Usually when people in the Portland/Vancouver area think of allergy season fall and winter are not what come to mind. However, just because pollen and other allergens are not as prevalent during this time of year, that doesn’t mean you can’t still be bothered by allergies. There are plenty of things inside your home that can lead to coughing, sneezing and congestion.

One of the biggest culprits is dust. Dust never stops, no matter what the calendar says. Plus, dust has a way of building up inside our homes and after a while that dust can become really bothersome to those who suffer from allergies. Even if you dust your home every day there are still places where these tiny particles build up and cause problems, including in your air ducts.

There are several things you can do to help control dust in your home. These are just a few of them:

• Avoid attic or window fans, which only draw more allergens and dust into your home. Air conditioners are better when it comes to reducing dust and allergens.
• Make sure the filters in your vacuum and elsewhere are high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
• Stay away from upholstered furniture, thick carpet and heavy drapes where dust can build up.
• Get your air ducts cleaned. Dust tends to build up year-round in your ducts, and that dust just recirculates throughout your home.

There’s no way to completely rid your environment of dust and other allergens, but by implementing some of these steps you can greatly reduce them. You can learn more about getting your air ducts cleaned by clicking here.