Michelle Rivas shares 7 tips and tricks to minimize asthma triggers in the household.

Your home is a reflection of your soul. My home reflects organized chaos.

Inside are collectible antiques, courtesy of my grandmother, lots of house plants, and one very large and furry mixed-breed dog.

There are also many hacks to keep my asthma symptoms at bay. I sweep and vacuum more than normal since my dog would attack a robotic vacuum. And, as I've put together a cleaning schedule that I can't complete alone, I always have help when it’s time to tidy up.

Incorporating these tips into your home and lifestyle might help if you want to better manage your asthma.

7 ways to tackle asthma allergens in your home

1. Try a HEPA-certified vacuum

Even in college, I knew I needed more than the $40 vacuum I purchased to combat my asthma. So, instead, I budgeted for a high-tech, HEPA-certified one that’d never lose suction and had a reusable filter.

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. It traps harmful microparticles and doesn’t release exhaust, providing a deeper clean. This vacuum cost more than I wanted to spend at the time, but it’s lasted over five years. It also doesn’t spew dust back into the air like cheaper versions.

2. Use unscented everything

You know when you walk into someone’s home, and the entire house smells like a particular scent of air freshener? As easy as it can be to cover up the smell of wet dog, dirty laundry, or dirty dishes, air fresheners may be harmful to people with asthma.

Use unscented beauty products, detergents, and soaps to minimize asthma triggers. If you do need to cover up a bad smell at home, diffuse essential oils or light a soy candle made with essential oils.

Be sure to check that the scent of oil you’re using isn’t harmful to dogs and cats if you have them as pets.

3. Try a humidifier during drier months

The weather is an asthma trigger we have the least control over.

During winter months, I always run a humidifier at night to ensure the air isn’t too dry. I don’t want to wake myself or my partner up with the sounds of coughing! My humidifier can also diffuse essential oils, so I add a few drops of lavender for relaxation.

4. Invest in a HEPA-certified air purifier

I’m a huge supporter of air purifiers. In elementary school, we did an experiment to see which room at home had the largest concentration of air pollution. It was the laundry room!

Even way back then — before my asthma diagnosis — I was shocked and horrified to go in there. In my current apartment, my laundry room and kitchen are in the same room. To reduce the amount of toxins in the air, I invested in a high-quality air purifier that has a reusable filter.

I’m doing everything I can to reduce indoor air pollution and eliminate potential asthma triggers.

However, some studies claim that the benefits of air purifiers are small for asthma and allergies (but not non-existent).

5. Close your windows overnight

While a cool breeze and the quiet, distant sounds of birds chirping can lull you to sleep, allergens are aplenty in the wee hours of the morning.

Open windows can let in allergens like pollen, depending on the time of year. Peak pollination time can vary depending on location and time of year. You can save your entire day by switching on the air conditioner at night to reduce symptoms when you wake up.

6. Reduce clutter

Living means acquiring stuff over time. Many of us only perform a thorough “spring clean” when the clutter gets unmanageable or when we’re moving house.

I decided to do an experiment at home last year. I went through every item I owned and decided whether it brought me joy. If not, I threw it out.

While it sounds a little crazy, it helped reduce the amount of clutter in my home by about 75 percent. I got rid of old bedding, pillows, towels, clothing, books, stuffed animals, and anything else collecting dust.

Regular tidying can help reduce dust and dust mites indoors, and you’ll also have a little more Zen in your life.

7. Break up with down pillows and comforters

I’m allergic to goose feathers, which can make finding the right bedding a bit more challenging.

Natural fiber or hypoallergenic bedding may reduce allergens like dust mites in your blankets and pillows.

Don’t forget that pillows of any type should be changed every one to two years to prevent the buildup of allergens.

The takeaway

Your home should be a place that makes you feel good. Making some small but calculated changes to your home can help you live your best life, even with asthma.

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen. 

NPS-ALL-NP-01437 JANUARY 2025