Many Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, but who would have guessed that your car could be making things worse? Nasty particles that make you sneeze, cough, and scratch our eyes can be found throughout your car. Keep pollen, dust, and pet dander out of your vehicle for an allergen-free driving experience. Here are five tips to help you breathe easier when you’re cruising the roads.
Start With Your Carpet
Each time you get into your car, your shoes bring along plenty of junk, including dirt, grease, and pollen. These irritating substances can get trapped in your carpet. Evict these unwanted guests before they make your car a permanent rest stop by regularly vacuuming and wiping down your interior.
During peak allergy seasons–spring and fall–you’ll want to suck up these particles at least once a week; during the off-peak times, once a month will do. Consider covering your vehicle’s carpeting with plastic to protect it and investing in a set of washable, grooved floormats to make the job easier.
Look Out for Mold
Does your car have a sour smell? You may have a mold problem. Mold can lurk anywhere in your vehicle. It could be under your seats, thanks to that long-forgotten French fry, or even in dampened seat cushions that soak up spills.
Treat your car to a thorough cleaning by following step one. If that doesn’t remove the smell, your air-conditioning ducts may be the source of the offensive odor. The last thing you want is a face full of mold allergens blown around when you turn on your AC. Take the car into the shop to have the air filter changed and the ducts professionally cleaned.
Get Rid of Dust Mites
Dust mites are a part of life, but you can reduce their impact on your allergies. Avoid using fuzzy or wooly seat covers as these fabrics attract and retain more dirt, dust mites, and mold spores. If it’s in your budget, opt for leather upholstery. It’s the best choice for allergy sufferers, and it’s easy to clean.
Put Fido in a Crate
If you’re like many Americans, your dog gets to ride along wherever you go. However, all that fur and dander flying around your car can exasperate your allergy symptoms. You don’t have to restrict Fido to the house. Instead, put him in a crate while in the vehicle to reduce the amount of shedding that ends up in your car.
Keep Pollen at Bay
When the sun is out, we’re tempted to roll down the windows or drop the convertible for some fresh air. While letting the wind whip through our hair is fun and exciting, it’s a recipe for sinus disaster. When the pollen count is high, it’s best to use the air conditioner on the recirculating cycle to keep allergens out.
Start allergy-proofing your car today. If you’re a hardcore sufferer, you’ll be glad you did.
Image by Brooke Novak is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
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