Allergy season: turning your home into a safe zone

Pollen, dust mites and pet dander do not care how tidy a room looks. For the one in four New Yorkers with allergies, what matters is what is floating in the air and settling on soft surfaces.

Dust damp, never dry

A dry duster simply launches particles back into the air. A barely damp microfiber cloth traps them. It is the single biggest change most homes can make.

• Use a sealed HEPA vacuum, emptied outside
• Wash bedding weekly at 60°C or higher
• Wipe blinds, vents and lampshades monthly
• Keep shoes at the door

“The cleanest-looking home can still be the dustiest one in the air.”