You could be making your GA allergies worse. Here’s how, what to do about it
Spring is here, along with the ubiquitous yellow dust you see everywhere. If you’re as desperate as the rest of us to get some relief, there’s some very simple things you can do around the house.
The pollen count has been classified as “high” or “extremely high” every day this month, so these easy habits are more important now than ever.
Brooke Stafford, Senior Service Manager at Domestic & General offers these tiny tweaks to stop the sneezing and sniffling.
Helpful habits
- Wash clothes on a hot cycle, around 60 degrees, to help remove pollen particles and dust mites.
- Run a monthly washer-cleaning cycle with vinegar and baking soda or a washing machine cleaner to cut down on bacteria. Use a HEPA-filter air purifier and place it properly in the room for better performance.
- Keep indoor humidity at 60% or lower with a dehumidifier, and leave washer and dryer doors open after cycles to limit. moisture.
- Skip drying clothes outside, since pollen can stick to fabric and follow you back indoors.
Know what you’re allergic to
While the ubiquitous pine pollen is the most visible, Dr. Robert Cartwright at the Allergy Center in Brookstone says the real offenders are other tree pollens present in the air simultaneously.
Other allergy irritants
- Oak pollen
- Sweet gum
- Birch
- Hickory
- Dust mites
- Mold
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "You could be making your GA allergies worse. Here’s how, what to do about it."