How To Create An Allergy Proof Office

Spring and summer means colorful flowers, dinner outdoors, walks in the light rain… and allergies. If you’re one of the millions who unfortunately suffer from seasonal allergies, your eyes are probably watering just reading this.

Many people take steps to allergy-proof their homes as best as they can, including frequent cleaning, filtering the air, stocking up on medication and other creative ways to avoid pollen and dust. But the workplace is harder to control, considering the location, work materials, building management and other employees.

Here are a few tips to keep the office healthy during the allergy season:

Clean well and clean often

Whether it can be done yourself or through a cleaning service, make sure the office is vacuumed at least once a week and desks/computers are wiped down with a damp cloth every few days. Dirt and dust are tracked in every day, so avoiding the buildup is critical.

Minimize Moisture

Moisture that gathers around doorways after a rainfall or around the sink during lunch can cause spread of mold and dust mites. Make sure to clean up water in places it tends to sit.

Stop & Smell the (Fake) Roses

One of the easiest ways to reduce allergies in the office is to limit the presence of plants. Bacteria, mold and pollen cling to plants and cause sneezing all around. For a decorative alternative, try a fake plant. But don’t forget to dust it!

Cover & Declutter

The desk can be a perfect environment for dust to make a home. File papers and avoid clutter of newspapers, office supplies and other materials. At the end of the day, cover your computer and keyboard, so that overnight dust falls elsewhere.

Close It Up

As tempting as it is to have natural air flowing into the office from open windows and doors, that’s also how pollen and dust make their way into employees’ noses. Keep the windows and doors closed when possible.

Tork, S. (2013, June 11). How to create a healthy office for allergy season. Retrieved from Better Business Centre: http://betterbusiness.torkusa.com/how-to-create-a-healthy-office-for-allergy-season/