Start with the air
- Change your HVAC filter at the start of the season, then every month until spring. A higher-efficiency pleated filter catches more pollen than a basic fiberglass one; check what your system supports.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days, even when the weather is perfect.
- Run a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom if anyone in the house is suffering.
Stop it at the door
- Shoes off at the entry, and a washable mat inside and out.
- Wipe down dogs' coats and paws after walks. Pets carry pollen in on their fur.
- Coats and jackets go in a closet, not on the couch.
Clean so the pollen goes away, not into the air
- Dust with a damp cloth, not a feather duster, which just moves pollen around.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter at least twice a week during peak season, including upholstery.
- Mop hard floors after vacuuming to pick up the fine dust that's left.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water, and shower before bed so pollen in your hair doesn't end up on the pillow.
- Don't forget the places pollen settles and sits: ceiling fan blades, window sills, window tracks, vents and baseboards.
Book a deep clean when the season ends
By late February, a winter's worth of pollen has worked into the places regular cleaning skips. A top-to-bottom deep clean resets the house: fans, vents, sills, tracks, baseboards and soft surfaces. Pair it with every-other-week maid service through the season to keep pollen from building up again.
This guide is about cleaning, not medical advice. If cedar fever is hitting hard, talk to your doctor or an allergist about treatment.