So buying a doll that claims it's safe for children with allergies isn't enough.

Life Without Limits

For a young child with allergies and asthma, a life without limits may include stuffed animals that are truly certified to withstand repeated washing and to maintain a dust-free existence. Thus, they won't have to be thrown away.   

For both a child and an adult with allergies and asthma, living a life without limits includes preventing allergic triggers as much as possible. One's own home is often the source of many allergic triggers. By reducing the allergic content, one can enjoy life, symptom-free.

For myself, I work hard to maintain a low-allergen household. I buy, consume or use the least allergenic consumer items I can find.  This may include vacuum cleaners, bedding, rugs, detergents, cleaning supplies and air filters; whatever I can get my hands on to reduce allergens in my home and my direct surroundings. I'm very excited about the Asthma and Allergy Friendly certification program in how extensive it is, how far beyond regular standards they go and how clear their instruction are.

Moving Forward

Having to incinerate my dusty Big Bird taught me an early lesson: the more dust-free, the better for this allergic girl. Basically, my entire home is washable. The wood floors are washed weekly in Murphy's Oil. I have couches that have washable slipcovers. The duvet and duvet cover get washed in hot water annually as do sheets and mattress covers. I can wipe down all the surfaces. I don't have any dust-collecting trinkets. I use the least toxic home cleaning products on the market: vinegar, lemons and hot water when possible (otherwise, I have made the switch to natural cleaning products such as Seventh Generation and Ecover). I wash out my humidifier weekly during the winter, and wipe down the fans in the summer. I work hard to maintain a home filled with light and air and as little dust, mold and irritants as possible.