Instantly Reduce Dust, Dander, and Spring Allergens In Your Bedroom By Switching Your Curtains to This Superior Window Treatment

Now that spring is here, days are longer, lighter, and brighter. While this may be prematurely waking you up in the morning, so too can spring allergies, like dust, dander, and pollen.

For that reason, there's one simple switch that air quality experts suggest making this season – and it's as easy as swapping your curtains out for shutters.

Not only will this keep allergies at bay, but doing so also has the added benefits of keeping your sleep space darker and helping to maintain the optimum temperature for better sleep, working hand in hand with the best cooling mattress topper.

Why Experts Recommend Switching Curtains to Shutters This Spring

Here, air quality experts explain why curtains might be contributing to any air quality mistakes you're making at home, and why spring is the perfect time to make the change.

As Rick Hoskins, HVAC, air quality expert, and CEO at Filter King, explains, though curtains are a classic choice when it comes to bedroom window treatments, they are, unfortunately, a magnet for dust and allergens.

'Compared to other fabric surfaces in a home, they’re rarely cleaned, so dust continues to build up,' he says. 'Plus, curtains produce static electricity, so all the dust particles stick to them. Even the most powerful HVAC system and return duct will not be able to dislodge them from the curtains.

'Over time, this can have a noticeable effect on the air quality inside a house. Most people will try to clean their carpets and furniture upholstery to make it better, but the hidden culprit is often the curtains.'

And, even if you know how to wash and care for curtains and drapes, a common problem can be more to do with timing, more specifically, knowing how often you should wash curtains.

For that reason, Eli Zimmer, CEO of Luxaire HVAC Services, says, 'Air-quality-wise, shutters are generally better than curtains, because they don't trap as much dust, pollen, or other airborne particles.

'This is because shutters are made from a solid material – usually something like wood – whereas curtains are made with fabric. Fabric is porous and has fibers that can trap a lot of particles in the air.

'So, with shutters, especially if you stay on top of dusting them, usually there are fewer particles accumulated that might negatively impact your sleep due to impacting your breathing.'

Ryan Osterkamp, owner at Quality Comfort Home Services, agrees, and urges you to think of how quickly dust, hair and dirt build up on your bedsheets and blankets, and how your curtains will hold onto dust and allergens in the same way, particularly as people don't typically tend to wash their curtains nearly as often as they wash, dry, and care for their bed linen.

'It's also not as easy to clean curtains as shutters, as shutters can just be wiped down instead of going through the laundry or getting vacuumed,' he adds. 'Shutters offer better insulation than curtains, as well. Uncomfortable nighttime temperatures can mess with the quality of your sleep, even if you don't realize they are.'

In fact, the perfect thermostat setting for sleep is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and, as Ryan highlights, shutters make this far easier to maintain.

There's one more benefit, too – shutters are an easy way to make a bedroom darker.

Livvi DiCicco, certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis, says, 'I am sensitive to light when I sleep, and have found that room darkening shutters are a game changer. They seal out all light. Room darkening curtains still let in some light around the edges. Plus, the shutters don't inhibit airflow like curtains do.'

There are just a couple of things to consider before you make the switch, though. 'On the flip side, most shutters are more expensive than curtains, especially if you have them professionally installed,' continues Livvi. 'Their installation process also means you can't just swap them out like curtains.'

Other Ways to Improve Air Quality for Better Sleep

If you aren't quite ready, or don't have the budget, to switch your curtains to shutters this spring, there are, luckily, several other ways to improve air quality indoors.

First of all, recommends Rick, 'Replacing a home's HVAC filters can make an enormous improvement to air quality. Most people forget about their filters, but really, they should be replaced every three months.

'They're very affordable, easy to change, and can make a night-and-day difference in a home's air quality.'

You may also choose to invest in one of the best air purifiers that fits your budget.

'My husband has some pretty heavy-duty allergies,' says Livvi. 'Therefore, we started using an air purifier in our bedroom. The Dyson purifier [available at Dyson] is fantastic, but it comes with Dyson prices. I am a big fan of the Levoit air purifier,' available at Amazon.

For another option, our Home Tech Editor, Dan Fauzi, who has asthma and allergies, rated the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier, also available at Amazon, the best on test, and has been using it in their own home for over a year. During this time, they have seen a 90% reduction in flares.

Additionally, says Sean Holtom, controller at Top Hat Home Comfort Services, 'It also helps to keep humidity in check. Air that’s too dry or too humid can make it harder to breathe comfortably at night. A humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the season, can make a big difference,' and you can shop our best dehumidifier recommendations in our dedicated guides.

'On top of that, small habits go a long way,' adds Sean. 'Change your HVAC filter regularly, wash your bedding often, and vacuum with a good filter. All of that keeps the air cleaner so you can sleep more comfortably.'

Alternatively, and most affordably, Eli also suggests keeping your bedroom door open as much as possible during the day, and regularly opening your window, even if just for a few minutes, which are both 'beneficial because they improve ventilation in your room,' he says.

What to Shop

If you're looking to improve your sleep this spring, shop my selection of products that are guaranteed to reduce allergens and help you achieve better, deeper rest.

From custom-made shutters to the best air purifiers and laundry detergent for curtains, there's something for everyone – whether you're ready to permanently make the change in your window treatments, or simply need a quick and easy solution to improve the air quality in your bedroom.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Rick Hoskins

Rick is an HVAC, air quality and filter expert, and the CEO at Filter King. His company provides custom HVAC filtration solutions for homes, commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, and he has worked in the HVAC space and alongside professionals for years.

Eli Zimmer

Eli is the CEO of Luxaire HVAC Services, which has been based in Long Island for over 32 years, specializing in expert commercial heating, cooling, and indoor air quality solutions, including servicing, repairing, and installing HVAC systems tailored to the unique demands of commercial facilities. They have also expanded into providing 24/7 services to residential customers.

Ryan Osterkamp

Ryan Osterkamp is the founder and co-owner of Quality Comfort Home Services, a family-owned HVAC and plumbing company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has extensive knowledge of heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, and residential plumbing.

Livi DiCicco

Livvi is a certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis, and her recommendations and insights have been included in a number of publications, including Livingetc, Bustle, and Authority Magazine.

If you're looking for more ways to improve the air quality in your home when living in a city, try cleaning more regularly and investing in some of the best air-cleaning indoor plants.

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