Reset Your Home this Summer to Help Tackle Summer Colds and Hay Fever
The arrival of midsummer brings a sharp reminder of the seasonal challenges that affect millions. With hay fever and summer colds currently impacting an estimated 25% of the population, attention is turning to how we manage these relentless symptoms. Alarmingly, new insights suggest that our own homes may be working against us. Through seemingly harmless daily rituals, many sufferers are inadvertently exacerbating their allergies, including overlooked mistakes that turn the sanctuary of our beds into a concentrated zone for pollen exposure.
To help tackle these summer ailments, YCB spoke with Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station, to share the areas of a home that need to be decluttered now that summertime is here.
1. Refresh your bed
Vlatka said: “Your bed can be one of the worst places for those suffering with hay fever and summer colds, so it’s imperative that it’s clean and well maintained. If it’s been a while since giving your bed a deep clean, begin with removing any items stored beneath it. Give it a hoover to remove dust build up and wipe down your bed frame, as pollen can easily cling to furniture, which could contribute to a restless night’s sleep.
“If you’re struggling to organise your underbed storage, you might want to invest in storage boxes that can be easily slid in and out when needed. If you’re someone who really struggles with hay fever and summer colds, make sure to remove any clothing that’s been exposed to the outdoor elements to a laundry basket, ready to be cleaned and refreshed.”
2. Don’t neglect your shoe rack
Vlatka added, “Shoe racks can often become a clutter nightmare, especially in high traffic areas of the home. Overcrowding of footwear can cause moisture to get trapped, which can lead to damp conditions, that can make cold-like symptoms worse.
“Start by removing all footwear from the shoe rack and give it a wipe down to clean away any dirt and moisture. Now is the perfect time to sort through your shoes into ‘keep’, ‘donate’ or ‘throw away’ piles, based on their condition and frequency of use. For those that are now out of season, look to store these elsewhere to free up any space in this area.”
3. Tackle your floordrobe
“Piles of clothing on the floor, especially in a bedroom, not only makes your resting space messy, but can create a damp environment. It’s important to regularly declutter your space to help combat summer colds and improve air circulation in your room.
“If decluttering your bedroom feels like a big task, try to adopt daily ‘mini habits’ that’ll have your space feeling calm and clutter free for longer. Start by making your bed every morning. Doing this will get you in the mindset of not dumping clothes and clutter onto it. Then give yourself 10 minutes to remove any items that don’t belong in this space, putting them back in their designated home.”
Dr Natasha Fernando, Medical Director at Medichecks comments: “Soft furnishings, frequently touched surfaces and even pets can act as secondary reservoirs, prolonging exposure and contributing to persistent symptoms.
“Pollen can also be brought indoors on clothing & hair. Regular laundering of fabrics, changing clothes after outdoor exposure, washing hair, effective vacuuming using appropriate filtration, and keeping windows closed especially on windy/draughty days can help.”