People sometimes move to the high desert expecting relief from allergies and are surprised. Reno has its own lineup: tree pollen in spring, including elm, juniper, and cottonwood; grass pollen into summer; sagebrush and weeds such as Russian thistle late in the season; and fine dust carried on the afternoon wind. Add wildfire smoke on some summer days and dry, static-charged air in winter, and a home can hold more irritants than the clear blue sky suggests.
This is a cleaning guide, not medical advice. An allergist can identify what you actually react to, which makes every step below more effective.
Reno's allergy calendar, from a cleaning point of view
| Season | What comes into the house | Cleaning focus |
|---|---|---|
| Late winter and spring | Tree pollen (elm, juniper, cottonwood and others), wind-blown dust | Windows closed on windy, high pollen days; damp dust sills and blinds; fresh HVAC filter |
| Summer | Grass pollen, dust, wildfire smoke on some days | Filtration, a sealed house on smoke days, frequent HEPA vacuuming |
| Late summer and fall | Sagebrush and weed pollen | Shoes off at the door, weekly bedding, a shower before bed after time outdoors |
| Winter | Indoor dust, pet dander, wood smoke, very dry air | Damp dusting, clean humidifiers, a fresh furnace filter |
Wind and dust: keep it outside
Summer afternoons in Reno often bring a strong westerly wind, known locally as the Washoe Zephyr, and it carries fine dust into every crack. To limit how much of it reaches your lungs:
- Close windows before the afternoon wind picks up. If you want fresh air, open up during the calmer morning hours.
- Check the weatherstripping on any door or window where you see a line of dust on the sill.
- Put a washable mat outside and inside each entry, and take shoes off at the door.
- Vacuum with a sealed HEPA vacuum, including upholstery and the edges of carpet where dust settles.
- Damp dust blinds, ceiling fans, and the tops of door frames. Dry dusting sends fine particles back into the air.
Wildfire smoke days
Smoke from fires in Nevada and California can settle over the Truckee Meadows for days at a time. Smoke particles are fine enough to get indoors even with windows shut, and they settle as a gray film on surfaces. When smoke is in the forecast:
- Keep windows and doors closed, and set the HVAC fan to recirculate if your system allows it.
- Use the highest rated filter your system is designed for. Many systems can take a MERV 13 filter; check with your HVAC technician.
- Run a portable HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom.
- Hold off on sweeping and on vacuuming with a non-HEPA vacuum, which stir particles back up.
- After the smoke clears, damp wipe hard surfaces, vacuum with HEPA, wash curtains and bedding, and replace the HVAC filter.
Check current air quality on AirNow.gov or with the Washoe County Health District before opening the house back up.
Swamp coolers
Many older Reno homes cool with an evaporative cooler instead of air conditioning. A cooler pulls outdoor air through wet pads, so the pads catch dust and pollen and can grow mildew if they stay dirty. Clean or replace the pads at the start of the season, drain and clean the reservoir regularly, and turn the cooler off on smoke days, since it will pull smoky air straight inside.
Dry winter air
Winter brings the opposite of a humid climate's problems. Very dry air can irritate the nose and throat, and many households run humidifiers. A humidifier helps only if it is kept clean:
- Empty, rinse, and dry the tank daily, and clean it as the manufacturer directs. A dirty humidifier can spray mold and bacteria into the room.
- If the unit leaves white dust on furniture, that is minerals from tap water. Distilled water prevents it.
- Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent. Higher than that in winter causes condensation on cold windows and mildew on the frames.
Washoe County also posts wood burning advisories in winter, when cold air settles in the valley and holds smoke near the ground. Following them keeps wood smoke out of your home and your neighbors' homes.
The bedroom
- Use zippered allergen covers on mattresses and pillows.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom if dander is a trigger.
- Run a HEPA air cleaner during pollen and smoke season.
- After time outdoors on a high pollen day, shower and change clothes so the pollen does not end up on your pillow.
One piece of good news: dust mites need humid air, so they are generally less of a problem in Reno than in humid parts of the country. They can still live in bedding, and in homes where humidifiers keep the air moist, so the weekly hot wash still earns its place.
Reno allergy questions
What are the main allergens in Reno, NV?
Tree pollen in late winter and spring, including elm, juniper, and cottonwood; grass pollen in summer; sagebrush and weed pollen in late summer and fall; fine wind-blown dust all year; and wildfire smoke on some summer and fall days. Indoors, pet dander and dust are the usual triggers.
How do I clean my house after wildfire smoke in Reno?
Once air quality improves, damp wipe hard surfaces, vacuum with a sealed HEPA vacuum, wash curtains, bedding, and throws, and replace the HVAC filter. Avoid dry dusting and sweeping, which put fine particles back in the air.
Are dust mites a problem in Reno?
Less than in humid climates. Dust mites need moist air, and Reno's is usually dry. They can still live in bedding and in homes where humidifiers keep the air moist, so washing bedding weekly in hot water still helps.
Should I run a swamp cooler on smoky days?
No. An evaporative cooler pulls outdoor air into the home, smoke included. Turn it off, close the windows, and use air conditioning on recirculate or a portable HEPA air cleaner until the air clears.