With the arrival of spring and allergies sure to follow, the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers offers up some tips for ridding your home of allergens.
An estimated 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as eye irritation, nasal congestion and sneezing.
“Dust mites and mold are two of the biggest culprits in the indoor environment,” said Linda Truckenmiller, an ASID member from Hinsdale-based Truckenmiller Design Ltd. “After discussing with a health specialist which indoor allergens trigger their symptoms, homeowners can then begin to make some simple, yet critical changes that can positively affect their well-being.”
Hilary Sopata, another ASID member from Interior Visions, Inc., in Park Ridge suggests eliminating carpeting from a home’s interior as a good start to ensuring dust mites and other allergens are left at the door.
“Carpeting off-gasses (Volatile Organic Compounds) and can contribute to allergy irritations. They are the newest concern for people with allergic sensitivities,” she said. “As a designer, I often have to carry pieces of carpeting or area rugs around in my car, and in that enclosed environment I’ve realized how toxic it really is because it has caused me many headaches.”
Interior designers help homeowners make the best choices when it comes to all factors within their interior living space. Additional advice on alleviating allergens from homes includes:
• Window treatments: Replace dust-collecting drapery with metal or wood blinds, shades and shutters. Although they may become dusty, these materials are easier to clean on a regular basis than fabric treatments.
• Flooring: Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with hard-surfaced materials such as hardwood, stone or ceramic. Use throw rugs that can be washed or dry-cleaned regularly. If carpeting must be used, choose one that is very dense and low-piled where contaminants sit on the surface and are easier to remove.
• Paint: Select an eco-friendly paint. Most major paint manufacturers now offer some type of low- or no-VOC paint. VOCs present in paint and finishes produce low-levels of toxic emissions released into the air after application. And natural paints are good since they are made from natural raw materials such as clay, chalk, natural latex, bees’ wax and earth pigments. Sensitivity to these paints are very low.
• Cleaning/maintenance: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to clean carpets, rugs, vents and baseboards on a weekly basis. Install sized exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to remove mold-causing warm and humid air. Similarly, exhaust dryer to the outside. Incorporate a place for shoe-removal at the main family entrance so dust, bacteria and pollens are not tracked into the house.
Rather than over-stuffed upholstery, consider wood-framed pieces with removable cushions with covers that can be washed or dry-cleaned.
To reduce dust mites in the bedroom, use allergen-proof covers on comforters, mattresses, box springs and pillows.
To contact an ASID member throughout Illinois, call (312) 467-5080 or visit www.asidillinois.com or www.FindADesignerIL.com.
—Jessica Young, staff writer
Western suburbs, IL —
