Enjoying the Fresh Air Inside and Out

According to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology, 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergy sufferers can choose to stay inside when the outdoor air is full of pollen and spores, but a home's dust, pet dander and mold can wreak just as much havoc as outdoor allergens. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of air pollution inside the home can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. That's the bad news.

The good news is that it's much easier to combat indoor allergens than
those outside, including pollen from grass, trees and weeds. Follow these simple steps for allergy sufferers to reduce allergens in their homes and breathe a little easier:

• Concentrate on Surfaces - Keeping the entire home clean is essential to eliminating not only bacteria and germs, but allergy-aggravating dust and mold as well. Concentrate on tabletops, shelves, sinks and floors to control the sources of allergens and keep many out of your home's air.

• Ventilate Your Home - Air at home needs to circulate with outdoor air every now and then. Air pollution in the average American home, as measured by the EPA, is usually two to five times worse than outdoors. Often, this is due to inadequate ventilation. Unless you have severe outdoor allergies, users should open up the windows and let nature mix with the indoors.

• Filter the Air - Reduce allergy symptoms by vacuuming regularly and using allergen or HEPA vacuum accessories. Both work to ensure loose particles are trapped within the filter and not released into the air, helping consumers keep the air in their homes cleaner.

Vickie Lexom, a small business owner, likes to keep her home and shop clean with Electrolux products. Their Filtrete™ vacuum bags and filters are designed according to strict HEPA standards. By trapping 99.97% of all airborne pollutants 0.3 microns or larger, their vacuum filters and bags help to keep your home clean and allergen free. Visit Filtrete's website for a list of retailers and usage tips.