major contributors to allergies around your home or office

If you look closely around an average home or office you will find several allergens that can cause you or your children to react to. Major causes of allergies can be:

• animal dander- pets of any kind can cause allergies. Cats and dogs are the most common. If you have a pet, vaccuum and dust regularly. Groom your pet regularly and periodically, but never groom your pet inside your home or office.





• mold and mildew- any time you have moisture buildup indoors, you are likely to get mold or mildew. Not only in your bathroom, but in dark closets, under your bed, or under your house. Inside near windows, or inside your walls. Look around closely if you suddenly experience respetory issues that occur when you are inside. Never clean mold without adequate protection and wipe it clean without spreading it around. Do not spray cleaning solution onto the area, but spray the rag and then wipe. Be sure to wear gloves and a mask. Make sure your room has adequate ventilation to prevent further mositure buildup.

• dust- number one cause of allergies is dust. Use a duster or dust mop that attracts dust instead of pushing it around and into the air. Make sure your furniture is high enough to reach under for cleaning. Clean often. Declutter, declutter, and declutter. Get rid of small non-functioning niknak dust collectors and piles of paper and magazines.



• VOCs- Furniture, fabric, paint and stains offgas VOCs that can cause headaches. Choose zero-VOC paint and stains. Ventilate the room for a few hours before occupying a freshly panted room.






• Chemicals and cleaning products- Any chemically formulated cleaning product can cause alelrgies or health problems. Use natural simple products. Home made solution of vinegar and baking soda is a good general purpose cleaner.

kids bedroom- storage ideas to keep it neat and clean

Kids need to play and explore to develop their imagination.
But teaching them about organization at an early age will help them set limits, show dicipline and be more responsible for their space.

Giving kids proper storage makes this task easier. But it also makes their space clutter-free and provides more space to enjoy and play. It also makes the space safe while they play.

Closed bins, shelves, and cabinets help minimize surfaces where dust can accumulate and spread in the air later. It is easier to dust the top of lids than to dust or individual items.
As the result you will benefit from the air quality which can eliminate health problems such as allergies and asthma.
Here are some storage ideas that look great and keep the room organized and minimize collection of dust collection:

1. Ready to use shelves and bins that can be color-coded are great for toys, accessories, clothing, school supplies, etc. 

 This is available through Pottery Barns Kids.

2. Install shelving with uniform/ see-through bins

create a calm and organized look. Items that are used frequently are stored at lower level.   

A simple shelving sustem can be obtained at your favorite hardware store. Usually require a small set of tools to install and cost less than ready-made systems. Look for variety of bins and baskets at stores that specialize in space organization products such as the Container Store.

Or you can purchase modules that fit together to form a unit:

these modular systems with variety of modules are available through the Container Store.

3. Cabinets with cubbies can separate books, accessories, and toys, open or closed they look nice and neat.

4. Good old toy chests have always been a great tool to organize and can be used as a bench if they are low enough.

 

This toy chest/bench is available through IKEA.

healthy bedroom: 6 tips to reduce allergens in your bedroom

We spend close to 8 hours in our bedrooms. It is supposed to be a soothing and rejuvenating place for our hardworking minds and bodies. Yet many bedrooms are the causes of our allergies and some serious health problems. Here are 6 ways to minimize the causes of allergies in your bedroom:

1. Reduce dust: One of the easiest and least expensive way you can minimize allergies is by de-cluttering. Clutter traps dust and makes cleaning an unpleasant chore.
Get rid of piles of paper (they are also a fire hazard!), reduce the number of furnishings and accessories  in your bedroom. Make sure your vacuum can reach under all furniture.
Hard flooring surfaces are ideal. Good bamboo or linoleum (not vinyl) are easily mopped.
Cotton washable rugs are preferred to other rugs. But if you must have carpet, pick one with tightly woven pile and vacuum often. Avoid detailed architectural moulding and wall art that can trap dust.
(if removing architectural moulding is not an option you can build a box around them. Otherwise, make sure your weekly cleaning includes these.)
Clean air and ventilation filters or replace them frequently. Opt for higher quality filters.

2. Reduce chemical off-gasing: VOCs (Volatie Organic Compunds) are found in many home improvement products including paint and stains. Manufacturers have recently produced great quality paints and stains with zero or low VOC. You could paint your walls using 0 or low VOC paint to seal the old paint. Minimize items with stain or make sure the stain is zero VOC with new furniture or hard wood flooring.

3. Avoid synthetic fibers on your bed: Use cotton sheets. If natural latex mattress is not an option, get dust-mite covers for all your bedding.

4. Increase Ventilation:  It is very important to have fresh air in any room.  If you are not allergic to pollen open your windows early in the morning and early evening. Otherwise, mechanical ventilation should be utilized daily to prevent moisture buildup. Moisture buildup will cause mold.

5. Black mold hunt: If you get condensation on your windows, you may be at risk for having mold.  Look for black mold behind drapes, closet interior walls, and around the window sills. It may look like round penny size spots or black dust. If you find mold do not blow it in the air. Do not use a spary cleaner as it will blow the mold in the air. Make a simple solution of water, vinegar and a drop of soap. Protect your nose and mouth. Wear rubber gloves. Wipe the mold clean with a sponge soaked in the solution.

6. Cleaning agents: Most household cleaners contain irritants and chemicals. Use natural cleaning products free of chemicals. There are many safe and multi-purpose cleaners such as Nature’s Source,  Seventh Generation or Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Oil soap, on the market. Remember to read the label. Just because it says "Green" or "Natural" it may not be safe.

Clutter-free, allergy-free bedroom

This bedroom was designed to eliminate dust and allergens, but to create the comfort you experience at a resort hotel room.

Floating bedside tables, allow for easy vacuuming and wood headboard is easily dusted.
Intentionally minimized table top surfaces to avoid clutter of un-necessary objects. 
The custom wood trunk not only hides extra pillows and blankets, it keeps them dust-free for when they are needed. 

Custom carpentry by Mike Fair.