Breathe Easy, Edmonton: How to de-Allergen Your Home this Spring

Spring in Edmonton feels like a fresh start - until allergy season crashes the party. Between dry indoor air and snow mold, even your cleanest spaces might be stirring up more than just dust.

Turns out, the things that feel like Spring - open windows, snuggly pets, even your go-to cleaners - can quietly crank up the irritants.

Here are eight low-effort, high-impact ways to help your home - and your lungs - breathe easier this season.

1. Dry Air Isn’t the Enemy - A Dirty Humidifier is.

On a rainless Spring day, Edmonton’s air can feel as dry as the desert - The low humidity can makes you more reactive to allergens like pollen, dust, and wildfire particles.

A cool mist humidifier helps - but ONLY if it’s clean. Before you plug it in:

• Empty old water and scrub the tank with a plastic-bristled brush.

• Soak it with warm water and vinegar (one-to-one) to descale buildup.

• Let it dry completely before use.

• Only use distilled water to avoid mineral dust.

  
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: A quick vinegar rinse once a week keeps the mist clean and your air calm.

2. Your Curtains Might Be Catching More Than Just the Breeze

Curtains can act like allergen nets - pulling in pollen, wildfire particles, and dust from every breeze. Giving your window treatments a good wash can help clear away any allergen buildup from the long Winter months.

Remember to:

• Follow fabric labels - some require cold or delicate cycles.

• Add white vinegar to the wash to help break down build-up and odor.

• Hang dry in the sun if possible, but avoid windy days.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Use a fabric steamer between washes to keep curtains fresh without the full laundry cycle.

3. Know When to Break Up with Your Rags

Old cloths can do more harm than good - especially during allergy season. If your rags are trapping dust, dander, and residue instead of removing them, it’s time for a clean break.

This Spring, try:

● Strip washing cloths using a combo of Borax, washing soda, and detergent in hot water to dissolve built-up grime and allergens. ● Skipping the fabric softener - it can lock allergens in to your fabrics. ● Dry your rags and sponges fully in the sun when possible.

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: No shame in a clean slate. Look for biodegradable or recycled-fiber cloths when it’s time to refresh.

4. Not All Fresh Smells Are Friendly

That lemon-lavender cleaner? Might be making things worse. Fragrance - natural or not - can quietly trigger allergy-like symptoms.

• Go fragrance-free or use DIY cleaners with castile soap and vinegar.

• If you love scent, simmer lemon slices and rosemary on the stove.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Burning candles - even soy - can release small amounts of benzene and toluene into your otherwise fresh air. If you choose to scent your home, use essential oil diffusers instead  - used as directed, they can be a much cleaner, calmer alternative.

5. Your Pets Mean Well - but They Track EVERYTHING

Every belly rub after a walk brings pollen, dander, and mold spores into your space. But don’t fret! You don’t have to kick your furry friends off the bed - just help them clean up first.

• Wipe paws and bellies - and even tails - extra well after walks.

• Do a full laundry load of all pet beds, blankets, soft toys and accessories.

• Brush pets outside after every outing, especially during their Spring shed.

• Use a mild, pet-safe shampoo if things get sneezy.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Add one extra wash to your bedding rotation during allergy season. It makes a difference.

6. Build a Recovery Zone in Your Bedroom

If your bedding hasn’t had a deep clean lately, you might be sleeping in a soft bed of dust mites and pollen. This is the one room where your body should fully reset.

• Wash all bedding - yes, even the duvet insert and pillow fills - in hot water.

• Use enzyme-based or anti-allergen detergent.

• Clean your mattress with a vacuum that’s equipped with a HEPA filter.

• Sun-dry when possible, but avoid windy days, which can blow pollen and dust back into your clean bedding.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Take your socks off before you get into bed. Even walking around inside tracks allergens right into your sleep space.

7. Don’t Let Fire Season Sneak Up on Your Air System

Alberta’s Spring skies can go from clear to smoky overnight. If your fans, filters, or vents are dusty, they’re just recirculating last year’s smoke and allergens.

• Upgrade to a HEPA furnace filter.

• Vacuum floor vents and baseboard returns.

• Wipe down portable fans and purifier intakes.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Don’t forget your vehicle! Replace your car’s cabin filter - and while you’re at it, vacuum the dash vents too.

8. Your Attached Garage Tracks More Than Just Tires

Attached garages are Edmonton’s secret allergen superhighway. Pollen, soil dust, and yard debris collect fast - and travel even faster into your home.

• Sweep or vacuum the garage floor often; Let the dust settle before opening the adjoining door to your home.

• Store mulch and soil in sealed bins.

• Use a heavy-duty doormat at the door to catch debris.
  

Maid-Easy Cleaning Tip: Open the garage door and wear a face mask when sweeping out the garage. This helps you avoid breathing in dust and pollen that become airborne in an enclosed area like the garage.

A Breath of Fresh Air Starts at Home These eight tips may seem small, but together they create a space that’s clearer, calmer, and easier to live in - especially when allergy season ramps up.

Want to  spend your spring soaking up patio time, instead of scrubbing out vent covers to de-allergen your home? That’s valid.

Maid Easy is here to back you up when you want that clean-home feeling without giving up your weekend. Check out our complete list of services here:

Curious what else might be lurking on your Spring checklist? Peek at our Spring Cleaning Guide for even more refresh ideas.