BUILDING A HEALTHY HOME

BUILDING A HEALTHY HOME 2017-10-18T03:12:26+00:00
Caliber Contractors - Jason Easterling

When Jason Easterling’s son was born with a compromised immune system and developed potentially fatal lung complications at only 2 months old, Jason combined his knowledge of green building and home purification to build a healthy and healing home for his son.

At Caliber, we understand that the most painful thing for a parent is to watch your child suffer. With careful attention to non-toxic product specifications, Green Building practices, energy efficiency, house filtration, and post construction furnishings and cleaning practices, we can help you create a healthy home that the entire family will benefit from.

While Green building is the gold standard for home construction, below are additional steps to create a healthy environment for people suffering with illnesses such as allergies, asthma, COPD, lung disease, autoimmune disorders.

Tips to Create a Healthy Home

Caliber Contractors - Jason Easterling

These are steps we utilize in our home.

Choose paint, caulking, and finishes labeled “0” VOC.  

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds.  These compounds are harmful to all humans.

Flooring

Tile, Marble, or concrete flooring.  While wood is a natural product, it contains many chemicals, is supseptable to moisture damage, and some people with tree allergies could suffer with wood floors.

Furniture

WARNING Genuine Leather can trigger asthma/allergies in people with animal allergies. Avoid upholstered furnishings for they harbor dust mites.  For sofas look for the new leather-like Performance Polyester.  It will protect against spills and dust mites but will not cause allergic symptoms in those with animal allergies.  For chairs and tables consider solid surfaces that are easy to clean.  Avoid raw wood and opt for sealed wood.

Laundry Soap

While there is a plethora of lovely organic soaps available, the essential oils can lead to breathing issues in sensitive individuals. Choose a fragrance free soap.  You can add plain baking soda, fragrance-free oxy booster, or stain remover if necessary.  While organic soap is always a safe choice, it is not necessary to combat breathing issues.

Dishwasher Detergent

We recommend an organic fragrance-free dish soap because when the dishwasher heats up, the chlorine, perfume and chemicals of a traditional detergent are released into the air and will dispersed through the home.

Rugs

NO CARPET!!!  Remove all Carpet from the home.  Carpet has a long list of chemical ingredients, and holds dirt, mold, and dust mites. Use small throw rugs that are washable where necessary. Use Caution if choosing wool rugs.  Wool can trigger allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.  Wool also is not washable.

Personal Toiletries

Choose fragrance free soaps, shampoo, conditioner, lotions and deodorant. You can purchase free and clear products at CVS, whole foods, and online retailers. Remember that essential oils can trigger asthma/allergies/breathing conditions.  Be sure to avoid common oil triggers such as Lavender, Eucalyptus, orange, lemon, grapefruit, citronella, and clove.

Glass Cleaner

Use rubbing alcohol in place of scented ammonia based cleaner.  This will make cleaning glass safer and less expensive.  For shower doors use rubbing alcohol and scrub with a Mr. Clean Magic eraser this will easily remove soap scum.

Disinfecting Spray Cleaner

degreaser can easily be made by mixing 1 part rubbing alcohol to 1 part water. If you have an essential oil, such as mint, that you not sensitive to, the oils can be added for a light scent.

Air Filter

Run an Austin Air filter in the bedrooms at night. While is important to air out the home, use caution by paying close attention to pollin count, smoke from fireplaces or controlled burns, and wind direction.  A direct breeze off the ocean will bring the cleanest air.