Stop Letting Allergens Bum A Ride With You

That unkempt interior effectively doubles as luxury housing for irritants--especially during allergy season.

“Vehicle interiors provide allergens an ideal opportunity to wreak havoc,” said Kathleen Felice Slonager, executive director of the Michigan Chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “A cabin’s compact dimensions intensifies dust and allergens.”

There’s no cure-all for creating an unwelcoming environment for allergens. Combining several small, individual tasks provides significant benefit. Slonager advised routine dusting, vacuuming and air purifying for a clean, breathable interior.

The air-filter beneath the hood and the cabin air-filter inside the vehicle play vital roles. Drivers should consider replacing both screens as the flowers bloom, grasses grow and wind stirs up the environment, she said.

“Air filters are very important. It’s not something to put off or a place to try and save a buck,” she said.

Slonager offered the following advice on creating a clean, breathable cabin all year long:

• Frequent vacuuming, especially in early spring. Don’t underestimate the benefit of regularly vacuuming the upholstery and carpeting. Routine vacuuming reduces allergens to settling into the fabric.
   
• Wet and dry dusting. Dust easily clings to the center console and dashboard. Dusting removes particulates but also flings irritants into the air. Dusting with a wet cloth or cleansing wipe prevents more allergens from shuffling about the cabin.
   
• Freshen up the interior. Avoid cleansers and air fresheners with non-organic materials. They irritate sensitive sinuses. Opt for fragrances made from essential oils if you want a scented interior.