Spring is a welcome change after winter, bringing warmer days, fresh growth and the perfect opportunity to give your home a thorough clean. But for Australians living with asthma and allergies, spring can also bring an increase in triggers such as pollen, dust and mould.

With National Asthma Week (1 to 7 September) putting respiratory health front of mind, spring is a timely reminder to consider not only what we can see around our homes, but also what may be in the air we breathe.

Spring cleaning goes beyond surfaces

Dusting, vacuuming and washing bedding can help reduce allergens around the home, but some particles are small enough to remain airborne. Common indoor pollutants which can be potential asthma and allergy triggers include pollen brought in from outdoors, dust and dust mite allergens, pet dander and mould spores.

Spring cleaning itself can temporarily stir up settled dust and allergens. Cleaning products, sprays and air fresheners may also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), adding to the mix of pollutants indoors.

Alongside regular cleaning and ventilation when outdoor conditions allow, improving indoor air quality can therefore form part of an asthma and allergy-aware home environment.

How air purification can help

Air purifiers are designed to continuously draw in room air and filter out airborne particles.

Daikin air purifiers combine multiple layers of filtration with Streamer Technology to capture, suppress and break down pollutants including pollen, mould, allergens, dust, odours and formaldehyde. Selected models feature an electrostatic HEPA filter designed to capture fine particles, while Anti-Pollen Mode creates gentle air turbulence to help capture pollen before it settles.

Daikin’s Streamer Technology takes air purification a step further. The technology generates high-speed electrons that trigger an oxidative decomposition process, helping break down unwanted substances captured within the system. Independent testing cited by Daikin found Streamer Technology eliminated more than 99.6% of pollen¹ within two hours, more than 99.9% of mould² within 24 hours and more than 99.61% of allergens¹ within 24 hours under specified laboratory test conditions

For households wanting greater visibility of their indoor environment, Daikin’s MCB80 air purifier also includes an antibacterial HEPA filter, Twin Streamer Technology, UVC Technology and an indoor air quality monitor that tracks PM2.5, temperature and humidity.

More than temperature control

Your air conditioner can also play a role in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment during allergy season.

Selected Daikin split systems, including Alira X, incorporate Streamer Technology alongside filtration to help reduce airborne pollutants while heating or cooling the room.

This means households can tackle temperature control and indoor air quality together, particularly during spring when opening windows may also allow outdoor pollen to enter the home.

Look for the Blue Butterfly

For Australians managing asthma and allergies, the Sensitive Choice® blue butterfly can help identify products that have been reviewed by the National Asthma Council Australia’s Sensitive Choice program.

Daikin air purifiers and select split system air conditioners are Sensitive Choice approved, recognising their potential benefit for people with asthma and allergies.

No single product can eliminate every asthma or allergy trigger. However, combining regular cleaning, appropriate ventilation, reducing sources of indoor pollutants and effective air filtration can help create a cleaner indoor environment.

This National Asthma Week and spring, consider making the air in your home part of your spring-cleaning routine too.

Learn more about Sensitive Choice approved Daikin products here.

¹Verified at Wakayama Medical University with the following test condition: Irradiated allergens with Streamer & checked decomposition of allergen proteins by either the ELISA method, electrophoresis or electron microscopy (test number: CZ04B024).

²Verified at Japan Food Research Laboratories using antibacterial test/mould elimination test (test number: 204041635-001).