If you live in Central Texas, you probably know cedar fever: the sneezing, itchy eyes and stuffy head that show up every winter. What many people don't realize is how much of that pollen ends up living in their carpet.
What is cedar fever?
Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to pollen from mountain cedar, a type of juniper that grows all over the Hill Country. The trees release huge clouds of pollen, mostly from December through February. It isn't a virus, but it can feel like one.
Why your carpet matters
Pollen comes inside on shoes, clothes, pets and through open doors. Hard floors let it sit on the surface where it gets swept up. Carpet traps it down in the fibers. That's good in one way, because it isn't floating in the air. But every time someone walks across the room or the kids play on the floor, some of it gets kicked back up.
Upholstered furniture and rugs do the same thing. If your couch is next to the front door or a window you open, it's catching pollen all season.
How to keep pollen down at home
- Take shoes off at the door and keep a mat outside and inside every entry.
- Vacuum with a HEPA filter two or three times a week during peak season.
- Wipe down pets when they come in from outside.
- Keep windows closed on high-pollen days and change your HVAC filter.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
When to schedule a deep clean
A professional carpet and upholstery cleaning just before cedar season starts gives you a clean slate. A second one in early spring, once the pollen drops off, clears out everything that built up over the winter.