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Montclair interior designer Robin Wilson focuses on eco-friendly designs. Her Robin Wilson Home product lines are designed to help reduce dust and other airborne materials that can exacerbate asthma and allergies.
(Courtesy of Robin Wilson)
Dust is a household enemy that many of us are not getting rid of often enough, says Montclair interior designer Robin Wilson.
"Get a microstatic cloth - they have big ones - and just run it across surfaces. You'll be done with your dusting in minutes," says Wilson. You can also go old-school and use an ostrich feather duster, but this is a dust-catcher that needs to be washed, Wilson says.
Of course, dust is unsightly, but that isn't the primary concern for Wilson, whose Manhattan-based company Robin Wilson Home specializes in eco-friendly designs, including bedding products available through Bed Bath & Beyond.
"Clean Design" by Robin Wilson
As one who suffered asthma-related breathing difficulties as a child, Wilson knows firsthand the respiratory distress dust can cause. And as a designer who aims to create healthier living spaces, she counts dust, molds and chemicals among airborne substances that can compromise the air we breathe inside our homes.
She avoids heavy draperies. They trap dust and can be difficult to take down to be cleaned as regularly as needed. Similarly, Wilson prefers tile or hardwood flooring over wall-to-wall carpeting, which can hold dirt, dust and animal dander, she says. Even in homes without carpet, Wilson suggests removing shoes at the door to avoid bringing in dirt and chemicals. When pets come in from outdoors, she says their paws should be wiped to remove contaminants, which they also can ingest when grooming themselves.
Robin Wilson Home custom cabinetry is made by Holiday Kitchens from recycled wood fiber without formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance often used in construction adhesives and other building materials. The cabinetry is designed to eliminate crevices that can host dust and other allergens.
And she has a rule of three for pillows: "Every three weeks, wash your pillow protector; every three months, wash your pillow; every three years, replace your pillow." "Take your discarded pillow to an animal shelter and do a good deed with it," Wilson suggests. Wilson notes that pillows and their casings become receptacles for dead skin cells, dust mites and other allergens. She compares sleeping on an unclean pillowcase to wearing dirty pajamas, and emphasizes the need to wash all bed linens at least once a week.
Her Robin Wilson Home bedding line includes quilts, hypoallergenic pillows and mattress toppers, and other allergen-free options at Bed Bath & Beyond. Robin Wilson Home custom cabinetry is made by Holiday Kitchens from recycled wood fiber without formaldehyde, a carcinogenic substance often used in construction adhesives and other building materials. The cabinetry is designed to eliminate crevices that can host dust and other allergens.
The Sophia quilt is among several in the Robin Wilson Home bedding line carried by Bed Bath & Beyond. The line includes 100-percent cotton quilts, hypoallergenic pillows and allergen-free linens.
Wilson, who is an ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, also suggests being vigilant about mold, using dehumidifiers to help dry out damp areas. She offers the following environmentally friendly cleaning tips, many of which can be found in her book, "Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle" (Greenleaf, 2015, $22.95).
Kitchen: Wilson suggests quartz Silestone countertops, which she says have hygenic properties not found in other materials. "It doesn't have any crevices or holes that bacteria can get into."
Bathroom: Replace vinyl shower curtains with nylon. Vinyl curtains hold mold more easily and can release chemicals that diminish indoor air quality. In addition to using non-toxic cleansers, always close the toilet seat when flushing to prevent a spray of bacterial particles onto nearby surfaces, including towels, toothbrushes or soaps.
Kids bedrooms: Wash stuffed animals frequently. Placing them in the freezer between washings can eliminate dust mites, Wilson says.
Robin Wilson suggests replacing pillows every three years for better rest in a cleaner and more comfortable sleeping environment.
Living room: Use slipcovers on sofas and chairs to help keep the upholstery clean and protected from dust and animal dander. Slipcovers can be washed more easily and frequently than upholstery can be cleaned, she notes.
Spring cleaning: Remove everything from a room as if you were moving. Mop or steam-clean floors and scrub the walls before deciding what to return to the room and what to donate or throw out. Instead of waiting to deep clean once a year, remove dirt and dust from under electronics and large appliances quarterly.