prone to more seasonal allergies. If you want to enjoy nature, just take a stroll outside. Don’t forget to wipe your feet and clean your outerwear upon entering the house.
Empty Your Vacuum Outside
Believe it or not, but emptying your vacuum into your kitchen garbage can pretty much render your cleaning efforts entirely useless. Whatever pollen you may have sucked up will be back in the air. After you’re done vacuuming, take the bag or canister outside to empty it to prevent the pollen from lingering in your house.
Wash Your Hair
As much as it is a dust magnet, your hair is also a pollen magnet. Here’s where things can get especially annoying if you’re the one with allergies. If the yellow stuff stays on your hair all day, you’ll be spreading it all over your bed and pillow. In other words, you’ll be sleeping and waking up with a lot of pollen and allergy symptoms. If your neighborhood is subject to a major pollen crisis and you know you may have some on your hair, wash your hair regularly to keep yourself safe.
Even after all this, don’t forget to take some time to enjoy one of nature’s best times as the flowers blossom.
