Ah, fall! The perfect time for cozy sweaters and scarves, hearty soups, pumpkin flavored everything (not that we’re complaining!)...and constant, unending sniffles and sneezes. If you find yourself besieged by allergies this time of year, you’ve probably already turned to your usual remedies - allergy medicine, nasal sprays, those weird neti pot things. But did you know there’s actually steps you can take during cleaning and organizing your home to reduce exposure to allergens? Regular housecleaning and organizing can actually help prevent or reduce the symptoms of allergies in your own home, and help get you through the rest of allergy season! Here’s a few tips we’ve pulled together to help you fight those autumn sniffles: Vacuum A Little More Often: Nobody actually enjoys vacuuming, no matter how much of a neat freak you are, but vacuuming is one of the easiest and fastest ways to start cutting down on common household allergens. Set aside some time once or twice a week to vacuum the most commonly-traveled rooms in your home to start cutting down on pollen, dust mites, and the like. (And try not to shampoo your carpets - the moisture could cause mold growth or attract dust mites!) Regular Laundry Trips: Allergens, both outdoor and in, love hanging out in fabrics, particularly clothes (since you wear them outdoors, after all) and bedsheets. During seasons of bad allergies, try to wash your linens every other week to stop the allergens from piling up, and if you don’t need to increase your typical laundry rotation, at least try to find a slightly better place to store your dirty laundry (away from your clean stuff) until you can get it safely cleaned. Fight Clutter: We suggest this a lot, but it particularly comes in handy during allergy season. Organizing stuff you haven’t used in a while and tidying up bric-a-brac that’s started to collect dust is a good way to prevent dust mites, mold, and allergens from piling up in the disused corners of your house. If you have any big organization projects to tackle, try to avoid using wood or more ‘natural’ shelves as they can encourage the growth of allergens - stainless steel like wire shelving, hygienic coated wire shelves, or anything not wooden, really can help mitigate the spread of pesky dust and mold. Minimize Outdoor Time: This is only needed if your allergies are really starting to pile up, but sadly heading outdoors is one of the easiest ways to expose yourself to further allergens. If cleaning indoors still isn’t helping, you might want to consider cutting down on the walks outside (except for your dog!) and shutting the windows at night to prevent cold air and allergy-causing particles from getting in. With these tips, hopefully your fall time will be less sniffly and more enjoyable!