#AllergySeason: Ways to prepare for spring allergies

After a long, cold winter, most of us look forward to rising temperatures and
blooming plants. But if you have asthma, allergies, or both, the pollen that
comes with the season can take a toll.

We give you some great ways to prepare and take the sting out of the
sniffles that come with spring time…

1. Visit your doctor

If you are on medication, best be sure to go see your doctor timeously and
have new scripts filled. Speak to your medical practitioner about taking your
medication slightly before spring breaks.
Having your allergies confirmed by a medical practitioner is also advisable as
most cases of asthma go undiagnosed because people thought they were
allergies.

2. Get your spring cleaning started early

Sweep out the winter cobwebs and get ahead on your spring cleaning. A
deep spring clean includes dusting everything from the light fixtures to the
bookcases, washing curtains, sweeping floors and rugs, even vacuuming
furniture. This will remove any dust and pollen that has made its way inside
your home.

When spring cleaning, focus on areas in your home where allergens tend to
accumulate — air filters, bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpeting.
Vacuum often — floors, furniture, rugs — and use a vacuum with a HEPA
filter. We understand how time consuming vacuuming can be have a look at our Robotic Vacuums fitted with HEPA filters, these robots mop, scrub and vacuum all at the same time. 

If you are out sprucing up the yard, then wear a suitable mask to reduce the
inhalation of allergens. When you are done for the day, be sure to change
your clothes and shower as pollen can stick to your clothes and hair, making
it easy to track pollen spores throughout your home.

3. Keep your air purifiers clean!

It is best to stick to the recommended timeframe when it comes to changing
your air purifier’s filters. If the filters are not maintained properly or replaced
when needed, the air purifier will not be able to filter the impurities from the
air as effectively as it was designed to do.

Here are our recommendations for our range of air purifiers:

Solenco CF8500 Air Purifier
The combination filter of these units last about 6-12 months – application and
environment dependent.
To maintain your air purifier the air purifier should be cleaned at least once every month. More frequent cleaning may be required depending on environmental
conditions.

The filters can be cleaned with a brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. This
will remove lint and dirt. Only the Prefilter is washable! Make sure it is
completely dry before fixing it onto the combination filter.

Solenco CF8608 Air Purifier
The filters of the Solenco CF8608 units last about 6-12 months – application and
environment dependent.
However, not all need to be replaced at the same time.

The Prefilter for example can last up to 2 years. The H13 HEPA filter and Activated Carbon filter have a similar lifespan and need to replaced simultaneously after about 6-12 months or when the indicating light turns on.

The Prefilter can be washed in water. Ensure it is dry before replacing it in
the unit. Do not use sharp objects to clean the pre-filter as this may damage
the filter. The Prefilter can be used for up to 2 years.

The H13 HEPA and Activated Carbon filters need to be cleaned every 3 months by using the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. DO NOT wash these filters.
The lifespan of these filters depends on the air quality, application and
maintenance.

4. Keep mould spores at bay

Tree and grass pollen are not the only spring allergy offenders, as mould can
kick allergy symptoms into overdrive. Mould can often occur in basements,
bathrooms and kitchens. Any area that might not dry properly can grow
mould, check under the sink and even the doormat for mould spores. Clean
or remove anything with mould you find in your home and monitor humidity
levels to ensure the humidity is between 50 to 55%.
The relative humidity levels can be controlled by means of a dehumidifier

(preferably one with air purification functionality, such as the Meaco 12L Low
Energy Dehumidifier, Meaco 20L Low Energy Dehumidifier or the Solenco Ultra Dry 30L Dehumidifier, but be sure to empty the water tank and keep your unit clean to prevent mildew.

5. Dodge peak allergy hours

As frustrating as it may be, try to plan your schedule so that you can avoid
outdoor activities when the pollen count is highest, typically 5am to 10am.
When making plans to spend time outside during allergy season, keep in
mind that hot, dry days will have a greater amount of pollen in the
environment than cold, rainy days.