If you or someone in your family suffers from indoor allergies, you may wonder just what you can do to help reduce them. There are ways that you can reduce these indoor allergens by doing some simple re-decorating.
1. Remove the carpet in your home
Wall-to-wall carpeting in your home is one of the biggest collector of indoor allergens that you have in your home. Carpet fibers retain all kinds of microscopic allergens from pet dander to dust particles. Even if you vacuum every day, you will not be able to get rid of all of the allergens. Some people, without knowing it, are even allergic to their carpeting. Carpeting contains synthetic dyes and glues and some people are allergic to these products. Some people who are very sensitive to chemicals may be allergic to the chemical stain guard products that are used to protect the carpet fibers from stains.
You should remove your wall-to-wall carpeting. If you have hardwood flooring underneath the carpeting, have the flooring refinished. If you don’t have hardwood flooring, consider putting it in, or you can install linoleum, or flooring that is made from eco-friendly materials, like bamboo.
2. Repaint your home using “green paint”
Many people are sensitive to the fumes from conventional indoor paints. These fumes can cause headaches, respiratory problems and also indoor allergies. Even people who don’t usually suffer from allergies can be allergic to these paint fumes. When re-painting, use paints that are low in or free from volatile organic compounds or VOCs, as they are generally referred to. When you buy paint, check with the store representative about paints that are water-based and have natural pigments.
3. Replace your furniture
If you have living room furniture that is made with plush cushions, you should replace it with natural wood furniture. Most plush furniture is treated with stain guard which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Plush furniture, over time, becomes a collection area for dust and pet dander. Another option, if you want something more comfortable than natural wood furniture, is to buy natural leather-covered furniture.
4. Get rid of the bedding that is over 8 years old
This is a big culprit of indoor allergens – your bedding. Your mattress, pillows and comforters all conceal allergens. When you re-decorate your bedroom, replace your comforter with a natural wool comforter and use cotton quilts and blankets. Buy only un-dyed, organic cotton sheets and pillow cases. Your pillows should be filled with natural fibers like cotton. If you have neck and upper back problems, buy pillows that are filled with buckwheat.
You should replace your mattress with a natural, organic one that contains natural rubber, organic cotton and wool products as these products do not contain synthetic chemicals. Be sure to use an allergy-reducing cover on your mattress and pillows for added protection.
5. Replace your window curtains
If you have curtains in your rooms that are made from thick material and have lots of folds in them, you should remove these and replace them with natural window treatments that are simple and don’t have any folds in them. The folds in the drapes collect dust and there is no way to remove all of it. If you have plain, washable window treatments, you can take down the curtains and wash them. That way, you will remove all of the allergens that collect in the material.
These are just a few simple things that you can change in your home to help reduce your indoor allergies.
