Parenting Pointers: Clean Design

 As we weather both the pandemic and Winter weather by spending more time indoors the time for Spring cleaning is now. This year instead of starting our cleaning process on the floor it’s time to start at the ceiling fan instead. Eco- designer Robin Wilson recommends that we all review “how” we clean our spaces – and reverse how we do it. How many times have you cleaned the table surface and then cleaned the ceiling fan?

Robin recommends using CLEAN DESIGN protocols which focus on a top-to-bottom cleaning method, which can be a huge time-saver and healthier solution. Instead of just sprucing up our homes this year, you can ensure they are healthy, well-designed, clean spaces. Wouldn’t you prefer a living space free of germs, wheezes and sneezes?

Robin Wilson, who wrote the #1 Amazon best-selling book, Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle recommends focusing on creating healthy living spaces that can help reduce germs and the symptoms of the upcoming pollen-filled months. Robin is the first woman to have a line of custom cabinetry sold at 400 dealers in the U.S. She is the second Black woman, after the late B. Smith, to have a product line sold at Bed Bath & beyond. Her product line is currently online at Walmart and with other retailers. Robin Wilson Home provides information and eco- friendly products. 

 Robin is also an Ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. She’s a pioneer in eco-friendly design, sustainability, & hypoallergenic issues, has collaborated with WestPoint Home, a key manufacturer and global marketer of home textiles, to create bedding & bath collections. Robin works closely with WestPoint Home to co-develop sheets, comforters, quilts, towels, and utility products under the moniker, Clean Design Home x

Martex.  

Here are some recommendations for Top-to-Bottom cleaning begin with:

 – Ceiling Fans & Light Fixtures are first because they are the highest. Use a microstatic dust cloth 

on a handle to attract dust and remove, allowing excess to fall.

–  Walls, Cabinets & Bookcases are some of the largest surfaces in our spaces that are often overlooked. Use a microstatic dust cloth or a damp cloth to run over the surfaces

–   Tables, Window Sills & Countertops: Use a non-toxic cleaner with paper towels or a reusable cloth to clean flat surfaces. Make sure to remove electronics and decorative items; dust those items and clean underneath.

 –  Window treatments: “Dust collectors” is a good phrase to use for heavy draperies or curtains that are cleaned infrequently. Consider side panel curtains made of washable linen or cotton, or mechanized window shades that can be vacuumed. Some options can be recessed into a soffit for a clean look. Also consider shutters, blinds, or pull-down shades made of natural materials.

– Closet Clutter: To keep pollen and dust buildup to a minimum, keep belongings in covered boxes, bins, drawers and keep one closet as a daily closet and one as a storage closet. Remember, start on the top shelf of the closet, and then work your way down until you vacuum the floor.

–   Bedding: Make sure you follow the rule of threes: wash zippered pillow covers every three weeks, wash actual pillows every three months, and replace your pillow every three years.  You can limit inflammation if you protect your body from excess dust mites given that we all spend one-third of our lives sleeping.

 –  Entry Foyer.  Always take off your shoes before going indoors, and keep all outdoor tools and toys in a garage or shed.  If not, you could be dragging in the outdoor germs, dirt and pollen into your living area, and provoking allergies and asthma.

 – Beware of mold.  Be sure to check refrigerator pans, dishwashers, drains, basements and other spaces where mold can accumulate.  Monitor your home’s humidity, ventilate well, manage moisture in the basement and be on the lookout for standing water.

 –   Flooring. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter with a self-contained canister to prevent dust from being expelled back into the room. Rugs, tile and hardwood floors are a much better choice than wall-to-wall carpet, but all flooring surfaces must be vacuumed or cleaned regularly to eliminate dirt and dust. Shake out area rugs regularly.

A top-to-bottom approach is the most effective way to disinfect, clean and protect your environment.

I had a chance to interview Robin to learn more.

Can you explain what you mean by "clean design?

Clean Design is a room-by-room wellness protocol that enables you to eliminate and manage allergy triggers and create a comfortably designed, non-toxic home environment. Our four principles of design are sustainable, ecofriendly, non-toxic and hypoallergenic are outlined in our book, CLEAN DESIGN: Wellness for your Lifestyle. The most important thing to remember is that indoor air quality can sometimes be worse due to the off-gassing from office printers, cleaning supplies and mold. One piece of advice we offer homeowners is that simple solutions can be utilized such as:

• air out their space with an open window for 5 minutes each day if possible
• use non-toxic options such as toothpaste to clean crayon off the walls
• fill the toilet bowl with coca-cola overnight to ‘clean the ring’

 

Why is it important?

Implementing the practices of Clean Design can lead to amazing results: fewer allergy symptoms and asthma attacks, easier breathing and better overall health. So many of us will use toxic chemicals but we need to realize that when you are sealed in your home during this pandemic, you might be affecting your indoor air quality.

 

 

How do cleaning routines help families?

There are several basics that we recommend including “top-to-bottom” cleaning – by reminding people that if they clean their tabletops and then the ceiling fan, it only creates double work. It is better to start at the top and work your way down. As well, if you are busy, you might want to invest in a microfiber dust mitts, Clean Design Home) so that you can just rub the surface of desktops and near electronics to remove dust.

 

As well, we have a strong recommendation that you look at your bed pillow. Did you know that SIX YEARS is the most common response when asked “When was the last time you washed or replaced your pillows?” That means that the pillow probably weighs more than when you received it. Clean Design protocols suggest that the Rule of 3’s is observed regarding bed pillows: Wash your pillow slipcovers every week and then every 3 weeks you can wash the zippered pillow covers, Clean Design Home); every 3 months you can wash the actual pillows; and every 3 years you should replace the pillows.