Everything you need to know about hypoallergenic homes
With 44% of adults in the UK suffering from at least one allergy, and the number always increasing, it's easy to see why so many people are turning to the concept of a hypoallergenic home.
If you are within that percentage, you know how important it is to make your environment as allergy-free as possible, which leads the question:
What is a hypoallergenic home?
A hypoallergenic home is a home that is as void of allergies as possible. This is created by using products, furniture, or decorating specifically to the needs of allergy sufferers, to build a home that allows for safe and comfortable living for those who have allergies such as asthma.
The term 'hypoallergenic' was first used in a cosmetics campaign in 1953, and is now used to describe anything from pillows to pet breeds. Lately it has been gaining more and more recognition for the home.
The concept of a hypoallergenic home has grown in popularity over recent years as allergies appear to be on the rise. It isn't uncommon to hear of more and more companies creating hypoallergenic versions of their products for those who suffer, so they can create a space that helps, rather than hinders, their allergies.
What are the pros and cons of having a hypoallergenic home?
Pros:
- Moving into a new home will come with all the perks of the latest building materials, that are far more likely to be hypoallergenic, and you will even get a say in what type of flooring you have put down, so a new home would be more likely to suit your needs.
- Having new insulation and the sealing of doors and windows creates a more energy efficient home, and would see your bills likely come down in price.
- Having floors that are not carpet will mean you don't have to worry about dust. Mopping up spillages is also far easier than having to clean a carpet.
- Having a space that helps ease your allergy will provide you with peace of mind, not to mention improved health.
Cons:
- If you are having insulation installed, be warned that fibres will be released into the air and will cause a disturbance with your allergy, even if the insulation itself is hypoallergenic.
- Hypoallergenic materials are incredibly effective, but they will never be able to keep allergens away from you 100%. Many people see them as answers to all prayers, when in fact there is always a small chance you will still suffer with your allergies, even with a hypoallergenic home.
- With around one third of dust being created within the home itself – it is important to realise that keeping a home clean is paramount, otherwise all the products you have invested in will have been in vain.
- The joints of any type of flooring are guilty of harbouring dust and other allergens, so if you were to have this type of flooring, extra care and attention will be needed if you want to keep it as hypoallergenic as possible.
Where do I begin to create a hypoallergenic home?
Many would consider the very best place to start to be entering a brand new build. This puts you ahead of the game, as new houses are less likely to have mould and dust build-up, and modern insulation is often more allergy-friendly than older types.
If you are in the position to be building your new home, you can choose more allergy resistant finishes and implement some preventative measures in your new home, to help control allergens that enter your home.
Whilst this isn't feasible for everyone and you may be remaining in your house, you can go some way to help prevent allergy build-up by looking at your own insulation, updating it and looking at areas that see a production of mould.
These are common ways to help create a hypoallergenic home:
- Invest in new mattresses, duvets, carpets and curtains. You would be surprised how much these all hold, and whilst you may have a clean home, the build up of allergy-inducing features within these fabrics will go a long way to feeding your allergy. Carpets in particular are incredibly guilty of trapping allergens, so choosing laminate, wood or tile flooring will really help you keep them clean. If you do choose a carpet, make sure you pick a good quality hoover for removing allergens in the home. One step further would also to avoid curtains altogether for the same reason, and opt for blinds instead, so they can be kept clean more easily.
- Seek ways to seal draughty windows and doors if your budget does not yet extend to replacing them entirely. This will really help keep out dust and pollen from the outside as much as possible. Even the cold in the winter months can set off asthma symptoms in many.
- Opt for less upholstered furniture to try and stave off allergens and dust, as these can be a haven for trapping them. Choose furniture that is leather, metal, wood or glass as much as you can so they are easily wipeable and will not absorb the way more upholstered pieces of furniture can.
- Trying to avoid wood fireplaces will go a long way to help you if you suffer from asthma. They are wonderful, and look incredibly cosy, but they do play havoc with the respiratory system, so many sufferers opt for gas fires instead.
- Choosing mould-resistant materials wherever possible can help prevent growth in the future. Mould is a common allergen and any measure you take to reduce it within your home will help those who suffer with allergies. There are a number of materials available that are made to be mould-resistant or are naturally less likely to encourage growth, so if you are considering decorating or moving, that is something you could look into, to help create your hypoallergenic home.
- Consider your floorplan in your home – because you can lessen an awful lot of allergens entering the home if you had a space for people to enter it and remove their coats and shoes before stepping further in. Porches are a great example of this, as a lot of the outside is left in an enclosed space, and if cleaned regularly and a matt for shoes, you can help keep pollen and other outside allergens from entering your home.
