22 products that will help reduce indoor allergens - SFGATE

Allergy sufferers know that runny noses, itchy eyes, and nagging coughs aren't limited solely to socially distanced backyard hangs or the futile task of raking leaves. Indoor allergens in the form of pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites are just as nefarious as the outdoor variety and can plague even the cleanest homes.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America claims that indoor air quality can actually be worse than outdoor air. These often microscopic offenders linger on dusty surfaces, bedding, carpets, bathrooms...sigh, pretty much everywhere. So, while the world waits for someone to pitch a dust-destroying magic wand on Shark Tank, you can reduce indoor allergens with regular cleaning and simple swaps. These methods are designed to bust dust and pollen, demolish dander and mold, and generally help you breathe easier. If there's a giant bottle of Kirkland-brand Zyrtec in your Amazon cart right now, you'll want to read on.

Baggu Masks

baggu.com

$16.00

It seems obvious, but many people don't cover their faces when they dust. This set of three washable masks from Baggu are some of the most well-designed masks in terms of style and protection. The unique style covers your nose and chin without gapping, includes a filter pocket, and is made from organic quilter's cotton which has a particle-blocking tight weave.

Buff Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

Buff

amazon.com

$17.98

Microfiber cloths are a secret weapon when it comes to dusting effectively. While the soft fibers act as a dust magnet, lightly misting the cloth with a non-toxic cleaner guarantees the dust ends up on the cloth and not in the air.

Swiffer Dusters Heavy Duty Extender Starter Kit

Swiffer

amazon.com

$19.99

Dirty ceiling fan blades and the dust tornados they create are bad news for those with allergies, especially those who sleep with the fan on. Bust the dust with this handy Swiffer Heavy Duty Duster, with the 3-foot extender or the 6-foot extender model.

Dyson V7 Allergy HEPA Cord-Free Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Dyson

amazon.com

$493.99

The Dyson V7 is perfect for homes with allergy sufferers, the HEPA filter traps dirt and dust from floors and carpets while the stick design means it can vacuum dust bunnies from the tightest spots. The Dyson D7 is lightweight and cordless making it easy to grab and replace for those who vacuum daily. And, watching the dust bin fill with icky particles is pretty satisfying.

Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet Swivel HEPA Media Vacuum Cleaner

Hoover

amazon.com

$200.16

For large homes with wall-to-wall carpet, opt for the Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet (cordless vacuums typically have a 30-minute max run time.) The powerful suction and allergen-trapping HEPA filter make this vacuum a must for households with pets.

Squeeze Stainless Steel Flat Floor Mop and Bucket Set

oshang

amazon.com

$39.99

Mopping sucks but the chore no longer involves hand-wringing musty mop heads and redistributing yucky water. This compact system has separate compartments for clean and dirty water. Mopping floors with diluted vinegar or a non-toxic, hypoallergenic all-purpose cleaner ensures you don't fill your home with chemical irritants. Here's a lightweight plastic version of the mop and bucket system.

Allersearch ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray

Allersearch

amazon.com

$26.95

Allersearch ADMS Anti-Allergen Spray is an "inorganic anti-allergen spray that uses an oxidizing compound that destroys allergens from dust mites, pet dander, pollens, mold, and mildew on contact." The clear, non-toxic spray obliterates allergens on carpets, curtains, and furniture without staining. Psst...buying the enormous 128 oz. refill bottle (4 times the spray bottle size) for $49.95 is a total pro move.

Coop Home Goods Adjustable Hypoallergenic Pillow

coophomegoods.com

$72.00

Imagine waking up without congestion or a stiff neck, it's possible with Coop Home Goods' best-selling, adjustable pillow. The pillow comes with a bag of extra shredded memory foam stuffing so you can adjust the density. The best part is that both the super-soft bamboo cover and the actual pillow stuffing are dust mite-resistant, hypoallergenic, and machine washable.

SafeRest Queen Size Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector

SafeRest

amazon.com

$37.99

Protecting your mattress from perspiration and skin flakes is an easy way to keep dust mites at bay and consequently, the allergies triggered by the microscopic insects, their dead bodies, and their feces. (gag) Just slap this bad boy on and wash it every two weeks in hot water.

SafeGuard Pillow Protectors

SureGuard Mattress Protectors

amazon.com

$29.97

If you already have a favorite pillow, wash it according to care instructions then protect it with a pillow protector. This will keep your pillow free of the sweat, drool, oil, and skin that dust mites love to feast on. The AFAA recommends using washable pillows and replacing them every 2 years.

Clorox Clean-Up CloroxPro Disinfectant Cleaner with Bleach Refill

CloroxPro

amazon.com

$15.49

Obvious household mold offenders include showers, tubs, and toilets but there are a handful of surprising spots that can grow allergy-inducing mold spores if left unchecked. Regularly clean the large rubber gasket on front-loading washers and faucet aerator screens in bathrooms and kitchens -- both areas are sneaky mold breeding grounds. The current demand for bleach has created somewhat of a racket so this huge refill size for $13 is a steal!

Clear Heavy Duty Anti-Microbial Mildew Resistant Shower Curtain Liner

LiBa

amazon.com

$11.99

A musty shower liner peppered with mildew is not only kind of gross but can release spores into the air when disturbed. Grab a couple of heavy-duty, mildew-resistant shower liners to keep bathroom allergens at bay.

Bissell air320 Smart Air Purifier with HEPA and Carbon Filters

Bissell

amazon.com

$239.89

There are a handful of attractive air purifiers and thousands of hideous models, this one falls into the former category. The Bissell air320 is pretty darn cute and can purify a 1000 sq ft room – the HEPA filter and carbon filters capture 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles and smaller including pollen, dust, smoke, hair, and pet dander.

LEVOIT HEPA Air Purifier w/Dual Activated Carbon Filter

LEVOIT

amazon.com

$58.75

Home offices, kid's rooms, any room up to 161 sq ft, will benefit from this compact and affordable air purifier. Charcoal pre-filter removes odors while HEPA filtration removes 99.9% of particles as small as 0.3 microns such as airborne allergy, dust, pollen, and mold.

3M Filtrete Healthy Living Ultrafine Particle Reduction AC Furnace Filter

Filtrete

amazon.com

$54.19

Replace your home's furnace filters every 30 days with high-quality filters like these 3M Filtrete Filters. The filter is rated 2800 MPR and MERV 14, one of the highest ratings you can get for residential use. This extremely high rating means it will capture large particles like dust, pollen, and lint as well as microparticles like smoke, cough and sneeze debris, bacteria, and viruses.

Oceanstar 2-Tier Bamboo Stackable Shoe Rack

Oceanstar

amazon.com

$20.86

All of your allergen-reducing efforts will be in vain if your family and guests are wearing shoes indoors. Enacting a no-shoes-inside policy will keep your carpets and floors cleaner, sanitary, and can minimize the number of pollen spores being tracked through your house.

Open Spaces 3-Tier Rack

getopenspaces.com

$184.00

Open Spaces' 3-tier rack is a stylish solution for keeping dirty shoes and outdoor allergens off floors and carpets. With clean lines and on-trend color options, you won't mind that this rack is the first thing you and your guests see.

Crate and Barrel Washable Della Grey Cotton Rug

crate and barrel

crateandbarrel.com

$34.95

For allergy sufferers, rugs are often a necessary evil. Luckily, there's a solution...machine washable rugs! This one from Crate and Barrel is thick woven cotton in sizes appropriate for entryways, kitchens, and offices that you can toss in the wash and dry in the dryer. Check out this very helpful roundup of washable rugs in a range of styles and sizes.

Burt's Bees Cat Dander Reducing Spray

Burt's Bees

amazon.com

$6.49

It sounds nuts, but some folks with cat allergies still allow their cats to do the unthinkable--sleep in their bed, hang out on upholstered couches, and treat their owner like a giant saltlick. Reduce the amount of itchy nose-inducing dander and saliva on your cat with this all-natural spray, just mist the washcloth and rub it through their fur. It's gentle, moisturizing, and detangles long-haired breeds.

Burt's Bees Cat Dander Reducing Wipes

Burt's Bees

amazon.com

$5.64

These convenient wipes do the same as the above product and are recommended for cats who flee at the sound of a spray bottle.

Allerpet Dog Allergy Relief

Allerpet

amazon.com

$25.99

For those who have allergies to dogs and willingly suffer out of unconditional love (this author included), there's this stuff. Allerpet's Dog Allergy Relief is a liquid that binds to and removes the proteins in dog dander, urine, and saliva that can trigger allergic reactions in humans. Just moisten the provided mitt and rub it into your dog's fur, it's non-toxic, fragrance-free, and nourishes fur and skin. Here's a kitty version.

Vet's Best Hypo-Allergenic Shampoo for Dogs

Vet's Best

amazon.com

$14.99

Bathing your dog regularly can reduce and/or remove allergens from their fur but using a harsh shampoo can leave their skin dry and even worse, flaky. Bath your pup using this gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo that relieves itching, soothes hotspots, and won't sting their eyes.

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