Scripps Howard News Service
Karen Madden's son, Kenny, was constantly sick--asthma attacks, pneumonia, it was always something.
But Madden never dreamed her Denver home was at the heart of his bad health until tests came back from the doctor showing the then-11-year-old's lungs were operating at 80 percent capacity as a result of serious allergies to dust and mold.
"It was a huge surprise because my interpretations of allergies were sneezing, runny nose, itchy eye ... That's what I thought allergies were," Madden says.
"They gave us all this literature that said they don't expect you to try to control the dust and mold in the whole home, but if you can control the environment in their bedroom, just that can make a significant difference. There was a diagram of the ideal allergy-free room--bare walls, bare windows, a bed and chair.
"I panicked. I thought, 'How can he live in a room like this?' That's when I called Shelley." Interior designer Shelley Black, president of Fleming-Black Group Inc., of Denver, has been fighting her own battles with allergies for 20 years. "In the early 1970s I became allergic to my surroundings, my environment, food, things in the air," says Black. "I was forced to learn about all the things that were in my home.
"Everyone is allergic to different things. I cannot tolerate vinyl in my environment, and I am sensitive to nylon and products of petrochemicals."
When Madden called her, Black knew chapter and verse about the products they'd have to avoid. Wallpaper was out because of the glue, as was carpet and anything that had to be dry-cleaned. Fabric window treatments were a no-no, and anything that could collect dust--wall hangings, notebooks, pennants--also was out. Bedding would have to be 100-percent cotton and since the room would have to be cleaned every two weeks, all other surfaces would have to be agreeable to cleaning with a damp cloth. Also, all paint would have to be treated with a mold inhibitor.
The prohibited items far outweighed the permitted. Sterile materials, however, did not necessarily mean sterile decor. The first step was to move Kenny out of the basement and into a small--and thus easier to clean--room upstairs.
Since posters and the like were out, Black called in an artist to paint murals of a construction site, blueprints and tools on the walls. They replaced the carpet with Formica laminate flooring and hung steel-colored metal blinds beneath wood cornices on the windows. The furniture is wood with black detail, and the fabrics are tartan plaids in green, midnight blue and red.
"When most parents are presented with this, it's a little overwhelming," says Black. "But through the use of color, we turned the room into something very interesting. I don't think a lot of people would know by looking at it that it's an environmentally clean, allergy-free room."
Not only is Madden pleasantly surprised with the makeover, it was fairly low-cost--about $3,000--with the largest single expense, $1,000, coming from the new floor.
Most important, her son's health already has improved.
Make Your Home Allergy-Free How to create an allergen-free home from the catalog, "Priorities, A Common Sense Guide to Managing Allergies & Asthma."
General Tips:
- Consider using an air filter in rooms where you spend a lot of time.
- Remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with washable rugs.
- Vacuum carefully and often.
- Replace heavy curtains and draperies with washable, lightweight curtains.
- Install filters in your heating/cooling systems.
For dealing with the most common types of allergens--dust and dust mites, pollen, mold and mildew and pet dander try the following:
- Cover or encase your bedding.
- Wash sheets and pillowcases often.
- Clean carpets and rugs or treat them with tannic acid (a dying agent).
- Don't steam clean.
- Avoid upholstered furniture.
- Keep clothing tucked away in closets and drawers.
To prevent pollen misery:
- Close windows and doors.
- Install window filters.
- Don't hang laundry outside.
- Avoid early morning outdoor activities.
- Wear a mask over your face when you mow the lawn.
- Wash up after being outside for an extended period of time.
- Keep pollen out of your car by keeping the windows closed and use air conditioning.
To defend yourself against pet dander:
- Control where your pet sleeps.
- Treat your pet's coat with dander-retardant products.
- Bathe your pet regularly.
- Clean your home regularly and thoroughly.
- Use air filters.
To minimize mold:
- Keep humidity low.
- Install exhaust fans.
- Try a safe but strong cleaning solution.
- Limit the number of houseplants in your home.
- Store old books properly.
- Get rid of old wallpaper.
- Take up the carpeting in damp areas.
- Wear a mask outdoors.
- Use air purifiers.
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