A new home provides many exciting opportunities for creativity and expressions of personal taste. However, our homes also house many allergenic micro-organisms that cause allergy and accumulate millions of airborne particles over time.
Prolonged, constant exposure to these allergic triggers may take a toll on our immune system, thereby causing a range of nasal, eye and respiratory sensitivities.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Many allergens, including animal dander and mould spores are found in the air, while others, such as mite droppings and cockroach droppings, are in carpets and bedding but become air-borne when disturbed.

The air indoors can be further contaminated by synthetic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in many manufactured products you use around the home including glues and solvents, new carpets, aerosol products, dry-cleaned garments, etc.

Improving ventilation is the key to minimising air pollutants indoor. Of course removing or reducing sources of such pollutants avoids the problem from the start. Keeping windows and doors open for parts of each day provides natural ventilation, assuming the outdoor air is not worse (such as if the home is next to the main road).

If air filters are used, ensure that they come complete with activated charcoal and a filter medium for odour removal and VOCs absorption.

BEDDINGS & BEDROOMS

A study has shown that an average two-year-old mattress can contain as much as two million dust mites.

The most effective solution is to fully encase all bedding with anti-allergen barriers. Follow this up by eliminating any mite or dust-harbouring features.

Most mites live in the uppermost layers of the mattress, rarely remaining on the exposed surface. Many people vacuum their mattresses with the mistaken belief that this gets rid of the mites.

The use of a mite-killing solution (acaricide) on the mattress and bedding is probably more effective. But take note, acaricides do not penetrate far enough into the mattress or bedding to kill the dust mites deep inside.

Beds with slatted wooden or metal bases provide better air circulation around the mattress. Avoid padded headboards, canopied or poster beds.

Hot water washable blankets (and not quilts) are recommended. Wash them weekly at a temperature of 60ûC or above to kill off dust mites. A mite-killing laundry solution (acaricide) can be added for cold water washes.

FLOORING

In all seriousness, the best way to reduce allergen-levels in the home is to minimise fabric surfaces, such as carpets and rugs, and fabric upholstered furniture.

Hard-surface flooring is ultimately the preferred choice of flooring in creating a low-allergen home. But avoid grooved wood surfaces that become dust traps.

Ceramic tiles are particularly suitable for 'wet' rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen. Porous, unsealed tiles may harbour bacteria and other micro-organisms. To ease cleaning, porous tiles should be sealed.

WALL COVERINGS

Paint is the first choice, recommended over wallpaper. However, solvents used in certain brands can cause more irritation over others. As a general rule, the higher a product's VOC content, the stronger the odour. Water-based paint has fewer odours than oil-based types, due to reduced solvent content.

Wood panelling is not recommended, due to the emission of formaldehyde from the glue and veneer.

WINDOW DRESSING

Go for 'wipable' blinds - plastic or wooden-slatted types. Vertical blinds collect less dust and are easier to clean.

FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

Leather and vinyl are appropriate coverings for soft furnishings as dust mites find them inhospitable. Hard-surface materials such as wood or plastic, simply made with clean, straight lines and minimum detailing minimise dust collection.

Use solid wood for cabinets and wardrobes. Softwood, metal, and glass can be used for shelving. Tops of cabinets and open shelves are notorious dust traps, so build cabinets right up to the ceiling and put doors on shelves.

KITCHEN

Many homes in Singapore feature the kitchen in an open concept layout adjoined to the hall and dining areas. The activities here result in water vapour infiltrating the rest of the home. Hence, improve ventilation to inhibit mould and bacteria growth, as well as discourage mite infestation in the kitchen and elsewhere.

Bearing in mind that worldwide, cockroaches are second only to the house dust mite as a cause of allergy. One of the best ways to discourage them is to deprive them of moisture.
Seal any cracks and crevices in walls and in woodworks around windows and doors. Seal any gaps around pipes to prevent cockroaches migrating between flats.