How to Manage Household Allergens & Helpful Prevention Tips

Person sitting on a couch using nasal spray, with a ginger cat looking at them and a vase of yellow tulips on the table.

Discover effective ways to remove household allergens and help improve indoor air quality. Learn expert tips to help eliminate dust, pet dander, mold, pollen and more for a healthier home.

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Allergens are substances in our environment that may cause allergic reactions when we come in contact with them, becoming a nuisance at best or in some cases severely impacting our health.1 These reactions may be particularly common among children, asthma sufferers and pet owners. While allergies often peak in the spring and summer due to tree and grass pollen, they can also occur in the fall and winter, with weed pollen and year round with indoor allergens like dust mites and pet dander being the main culprits.

When your body detects these allergens in your system, it mistakenly identifies these harmless substances as a threat and launches a defense — sneezing, itchy eyes and congestion may be common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Understanding how to effectively remove household allergens may be helpful for maintaining a healthy living environment year-round.

Common household allergens

Not sure what’s causing all that sneezing? These are the most likely culprits.

  • Pet dander: Cats, dogs and other pets shed tiny particles of skin known as pet dander, which can also include proteins found in their saliva, urine and feces
  • Pollen: Often brought inside from outdoor sources like pets, clothing, or shoes, pollen from trees, weeds and grass can be especially high in the spring
  • Dust mites: These microscopic living creatures commonly found in bedding, furniture and carpets thrive on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets
  • Mold and mildew: Mold and mildew thrive in damp areas such as bathrooms and basements, which may contribute to indoor allergies
  • Cockroach droppings: Though often hidden, these pest droppings may be a serious allergen that can affect many individuals

No matter the type of allergen you’re dealing with, Clorox has three effective products you need to remove 99% of allergens from your home, including pet dander, dust mite matter and cockroach matter. Follow our complete guide for room-by-room removal.

What you need

Steps to remove household allergens

  1. Living area

    Remove allergens from hard, nonporous surfaces in your living room like side tables, coffee tables, consoles and shelving by wiping surface clean with a Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipe. Let air dry.

    Tip

    Don’t forget surfaces like ceiling fans, fireplaces and moulding where dust can pile up.

  2. Bedroom

    Furniture like nightstands, dressers, wardrobes and even light fixtures and ceiling fans can be places for allergens to settle. To clean and remove allergens on hard, nonporous surfaces, spray Clorox™ Clean-Up™ Cleaner + Bleach Spray & Mold Remover 4 to 6 inches from surface until thoroughly wet. Let stand for 3 minutes. Wipe clean. For surfaces that may come into contact with food, a potable water rinse is required.

    Tip

    If streaking is observed, wipe with a clean, damp microfiber cloth or paper towel.

  3. Kitchen

    Wipe countertops, kitchen appliances and floors, paying special attention to thresholds like windowsills and doorways where outside contact occurs. Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes are safe to use on finished wood, sealed granite and stainless steel.

  4. Bathroom

    Wipe counters, faucets and toilets with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes and let air dry. Follow with Clorox™ Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths to wipe or mop floors clean. Let air dry.

  5. Pet items

    Dogs and cats can be another front in the fight against allergens. We have some cleaning and grooming tips for dog owners and cat owners to minimize their allergy impact.

  6. Fabrics

    Consider frequently laundering your bedding and clothes, as these soft materials can trap allergens.

Prevention tips to keep allergens away

Establishing a regular cleaning routine, including vacuuming and dusting, may help to minimize dust and pet dander. Use our checklist above and remember to clean year round, not just during pollen season.

Controlling indoor humidity levels may help manage allergens, as dust mites and mold thrive in humid environments. Keeping windows and doors sealed, especially during peak pollen season, may help prevent outdoor allergens from entering your home. Additionally, incorporating natural air purifiers, such as certain plants, may help improve indoor air quality and reduce allergens.

Best solutions for allergy prevention and removal

Lean on HEPA filters and other products in the market to manage allergens at home.

While allergens are inescapable and can be difficult to control, a regular allergy cleaning routine may help. Clorox™ Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox™ Clean-Up™ Cleaner + Bleach Spray & Mold Remover remove 99% of allergens on hard surfaces, while Clorox™ Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths may help remove allergens on floors.

For allergy prevention and removal, consider using air purifiers with True HEPA filters, HEPA filter vacuums, and mold-resistant paint and cleaners.

Air purifiers equipped with True HEPA filters can capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, significantly improving indoor air quality.2

HEPA filter vacuums are designed to trap allergens during cleaning, preventing them from being released back into the air. These vacuums may be particularly effective at removing dust mites, pet dander, and other fine particles from carpets and upholstery.

Mold-resistant paint and cleaners may prevent the growth of mold and mildew in damp areas like bathrooms and basements. These products contain antimicrobial agents that inhibit mold growth, ensuring a healthier living environment. For more tips on how to remove mold and mildew, check out these articles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ceiling fans make allergies worse?

Ceiling fans can potentially make allergies worse if they are not properly maintained. Blades can accumulate dust over time, then distribute particles through the air when turned on. Ceiling fans may also kick up dust that has already settled on surfaces, which can trigger your symptoms. A regular wipe-down of your fan blades may help reduce this effect.

Does mold cause allergies?

It is possible to be allergic to mold. This may result in an allergic reaction to mold spores in the air, similar to pollen or other airborne allergens. When mold spores are released and enter the body through the nose or mouth, your body may perceive these spores as a threat and mount an immune response, in which you may experience sneezing, scratchy throat or other common allergy symptoms.

Can you have allergies in the winter?

While winter can be a much more mild season compared to springtime in terms of pollen levels, some allergens do persist year round. Cold weather allergies are more likely to be triggered by indoor causes such as mold spores, mildew, dust mites and pet dander. Additionally, more time indoors can potentially trigger allergy symptoms, as you may spend more time in close contact with your pets, or your heating system may be circulating more dust throughout your home compared to other times of year.3

Why am I getting allergies and sneezing inside my house?

There are several common allergy triggers that can come from inside the house: dust mites, pet dander, mold, cockroach matter, synthetic fragrances and even pollen from certain houseplants can be the reason for your symptoms.