Allergy-Proof Decorating

  Do’s and Don’ts

Reduce the level of allergens in your home with these decorating ideas

The way you decorate your home has a significant impact on the amount of dust, mold, and other allergens you live with. Read on for the dos and don'ts of allergy-proof decorating. Some of these ideas may not work for you because of budget constraints, and others may not mesh with your decorating style — but adopting just one or two of them will help reduce the level of allergens in your home.

Do opt for hardwood floors, tile, or vinyl flooring, which are easy to sweep and clean. Want more color? Try stenciling your hardwood floor, the walls, or the ceiling.

Don't decorate with shag or deep-pile carpeting, both of which collect dust. If you live in a cold climate and carpeting is a must, choose a low-pile rug, like a flat-weave drury, or a rug made from a natural fiber, like sisal.

Do choose wood, plastic, or metal blinds. They are easy to wipe free of dust.

Don't cover windows with heavy drapes. These will need to be washed frequently in hot water (at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit) to kill all the dust mites.

Do use baskets and bins with lids to store papers, remote controls, and other odds and ends. Only the lid will need to be dusted regularly.

Don't keep lots of knickknacks like figurines, vases, silk flowers, and picture frames around your home because these are dust magnets.

Do limit throw pillows. Though pretty, they are difficult to wash, and they give dust mites another place to live.

Don't use down pillows or a down comforter, because feathers are a common allergen.

Do use latex paint to add color and interest to a room — it can be easily washed.

Don't wallpaper a room. The glue can irritate allergies, and felt wallpaper, in particular, can harbor dust mites.

Do purchase lamps that have glass shades, which can easily be washed.

Don't use lamps with fabric shades. If you do have any fabric shades, be sure to vacuum them at least once a week with your vacuum's fabric attachment.

Do use a dehumidifier if you live in a humid area like New Orleans or Miami. It will help hinder the growth of mold.

Don't keep a lot of houseplants. They may look nice, but they can increase the level of mold in your home.

Do install glass shower doors, which can be easily cleaned.

Don't use a shower curtain. Cloth, nylon, and plastic curtains create a haven for mold. If you must use one, however, be sure to wash it with bleach or replace it frequently.

Do create an area for your pet to sleep, like a crate in the kitchen.

Don't allow your dog or cat to sleep with you if you are allergic to pets. Pet dander readily collects on sheets, mattresses, and pillows.

Do keep firewood, which can carry pollen, in the garage or outside.

Don't allow smoking in your home. Cigarette smoke is a common allergen and can worsen allergies. It's particularly bad for people with asthma.

The Allergy-Free Home

A room-by-room approach

Your home is your castle, but when you're suffering from allergies it can also feel a lot like a prison. There are steps you can take, though, to eliminate or control common allergens throughout your home, reducing your exposure and minimizing your symptoms.

Follow this room-by-room approach for banishing allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, smoke, and mold.

Bedrooms
You spend more time in your bedroom — eight hours a night — than perhaps any other room in your home. That's why it's the perfect place to begin allergy-proofing. Start by using dust mite–proof covers on pillows, mattresses, and box springs, and change your bedding, including comforters, at least once a week, washing it in water above 130 degrees. Hard flooring like wood or linoleum is best in bedrooms because it's easier to keep clean and free of allergens than carpets. At the very least, carpets must be vacuumed weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Window coverings are another place where allergens can linger, so wash them weekly as well. In addition, keep pets out of the bedroom, eliminate as much clutter as possible, and make sure all furniture has hard, easy-to-clean surfaces. Finally, keep windows closed and eliminate any stray allergens from the air by running a HEPA filter while you sleep.

Bathroom
Mold and moisture reign in this room, so take steps to eliminate as much moisture as you can. Use an exhaust fan during and after baths and showers to quickly move steam out of the room. Repair any leaking plumbing. Eliminate moisture-trapping rugs, window coverings, and fabrics when possible, or clean them regularly. Avoid wallpaper and opt instead for a nonporous wall surface like tile or mold-resistant enamel paint. Towel-dry the tub or shower after each use. Clean or replace moldy shower curtains or liners. Clean the tub, tiles, sink, toilet, and floor weekly. Kill any visible mold with a 5 percent chlorine bleach solution.

Living Room
As in the bedroom and bath, eliminate places where allergens can linger as much as you can. Examples include carpeting, upholstered furnishings, curtains, blinds, wall hangings, and knickknacks. Keep dust (and dust mites) to a minimum with weekly cleaning sessions that include a thorough dusting. Wash hard flooring or vacuum your carpets weekly with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Watch for signs of mold and moisture near windows, and clean as needed. Don't allow smoking in your home. Keep windows closed during allergy season and keep pets (and their allergens) outside.

Kitchen
The main goal in the kitchen is to control moisture (and the resulting mold), as well as to keep insects and other pests at bay. Use an exhaust fan to vent steam from cooking; keep countertops, cabinets, appliances, floors, and other hard surfaces clean; and fix any plumbing leaks promptly. Keep the sink empty and dry. Clean any visible mold immediately. Check your refrigerator weekly for moldy food, and empty water from the drip pan as needed. Additionally, empty garbage containers daily and be sure they have insect-proof lids. Address any insect or pest problems at the first signs of invasion, and take steps to eliminate pests' access to food sources.

Laundry room
Some measures you can take in the laundry room include checking plumbing for leaks and repairing as needed, venting dryer steam outside, and cleaning hard surfaces and flooring weekly. Be sure to avoid letting clothing remain damp or wet for long.

Basement
These dark, damp areas are mold traps. Avoid carpets, upholstered furniture, and fabric in the basement because they can harbor moisture. Check foundations, windows, and stairwells often for signs of wetness or mold and clean as needed. Store collectibles in sealed plastic containers. If moisture remains a problem, use a dehumidifier. Replace filters in heating and cooling equipment once a month.

There are many steps you can take to eliminate or reduce allergens around your home. Initiating these steps and being consistent about allergy-proofing may seem daunting at first, but the comfort you'll enjoy as a result will be worth it when your home is a haven from irritating allergens.

Planning a Move With Allergies in Mind

How to manage your allergies wherever life takes you

When you or someone in your household has allergies, the condition is an important factor to consider when you're relocating, whether across town or across the country. But not to worry — with careful planning, you can keep allergens under control in your new home.

Keep the following factors in mind when planning your move:

Check Out the Area:

 Some parts of the country are worse for allergies than others. One way to predict how a move will affect your allergies is to check the Asthma and Allergy Foundation's list of worst places for fall and spring allergies. If you or someone in your family experiences severe allergies and your prospective hometown is on the list, you may want to reconsider your plan to move there. If that's not an option, familiarize yourself with the allergens common to the area and how they may affect you and your family. And remember, if you're moving simply to get away from your allergies, there's really no "allergy free" destination; some places, however, are better than others. Even if the allergy triggers that trouble you now aren't found where you're moving, a new set of potential allergens could await.

Consider the Climate:

 In general, allergens such as dust mites and mold are much more common in damp or humid areas. Similarly, pollen counts differ widely from place to place. Currently, Hartford, Connecticut; Greenville, South Carolina;, and Boston rank as the worst three locations for hay fever. And while you may have received advice to move to the desert to escape allergens, the desert may not ease your symptoms. Even Tucson, Arizona, has its fair share of pollen and mold counts. Again, lists like the top 50 allergy capitals compiled by the Asthma and Allery Foundation can help you determine the allergen load in your new location.

Factor In Pollution:

Another thing to keep in mind when moving is the amount of pollution you'll encounter in your new home. While pollution alone isn't an allergen, it can make your body react more acutely to any allergens you do encounter. In addition to smog and automobile pollution, be sure to consider other sources — such as emissions from industrial plants and burning dumps, chemicals from farms and factories, and exhaust fumes from boats, trains, and other vehicles. According to the American Lung Association, Los Angeles tops the list for smog and pollution, followed by several other locations in southern California, and Houston, Dallas, New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

Talk to Your Doctor:

 Once you know what allergens you'll be facing after the move, schedule a visit with your doctor to develop a treatment plan. Perhaps allergy shots could help, or a combination of over-the-counter and prescription medications would provide the best relief. Whatever the case, preparing to face your new allergens before you arrive will make the transition much easier. Your doctor may also be able to help you locate an allergy specialist in your new area, and arrange for your medical records to be transferred. If your child is the one with allergies, be sure to provide new caregivers, schools, teachers, and coaches with information about his or her condition and how to manage it.

Choose Your New Home:

Finally, after you have a good idea of what challenges you'll be facing in your new hometown, it's time to look for an allergy-friendly home. For example, consider asking your realtor to show you only those homes that have high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter heating and cooling systems, or houses located in the parts of town that are farther from pollution sources and known allergy triggers.

Be sure to check out indoor sources of air pollution as well. Does the home have new cabinetry, paint, flooring, or carpets that could still be releasing irritating chemicals? If possible, choose a home with hard flooring such as linoleum, wood, or tile instead of carpets, which can trap allergens and be difficult to clean. Also, be on the lookout for signs of mold or mildew. If pet allergies are a factor, ask whether animals have been living in the home. And finally, if you will be replacing flooring, repainting, or remodeling, be sure to choose less irritating low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compound) products for the job. These products release little or none of the irritating gases that can contribute to indoor air pollution.

In short, forethought and careful planning can help ensure that allergies won't get the better of you or your family when you move — no matter where life takes you.

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