Pet Proofing Your Home

Pet-Proofing Your Home:

A house is just not the same without a four-legged friend. Although pets are loyal companions, many people are reluctant to own one for a fear of ruining their home and furniture. Yes, there are a number of things that come with the package such as hair, drool, odors and scratches. However, pet-proofing your home is a great solution to maintaining your home, so you don’t have to compromise your desire to add a furry member to the family. Here are some easy tips you should swear by:

    1)   Choose the right fabrics – Obviously, leather  or “pleather” is an easy-to-clean solution. Just give it a quick wipe down! Another benefit for this type of material is that it is not one to attract fur. It can be quite durable; however your pet’s nails should still be trimmed to avoid scratching. Another resistant material is velvet. Unlike other fabrics, it’s not looped together, so claws will not get caught!

     2)  Color coordinate your furniture with your pet - Although this may sound kind of funny to some, coordinating your furniture with your pet’s fur color makes for a great camouflage. A little tone on tone is pure genius!

    3)   Groom your pet – Regular grooming will avoid tumbling fur balls – the vacuum is definitely your friend. Also, a little bathing can avoid a certain stench!

     4)   Protect your furniture – Embrace two things; throws and rugs. A beautiful and durable throw blanket is a great protection for your sofa. If you choose a stylish one, not only will it enhance the room, but it will maintain your furry friend’s favorite seating area. As for your gorgeous hardwood floors, there are always rugs! Choose a rug that is preferable low pile, so that their claws won’t dig into the looped strands. Ideally, you should have a rug in the areas they choose for rest – living room, bedroom, office and staircase.

    Although these restrictions may seem like a lot to some, if you’re an animal lover, you’ll find a way to make these restrictions work for you, and with style! 

Content provided by: @tailbase

www.tailbase.com

Seasonal Allergies: Tips & Remedies!

It’s summertime and yet you keep on sneezing or sniffling at home? Even if you know that seasonal allergies are usually due to outdoor factors such as pollen, mold… and don’t last passed the spring, you wonder about the causes. Here’s an interesting fact - indoor allergies exist too! For one, you could be allergic to dust.

From your living room carpet, draperies and upholstered furniture to your bedroom; dust mites are everywhere in your home! Mattress, pillows, and bedding are their favorite hangouts. Even if no one can eliminate dust mites completely, one can put an end to their spreading. Here are some tips to keep you virtually dust mite-free!

Make sure you are using the right furniture!

Change your fur or high pile rug for a low pile that is washable, if you don’t wish to put it aside this summer. (Photo right –Ashley Rug)

Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame and get a mattress cover. If your mattress is old, 5 years + and you’ve considered buying a new one, then go with a foam mattress. Most of foam mattress materials are allergen-free; but still needs some maintenance! (Photo –Ashley Beds)

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Maintain good cleaning habits:

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust and always use a damp cloth to remove dust on your furniture. It’s better to run your air conditioner to keep allergens out and use an air purifier instead of opening the windows and doors. Also, you should clean your air filters often. When the humidity level in your house stays between 30% and 50%, dust mites won't thrive!

Keep your bedding clean; wash your sheets every week in hot water to kill dust mites. Comforters, blankets or bedspreads should be washed once a month.(Photo –Ashley Bedding)

Some natural remedies…

Aromatherapy can definitely be an option to consider! Eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender or wintergreen oils can help you reduce dust mites! Apply one drop of eucalyptus oil when doing your laundry to kill your bedding dust mites.

Drinking herbal teas help -green or ginger tea with a teaspoon of raw honey provide great allergy relief if taken daily!

Clean your home with vinegar, lemon and/ or baking soda plus a few drops of natural oil! By making your own cleaning products, you can avoid indoor allergens and save on the cost!

Content provided by: @tailbase

www.tailbase.com

Organic Materials

Organic Materials

Nowadays the term organic has also made its way into interior design. So what exactly is meant by this so-called emerging design trend? Basically, anything made from natural materials can be considered “organic”. However, the trend goes beyond just using natural materials – entails a specific green lifestyle & design choice. In other words, there is more to the furniture, fabric & flooring in this type of home than just looking “natural”. They must be chemical-free. Some popular organic materials include hemp, reclaimed wood, sisal, natural stones and recycled glass. Let’s take a look at the top picks for your home;

Rugs:

Check out this braided beauty! The Dismuke rug is a handwoven jute and cotton rug. This weave features a tapestry of earth tones that is reminiscent of nature itself. The fact that it is handmade has a lesser impact on the environment, rather than if it was manufactured. Also, another benefit of using a natural rug is that you’ll avoid breathing the chemical particles that form when a synthetic rug is exposed to the sun.  

Poufs:

The versatile pouf has been a favorite for quite some time. Round out your space with the casually hip Dilip pouf. This piece features a cable knit cover crafted of natural jute. Its feel-good texture makes it a versatile spare seat, ottoman or end table; the perfect all-in-one eye candy.

Wall Art:

Paint a picture of easy relaxation in your space with the Odus wallart. The weathered plank-style layout features natural and black undertones, making it a very cool understatement. This charming piece will surely deck your walls with knockout style!

Now that you have the facts about natural materials not only being a highly sought after trend, but also beneficial to your health, will you opt for this green lifestyle?  

Content provided by: @tailbase

www.tailbase.com

Seasonal Allergies: Tips & Remedies!

Seasonal Allergies: Tips & Remedies!

It’s summertime and yet you keep on sneezing or sniffling at home? Even if you know that seasonal allergies are usually due to outdoor factors such as pollen, mold… and don’t last passed the spring, you wonder about the causes. Here’s an interesting fact - indoor allergies exist too! For one, you could be allergic to dust.

From your living room carpet, draperies and upholstered furniture to your bedroom; dust mites are everywhere in your home! Mattress, pillows, and bedding are their favorite hangouts. Even if no one can eliminate dust mites completely, one can put an end to their spreading. Here are some tips to keep you virtually dust mite-free!

Make sure you are using the right furniture!

Change your fur or high pile rug for a low pile that is washable, if you don’t wish to put it aside this summer. (Photo right –Ashley Rug)

Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame and get a mattress cover. If your mattress is old, 5 years + and you’ve considered buying a new one, then go with a foam mattress. Most of foam mattress materials are allergen-free; but still needs some maintenance! (Photo –Ashley Beds)

.

Maintain good cleaning habits:

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust and always use a damp cloth to remove dust on your furniture. It’s better to run your air conditioner to keep allergens out and use an air purifier instead of opening the windows and doors. Also, you should clean your air filters often. When the humidity level in your house stays between 30% and 50%, dust mites won’t thrive!

Keep your bedding clean; wash your sheets every week in hot water to kill dust mites. Comforters, blankets orbedspreads should be washed once a month.(Photo –Ashley Bedding)

Some natural remedies…

Aromatherapy can definitely be an option to consider! Eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender or wintergreen oils can help you reduce dust mites! Apply one drop of eucalyptus oil when doing your laundry to kill your bedding dust mites.

Drinking herbal teas help -green or ginger tea with a teaspoon of raw honey provide great allergy relief if taken daily!

Clean your home with vinegar, lemon and/ or baking soda plus a few drops of natural oil! By making your own cleaning products, you can avoid indoor allergens and save on the cost!