Creating a Healthy Home
A functional and wonderful interior should be an enjoyable journey, but as we all know, there are many details to think about and creating a healthy environment can be a little trying. This informational article is for you to think about before you make those home renovations and purchases.
Do you have allergies, or found yourself to be sneezing or coughing as you enter or spend time in spaces that have been newly painted, wallpapered, carpeted, new drapery treatments and furniture installed? All new materials give off gas over a period of time and dissipate. The key here is what can you do about it so you don't suffer and potentially harm the people in your environment in the meantime?
The wall area in your home is the largest mass to decorate and makes the biggest impact design wise. There are many wonderful paint colors and faux finish ideas. But did you know that paints have VOC's (volatile organic compounds)? This is not good. Most paint manufacturers have a low VOC or no VOC paint line available in most colors. Benjamin Moore has Eco Spec, Sherwin Williams has Healthspec and ICI Dulux paints has Lifemaster 2000, a no VOC paint. Always paint in a well ventilated room. Wait 7-14 days after painting with standard paints to allow toxic vapors to be aired out, rather than absorbed by carpeting, mattresses, linens and any fabric material.
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead based paint. Lead can impair physical and mental development and can cause irreversible brain damage. In older homes, children can get lead poisoning from breathing paint particles and house dust. Lead gets into house dust during renovation or remodeling, deteriorating old paint, opening and closing windows.
I recently used the Lifemaster 2000 in the Home and Garden show held in October at the South Florida Fairgrounds. I was the winning Vignette in a Designers Challenge of a beautiful and breathable baby's room. The American Lung Association of Southeast Florida, 1-800-330-LUNG, Co-sponsored this event, along with the South Florida Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers. It was a great event educating young families and grandparents on the healthy benefits of a baby's environment. A free book "A Baby's Breath" is available by calling the Lung Association.
Select wallpaper with a nontoxic finish or a light vinyl coating to reduce emissions. Vinyl wallpaper is nonporous and can act as a vapor barrier trapping moisture between the walls and promoting mold growth. Vinyl wall covering should not be used on exterior facing walls in hot, humid climates. Not only does it not let your walls breathe, but you inhale the vinyl off gassing. Paper
backed wall covering is a better purchase.
Wall-to-wall carpeting is not always considered a healthy flooring, due to synthetic components used during manufacturing. Carpet often releases odorous chemical compounds, which can irritate the airways, during the first few weeks after installation. Carpeting conceals dust mites which are microscopic creatures found in house dust. They are a major trigger of asthma, particularly in children. Vacuum carpet at least once per week with a high efficiency vacuum cleaner. Solid surfacing such as a ceramic tile, stone, marble or wood flooring with wool or cotton area rugs is preferable.
All wood furniture is best, but if you are on a tight budget, inexpensive furniture may contain formaldehyde in the particle board or pressed wood. If all exposed areas are not sealed with a product called Safecoat, vac off gassing can occur. Safecoat, by American Formulating Manufacturing is a non-toxic sealer for particle board, pressed wood or natural wood products. Bed mattresses are available all natural and can be ordered through your Interior Designer.
Drapery treatment is a wonderful way to frame a window out for that beautiful view beyond. But fabric drapery can be a dust catcher and should be vacuumed often. I don't recommend dry cleaning because of the off gas dry cleaning fluids have. Minimal window treatment for an asthma suffering individual is recommended. Smooth, non-textured fabrics reduce dust collection. Natural and washable fabrics not chemically treated with fabric guards are recommended.
It does cost a little more to purchase healthy products for your home, but your family is worth it, right?
If you have any questions on any interior design dilemma, call JoAnn Munro, ASID at Southeast Interior Design, Inc. in Jupiter, Florida at (561) 745-6919, or visit her at www.southeastinteriordesign.com
Do you have allergies, or found yourself to be sneezing or coughing as you enter or spend time in spaces that have been newly painted, wallpapered, carpeted, new drapery treatments and furniture installed? All new materials give off gas over a period of time and dissipate. The key here is what can you do about it so you don't suffer and potentially harm the people in your environment in the meantime?
The wall area in your home is the largest mass to decorate and makes the biggest impact design wise. There are many wonderful paint colors and faux finish ideas. But did you know that paints have VOC's (volatile organic compounds)? This is not good. Most paint manufacturers have a low VOC or no VOC paint line available in most colors. Benjamin Moore has Eco Spec, Sherwin Williams has Healthspec and ICI Dulux paints has Lifemaster 2000, a no VOC paint. Always paint in a well ventilated room. Wait 7-14 days after painting with standard paints to allow toxic vapors to be aired out, rather than absorbed by carpeting, mattresses, linens and any fabric material.
Homes built before 1978 may contain lead based paint. Lead can impair physical and mental development and can cause irreversible brain damage. In older homes, children can get lead poisoning from breathing paint particles and house dust. Lead gets into house dust during renovation or remodeling, deteriorating old paint, opening and closing windows.
I recently used the Lifemaster 2000 in the Home and Garden show held in October at the South Florida Fairgrounds. I was the winning Vignette in a Designers Challenge of a beautiful and breathable baby's room. The American Lung Association of Southeast Florida, 1-800-330-LUNG, Co-sponsored this event, along with the South Florida Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers. It was a great event educating young families and grandparents on the healthy benefits of a baby's environment. A free book "A Baby's Breath" is available by calling the Lung Association.
Select wallpaper with a nontoxic finish or a light vinyl coating to reduce emissions. Vinyl wallpaper is nonporous and can act as a vapor barrier trapping moisture between the walls and promoting mold growth. Vinyl wall covering should not be used on exterior facing walls in hot, humid climates. Not only does it not let your walls breathe, but you inhale the vinyl off gassing. Paper
backed wall covering is a better purchase.
Wall-to-wall carpeting is not always considered a healthy flooring, due to synthetic components used during manufacturing. Carpet often releases odorous chemical compounds, which can irritate the airways, during the first few weeks after installation. Carpeting conceals dust mites which are microscopic creatures found in house dust. They are a major trigger of asthma, particularly in children. Vacuum carpet at least once per week with a high efficiency vacuum cleaner. Solid surfacing such as a ceramic tile, stone, marble or wood flooring with wool or cotton area rugs is preferable.
All wood furniture is best, but if you are on a tight budget, inexpensive furniture may contain formaldehyde in the particle board or pressed wood. If all exposed areas are not sealed with a product called Safecoat, vac off gassing can occur. Safecoat, by American Formulating Manufacturing is a non-toxic sealer for particle board, pressed wood or natural wood products. Bed mattresses are available all natural and can be ordered through your Interior Designer.
Drapery treatment is a wonderful way to frame a window out for that beautiful view beyond. But fabric drapery can be a dust catcher and should be vacuumed often. I don't recommend dry cleaning because of the off gas dry cleaning fluids have. Minimal window treatment for an asthma suffering individual is recommended. Smooth, non-textured fabrics reduce dust collection. Natural and washable fabrics not chemically treated with fabric guards are recommended.
It does cost a little more to purchase healthy products for your home, but your family is worth it, right?
If you have any questions on any interior design dilemma, call JoAnn Munro, ASID at Southeast Interior Design, Inc. in Jupiter, Florida at (561) 745-6919, or visit her at www.southeastinteriordesign.com