The cold weather is on the way and windows will be closed tight for months. Take a few steps to reduce allergens in your home. Some steps to reduce indoor allergens are complicated and time-consuming — but there are some easy things you can do that may help.

1. Dust, then vacuum. Because when you dust, some of it will be carried off the surface you’re dusting and settle on the floor. So if you vacuum after you dust, the vacuum will suck up the dust, leaving you with less dust in your house.

2. Install and use a vented exhaust fan for your stove to remove cooking fumes and reduce moisture. Most stove-top hoods simply filter cooking particulates without venting outside.

3. Place garbage and food waste in a can with an insect-proof lid and empty trash daily. Keeping the kitchen free of food crumbs will help reduce the chance you will have rodents in your home.

4. Get some plants. Certain plants are natural air filterers like Spider plants and the Broadleaf lady palm. Before you purchase a plant, make sure it’s safe for pets– some can be toxic to animals.

5. Wash your bedding and blankets regularly. You spend 6-8 hours in your bedding a night. Dust settles on your bedding just like it settles on your nightstands. Think about it. Same goes with blankets. Especially if you let your pets snuggle on the couch with you.

6. Vacuum your couches and chairs. Like I said above, dust settles everywhere. Vacuum your furnishings often, especially if your pet gets on them, to reduce dust and pet dander.

7. Use a HEPA filter on your vacuum. HEPA filters trap 100% of pollen and ragweed particles and 99.97% of other allergens and dust. If you’re not using a HEPA filter you’re basically recycling allergens in your house.

8. Use the exhaust fan when you shower. This will help reduce moisture and mold in your bathroom.

9. Clean your bath and/or shower often. This will also help reduce mold. Along with regular deep cleanings, we use a daily after-shower spray to keep our shower as clean and mold-free as possible.

10. Use a quality air filter. Find an air filter that is certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. They reduce pollen by 95%, dust mites by 92%, and pet dander by 85%.