Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Shutters and blinds reduce home allergens
DEAR Leanne: What are the best window coverings for reducing allergens in my home? We have removed the carpets and replaced them with hardwood and stone tile, but are not sure about the drapes. I know there are different types of blinds. Are some easier to clean? Our biggest concern is allergens.
ANSWER: Industries across the globe have taken up the challenge to be greener in all aspects of product development. This means not only do you and I get the benefits in our immediate environment, but these new products are also being created from a greener world perspective.
For your design question, you have an immediate need to cover your windows to reduce heat transfer in colder times, protect your decor from intense ultraviolet rays in the summer, and the need for privacy.
Drapery fabric does offer advantages to your room, in that the fabric surface absorbs sound and reduces the echo effect associated with hard surfaces. There is also fabric's thermal factor, meaning it can help keep a room warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Of course, this varies with the type of fabrics and the drapery design.
Fabric draperies trap and release dust, pollen and other allergens. Weekly vacuuming reduces the threat to air purity, as does selecting fabrics that can be washed in water, as opposed to chemical cleaning. (Many professional cleaners now offer environmentally friendly cleaning options.)
Other window coverings that would be considered low-maintenance while reducing the allergens would be blinds or shutters made from wood, metal or vinyl. Soft blinds may be an option for you, as they are made from fabric that can be easily vacuumed; however, hard surfaces tend to be popular.
When dust or pollen lands on these surfaces, it's easily removed with a damp cloth, as there are no fibres to get embedded and trapped in. Several styles work with any decor. Natural grasses such as bamboo are popular for a casual or globally inspired space.
Simple mini-blinds are available in a huge array of colours and widths. From a maintenance perspective, the greater the surface area, the easier it is to clean. This means that a wider slat will take less time to dust than several narrow slats.
Shutters are another design option. They can be comfortable in an old English library, or opening out to a breathtaking ocean view.
When you make your selection, inquire about the stain and finish used.
For extremely sensitive individuals, not only are the dust, pollen and dander a concern, but also the gases products emit. For instance, hardwood floors have an easy-to-clean surface, but some people are highly sensitive to the smell emitted from the varnishes used. Although the product is dry to the touch, the surface gives off VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for months after installation.
Fortunately, new federal regulations have been imposed due to public demand for low-VOC paints and finishes. We still have a way to go.
If you have the option of finishing natural wood yourself, check the following leading companies for eco-friendly finishes:
Natural paints:
Real Milk Paint Co. (28 shades) www.realmilkpaint.com
Old Fashioned Milk Paint Co. (20 shades) www.milkpaint.com
TimberSoy (12 shades) www.timbersoy.com
Low-VOC paints:
Benjamin Moore Aura (144 shades), Natura Zero-VOC (four shades) www.benjaminmoore.com
Cloverdale-Horizon (50 shades) www.cloverdalepaint.com
Sherwin Williams-Duration Home Harmony (50 shades) www.sherwin-williams.com
Sico -- Cashmere, Chamois and Shantung (four shades) www.sico.com
C2 Paint -- LoVo (300 shades) www.c2paint.com
-- Canwest News Service
Leanne Brownoff is an Edmonton interior design consultant who welcomes your questions at www.leannebrownoff.com. Answers will be featured in her column, as high volumes prevent individual email responses.
Renovation & Design
A green alternative
Readers know I'm always looking for new products that could help gardeners. I have found a few new ones that just might fill the bill.
Sarritor is described as a biological weed killer. The manufacturer calls it the first 100 per cent natural, selective weed killer to control dandelions, clover and plantain in turf without harming the lawn.
The active ingredient of Sarritor is a naturally occurring fungus that's coated onto a dry carrier and applied directly onto the weeds. Moisture then activates the fungus when the optimum temperature is 18 to 24 C. The fungus grows into the weeds and absorbs the plant tissues until the weeds are completely gone. The fungus then dies with no remaining residues.
"Now there is an environmentally safe alternative to chemical herbicides that have been banned," Sarritor president Jeff Watson says. "Sarritor is a natural and organic product based on the Sclerotina Minor technology that was developed by Dr. Alan Watson of McGill University. The 100 per cent natural and organic product is non-toxic, does not produce spores, is neutral in the environment and is indigenous to Canada."
Canadian gardening expert and TV personality Mark Cullen has tried it. "Sarritor is perfect for me because it is easy to apply, fast-acting and effective and is safe for children and pets," Cullen observes.
I really sat up and took notice when I first received the news release about this product. I haven't tried it yet, but intend to in the very near future. I'll keep you posted.
I made a couple of quick inquiries and Jim Hole tells me that Hole's Greenhouse in St. Albert will be carrying the product and expects it to arrive in the next few weeks. Hole agrees this product sounds very exciting.
Tina Burbank at Greenland Garden Centre east of the city tells me Greenland is also carrying Sarritor. It requires refrigeration, she notes, so look for it in a fridge right at the front of the store.
-- Canwest News Service
