Central Texas is famous for allergies, from mountain cedar in winter to oak and grass pollen in spring and dust through the long summer. Pollen comes in on clothes, shoes and pets, and settles on every surface in your home.
Your allergy-season checklist
- Use a HEPA vacuum. It traps fine particles instead of blowing them back into the air.
- Dust with damp microfiber. Dry dusting just moves pollen around.
- Dust high and low. Ceiling fans, vents and the tops of cabinets collect the most.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water. Pillows and duvets hold more allergens than you think.
- Clean carpets and upholstery. Fabrics trap allergens that vacuuming alone cannot remove.
- Wipe pets down after walks, and keep them off beds in peak season.
- Change HVAC filters every one to three months.
A seasonal spring clean after cedar season, plus carpet and upholstery cleaning, is one of the simplest ways to help your family breathe easier.