Your home should be your safe haven – a place where you can unwind and relax after a long day at work or school. Unfortunately, many Indianapolis homes are full of allergens and other irritants that make it difficult to breathe freely and sleep soundly. And it’s not just during pollen season. Dust, dander, and pollen – carried in on clothing, shoes, and pet fur – can linger indoors and exacerbate allergies year-round.
Common indoor allergens in Indiana include:
- Dust
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Pollen tracked in from outside
- Harsh household cleaners
Follow these 8 allergy-smart tips to reduce indoor allergens in your Indianapolis home.
1. Get Rid of Clutter
Decluttering is one of the simplest ways to reduce allergens. Extra items collect dust and make cleaning more difficult. Minimize clutter to make cleaning – and breathing – easier.
Follow this simple decluttering checklist to get started:
- Set aside an hour or two of uninterrupted time to declutter without feeling rushed.
- Make a list of rooms, items in each, and how often you use those items.
- Start with places that are most visible, like your kitchen or living room, to build momentum and motivation.
- Ask for help with big projects like the basement or attic to avoid overwhelm.
- Donate or sell unwanted items.
Pro Tip: If decluttering feels overwhelming, consider hiring a professional to help you declutter. Keep It Neat Indy and The Simple Life are two local businesses that can help you declutter your Indianapolis home. Then, give Plan: B Cleaning a call – we’ll provide the post-cluttering deep clean your home deserves.
2. Use Non-Toxic, Fragrance-Free Cleaning Products
Regular cleaning is essential to reduce dust, dander, and other allergens – but many conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that can irritate airways and worsen allergy symptoms, including:
- Preservatives (like formaldehyde)
- Fragrances
- Enzymes
- Solvents
- Surfactants
- Chlorine bleach
Switching to fragrance-free, non-toxic cleaning products is a great way to improve your indoor air quality. At Plan: B Cleaning, we use eco-friendly, non-toxic products that are safe for your family and pets. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner and the ECOS All-Purpose Cleaner are two great options. Or you can make a homemade all purpose cleaner.
DIY All-Purpose Non-Toxic Cleaner:
- 3 cup 91% isopropyl alcohol
- 1 cup Thieves (or 1-2 teaspoons of any cleaning-safe essential oil)
- 5 tablespoons Sal Suds
- 5 gallons of water
Pro Tip: Pair your non-toxic cleaner with microfiber cloths, which attract and trap dust particles rather than spreading them around. Wash cleaning cloths frequently to prevent buildup.
3. Invest in a High-Quality Vacuum
Carpets and rugs can trap allergens like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores. Vacuuming regularly with a true HEPA filter bagged vacuum can reduce allergen-causing particles by up to 99.97%. Check out Kenmore’s Pet Friendly Pop-N-Go Bagged Canister Vacuum or stop in to Indianapolis’s own Vacuums & More and have their experts help you pick the right HEPA filter vacuum.
Pro Tip: Always remove your shoes when entering your home; preventing allergens from being tracked in is easier than removing them later.
4. Change Your HVAC Air Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system can either help your symptoms or make them worse by circulating dust and allergens throughout your home. The EPA recommends changing your air filter every three months – or more often if you have pets or severe allergies.
This is especially important during seasonal pollen spikes in Indianapolis – ragweed pollen in the fall and maple tree pollen in the spring – but remember, indoor allergens exist year-round.
Pro Tip: Upgrade to a MERV 13 air filter, which captures smaller particles like pet dander and mold spores more effectively.
5. Use HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers are great at removing harmful air particles and can lead to a significant difference in your overall health. If you have allergies, consider getting one for your bedroom and any other rooms where you spend a lot of time.
You can also opt for a whole-house HEPA purifier. This option is more expensive but provides increased health benefits by reducing allergens in every room.
Pro Tip: Like HVAC systems, air purifiers can cause more harm than good if they’re not maintained properly. Follow instructions for replacing filters to keep your purifier working effectively.
6. Wash Your Bed Sheets Regularly
We spend about a third of our lives in bed. If your sheets aren’t clean, that’s a lot of time spent with dust mites, mold, and pet dander. Wash your sheets weekly in warm or hot water using a non-toxic laundry detergent that is designed for those with allergies and sensitive skin. Avoid bleach and fabric softener, which can cause irritation.
Add blankets and comforters to your wash schedule at least once a month.
Pro Tip: Use hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers to prevent dust mites and dander from settling into your bedding.
7. Keep Your Furniture Clean
Your furniture collects dust, pet dander, and other allergens over time. Regular cleaning helps keep those allergens from circulating throughout your home.
Dust hard surface furniture – like tables and desks – at least once a week using a microfiber cloth.
And don’t forget soft surfaces like rugs and couches. We spend hours relaxing on our sofas, yet they rarely get the TLC they need. Over time, they can collect dust, pet hair, and even mold spores that trigger allergies.
How to Clean a Couch to Reduce Allergens
- Vacuum upholstery weekly using a hose attachment
- Clean underneath cushions and in crevices where dust collects
- Spot clean with an allergy-friendly upholstery cleaner
- Steam clean occasionally to kill dust mites
Pro Tip: Consider using a washable couch cover that can trap allergens and be washed weekly.
8. Invest in a Cleaning Service
If your schedule is too hectic to clean your home – or you’re still battling allergies despite regular cleaning – it might be time to call in professional help. A biweekly or monthly cleaning service can keep allergen levels low and make a big difference for your health.
At Plan: B Cleaning, we specialize in allergy-safe cleaning for Indianapolis homeowners. We use non-toxic products and tailor cleaning to your needs.
Our services include:
- Vacuuming
- Mopping
- Dusting
- Hand-washing surfaces
- And more!
We proudly serve the Indianapolis metro – including Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville, and Fortville – helping homeowners create cleaner, healthier spaces.
