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5 tips for breathing easy this hay fever season

April 27, 2023-3 min read

Also known as allergic rhinitis, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that almost one in five Australians suffer from hay fever. Hay fever is caused by an allergic reaction to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or tiny flecks of skin and saliva shed by cats, dogs and other animals with fur or feathers. It is usually at its peak in south-east Australia in spring and early summer. In Queensland, it strikes from December to April, while the pollen-rich air of WA sees cases spike in July and August. In addition to medication and practical advice from organisations such as Asthma Australia, there are some effective items including air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and allergy busting vacuums to help you breathe easier this hay fever season.

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A woman adjusts the settings on her air purifier through an app on her smart phone

Air Purifiers

Starting at around the size of a small speaker and increasing in power depending on the size of the room you want to service, the best air purifiers use a four-step process: a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA); a carbon filter that minimises odour and smoke; a pre-filter to tackle dust and pet hair; and a microbe light shield to combat germs, bacteria and even some viruses. Result? Super-clean air that you can regulate with the use of a nifty smartphone app. For larger spaces, try the Samsung AX7500K Air Purifier with Wi-Fi.

Humidifiers

Hay fever is a curious beast. Some people need more moisture in their air to combat it, and others need less. If you fall into the first category, a humidifier like the Breville The Smart Mist Humidifier can be a godsend. Essentially they work by putting moisture back into dry air.

Why is this important? Because breathing higher humidity air can relieve the discomfort and symptoms of allergies - that means nasal congestion and irritation could be reduced, or even a thing of the past. The latest humidifiers are also so quiet, you won’t even know they’re there.

A little girl blows her nose

Dehumidifiers

Hay fever buddies mould and dust mites thrive in moist environments, such as laundries. Add the humidity found in many parts of Australia – particularly in summer – and you know the itchy-eyed outcome. Dehumidifiers like the De'Longhi 16L Aria Dry Multi Dehumidifier ease that by removing moisture from the air. It features anti-dust and allergy filters built-in, as well as specialist laundry modes and antibacterial bio-silver filtration.

HEPA Vacuum Cleaners

HEPA vacuum cleaners work by filtering the dirt and particles you can’t see, rather than recycling them back into the air. In order to qualify as a HEPA vacuum, they need to trap at least 99.97 per cent of a vacuum’s emissions down to 0.3 microns in size. The leading vacuums on the market today (think the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute Cordless Vacuum) do away with cords entirely and run on rechargeable batteries for up to an hour. But where things really border on science fiction is the ability to laser scan for microscopic dust, automatically increase suction where needed and sense whether you’re cleaning carpet or floorboards.

“In order to qualify as a HEPA vacuum, they need to trap at least 99.97 per cent of a vacuum’s emissions down to 0.3 microns in size.”

Pet-friendly Wet Vacs

There was once a time that wet vacuuming meant hiring a noisy and ungainly piece of equipment. These days, the tech in wet vacs, such as the Vax Wet N Dry Barrel Vacuum, is much smaller, for easier use without sacrificing power or efficiency. Better still, they remove up to 66 times more allergens than a traditional dry vacuum, and floors are dry in an hour. As pet dander – microscopic particles of hair and skin – are a known cause of hay fever, look for a model with modes to conquer anything your hound or moggie can shed (or worse).

To help give hay fever the heave-ho, visit us in-store or online and find out more about the products in this article. Also be sure to check out our spring cleaning guide to help cut down on allergies.

Cleaning tips & hacks

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Want stain-free rugs and carpets? A sofa that looks new again? Spotless car interiors? You’ve got them with Hoover’s clever ONEPWR CleanSlate Pet Cordless Spot Cleaner

Designed for expert cleaning and everyday messes, this powerful cleaner makes short work of even the toughest stains. From smelly pet messes to pesky pasta sauce stains – and everything in between – this spot cleaner’s new compact and cordless design is made to remove messes as they happen, and be on-hand to clean up after life’s biggest oops moments. 

Where there’s a stain, there’s a Hoover floorcare solution! Here’s why your hectic household needs the latest Hoover ONEPWR CleanSlate Spot Cleaner.

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One of the best things in the whole world has to be fresh laundry. Clean sheets can make your whole bedroom feel like a fancy hotel, and fresh clothes can give you the confidence to crush that to-do list in style! But if your current washing machine isn’t bringing you joy and you’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade, we’ve got all the info you’ll need to find the best washing machine. From knowing what to look for, to the biggest trends and new technology – including the latest auto dosing washing machines – we’ve got your back!

Need a new dryer to go with your washing machine? Check out our Dryer Buying Guide for all the tips and our best picks

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Are you a large household? Life on the laundry treadmill can feel like Groundhog Day. The sports kits, the school uniforms, the work shirts… don’t even get us started on those endless towels (and the whopping energy bills that come with them!). Step up heat pump dryers, the new whiz kid in the laundry. A boon for bigger broods, these star appliances use super-efficient heat exchanger technology to deliver big savings for the planet, your bank balance, and the lifespan of your clothes. Best of all, with no need for ventilation, heat pump dryers can be installed anywhere (even under the staircase!).

Let’s find the best family-friendly heat pump dryers for your needs:

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Time to buy a new vacuum cleaner? You might be wondering … how do I choose? Updating an appliance in your home, especially one as important as your vacuum cleaner, can be a difficult task. There are so many different types, models, tech, and brands to choose from – you might be wondering: where do I even start?

Choosing the best vacuum for you means thinking about much more than its weight, suction, functionality, and features. What really makes the difference when choosing between the best of the best is considering your environment. Start by thinking about what surfaces you’ll be vacuuming and the layout of your home. You will also need to consider if you’d prefer bagged or bagless, corded or cordless, and so on.

We know, there is a lot to consider, but do not despair – The Good Guys are here to help! Read on to find the best vacuum cleaner for you and your home.

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Getting your clothes spick and span (and crease-free!) has never been easier thanks to the latest wrinkle-busting irons and garment steamers. With their heat-wielding powers, these are the appliances no dedicated fashion follower – or neat and tidy type – can live without. But how do irons and garment steamers differ? And do you need both in your clothing-care regimen? Read on to discover which of these laundry legends is right for your needs.

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