Helpful Tips On How to Manage Household Allergens

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

Learn how Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays can help you neutralize common indoor allergens like non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander in your 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 mite matter 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.

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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 and grass can be especially high in the Spring.
  • Dust mite matter: Allergens produced by microscopic living creatures, commonly found in bedding, furniture and carpets.
  • 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 offers a range of products to help you manage allergens on hard and soft surfaces throughout your home. Follow our complete guide for room-by-room removal.

What you need

Steps to manage household allergens

  1. Living area

    Start by giving your living spaces a good once over with Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air Spray to neutralize allergens before they become allergies.*

    Tip

    For best results, spray commonly used rooms once in the morning and once at night.

  2. Bedroom

    Use Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray on soft surfaces like bedding and carpets to neutralize non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander.

  3. Pet items

    Dogs and cats can be another front in the fight against allergens. Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air Spray and Fabric & Carpet Spray are great ways to neutralize pet dander. We also have some cleaning and grooming tips for dog owners and cat owners to help minimize their allergen impact.

  4. Fabrics

    Consider frequently laundering your bedding and clothes, as these soft materials can trap allergens. We recommend adding Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray to your regular routine.

  5. Kitchen & Bath

    Wipe countertops and other hard, nonporous surfaces, 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.

Tips to help manage allergens at home

While allergens are inescapable and can be difficult to control, a regular allergen maintenance routine may help. Cleaning, vacuuming and dusting may help to minimize dust and pet dander. Additionally, daily use of Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer sprays are a great way to help neutralize allergens before they become allergies.* Remember, allergen management is important all year long, not just during pollen season.

Controlling indoor humidity levels may help manage allergens, as dust mite matter 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.

Tools for your allergy management routine

Developed with Allergists, Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Daily Air Spray and Clorox PURE Allergen Neutralizer Fabric & Carpet Spray help neutralize common allergens including non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Clorox Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths remove 99% of allergens on hard nonporous surfaces. These wipes can help remove common allergens such as pet dander, dust mite matter and cockroach matter.

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 quality2.

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 mite matter, pet dander, and other fine particles from carpets and upholstery.

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 mite matter 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

In fact, according to Dr. Michael O’Connell, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, Board-certified Allergist, some clues that you may be allergic to something in your home are increased allergy symptoms when spending more time at home and symptoms that are daily and more frequent in the Winter months when people are indoors in their homes more often.

Why am I getting allergies and sneezing inside my house?

There are several common allergy triggers that can come from inside the house. According to Dr. Michael O’Connell, “Indoor allergens are suspended in the air so standard household cleaning techniques don’t always work to lower exposure to those allergens as much as you might think.” It’s why Clorox PURE was scientifically designed to target and inactivate the airborne allergens in non-living pollen, dust mite matter and pet dander that can trigger allergic reactions in your body.