Dear Melissa:
I wonder if you have any thoughts on how to make a home environment better for those suffering from allergies or asthma. Do we really have to go down to bare floors and toss out the favorite sectional and replace it with leather? Ugh!! L.D., MO
Dear L.:
Treating a home for people with respiratory ailments depends on the severity of the problem. Sometimes it necessitates a move to Florida or Arizona. I’m serious.
Less drastic measures start with attentive housekeeping, quality heating & air conditioning, mold control, hypo-allergenic well-vacuumed bedding, sealed windows, and the removal of all known offenders: pets, dust, down, feathers, heavy draperies, textured fabrics, fluffy carpets, and facial tissues (extremely dust producing).
One doesn’t have to end up with a sterile setting, however. Instead of heavy window treatments, try pretty valances with shutters or pleated shades beneath. Consider covering your sectional with a washable cotton slipcover – unless it’s stuffed with feathers or down. Then it will probably have to go. As for flooring, you might experiment with cotton area rugs. There are also some wonderful low-pile, low-gas carpets on the market designed for the healthcare industry. Consider sisals and canvas floor cloths, too. Since everyone is a little different, you might have to experiment a little. Good luck. M.A.K.
