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6 Best Ways to Reduce Pollen in Your Home, According to an Allergist

By Shelby Deering Dengarden

Updated June 5, 2026 10:20 AM

arena photography — The Good Brigade / Getty Images

Although many of us look forward to spring and summer, when the flowers and warm weather finally arrive, we might not feel quite so excited. Why? Because of the runny noses and itchy eyes caused by allergies.

Meagan W. Shepherd, MD, Founder of The Allergy Aesthetic, says that pollen acts as both an allergen and an irritant for many people who have environmental allergies or sensitive sinuses and airways.

"If you are allergic to pollen or if pollen is very irritating for you, having high levels of pollen in your home can lead to increased inflammation and flaring of diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma and eczema," she adds.

And while many of us believe that pollen is really only an outdoor issue, it can come indoors and accumulate, as Dr. Shepherd points out. In fact, studies have found that homes are brimming with allergens. As one 2019 study found, more than 99% of the participants had at least one allergen lurking in their bedroom.

It also doesn't help that environmental factors such as extreme heat, hurricanes, and wildfires can stoke pollen-related allergies even more. As the American Lung Association reports, due to these factors, plants and trees are now producing about 20% more pollen than they were 50 years ago.

"Pollen accumulates inside your home by coming inside from the outdoors. It can come in through the air from open windows and doors, on shoes and pet fur, and can be pulled in via HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems with poor air filters," Dr. Shepherd says. "Poor indoor ventilation and intentionally hanging laundry outdoors to be brought back inside can also cause pollen to accumulate."

It can be surprisingly easy to allow all that pollen to enter your home. But the good news is that it can mitigated just as easily by turning to certain fixes. As Dr. Shepherd says, "Making small, sustainable habits can help significantly reduce indoor pollen over time."

1. Use an Air Purifier

Dr. Shepherd says that using a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) purifier can decrease the amount of pollen and other allergens in your home.

"It helps to filter the pollen out of the air and can be very effective if proper filter sizes are used," she says. And the bonus is that it takes mere seconds or minutes to switch out the filter, potentially resulting in months of relief.

2. Clean Vents and Change Filters

It can help to get into the deeper areas of your home to address pollen. For instance, Dr. Shepherd recommends replacing your HVAC filters every three months and vacuuming around and in your vent openings with each seasonal change, approximately once every three to six months.

You can typically tackle these tasks yourself. Dr. Shepherd notes that professional duct cleaning is usually only needed if there are mold concerns, heavy renovation or pest infestation.

3. Stick to a Vacuuming and Mopping Schedule

Regularly vacuuming and mopping around your home is always a good idea, but it becomes doubly important as soon as those pollen counts begin to increase.

"For best management of pollen, vacuum with a closed-system HEPA filter vacuum on soft surfaces and mop hard surfaces once weekly," Dr. Shepherd advises.

4. Keep Windows Closed

Even though you might be tempted to fling open all the windows as soon as that warm weather arrives, you may want to think again if you or your family is suffering from allergies.

"Keeping windows closed can help to decrease unfiltered outdoor air from flowing into the home," Dr. Shepherd says. "As long as you have a proper HVAC filter on your AC, it delivers cleaner air than air blowing indoors via a window or door."

5. Wipe Pet Paws

Taking your dog for a long springtime walk can seem idyllic, but those little paws can bring big amounts of pollen into your home.

"Pet fur brings pollen indoors as it sticks to both their feet and their fur coats," Dr. Shepherd says. "Wiping paws and giving pets a good rubdown with a microfiber cloth can help to decrease pollen on pets when they come back indoors."

6. Take off Shoes

Guess what? Pets aren't the only guilty party when it comes to tracking pollen into a home. The humans can bring in just as much. As Dr. Shepherd says, "Shoes can carry not only pollen but also mold, dirt and microorganisms into the home. Taking shoes off by the door and storing them in a designated area, like a bin or shoe mat, can decrease the amount of debris they bring indoors."

This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 9:45 AM.