At BeAllergyWise, we recommend cleaning your home frequently in order to help combat seasonal and environmental allergies. Removing dust removes allergens with it, and this helps to give your body a break from the onslaught of pollens in the spring and summer months. Consider this approach part of your strategy to avoid your allergen.
When it comes to removing allergens from your indoor environment, one of the most important pieces of equipment in your arsenal is your vacuum cleaner. Nothing is better at removing dust and allergens from your home and guaranteeing they stay away! The issue is to get a vacuum that will keep dust from being blown out the exhaust of your vacuum.
One way to do this is to install a central vac system that is vented to the outside world. For instance, my central vac has its main unit in my garage! This is perfect because it ensures that my garbage can is close at hand when I dump the machine. It also means there is no way that the dust can be released inside the confines of my home.
Another way to ensure that you really clean the air while you clean your home is to purchase a vacuum with a certified HEPA filter that will clean all exhaust air before it is released into your home. However, you must be careful here: some organizations claim to have true HEPA filtering and do not.
One way to help the consumer make a good choice in vacuum cleaner is to look for brands that are certified by trustworthy certification bodies. One such reputable body is the Asthma Society of Canada.
I recently discovered that Dyson vacuums have been certified by the Asthma Society of Canada. These vacuums have me intrigued: they advertise that they don’t lose any suction power as they clean. I’d love to check that out. However, even more important for those with allergies is that the Asthma Society has also apparently validated the research that the Dyson company has done to improve their technology, resulting in even cleaner exhaust air.
If I had to buy a machine myself, I’d be including this brand on my list to research.
One last point: keep in mind that even the best vacuum cannot keep the air in your home clean if you don’t clean or replace your HEPA filter on a regular basis.
