Millions of people suffer from environmental allergies and contact allergens, which can negatively impact daily quality of life. Poor air quality, pollen, dust mites, mold, smoke, chemicals, and pet dander are some of the most common allergies in this category. And while there’s no cure for these health issues, there are ways to limit exposure to them. Consider picking up these products, which can each help reduce discomfort for people with allergies.
After personally testing more than 20 air purifiers, the Sans Whole Home Air Purifier became an instant favorite for our tester. With a three-stage filtration system (a pre-filter, medical-grade HEPA 13 filter, and activated carbon layer) plus a UV-C sanitizing light that inactivates bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi, it performed incredibly well in her tests. The whole-home unit covers up to 1,854 square feet, weighs just 11 pounds, and has a fold-flat handle that makes it easy to move. Its digital display cycles through PM2.5, PM10, and VOC readings so you can see exactly what’s affecting your air quality, and an auto mode adjusts fan speed in response to cooking fumes, pet dander, and other pollutants.
This set of Coyuchi undyed towels is made of sustainably grown and woven organic cotton. It’s free of irritating chemicals and toxins that can cause skin irritation. The highly absorbent towels are also quick-drying, so there’s less of a chance that bacteria will grow on them.
If you wake up with red eyes and a runny nose, the problem might be the chemicals and dyes in your sheets. Cariloha Resort bamboo sheets are made of 100 percent viscose from bamboo, with a sateen finish. Since they’re hypoallergenic and are not chemically treated, the breathable, odor-resistant bamboo sheets (which are twice as soft as cotton) won’t irritate your skin.
Washing your bedding can reduce dust and other allergens, but your mattress won’t fit in the washing machine. Hospitology’s hypoallergenic mattress encasement zips all the way around to protect the top, bottom, and sides of the mattress, protecting it from bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and bed bugs. It’s waterproof (but breathable) on all six sides, too.
Air Quality Monitor
Airthings 2930 Wave Plus Radon & Air Quality Monitor
Photo: Amazon
The Airthings Wave Plus Air Quality Monitor can detect volatile organic compounds, radon, and carbon dioxide, in addition to monitoring temperature, air pressure, and humidity levels. (Monitoring and adjusting indoor humidity is important, given that moisture can lead to mold and dry air is conducive to colds and flu.) When air quality monitor mounted on the wall like a smoke detector, you can wave your hand in front of it for a visual update: The device will turn green (for good air quality), yellow (for fair air quality), or red (for poor air quality).
In our tested guide to the best robot vacuums, the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni wowed our reviewers as the Best Overall pick. This vacuum-mop hybrid has a large detergent reservoir, roomy clean and dirty water tanks, and even cleans up well after a shedding dog. BobVila.com product reviewer Paul Rankin calls it “the closest thing to a zero-maintenance robot cleaner I’ve tested.”
Whether sleeping on your back, side, or stomach, your head is cradled on your pillow for several hours each night. And when you combine those foam by-products in your pillow with dust mites, allergens, sweat and bacteria, it’s enough to cause nightmares. However, the Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow is hypoallergenic, made of memory foam and microfiber. The fill is encased in a stretchy liner, and then covered by a case that’s made of bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester to resist dust mites.
When assembling an allergy-proof bedroom, don’t forget your covers. The Mellanni Bedspread Coverlet Set combats allergens in two ways. First, the brushed microfiber material is hypoallergenic and minimizes dust mites, moisture, and allergens (and it also resists fading, wrinkles, and stains). Also, since the bedspread is oversized, it hinders the amount of dust that gathers under your bed.
Steam is a powerful ally against germs and debris, and the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop steams and sanitizes hardwood, tile, and other types of hard floors. It can eliminate 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria without using harmful chemicals. For tough, sticky areas, the flip-down easy scrubber brushes them away. And thanks to its swivel steering, we found it easy to maneuver around and under furniture when testing the best steam mops.
All kinds of germs lurk in your trash can—you don’t want to touch that lid! The Kohler 8-Gallon Loft Stainless Steel Step Trash Can has a metal foot pedal for hands-free operation. The trash can also has a fingerprint-proof finish to keep it looking clean, comes with a removable plastic liner, and uses regular trash bags. Available in black with stainless steel, and white with stainless steel.
Staying hydrated is important, especially if you have allergies, but contaminants in the water can cause health issues. The LARQ Self-Cleaning Stainless Steel Water Bottle uses UV-C LED technology to sanitize the water inside and also clean the bottle’s interior. By touching the button on the top, the inside of the bottle (and its contents) is cleaned in 60 seconds, and it continues cleaning every 2 hours to ensure the water bottle remains free from bacteria and viruses.
The Tineco Pure One S11 cordless stick vacuum is a strong pick for allergy sufferers, thanks to its HEPA filtration system that captures 99 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns and iLoop smart sensors that automatically adjust suction based on detected dirt levels. It converts quickly from a stick vacuum to a handheld unit for furniture and stairs, runs up to 40 minutes per charge, and comes with a crevice tool, dusting brush, and mini power brush. Tester Debbie Wolfe particularly praised the iLoop sensor in her best cordless vacuums reviews: “It provided a visual indication of how clean the flooring was as we vacuumed and a ton of data about the contaminants we removed from our carpets and air.”
Humidifying the air can help to reduce allergy symptoms, and the Dreo 6-liter warm and cool mist Humidifier can ensure the right level of moisture regardless of the season. It’s designed for large rooms up to 550 square feet, has a maximum runtime of 60 hours, and can be controlled through the Dreo app. A quiet, lights-free Sleep Mode and dual-pad aroma tray are nice feature upgrades.
A dirty furnace air filter doesn’t just make your HVAC system work harder—it also contributes to indoor air pollution. That’s why you need to change your air filter at least once every 3 months for it to work efficiently. Filtrete Micro Allergen Defense Air Filter is certified allergy- and asthma-friendly and captures a variety of particles in your home, including dust, lint, pollen, dust mite debris, pet dander, and smoke.
