Robin Wilson

Robin's Favorites: Holiday Kitchens custom cabinetry

If it is time for a new kitchen or bath look, you need to visit a local Holiday Kitchen dealer to find out about the eco-friendly options for CUSTOM cabinetry! (make sure to ask about the RWH frameless line) Imagine having the comfort knowing that no formaldehyde based adhesives are used, low-to-no VOC paints and stains are used, a new tree is planted for every tree used in the manufacturing process, and there are over 96 door styles that you can select from...and since it is Made in the USA, you are saving jobs! And most importantly, there is a lifetime warranty because they believe in their product...and silent-close drawers are standard. Start with the Holiday Kitchen dealer locator 

Robin's Favorite: Benjamin Moore AURA paint

Benjamin Moore paint - AURA (low VOC) and Natura (no VOC) - lines which meet the strictest state standards of California. This paint has a self-primer which can save labor costs, and also one hour after painting, there is no paint smell which is great for asthma & allergies.The paint is ranked in the top performance levels among 21 eco- or green-conventional paints by Consumer Reports. Learn more

Is Your Home Making You Sick?

Are You Sleeping in a Chemical Factory?

Sick building (and now "sick home") syndrome is not a new phenomenon, and it was recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency in a 1994 report regarding indoor air pollution. In the report, one learns that air inside the home can be up to 3-5 times as polluted as outside air. The report cites a main culprit as volatile organic compounds - emitted as gases that can contain harmful chemicals. Reactions can include sinus irritation, nausea and headaches - and some people think it is just a cold.

Paint is only one source of VOCs which in a newly painted room can "off-gas" for up to a year. Pressed-wood furniture, permanent press fabric and mattress ticking also release VOCs, including formaldehyde. And using non-organic sheets, towels and clothing can also introduce you to pesticides.

It is virtually impossible to stay away from all these products, but you can definitely implement a few measures to improve your VOC and toxin exposure:

• Change your air-conditioner/heater filter on a monthly basis
• Utilize cotton towels and sheets and hypoallergenic pillows
• Speak to your plant horticulturist about plants that filter air
• Use energy efficient lighting such as LED lighting by JUNO or CREE
• Review the cleaning products used in your home
• Know what type of rugs and carpets are used in your home (nylon/vinyl backed is not good!)
• Once a week, open the windows for just 30 minutes

Product of Day: FLOR Modular Carpet Tiles

We recommend FLOR inspired modular floorcovering for our clients, which is a 'green' product. FLOR is a modular carpet tile that comes in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to design your own easy area rug for the kitchen, nursery or living room. No glue is needed for installation, so your existing floors won't be ruined. Instead, dots with the sticky side up connect each 19.7" x 19.7" carpet tile together.

FLOR is a quick do-it-yourself project that can be installed over any level, dry surface — even vinyl. This is a great product for heavy-traffic rooms and spaces for family rooms. These carpet tiles can be laid parquet style with ribbing in different directions and can enhance the upscale feel of any space. Pricing is from $6.99 to $59.00 per tile.

Explore the options the FLOR website.

Giveaway Tip of Day: Maytag washer & dryer

Love that PARENTING magazine is doing 101 days of Giveaways - and the giveaway prizes are nothing to sneeze at...for example, the prize for today is a Maytag Maxima Washer & Dryer set (valued at over $3000) - and it is energy efficient too!

The countdown begins...register here

Product Tip of Day: Seventh Generation recyclable packaging!

Did you know that the outer packaging of the new Seventh Generation laundry can be composted or recycled? The outer shell is made from a 70% recycled fiberboard, with an interior plastic pouch made of 30% recycled product.

When you are finished using the new Seventh Generation 4x Concentrate Laundry detergent, you simply break apart the shell and use in compost, and take the plastic cap and liner for recycling!

Seventh Generation detergent is powerful even in a smaller container. Learn more!

Tip of Day: Where to Buy Wooden Toys?

How many parents want to find eco-healthy wooden toys? And toys that are made in America, toys that will remind parents of their childhood memories and toys that will last as an heirloom for the next generation. Begin your search with Ron Voake, who is in Middlebury, Vermont with a team of woodworkers who suggest that you order now for the holidays...visit Vermont Wooden Toys

Shopping Tip of Day: Recycled Luxury with Pre-Owned Accessories

Ever thought you could not afford that Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci or high-end watch...well, you can!!! The luxury auction site of pre-owned products is called Portero. And if you register, you can shop for the holiday/summer season and be eco-friendly with "recycled" luxury items. These products are guaranteed authentic, so don't worry about a faux-product...this is a great alternative in a tough economy and is like Christie's meets eBay...visit Portero.com

Tip of Day: Is "organic" cosmetic labeling really accurate?

Many of us buy cosmetics - and even if they are labeled "natural" or "organic", we have to wonder if they are really organic, or just a bit of marketing to get us to part with extra dollars? According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, "natural" is a completed unregulated term. However, "organic" is a legal standard that must be verified by independent third parties.

Here are a few cosmetic labels to look for:

• USDA Organic - requires third party certification and a minimum 95% certified-organic plant ingredients; 70% qualifies for "made with organic" - no synthetics are allowed
• NSF - requires products have 70% organic ingredients and limited chemical processing or additives
• BDIH - more common in European countries; stringent rules banning all petroleum based ingredients if a product is called "natural" - requires third party certification
• Whole Foods Premium Body Care - a label developed by the store certifying that products are free of 250 toxic chemicals
• Oasis - industry label in European countries requiring 95% organic; allows some synthetics
• EcoCert - less stringent third-party seal requiring 95% natural ingredients with a minimum 10% of those certified organic

Blast from Past: Black Enterprise features Robin Wilson

 Seemingly everywhere we look, we find more people discussing the climate, the economy and the healthy lifestyle options. Learn more about entrepreneur Robin Wilson, who by 2000 had already built her company, Robin Wilson Home, on the principle of having her clients make choices about wellness in their environment (...more)

Tip of Day: Allergies & Asthma

With the summer months approaching, and everything in bloom, are you wheezing & sneezing? Read this Black Enterprise magazine article to learn a few tips to improve your  indoor air quality and to improve your eco-healthy lifestyle  (...read more)

Asthma Tip of Day: Sofa Upholstery

How many people clean their sofa cushions with a vacuum on a regular basis? Or take the sofa cushions to the cleaners to replace the polyfill or down cushion insert material? Most people have a sofa for years, and they simply spray it with freshener perfumes, and they neglect regular maintenance. Here are the simple tips to maintain your sofa, especially if you have pets:

1. Vacuum cushions, both visible and underneath on a weekly basis
2. Replace the polyfill or down cushion insert material every five years
3. Consider leather if you have pets so that pollen and animal dander is not deposited onto your sofa

Asthma Tip of Day: Walls & Ceilings

Did you know the largest surface area in the home is also the most ignored area in a home? The dust collection in these areas is 2x the amount of the flooring area...so please make sure that part of your cleaning routine does not ignore the:

• Walls & Ceilings: pay close attention to the bedroom areas behind your headboard, the entry foyer which may contain pollen spores, and the ceiling corners which may have cobwebs that collect dust.

Source: AAFA.org

 

 

Allergy Tip of Day: Bedding

Spring cleaning - and its time to pay attention to those spots where dust, animal dander and pollen gather to cause 'wheezing and sneezing' indoors...a tip for your home in a hot spot for cleaning that many do not consider:

Bedding - use pillow and mattress covers that are a proven allergen barrier. Make sure to wash regularly in warm-to-hot water to remove any allergen accumulation. And make sure to wash your pillows every six months and replace after three years (by donating to the local animal shelter).

Source: AAFA.org

CBS: Allergies & Asthma Prevention

Robin Wilson discusses the options for a family whose 18-month child was diagnosed with asthma at a little over a year old.

Simple things that can be done from $10 to $1000 for an apartment or home. 

CLICK on link to see CBS segment 

Cleaning Tip of Day: Furniture Care

We see great TV commercials that advertise products that we don't need and that will only create a "chemical stew" affecting our indoor air quality...

So, here is a brief excerpt about what you should do to care for your furniture:

• Dust: wipe wood surfaces with a soft cloth and avoid most commercial cleaners and polishes since they contain formaldehyde and ammonia. Did you know?: most modern wood furniture does not need to be waxed or polished because the factory finish won't even allow wax to penetrate!
• Vacuum: upholstered furniture should be vacuumed weekly to remove dust. And sprinkle baking soda prior to vacuum if there is odor. Did you know?: fabric fresheners typically contain fragrances/solvents that trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions
• Erase & Rub: for leather, vacuum regularly, but also remove scuff marks with a pencil eraser and for water marks, rub with distilled white vinegar. Always test first in a hidden spot. If you use a chemical-based leather cleaner, use in a well-ventilated room.
• Scotchgard or Silicon? Stain protection is a tough subject when being eco-friendly. Know that Scotchgard offers the most protection, but it is not eco-friendly. A good alternative is silicon, a natural substance that repels most spills, except grease.

Cleaning Tip of Day: Mold & Mildew

What is that black spot in the corner of your shower or bath - or at the base of your shower curtain? Typically mildew, but sometimes mold...and the allergic reactions many of us have to mold spores means you have to act now!

Simple solution involves a trip to the health food store for tea tree oil and to the dollar store for a spray bottle. Mix one drop of tea tree oil (do not let the concentrated oil touch your eyes or bare skin) to one cup of water in the spray bottle. Shake. Spray directly onto the mold or mildew area. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat if needed.

Eco Tip of Day: EcoSmart, a non-toxic Pesticide

Imagine using a natural pesticide that is as strong as synthetic chemicals, but non-toxic to your children and pets! Yes, this product exists and is on the market - it's called EcoSmart. With formulations for your specific pest problem - either indoors or out...and its affordable. Poisons that affect everything are one option...but it might be healthier to target the poison to the problem pest...Try EcoSmart Non-Toxic Pesticides 

Shopping Tip of Day: Organic Mattresses

You can trek all over town, the internet or the world, but the BEST source to see it all is in one New York City (or Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine) showroom where the best of the mattress with  eco/healthy/organic/hypoallergenic qualities are showcased. For designers, doctors and  families who want the best, and prefer to lay down on a mattress to feel the difference, instead of just viewing on a website. Visit The Clean Bedroom

Design Tip of Day: Arhaus

OK...rarely do we get catalogs in the mail, and we stop and say, wow! That is what happened when the Arhaus design catalog arrived in my mailbox. Furniture and accessories that belong in an eco-friendly home...aesthetic beauty matched by only a few competitors...yet, it is affordable. Check out Arhaus catalog