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The three most common home allergy triggers are dust, dander, and pollen. To banish these pervasive triggers, consider the following steps:
Replace Your Furnace Filter
Most indoor allergens are airborne, which means they also circulate through your ventilation system. Replace your furnace filter every 30 days to reduce household pollutants. To increase effectiveness, upgrade to a filter with a higher MERV rating -- that’s the minimum efficiency reporting value. Filters with a MERV of 5 or higher will catch mold spores and other imperceptible irritants. They’re a step above the cheap replacement filters that you can buy by the pack at any hardware store.
It's also a good idea to have your ducts professionally cleaned every few years.
Adopt a No-Shoes Policy
There’s no sense tracking dirt from outside into your house. The detritus on the soles of your shoes often contain pollen and other sneeze-inducers. Leave shoes at the entrances.
Vacuum Regularly
Frequent vacuuming helps remove allergens that can get trapped in your home's carpet. Use a vacuum that has HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to prevent allergens from being released back into the air. Hardwood floors should be cleaned with a dry mop that traps particulates on the pad.
Use an Air Purifier
Most air purifiers include a HEPA filter to remove allergens. The best purifiers remove nearly 100 percent of dust, dander, pollen, mold spores and other things that irritate your eyes and make you sneeze. If you want a purifier that will neutralize nasty odors, find a model with a deep-bed activated carbon filter.