Custom Window Treatments can be Help Control Allergy Problems
It’s no secret to those with allergies that the St. Louis area can be a tough environment for those with allergies. St. Louis is currently ranked 40th worst in the nation for allergies. And as recently as 2011, St. Louis was ranked as one of the ten worst cities in the U.S. when it comes to allergies.
The reasons? St. Louis sits in a complex of river valleys, as the Mississippi, the Missouri, the Meramec and countless streams and creeks flow through the area. These rivers, streams and creeks create standing water which provides moisture in which mold can grow quickly. The area is also home to plants and trees – oak, for example – that produce pollens which are associated with allergies.
Add warm temperatures and high humidity to the mix and it’s easy to understand why allergy sufferers are constantly reaching for antihistamines and other allergy relief.
While there’s nothing that can be done to alleviate the pollen and spores in the air outside, with some thought and smart decisions, controlling those irritants indoors is possible. Consider the following ideas if you’re interested in making your home more livable when it comes to allergies:
Air purifiers can greatly reduce allergens in your home. These simple devices quietly draw in air, filter and circulate it back into your home, 24 hours a day. They’re quiet, inexpensive and effective. Installation is easy as most just need to be plugged into a wall socket and turned on.
Cleaning air ducts can greatly reduce the dust, mold, pollen and other allergens floating in the air throughout your home. HVAC ducts are out of sight and out of mind for most homeowners, but they can be packed with dust and other irritants that can’t be missed. Professionally cleaned ductwork can lead directly to cleaner air, and as a bonus clean ducts can mean more efficient heating an cooling.
Reconsider your carpeting. While carpeting creates a warmer, softer floor and can add beauty to a room or a home, it’s also exceptionally good at absorbing dust, pet hair and dander, and other allergens. Every time carpeting is vacuumed, those particles are launched into the air where they can cause the sneezing and sniffles associated with allergies. Regularly cleaning carpeting can help, but replacing carpets with wood, laminate or tile flooring can make cleaning much easier and effective. And that in turn, can lead to more breathable air.
Replace drapes and curtains with blinds or shades. While drapes can be a beautiful element of your home’s décor, they can also be a magnet for allergens. Mold spores, pet dander, dust and pollen floating in through the air in your home can easily collect on your drapes. Having drapes cleaned (in most cases, dry cleaning is required) can be a major undertaking, one most homeowners tend to avoid. Open a window or shut the drapes and those irritants can be released into the air and eventually cause allergy symptoms.
Vertical blinds or traditional horizontal blinds made from wood or synthetic materials are much easier to clean and/or dust. And that will reduce the allergens floating in the air throughout your home.
We can help!
We offer scores of blinds and custom window treatments that can help you control the allergens in your home. Visit our new showroom – located at 11477 Page Service Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146 – the perfect place to shop for window treatments of all types, or schedule a consultation with our team. Quality matters, especially to the discerning customer. Let us show you why our window treatments will make a difference for you, your home or your business.