20 Allergy-Control Products to Sneeze-Proof Your Home
Allergy control products
When you suffer from allergies, the outside world is filled with sneeze-inducing triggers everywhere you turn, from tree pollen to ragweed to your co-worker's dog-hair-covered sweater. So the last thing you want to do is come home to a house that just continues the pain. "Finding the source of your allergy woes, from heavy carpeting to dust mites in your pillows, and removing them will bring you a world of relief," says James Sublett, MD, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Work to keep the outdoors out of your home with these editor-approved allergy control products in three categories: bedding, air purifiers, and vacuums. Talk to your allergist about which products might be best for you.
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Anti-allergy bedding
One of the most common allergens nestles right into your bedding. Dust mites are tiny bugs that eat skin cells, and they thrive in humid environments, which is why it's extremely important to get encasements for your pillows and mattress. "It doesn't take much of a gap for them to come in, so find tightly woven encasements with zippers that fully seal," advises Dr. Sublett, and be sure to wash all of your bedding once a week in hot water. Here are seven anti-allergy bedding products to consider for your home.
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Mission: Allergy Dust Mite- and Allergen-Proof Pillow Encasing
To buy: $20; amazon.com
These medical-grade covers zip tightly for a mite-free night of sleep, but still allow enough air through to be super-comfy and prevent you from getting hot and sweaty. All of MISSION: ALLERGY's products are designed by a board-certified allergist.
RELATED: 25 Ways to Allergy-Proof Your Home
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MISSION: ALLERGY Dust Mite- and Allergen-Proof Mattress Encasing
To buy: $146; amazon.com
MISSION: Allergy also makes a highly recommended mattress cover. While it's pricier than others on the market, the tightly wound microfiber will actually keep out dust and dander as you snooze. It's also bedbug-proof.
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Allersoft 100-Percent Cotton Dust Mite & Allergy Control Standard Pillow Encasement
To buy: $12; amazon.com
Another solid pillow protector, this 100%-cotton, 280-thread-count case gets high ratings for its softness, unlike many encasements. It comes with a lifetime warranty and is made in the USA.
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AllerEase Hot Water Washable Allergy Protection Pillow
To buy: $19; amazon.com
When you toss your sheets in for their weekly wash, this pillow can go right in with it. Designed to withstand hot, mite-killing temperatures, it'll fluff right back to its initial shape after a spin in the washing machine.
RELATED: 20 Ways to Stop Allergies
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Natural Comfort Classic Down Alternative Comforter
To buy: $60; amazon.com
Allergy sufferers don't get to enjoy the cushy comfort of a natural down comforter. Luckily, there are plenty of hypoallergenic down alternatives on the market for your bed topper, like this machine washable option from Natural Comfort.
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Allersoft 100-Percent Cotton Dust Mite and Allergy Control King Duvet Protector
To buy: $60; amazon.com
This protective cover goes over your duvet and seals out allergens with a tight-yet-breathable 100% cotton weave. You can still pick out a pretty cover to match your bedroom's décor.
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Elf Sleep Safe Bed Bug, Dust Mite, and Allergen Proof Mattress Cover
To buy: $43; amazon.com
Concerned about your allergies and your environmental impact? This mattress cover from Elf (aka Eco Living Friendly) zips tightly, and is made with environmentally safe, raw materials.
RELATED: Your 12 Worst Allergy Mistakes
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Air purifiers for allergies
"Air purifier" is a bit of a misnomer, according to Dr. Sublett, because these devices can't actually purify. That said, these machines are extremely helpful in cleaning the air. Be sure to buy one with a HEPA filter, which forces air through a mesh that traps pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens. Stay away from a filter with a built-in ionizerin most cases these filters produce ozone, small particles that can actually be an irritant. Get cleaner air in your home with the following six anti-allergy air purifiers.
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Honeywell Bluetooth True HEPA Air Purifier
To buy: $250; walmart.com
This purifier can connect to your Android or iPhone with Bluetooth technology to track the pollen count in the air, and adjust its cleaning levels accordingly. This filter works in rooms up to 310 square feet, and will easily connect to your device as long as it's within 30 feet—meaning you can operate your air purifier from your phone while in another room.
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Airocide Air Purifier
To buy: $650; amazon.com
Probably the most gorgeous air purifier you'll find, this beauty is also an (extremely quiet) workhorse. The filter is actually developed with NASA technology (so unfortunately, they're pricy). Vineyards use this device to prevent their grapes from getting ruined by mold.
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Austin Healthmate HM-400 HEPA Air Filter Purifier
To buy: $595; amazon.com
What this air purifier lacks in the looks department it makes up for in quality. The carbon outside seals in everything it sucks in, leaving you with a cleaner room.
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Whirlpool Whispure APT40010R True HEPA Tower Air Purifier
To buy: $80; amazon.com
Are you an apartment dweller? This tall, thin purifier takes up very little space, and gives off little to no ozone. Best of all, it's one of the cheapest high-quality appliances on the market.
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RabbitAir BioGS 2.0
To buy: $370; amazon.com
Known for its excellent design, RabbitAir's curvy air purifier has four purification stages for increased efficiency, and a long filter life. You'll barely notice when it's on, thanks to its quiet whir, but you'll definitely notice the cleaner air it leaves behind.
RELATED: Your Secret Allergy Triggers Revealed
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GermGuardian 3-in-1 Full Room Air Purifier
To buy: $150; amazon.com
With over 5,000 five-star reviews, you can’t go wrong with this popular purifier. On top of the HEPA and charcoal filters, it uses UV-C light technology combined with titanium dioxide to reduce airborne bacteria, viruses, germs, and mold spores so you breathe easier in a healthier home.
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Levoit Air Purifier with True Hepa Filter
To buy: $90; amazon.com
Not only does this modern-looking purifier trap allergens with its HEPA filter, but it also has an activated carbon filter, which captures and neutralizes household odors like cooking smells, pet stench, and cigarette smoke. Also good: It’s small enough to fit on a dresser, making it great for city apartments since it doesn’t take up precious floor space.
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Vacuums for allergies
When buying a vacuum, the key is finding one that has a HEPA filter. "All vacuums have to have an exhaust, because the air they suck up has to go somewhere, so make sure you get one with a good filter," advises Dr. Sublett. He prefers cyclonic, bagless vacuums, but a vacuum with a bag is fine too. "Bag or bag-free doesn't matter, as long as you're going outside to dispose of the dust it sucks up." Read on for seven allergy-control vacuums.
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Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Plus Bagless Upright
To buy: $107; amazon.com
This lightweight vacuum has a patented WindTunnel that easily sucks up everything it comes across. The removable HEPA filter is easy to clean with a rinse in the sink, which means there's no need to purchase replacement filters.
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Dyson DC50 Ball Compact Animal Upright Vacuum Cleaner
To buy: $399; amazon.com
If you're an allergy sufferer but love your furry friends, this is the vacuum for you. It's designed for homes with pets, and the brush will pick up pet hair without tangling. Plus, the entire system uses a HEPA filter, so it actually expels cleaner air than what came in.
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VonHaus 600W 2-in-1 Corded Upright Stick and Handheld Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA and Sponge Filtration
To buy: $33; amazon.com
Sick of your giant, clunky vacuum? This small, stick vacuum will fit neatly in your closet, but it still delivers on filtration, boasting a HEPA filter that locks in particles. And as an added bonus, it can detach into a small, handheld vac.
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Miele Complete C3 Cat & Dog Canister Vacuum Cleaner
To buy: $999; amazon.com
Worth the splurge, this vacuum rotates easily, and has an Active AirClean filter that actually neutralizes and absorbs pet odors as you go.
RELATED: How to Reduce Pet Allergens at Home
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iRobot Roomba 690 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi Connectivity
To buy: $297; amazon.com
If you just don't have time to pace back and forth with a traditional vacuum, this Roomba is for you. Schedule this vacuum to clean ahead of time with the iRobot Home app, and sit back as it picks up dirt and dust, trapping them in its filter. After cleaning for 90 minutes, the Roomba will automatically dock and recharge.
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, Corded, 33A1
To buy: $30; amazon.com
For small messes, grab this four-pound, handheld vacuum, perfect for picking up pet hair. The HEPA filter ensures allergen-free air, and at $30, it's a great buy.