<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" It&amp;#039;s that time of year again: The flowers are blooming and our noses are sniffling. You&amp;#039;ve probably already got a strategy for avoiding outdoor reactions (furiously checking the &amp;quot;pollencast&amp;quot; each morning?), but there are things you can do around the house to lessen allergy woes, too. 1. Dispel dust. The dust that accumulates on windowsills, air vents, curtains, and blinds can aggravate your outdoor allergies when you come inside. Give them a clean sweep with your vacuum&amp;#039;s dusting attachment and upholstery tool. We recommend washing your drapes, too \u2014 check their care tag for special instructions. 2. Launder your pillows. You could literally be sleeping with the enemy: Allergen debris collects on your pillows, and since they&amp;#039;re pressed to your face for hours each night, they need regular cleaning. Wash down and fiberfill pillows in warm water on the gentle cycle (but check the care labels for specific notes). Foam pillows can&amp;#039;t go through the washer, so vacuum them with the upholstery tool. 3. Deep clean carpets and rugs. Now that it&amp;#039;s time to open your windows and freshen your home, we recommend calling the pros to give rugs and carpeting a good, deep cleaning. Afterward, prolong the results with regular vacuuming. A vacuum with a HEPA filter prevents particles from escaping back into the air as you clean. RELATED: 3 Cleaning Chores to Leave to the Pros \u00BB 4. Give your mattress a once-over. Make this task part of your routine every few months. First, suck up dust with your vacuum&amp;#039;s upholstery and crevice tools. Then, sprinkle baking soda onto the mattress, wait 15 minutes, and vacuum. This will help eliminate any irritating odors in the fabric.  5. Fend off mold. Even if you don&amp;#039;t suffer from allergies, mold growing in your home is a big concern. To prevent it, focus on spots where moisture accumulates. In your basement, a dehumidifier can discourage mold from showing up. And in the bathroom, open doors and windows to allow air to circulate after you&amp;#039;ve showered, and spread the shower curtain to allow it to dry completely. Michaelle Exhume is an analyst in the cleaning and home products lab at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a25189/prevent-house-allergies/>