According to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), over 60 million Americans have limitations on their lifestyle due to allergies and asthma. A striking statistic in and of itself but even more so because so many of our allergy triggers can be avoided. Interior designer Robin Wilson, a leading source on sustainable, non-toxic and recyclable materials, is a respected voice in the community. She was just named ambassador for AAFA and is publishing a book on the subject. “From the paint on your walls to the rug on your floor, the mattress on which you sleep or the everyday household cleaners – every homeowner can make small changes to promote healthy indoor air quality and living spaces,” Wilson says. In light of spring allergies being among us we’ve curated some of Wilson’s best tips, found in her new book Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle (Greenleaf Book Group Press, April 7) on how to make your home a clean an allergy-free environment.
Trigger 1: Tobacco Smoke, the most common asthma trigger, is dangerous for everything, but is especially harmful for people with asthma, allergies and any other kind of respiratory disease. I recommend making your home a 100% no-smoking zone.
Trigger 2: Pet Dander. I recommend going pet-free but if that is not a workable solution for you, then you can do your best to manage the situation by removing as much dander as possible by keeping pets out of bedrooms, off upholstered furniture, and limit access to carpet or rugs. Clean the areas where your pet spends times as carefully and frequently as possible and also bathe your pet once a week.
Trigger 3: Mold. This can cause problems for everyone and even cause allergic and asthmatic symptoms in those who have not previously suffered. Start by lowering your home’s humidity and make sure all ventilation is working well. Also pay special attention to monitoring your home after a storm strikes or the moisture level in the basement.
Trigger 4: Pollen. More people are allergic to pollen than to anything else in our environment. Pollen is a dusty powder produced by plants, grasses, and trees as part of their reproductive process. Make sure you don’t dry your clothes outdoors and always wash your clothes (dry with no heat) and bathe after spending time outside.
Trigger 5: Dust. There is no way to keep dust out of our homes but we can minimize the surfaces where dust can collect and also make it as easy as possible to remove dust from a room.
Trigger 6: Clothing. Our skin is our largest organ, so it makes sense to try our best to keep toxic chemicals away, and for these reasons, it is important to manage triggers by washing all clothes, especially synthetics, before wearing them.
