10 Home Maintenance Tasks to Do This Fall

Summer is coming to a close and fall is here! With the changing season comes beautiful leaf colors, pumpkin-everything, and cooler temps. It’s the perfect time to prepare your home for winter, and tackle some needed home maintenance. By taking a few proactive steps now, you can ensure your home remains safe, warm, and efficient all season long. Here’s a list of fall maintenance tips to help you get started.

*This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Fall Home Maintenance Tasks

Change Your Air Filters 

We recommend changing out your furnace filter every 2-3 months to keep the air quality, and air flow, in your home efficient. But just in case you’ve missed a month, put this on your list to change out asap. Go to our shop for replacement filters if you already own one!

It’s also the perfect time to check and replace the filters in your air purifiers if you have them. If you don’t already own one, consider the Austin Air Healthmate Plus Purifier - our favorite and the one we have throughout our own home! The Healthmate Purifier removes up to 99.97% of airborne contaminants, including mold spores, and is a perfect addition to your home. As we spend more time indoors during the fall and winter, maintaining high air quality with a reliable purifier is essential for a healthier living environment.

Inspect and Clean Gutters

Remove leaves and debris from gutters to prevent clogging and potential water damage. Ensure that downspouts are directing any water away from the home. Also make sure the ground around your house is sloping away not towards it. Also, when you rake your leaves, don’t compost all of them, leave them in small piles in the back or side of your property for birds and critters to use as nests to keep warm.

Seal Windows and Doors

Another important fall home maintenance task? Sealing any drafty windows and doors. Apply weatherstripping and AFM Safecoat Caulk to seal gaps and improve energy efficiency. Plus, by sealing with caulk from AFM Safecoat, you are choosing a healthier, non-toxic product for your family's home. Also, clean them with Benefect Decon 30, it’s antimicrobial and a disinfectant.

Contact us to order caulk from AFM Safecoat!

Have Your Furnace or Heat Pump Serviced and Cleaned

Getting your furnace or heat pump/mini split serviced is a must to add to your fall home maintenance tasks if it’s not already on there! Doing so keeps your system in good health. A good schedule is to make sure ducts are sealed and cleaned every two years.It should be free from mold, debris and elevated at least 5 inches on blocks to help drain. Make sure the drain hose is not touching the ground and is at an angle. Listen to my podcast for more information. We just did this and discovered mold on the fan blades, and the test from the lab confirmed it after only 8 months since the last cleaning. Stay tuned for the best ways to maintain and clean your mini splits without chemicals that keep mold at bay.

Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors 

Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test each one to ensure these important devices are working properly.

Clean the Dryer Vent and Disinfect the Washer

Lint buildup can be a huge fire hazard! Clean the dryer vent to make sure there is the proper air flow, and no clogs.

 If you have a front load washer, make sure you clean your seal with Benefect Decon 30. Leave your washer door open and dry the seal after each use. You may need to get the seal replaced if the mildew or mold doesn’t come clean.

Use Natural Pest Control Methods

Fall is when pests start seeking warmth indoors. Instead of using chemical-laden pesticides, opt for natural pest control solutions like diatomaceous earth, essential oils or plants (such as peppermint or lavender) to keep unwanted critters at bay. You can also use non-toxic traps and a boric acid, sugar, water mixture for ants 

Inspect Insulation

Check the attic and basement for proper insulation. Add insulation to any areas that may need it to keep your home warm and reduce energy costs. You can opt for non-toxic insulation, contact us for a list of healthy ones! Avoid spray foam insulation at all costs. If installed incorrectly, it can create new chemicals that adhere to every surface. Listen to my podcast interviewing a client who had this happen. It is also one of the biggest VOC issues we see in our lab testing results. 

Check Indoor Air Quality Levels 

When cooler months come, more windows and doors will be shut. This leads to potentially higher C02 levels if your home doesn’t have a fresh air ventilation system. It’s also a great time to check for humidity and VOCs. Get our favorite indoor air monitor here. If you haven’t tested your home’s air quality and think there might be something that needs to be identified or improved, grab our VOC test kit, it tests for over 500 different chemicals and we consult with you on what to do next. 

Mold and Mycotoxin Test Kit

If you’ve been curious about bettering your home’s indoor air quality, contact us to learn more about a heat recovery ventilation system. High levels of CO2 can affect cognitive abilities, especially in seniors and children. HRVs are ventilation devices that create better indoor air quality by continuously replacing the stale indoor air with outdoor air. Allowing for cleaner, healthier air!

Stock Up on Winter Essentials

If you live in an area that has a potential for snow - make sure you know where your snow shovels are and you stock up on emergency kits, both in your home and in your car. Now is also a great time to stock up on natural remedies as well as epsom salts, hot water bottles, cozy winter socks and slippers, wool blankets and of course organic teas. 

Preparing for a Change in Seasons

As you prepare for the cozy months ahead, completing these Fall Home Maintenance tasks will help ensure that your home is safe, energy-efficient, and comfortable all season long. Taking the time to check off these essential fall home maintenance tasks now not only protects your home from potential issues but also creates a healthier living environment for you and your family. By staying proactive and mindful of both traditional and non-toxic solutions, you can enjoy the beauty of the fall season without the worry of unexpected home repairs. Embrace the changing season with a well-maintained home that’s ready to keep you warm and secure throughout the winter months.

What is Dirty Electricity and Why is it important?

Don’t you hate it when you are visiting someone away from your home, and you plug in the toaster, and the electricity is all brown and disgusting? I have never experienced that either. But Dirty Electricity is a thing. So why don’t we discuss it? What exactly is “dirty electricity''? It has nothing to do with the electricity being filthy, or pinching your behind without permission. Essentially it is the unusable electromagnetic energy that is created by electronic devices as they operate. Your home runs on 60 Hz AC power, but interruptions to this flow can cause this energy to leak out (and yes, it is wasted… either going back into the system, off into the either, or through your body doing whatever it is going to do).

Before I get too far into this, I am going to acknowledge that not everyone believes in the same things. There are those who think that Dirty Electricity is a made-up thing done by the dirty hippies so you would be left with nothing but patchouli oil smells after they had stolen your television while the lights were all out. Others believe it is the be-all, end-all to all of our health problems, and no one is going to convince me otherwise! Hopefully you (like us) are somewhere in between, and are open-minded enough to change your mind if you are given more facts. 

Potential causes of dirty electricity and electropollution

• Solar panels

• Inside wiring errors

• Computers and laptops

• Variable speed motors

• Televisions

• Entertainment units

• Energy efficient lighting

• Energy efficient appliances

• SMART Meters Dimmer switches

• Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes

• Power tools

• Cell phone antennas

• Broadcast antennas

• Solar Power panels

• Cordless phone systems

• Video game consoles

• Wi-Fi routers and modems

• Microwave Ovens

• Kitchen appliances

• Hair Dryers

Health Issues associated with EMFS

Health Symptoms of EMF exposure
According to some scientists, EMFs can affect your body’s nervous system function and cause damage to cells.

• Neurological: headaches, dizziness/nausea, memory and concentration difficulties, insomnia, depression/anxiety, fatigue/weakness, numbness/tingling, muscle and joint pains.

• Cardiac: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure.

• Eyes: pain/discomfort, pressure in the eyes, deteriorating vision, cataracts.

• Ears: ringing in the ears, hearing loss.

• Other: skin problems, digestive problems, dehydration, nosebleeds, impaired sense of smell and light sensitivity.

• sleep disturbances, including insomnia

• headache

• tiredness and fatigue

• lack of concentration

• changes in memory

• dizziness

• irritability

• loss of appetite and weight loss

Origins of Dirty Electricity

The origins of dirty electricity obviously started before humans even used much electricity. Thousands of years ago (before you could turn on a light with a switch) no one understood, or was exposed to electricity. And if you were, it was usually in the form of a lightning strike, so you had obviously offended God (or one of his co-gods) and you deserved to die. Or not. But, if you look back at the advent of electrical power we could use, it wasn’t until well into the 20th century that Americans began to wire up their houses where they live (the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York began to distribute electric power in 1882. But boy, did the distribution infrastructure suck on that power grid!). So what has happened in the last 100 years or so? Have humans drastically reduced their lifespans being around all this electricity? No, quite the opposite! Only that is due mostly to the advent of healthy foods, seat belts, sanitation, medicine and a host of other things that will help you live longer.

So as I mentioned at the outset, our homes today are running on 60 Hz AC Power. When you plug in that lamp, two little pieces of metal you plug into the wall create a connection of 110 volts of electricity that will flow through the light bulb and create a soft, warm glow (or even a harsh, blue laser-like glow if you buy really cheap LED bulbs!) that you can read by. But what if something goes wrong between the power generators (the larger ones in the big hydro dams can churn about 10 Megawatts of power…. WAY more than you need to turn on that light) and the outlet? What if enough power isn’t stripped away, or something surges, and sends more power to the outlet? That is what we call “dirty electricity”, or “electrosmog”. The problem in the 2020’s is that so much of our electricity is becoming “dirty” due to the thousands of dirty electricity-making things we have plugged in between the power company’s power-generator and your outlets.

Did you know that incandescent light bulbs are actually dirty electricity filters, whereas LED and fluorescent bulbs create dirty electricity by alternating between the frequencies of Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC)? This backfeeds into the power line. It isn’t a huge amount of power, but you need to ask yourself how many LED light bulbs are between the power station (the Bonneville Dam is roughly 55 miles away from my office) and your fuse box? Some other things that can screw up electricity are solar inverters, plasma televisions, dimmer switches, and improperly wired houses (we know that never happens!). So by the time the power makes it all the way to your little fuse box, it is likely all kinds of screwed up, and ready to melt your hairdryer!

At least you will know which way the electricity is going the next time you look at a substation! Just don’t stand there for too long unless you want to go home “medium well”. (Photo courtesy of OSHA)

I listened to this podcast: The POWER Podcast, and the guest was talking about Dirty electricity. He recalled watching cartoons as a little boy, and his mother turning on the vacuum somewhere else in the house. His television signal would get all wonkey, and he would attempt to adjust the rabbit ears on the television (I, on the other hand, thought it was a good idea to yell at my mom to stop vacuuming, since it was messing up that week’s exciting Scooby Doo mystery. I then learned what it was like to go without any television for a week!).

It turns out it was the electricity to the television that was so corrupted, it wouldn’t produce a picture. If we fast-forward to this year, we are all watching HDTVs, which all contain a filter because the electricity has gotten so much worse since Scoob and the Gang were driving around solving mysteries. Everything that you plug in to charge… From your phone to your flashlight to your power tools; they all have an effect on the power supply (the DC creates feedback to the power supply). Try to think back to 30 years ago. How many things did you plug in to charge overnight? I am still trying to think of one thing as well! I think I had a walkie-talkie that I could charge every 6 months or so. Today, I can’t even count all the things in my bedroom that are plugged in charging a battery. I even have a trickle-charger on my motorcycle battery that is constantly going!

Ever wonder what this does to the electricity in your home?

I was kidding when I said that your power might melt your hairdryer. But not really. When your electricity is coming into your home “dirty”, all of your appliances have to try to deal with that. They will usually draw extra amperage, and as a result run hotter than they would normally. Have you ever pulled your phone off the charger and wondered why it felt like it had been sitting on the heater all night? Exactly! Your larger appliances, which are normally built into your cabinets (think refrigerator), are running even hotter than they otherwise would. You may notice they make more noise (or, like me, you wouldn’t notice, because it has always been running like that), or are expensive to run (or, again…). Also, when your appliances are hot, so is your home. If you are lucky enough to have an A/C unit, it will run more often. And when it does, it will be drawing extra amps, and be louder. The end result of all of this is money. Not running at full efficiency (and drawing extra amperage) will cause your electricity bill to increase. Running more often will also cause your electricity bill to increase. Running more often and less efficiently will cause your appliances (and just about anything you plug into the wall) to go through their normal life cycle faster, so that you have to replace them more often. This should get even the most skeptical people off the fence. It is going to cost me money?! How can I fix it??

Unfortunately, even the Beatles knew that money isn’t everything. There are countless people who have sensitivities to all that extra electricity floating around. Quick sidenote: Not sure if you realize how electricity is actually delivered (I sure didn’t).

Check out this YouTube clip. It explains it pretty well. The Big Misconception About Electricity

It turns out the energy is delivered in the fields that surround the wires! So the People who have issues around electric fields certainly could be affected by the dirty electricity. There is  scientific evidence (yes, it has been replicated) that type 1 diabetics have better blood sugars, and use less insulin when they are in an environment where the Elecreo-Magnetic Fields (EMF) are reduced. Also, people diagnosed with MS have better balance and fewer tremors. There is lots of anecdotal evidence that conditions from asthma to ADD/ADHD are negatively affected by EMFs.  

We have all found that it is very difficult to isolate what is causing the symptoms of our clients (most people who call us are suffering some symptoms). Is it chemical, mold, virus, EMF, or something else? Usually there is more than one culprit (for instance, mycotoxins from mold will make one more hypersensitive to EMFs). To find out more information look at the symptoms listed in this website: https://5gfreeoregon.org/common-symptoms-of-electro-sensitivity/

How to check for Dirty Electricity

Besides plugging meters into walls, turn the lights and fans off, so the house is operating under a very light load, and measure the magnetic fields. Then turn on all the lights and maybe a fan or two, and if the meter reads a 2-3 Milligauss jump, you have dirty electricity. Then, you can get an electrician to start going through the house, or you can get a voltage meter, and start checking in your fuse box. You can check the positive and negative of each circuit. They should be about the same, but you can find instances when they are not, and congratulations, you have identified Dirty electricity in that circuit! All of this is assuming the dirty electricity is coming from your house! In most neighborhoods, the transformers each service 4-5 houses, so if your neighbor has CFLs running off of a solar inverter, you may be out of luck!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Takes up plug space, but it filters electricity quite well!

So whether you are suffering from the effects of dirty electricity, or you are merely someone who doesn’t enjoy shoveling money over to the power companies, what can we possibly do about this? I know that I fall into the latter camp, but why would I want to poison anyone in my house who is electro-sensitive? It turns out there are some things that can be done! The first would be to test. With the right equipment, you can walk around your house and plug a meter into every circuit (just find an outlet on each circuit… we usually go room by room) that exists there. DesignWell Studios uses Stetzer meters, but you can also use Greenwave, DNA, or a host of other products on the market.

In places where the numbers are high (acceptable numbers are below 25 millivolts [mV], and you should filter anything above 50 mV), you can plug a filter into the wall. But, the filters can present their own issues. While doing their job, the filters emit an electric field in the 1-2 foot area surrounding them. Not bad for the electric grid, but not great for your head if you are ever near an outlet! So you can’t  just throw multiple filters at the problem!

Unfortunately, most of us don’t live in newly (or correctly) wired homes. There are usually several problems in the wiring setup of a home. This is where you may need some professional help. I remodeled my home a few years back, and once we tore the walls out, we found that our kitchen had been wired with extension cords and electrical tape! Not much a filter was going to do there, seeing as it was all grounded to the countertops. There are usually some wiring errors, and finding them can be a drag. But when you do, you will feel better if you are sensitive to EMFs. Also, cleaning up the electrical errors in your home will go a long way towards your appliances running at full efficiency. So if your meter is putting off numbers in the 300s, you may need an electrician. We have, however, found that most electricians don’t speak millivolt! So you might have to explain to them what you are trying to do. I like to tell them I am looking for grounding errors. If they are still looking confused, give DesignWell Studios a call! We should be able to help.

The electrical codes are many, and they are technical, and they are supposed to keep us safe. Unfortunately, when building inspectors check on electricity in new homes (and renovations), they merely look at the fuse box and check it off. They never bother to check if the wiring is correctly done. If the electrician has made an error (not too difficult to do), it will just live there. The Circuit will resonate, and cause problems, and be against code. But you have to find the needle in the haystack!

Whole Home Filters

Once you have re-wired your kitchen (I really hope that I am kidding), and your home is running as efficiently as possible, you can either live with the little filters plugged in everywhere, or you can get serious and install a whole home filter. These come from Satic, and they work amazingly! You are going to need an electrician to install it (or a lot of gumption and bravery), but once it is plugged into your fuse box, your home will have a giant surge protector attached, and all of your appliances will be running on fewer amps, cooler and less noisy! Satic is a solar company, and they realized what solar power does to electricity. So they built filters for your entire house (it goes without saying that you should get one of these if you have a solar inverter in your home!). You can read about it here:

Here's a link to get your Satic dirty electricity filter with a discount code for 15% off! CODE: DESIGNWELL15 https://saticshield.com/saticshield-power-perfect-sd-1-phase/

RESEARCH

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17178585/

Magda Havas is one of the leading researchers in this field. According to her, (I’m paraphrasing) Everything in the world can be cured if you install electricity filters and turn off the internet (not exactly, but you get the idea). Dr. Havas has written many peer-reviewed articles that purport to say that ADHD, Diabetes (both types), Hyperactivity, Insomnia, and just about everything you can imagine, is caused or aggravated by EMF exposure from your computer’s WiFi network, cell phones, power lines, and yes, dirty electricity. She’s on our side, yes. The problems with her work are too plentiful to write about here. She publishes her papers in suspect journals, and her data is a little questionable. Here is one of the organizations that thinks she is making things up: http://www.emfandhealth.com/EMF&Health%20EHS%20Poor%20Studies%201.html

Let's set aside Dr. Havas for a second, and look at some other studies. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abe9220

It turns out that EMFs are good for you! Assuming you have Type 2 Diabetes. It increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin (the main culprit in Type 2 diabetics). Why does this happen? Why don’t we just fire up a generator in a random room and set all the Type 2 Diabetics in there? They won’t, because no one knows how safe that would be. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/42542242_Dirty_electricity_What_where_and_should_we_care

It really turns out that there is a problem with most studies that have been done, and no one can say for a fact what the problem with dirty electricity is.
The New York Times Magazine published a lengthy article back in 2011 about whether cellphones cause brain cancer. It should actually be a very short article. Either YES or NO. It just isn’t that simple. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17cellphones-t.html

It turns out that it would be very difficult to conduct a reliable study on this question. It is an RF question, not an EMF one like dirty electricity, but the same principles apply. Finding a control group without cell phones (or electricity in our case) in the same population is nearly impossible.

It turns out that no one can say definitively whether dirty electricity is harmful to you. But we can tell that it does have an effect on various bodily functions. Just because you can’t prove something is harmful (or safe) doesn’t mean you should ignore it. In the 1970s, some of the loveliest forests in Germany were dying. The government stepped in and outlawed the emission of sulfur and nitrogen oxides from coal-fired power plants before they had definitively been proven to be the culprits of acid rain. This likely saved the forests. And what about all the people who simply can’t be around EMFs?  Are they crazy? I would argue that no, they are not! Just like someone who claims they are depressed is likely suffering, or someone with Tinnitus; these people have an affliction that greatly affects them, but not other people in the same populations, or even the same household. In 1996 the WHO recognized EMF sensitivity as “idiopathic environmental intolerance”, so I guess you can suffer from it, but they aren’t going to blame anything(?). Something must be happening to all these people. Big shots of tech companies don’t suddenly develop phantom symptoms whenever they are around electrical appliances. Especially ones who are skeptical of the effects of EMFs. https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2017/01/silicon-valley-cellphones-wifi-sickness-emf-hypersensitivity/

Part of the problem is the research. It doesn’t show an acute effect on people, even though there are some studies that show an acute effect on lab animals. What is the “average” dose that everyone in the population is getting? Are the people who are exposed to the most EMF and RF the ones who get sick? It doesn’t appear so. My point is, take a drop of clean, fresh, cool water. It can’t hurt you, and is crucial for life as we know it. What happens when we restrain you, and drip that pure, clean water on your forehead for hours on end (much like the constant “drip” of EMF you are receiving)? This is called “Chinese water torture”, and I wouldn’t want it preformed on me (appearently, it causes a psychotic break in it’s victims)! Are the survivors of the water droplets making it all up? Are they crazy? Or is something really going on that we all need to pay attention to?

The Root Cause in the dramatic rise of Chronic Disease

10 TIPS ON HOW TO REFRESH YOUR HOME DURING WINTER TO PREPARE FOR SPRING

BY MICHELLE IFVERSEN
ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS DIRECTOR
DESIGNWELL STUDIOS

This month, I wanted to share with you what we have been doing to refresh and cleanse our house. Each year as we near spring I find myself getting a little bit restless inside if we aren't able to get away to a warmer climate. Living up here in the Pacific Northwest, winters can be a bit daunting (we are originally from California and Hawaii), so we spend our late winters, early spring time doing inside house projects. Last night we got over ten inches of snow, so all the better to tackle some.

We painted all the trim and doors with a fresh new crisp color, Puffy Clouds from DesignWell Colors. No hazardous air pollutants. This is the only paint I trust. Check out the article my husband wrote on our blog about “Air Purifying Paints…Paint Washing”. 

Our home was built in 1950, we have lived here for 10 years, raising children, taking care of our elderly moms and having pets. We have done many things to our property to improve it but it seems there is always something to fix, improve and refresh. We also work out of our home in the back studio on our property. Homes are meant to take a beating, just as long as they are maintained well and look nice. Being an environmental wellness designer, I work hard to promote building awareness which helps people tune into their homes on a more intimate level to pay attention to things so they don't become a problem later on.

Here's what we have been up to, and what we recommend for every home that is similar to ours.
It will not only make you feel good inside, but you will have peace of mind knowing that it's healthy. I just recently lost my mom after she was on hospice here at our home. During this time of grieving, I have found it important to be immersed in projects along with caring for myself and my family.

I painted an accent wall in my new meditation room called Spruce from DesignWell Colors, made for Safecoat Paints. It really grounded the room and gave it depth and new life.

We got rid of our gas stove and gas furnace and our air quality has never been better!!! If you’d like to get an air monitor like this one, contact us today! info@designwellstudios.com

We got mini splits instead of our gas furnace. The house has never been healthier and the air quality is amazing.

Here are a few of my mother’s beautiful plant paintings. They will be for sale shortly.. Stay tuned.

We recently switched our gas stove for an electric one as we noticed our indoor air quality monitor was showing elevated levels of pollutants and VOCs. 

We pruned all our trees and shrubs

1. I saged the house with a cleansing prayer then opened up all the doors and windows (the birds were singing and the sun came out when I did this, it was magical). I recommend saging once a month or when a difficult situation happens or after an illness occurs. 

2. We repainted the room my mom was in with a custom color and put her things in a dresser and organized all her paintings. They will be for sale shortly. Beautiful biophilic paintings of plants, flowers and landscapes. Stay tuned.

3. We painted all the trim and doors with a fresh new crisp color, Puffy Clouds from DesignWell Colors. No hazardous air pollutants. This is the only paint I trust. Check out the article my husband wrote on our blog about “Air Purifying Paints…Paint Washing”. 

4. I painted an accent wall in my new meditation room called Spruce from DesignWell Colors, made for Safecoat Paints. It really grounded the room and gave it depth and new life.

5. We went through things that we don't have use for anymore or too many of one thing and donated, sold on NextDoor, gave to friends or took to the dump.

6. We recently switched our gas stove for an electric one as we noticed our indoor air quality monitor was showing elevated levels of pollutants and VOCs. 

7. We got mini splits instead of our gas furnace. The house has never been healthier and the air quality is amazing. I highly recommend doing this if you want to improve your indoor air quality and overall health. Just clean the filter out regularly. 

8. We also reinsulated our home (walls, crawlspace and attic). Insulation is important for energy conservation as well as comfort health. Choosing the right insulation is really important. I highly advise against spray foam insulation as we see a lot of clients all over the country having health issues from it, open cell especially.  I recommend plant-based alternatives, or wool. Look for a detailed blog about this coming soon on our site designwellstudios.com.

9. I miss being in the garden so much this time of year. We had one day that was dry, but chilly before the snow came and we pruned all our trees and shrubs. President's day weekend is supposed to be the time of year to prune. 

10. When we painted the rooms and trim etc, we then noticed the windows needed cleaning. We then wiped all the sills down with Benefect, a great cleaning product that kills mold and bacteria.

Being a designer, it's important for me to refresh things, purge things that don't have a use anymore or that we have too much of. I like to move furniture around and paint rooms to spruce them up.

I am ready for spring! I am ready for sunshine, getting my hands in the earth to plant our veggies and enjoy eating healthy food outside with friends and family. 

If you would like to order any testing kits or have me create a wellness property plan for you, please let me know. Email me at Michelle@designwellstudios.com

I am ready for spring! I am ready for sunshine, getting my hands in the earth to plant our veggies and enjoy eating healthy food outside with friends and family. 

If you would like to order any testing kits or have me create a wellness property plan for you, please let me know. Email me at Michelle@designwellstudios.com

Paint Washing -- The real truth behind air purifying paints

Air Purifying Paints… Paint Washing

I recently had an interaction with a customer who wasn’t feeling well, and suspected it was her home that was making her sick. We recommended that they have their home tested for VOCs, and the results were shocking! Where were all of these strange VOCs coming from? Why are there so many? We were having our typical follow-up to go over the findings with our customer, who couldn't believe the number, or the levels of VOCs in her home. We asked about the paint she had used, and she told us she had used a Sherwin-Williams air purifying paint that was designed to eliminate VOCs in her house. We were surprised, because it didn’t make sense that the VOCs were coming from anywhere other than the paint. The only thing that could make the problems our customer was experiencing was the paint. Not only did it appear it was not making her air better, it was actually making it worse!

Trying to get the ingredients out of Sherwin-Williams is like trying to get Colonel Sanders to give you his fried chicken recipe. It is also nearly impossible to get the scientific way that paint is supposed to clean the air in your home. The best theory is that Titanium Dioxide (which is what everyone uses to make their paint white) actually does eliminate VOCs from the air when energized with ultraviolet light (sunlight). Either through a marketing trick, or some creative chemistry, certain companies have come up with paints that will eliminate the VOCs in your air. That is great, but the problem is that it creates a bunch of new VOCs, formaldehyde, and nanoparticles (which could be what our customer was experiencing).

These air purifying paints do help to eliminate VOCs, but they also creates new ones! That’s the issue.

The bottom line is, it’s best to purchase paint from companies that you know don’t use hazardous air pollutants.

We recommend AFM Safecoat paints, and work to eliminate the other VOC producing sources from my house. You can buy all AFM Safecoat products from DesignWell Studios! Just give us a call to place your order! 503.386.2003!

I found this article online once Michelle and I had come up with our theory on our customer’s house. It lines up with our theories, and does a fairly good job breaking down what is going on. Read it! You will enjoy it.

Is gas the right cooking option for you?

Is gas the right cooking option for you?

Gas stoves are the easy decision for most professional chefs, restaurants and people who love to cook like I do. The are considered the best way to cook, which truthfully cooking with gas you can control the temperature so much easier than with electric. After doing a series of testing with air monitors we have decided to switch to electric stoves. Even with the hood vent going full blast, windows open and fans on, the air quality still plummeted. For us it was worth the sacrifice changing from gas to electric because it gave us peace of mind and data that our air quality wouldn’t have toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

What about people who work and dine in restaurants that have gas stoves. Do they have proper HVAC systems that exhaust VOCS coming from gas and providing fresh air inside the kitchens and dining spaces, as well as filtering them. The same goes for people cooking at home. For us it was time to have that conversation and decide to switch to electric to reduce the hazardous air pollutants that gas stoves emit.

What’s in natural gas?

Natural gas and propane stoves can release carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful pollutants into the air, which can be toxic to people and pets. Cooking with a gas stove is most likely releasing a large amount of dangerous VOCs into your home. Any method of cooking will lead to particulate matter released into the air. This is one of the reasons why kitchens and cooking areas should be well-ventilated. However, studies have shown that cooking with gas could cause potential health issues. The burning of gas produces PM2.5, which is a hazardous air pollutant. Research suggests that gas stoves create about twice as much PM2.5 as electric stoves, thus adding one more reason why you should consider opting for an all-electric home.

Gas stoves, mainly when they are not functioning correctly, will release nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde (CH2O or HCHO) into the home. The largest sources of PM2.5 are tobacco (smoking), cooking and the burning of candles and incense.

Cooking on Electric Stoves

Electric stoves have their plusses and minuses. Plus is that they don’t emit hazardous air pollutants like gas stoves do and they are easier to clean. Minus is that they emit some higher EMFs especially if the dials and digital displays are in the front. It’s still important to ventilate when you are cooking with an electric stove. Cooking does emit VOCs from oils and food elements and ventilating is a good thing to do to help protect the indoor air quality for people and planet. Electric stoves do emit EMFs so best to cook from the back burners when you can and limit your time if you can when you stand in front of them.

Induction burners use magnets to generate heat, so the EMFs produced are higher than an electric coil burner. If you are sensitive to EMF's you may want to connect with me discuss your specific situation. We can get you a meter that can help you determine if it's right for you.

Cooking tip: turn off the burner about 2 minutes before you would normally turn off a burner as the burner is still hot and will continue cooking whatever is in your pan. Or remove the pan from the burner entirely when your dish is done.

Ways to improve ventilation in your kitchen if you have a gas stove or electric

If you have a range hood:

1. Use it while cooking or using your stove and open a window with a fan coming in not out. Introducing fresh air actually dilutes the VOCs in the testing that we have done. Check to make sure it vents to the outdoors.

2. Cook on the back burners, if possible, because the range hood exhausts this area more effectively.

If you don't have a range hood:

1. Use a wall or ceiling exhaust fan while cooking. Make sure it’s pointed inwards bringing in fresh air, then after you are done cooking turn it around and exhaust the inside air outside.

2. Open windows and/or exterior doors to improve air flow through the kitchen.

If you have a gas stove, inspect it every year for gas leaks and carbon monoxide. Have your local gas company come out to test.

Monitor your air with a quality air monitor that checks for total VOCs, CO2, Humidity and PM 2.5 as well as a CO and smoke detector.

The Austin Air Bedroom Machine® was used in clinical trials at the University of John Hopkins to reduce Nitrogen Dioxide levels in the homes of local residents. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is a gas often present in homes where there are gas stoves. High levels of NO2 are particularly dangerous for people with COPD. The gas can dramatically increase symptoms of coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. The results were dramatic. NO2 dropped in the kitchen by 27% and continued to stay low for the length of the study. Within a week NO2 levels in the bedroom dropped by 23%. Order yours today!

Indoor air quality can be tough to navigate because you may not know what toxins are polluting your specific environment. Let's connect to see how we can help you.

Email info@designwellstudios.com for more information on air monitors and air testing.

What to look for in a mattress

You work hard, play hard, and you need a good night’s sleep. Sleep deprived people (those who don’t get between 7 and 9 hours per day) can get fat (your hormones become unbalanced; Ghrelin, which makes us feel hungry, is increased. Leptin, the hormone that makes us feel full, is decreased. Your desire to exercise is also decreased. Making matters worse, your body craves foods that are high in sugar and fat when you are tired.). Sleep also improves your cognitive abilities. Sleep has been shown to improve problem solving skills, and enhance memory performance in both children and adults. Getting enough sleep has been shown to improve many aspects of athletic performance. It also can reduce the risk of death from a heart-related incident by lowering your blood pressure, and keeping your arteries clear and your heart strong. It also can affect the body's ability to regulate sugars through metabolism. Many studies show a strong association between chronic sleep deprivation and risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Sleep can also affect your risk of having an accident, either while driving, or at work. The CDC reports that being awake for 18 hours is comparable to having a blood alcohol content of .05. After 24 hours, you are equivalent to a .10. Well over the legal limit! 

It seems that we should just sleep anywhere we want to. Who would introduce something that would interfere with our precious, healthy and necessary sleep? Oh yeah… our modern world rewards the greedy people who come up with anything they can sell us to “help” us do everything we are supposed to be doing anyway. How can we know what is good and what is bad in the world of sleep?

There are several things that can affect your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and sleep soundly enough to recharge your body while you are doing it. The first is chemicals. What is your mattress made of? Unless you are sleeping on a pile of straw, you likely have no idea what is inside (at least with a pile of straw, you know that you are sleeping on vermin who could bite you in the middle of the night, and ruin your sleep). Environmental Science & Technology recently published a study of different synthetic mattresses. They let them all air out for 6 months,and then tested them for VOCs. Even after 6 months, they still found appreciable levels of off gassing from the synthetic materials in the mattresses. Body heat can even increase the amount of off gassing that can happen every night. The levels remained below California’s “No Significant Risk” levels for adults, but they do pose a significant risk to children and infants (who spend a lot of time in their cribs). The chemicals that off gas come from Polyurethane in foam, fire retardants (thankfully outlawed in 2015), and plastics. They include benzene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, which are all carcinogens. Even with the low levels of VOC coming from the mattresses, you have to remember that your breathey bits are right on top of the mattress all night! Experts agree that you should be ventilating your sleeping space (some even recommend a fan or opening a window) to get as much fresh air as possible as you sleep (really not that much fun on a freezing cold night). These chemicals can affect your health as well as your ability to sleep.

EMFs are another issue as you are trying to sleep. Many people sleep with electric blankets to keep them warm or use them under massage tables. Why can’t I just have the warmth of the blanket keeping me snuggled up all night? It turns out that the EMFs coming off the blanket are not good for you. People can be very sensitive to the EMFs as well as the heat itself. EMFs can alter the cellular makeup of your body and greatly affect your sleep. Adjustable beds are the worst. Sure, you can tilt your head up a little, or move your butt down (comphy), but the majority of these beds have an electric motor that is literally under your heart that can damage your cells and your ability to sleep. Other beds that claim to be healthy, and are promoted by athletes and influencers can control the temperature of the mattress as you sleep. It does this electrically, which is the same as sleeping under an electric blanket. Or, they can use water to cool you electrically from a tower next to your bed. A popular brand called Eight Sleep will not work unless you connect it to your WiFi. All night it is transmitting data from sensors in the mattress back to their Bat Cave computer to adjust the temperature of the water, and then they give you a full readout of your night’s sleep the next morning. What you end up with is a super comfy mattress loaded with EMFs and likely RFs, as well as VOCs from everything plastic-based inside the mattress. The price of these gadget-laced beds is also nothing to sneeze at! Finally, metal in and around your bed is an antennae for EMFs and RFs. Springs, coils, metal frames, metal beds… They could all pick up the local NBC affiliate if you plugged them into your television. Why wouldn’t they attract EMFs and RFs to you while you slept on them?

What we should be focusing on is “how did humans evolve?” We tried to improve our diets in the last century by eliminating fats, and increasing carbohydrates. Only we got fat and unhealthy. Exercise goes through many technological changes. It turns out that those super cushy running shoes you spent $400 on are not good for your body. What is good is running barefoot (Ouch!) or with minimal padding and maximum flexibility. That way your foot can impact the balls of your feet, taking all of the jarring stress off of your knees, hips and back. The same goes for where we sleep. I am the first to admit that I enjoy a comfy bed. I enjoy that because I am Human. In Human history, it has only been a minute since “science” has given us anything besides animal hair, tree leaves or straws and grasses to sleep on. Why is it so hard for so many people to fall asleep now? Is nobody tired anymore? Maybe it is the litany of VOCs, EMFs and RFs we subject our bodies to?

What should we be sleeping on? Organic cotton, wool and natural latex are the healthiest choices in our book. When shopping for a new mattress and bed frame, opt for mattresses without springs and frames without metal. This includes your box-spring as well as your actual bed or frame (and yes, you should be turning your phone off and plugging it into the socket in the kitchen when you go to sleep. It isn’t going to do you any good while you are asleep, and it could affect you in the long run to sleep next to it). It also wouldn’t hurt to turn your WiFi off at night (Unless you have an Eight Sleep mattress, then you are out of luck). And don’t have a power strip plugged in next to your bed. All of this stuff will affect the sleep you get. From personal experience, being someone who has made the switch from a metal spring, to a memory foam, and finally to a natural latex mattress, I know that I sleep much better, and more soundly than I did before. It is anecdotal, and unscientific, but I can make a good scientific argument for why I think this is the way to go. 

Any furniture store can sell you a natural solid wooden bed frame (Has to be solid wood, because most all of the particle board is made with adhesives that off gas formaldehyde), but DWS can point you to some really nice custom manufacturers (or you can do what we do, and keep monitoring second hand websites until you find the right bed for you). You should try it. You will be amazed how well you sleep, and how much money you will be saving!

Shop our favorite mattresses

(These are linked to our affiliate pages. We appreciate your support).

Avocado Mattress
Avocado organic mattresses are handcrafted in California with only the finest naturally nontoxic and 100% certified organic materials, sourced from the best domestic and international sources, including our own farms in India and Guatemala. Our mission is to be the most respected source for organic mattresses, pillows and bedding at affordable prices — while maintaining environmentally conscious, ethical, and sustainable business practices — to help safeguard the health of people and the planet. We are a Certified B Corporation, Climate Neutral and Fair Trade® certified, and the Pinnacle Award Winner from 1% for the Planet®. We are even on our way to becoming the world's first zero-waste certified mattress factory. Get without springs to avoid metals that interfere with EMFs.

Naturpedic
Since 2003, Naturepedic has been on a mission to transform the lives of our customers through safer, healthier sleep. By eliminating materials like flame retardants and polyurethane foam from our line of certified organic natural mattresses, Naturepedic supports an organic holistic lifestyle while protecting the environment. Get without springs to avoid metals that interfere with EMFs.

Regenerative Real Estate

Regenerative Real Estate

Regenerative real estate is the intersection between health and wellness, sustainability, community-orientation, and ecological integration.

It is these four elements that create a holistic environment that helps people thrive. Regenerative real estate can apply towards both urban and rural contexts, and while its origins came from the residential built environment, it is a framework that is adaptive and can be applied towards any human-sculpted environment.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Our land, our spaces, and our homes are places that are much more than just dirt under our feet or a roof over our heads.

They are the backdrop to our lives where we raise our families, rejuvenate our bodies, minds, and souls. This is where we work, play, and love. Our spaces are sacred, and they should resonate and encourage health and well-being. This looks like spaces that have incorporated biophilic design and non-toxic materials. The space should help to ground us, and root us in place by celebrating life and encouraging wildness and beauty.

SUSTAINABILITY

From the resources and materials that are sourced, to the systems of our buildings, sustainability is about intentional design.

The built environment is traditionally one of the most wasteful industries in the world. A truly regenerative space takes advantage of the patterns that nature provides to work it to harness in order to provide abundance. This can be everything from sustainably harvested materials, building science, energy generation and consumption, resource management, and water catchment/treatment systems.

COMMUNITY

As a species we are social creatures that need and thrive upon the interaction of others.

The recognition of community is what separates regenerative real estate from mainstream sustainable real estate. While people have inherent preferences on a sociability continuum, no one is meant to live in isolation.

We all need community.

Our community bonds are what hold us together as thoughtful, emotional, and spiritual beings. It is our community that shapes our culture. We rely upon community to cultivate our children, grow our food, stimulate our minds. We gather in community to celebrate as well as honor, morn, and pray. Community does not happen on accident, and it must be intentional with mindfulness of diligence and design. We are all co-creators of the communities we live in.

ECOLOGY

We are living beings within living systems.

Our role should be as that of a steward, here to tend the land so that it will remain productive and resilient for infinite generations. We can do that by working with the land, soil, and place in a way that encourages life and helps all living things live in ecological symbiosis.

Our homes are living systems within living systems. We can and should help guide the land so that it retains water, plays host to beneficial pollinators, honors the native species, while still allowing for food production.

Adapting our culture to be more ecologically integrated is what makes this world beautiful.

For more information click here to read more about Regenerative Real Estate here on Medium from founders, Neil and Alissa Collins of Latitude Realty

Click below to listen to founder, Michelle (Bexelius)Ifversen talk about the importance of a finding out the true health of your home and hear her story with host Neil Collins of Latitude Realty and the Regenerative Real Estate Podcast

In this insightful interview on The Regenerative Real Estate Podcast, Neal talks with environmental wellness expert Michelle Bexelius about the not-so-well-known things about our homes and lifestyles that impact our health. Michelle is the founder of designWell Studios, which helps people test their homes for toxicities, mold, and electromagnetic frequencies.

Avoid these essential oils around your pets

Odors can be troublesome indoors and many people try and mask them by plugging in air fresheners or diffusing essential oils. Both may smell good but could have an adverse effect on your beloved pets. Here’s some oils to avoid having around your pet just to be safe.

Essential Oils Harmful to Cats

• Wintergreen

• Sweet birch

• Citrus (d-limonene)

• Pine

• Ylang ylang

• Peppermint

• Cinnamon

• Pennyroyal

• Clove

• Eucalyptus

• Tea tree (melaleuca)

• Thyme

• Oregano

• Lavender

Essential Oils Harmful to Dogs

• Cinnamon

• Citrus (d-limonene)

• Pennyroyal

• Peppermint

• Pine

• Sweet birch

• Tea tree (melaleuca)

• Wintergreen

• Ylang ylang

• Anise

• Clove

• Thyme

• Juniper

• Yarrow

• Garlic

What Are the Symptoms of Poisoning in Pets?

Generally speaking, essential oils and animals do not mix. But how can you tell if your critter is having a bad reaction?

There are several common symptoms of poisoning in pets. A good rule of thumb as a pet owner is to stay alert if you see any changes of behavior in your animal. Here are some other symptoms to watch out for:

• The smell of essential oils on their fur, skin, breath or vomit

• Difficulty breathing

• Drooling

• Fatigue

• Weakness

• Difficulty walking or stumbling

• Muscle tremors

• Pawing at the mouth or face

• Redness or burns on their lips, tongue, skin or gums

• Vomiting

What Should I Do If My Pet Shows These Symptoms?

Essential oils and animals can be a harmful combination. Just like poisoning in humans, the key to reacting to poisoning in your pet is to act fast. Don’t delay contacting a professional. Seek medical treatment immediately. Call your veterinarian, or contact the Pet Poison Helpline at (800) 213-6680.

If you can’t reach your vet or their office is closed, bring your cat or dog to an animal emergency medical center. The sooner the better. Acting fast will improve your pet’s prognosis!

Be sure to also follow these tips for essential oils and animals:

1. If the oil is on your pet’s fur or skin, wash it off immediately.

2. Don’t give your pet any treatments without a vet’s approval.

3. Take the oil with you to the vet so they know what they’re dealing with.

Reference: https://www.foundanimals.org/essential-oils-toxic-pets/

What is the Precautionary Principle and why we need it for our well being

by Thomas Ifversen

How does DesignWell Studios determine the "safe" levels of EMF and RF that we are exposed to? 

It turns out that nothing is without controversy.  Living here in the US, we pride ourselves on our free spirited, can-do, git-er-done attitudes that can be so inventive and productive that we sometimes get carried away. When it comes to RF, our government (through the FCC) is pushing for faster, better and cheaper cell phones and cellular signals. And why not?

• Who could be against technology that allows cars to drive themselves more safely?

• Who is against people controlling every aspect of their home life from anywhere, thus saving the precious and vital resources we all rely upon?

• Who doesn't want to download an entire movie in 10 seconds?

• What school district wouldn't want to help every child in the district by adding to their bottom lines by erecting cell towers in the corner of the field at the grade school that no one will ever use?

• With EMFs, why can't we continue to build high-end homes for families right below the high tension power lines, or right next to large substations?

As of right now, there is a legitimate debate about exactly what all of this exposure does to the human body. And, since we, the public, are concerned about the long-term health effects of these exposures, the cellular companies and power companies can point to the lack of studies that show that their technologies can cause harm at any rate of exposure. Anyone on the side of progress would have to agree! Absent any good science, why should we scale back on things that can vastly improve our lives?

In the 1970's, Germany discovered that entire beloved forests in their country were suddenly dying. There was no scientific proof that existed that proved it was acid rain from power plants, but the government stepped in and slashed emissions, and likely saved the forests. This brought about "Vorsorgeprinzip", the forcaring idea that even in the face of scientific uncertainty, actions should be taken to prevent harms to the environment and to the public.

This has become what we now know as the precautionary principle. In Europe (and in other parts of the world) the precautionary principle has been implemented and works well. Not so much here in the US. Without the same regulations, Americans are able to build under power lines and right next to cell towers. Unfortunately, the long-term health effects are not yet fully known.

DesignWell studios understands that people want healthy homes and uses the Precautionary Principle for EMF and RF guidelines from the European and Canadian standards.

These standards are divided into no, slight, severe and extreme concern. Unfortunately, there is no overarching study that anyone can point to that says "this is a safe level", or "this is a dangerous level". As indoor air quality and health professionals, DesignWell Studios is going to err on the side of caution. The precautionary principles are based in science, and we strongly believe should be followed until science can prove them to be wrong!

Cellular companies, power utilities, and anyone making money on RF or EMF emitting devices would disagree and tell you not to worry... The science doesn't prove it is harmful. You, as a consumer can vote with your pocketbook. Are you going to throw caution to the wind, or are you going to exercise caution and stay within the precautionary guidelines? 

References
Pollan, The Year In Ideas: A to Z; Precautionary Principle
The New York Times, December 9, 2001

Bioinitiative Report 2012

Belyaev, Dean, Eger, Hubmann, Jandrisovits, Kern, Kundi, Moshammer, Lercher, Müller, Oberfeld, Ohnsorge, Pelzmann, Scheingraber, Thill - EUROPAEM EMF Guidelines, 2016

Top 5 ways to boost your health and reduce your exposure to EMFs at work

Your office, your workstation, it’s the place where most people spend most of the time during the day. The human body is able to handle more during the day but how much is too much exposure from EMFs? You can do a lot in your own workspace as well as at home, it’s outside where it’s difficult to mitigate sources like power lines, cell towers or substations. It’s vital to take the time to craft a supportive environment so you can not only be inspired but aware and healthy so you can thrive to be your best at what you do!

Do you know how many wireless devices in your environment or on your body? You’d be amazed how many signals are being sent and received around you on a daily basis. Why is this a big deal? Increasing numbers of individuals are becoming hypersensitive to Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). EMR exists around power lines, power tools, electric stoves, heaters, freezers and television sets when in use, extending several feet or yards around the appliance. Using an electric iron, dryer or a keyboard or working with handheld power tools can quickly drain our energies.

Sensitivity to electromagnetic radiation is the emerging health problem of the 21st century. It is imperative health practitioners, governments, schools and parents learn more about it. The human health stakes are significant– William Rea, MD Founder & Director of the Environmental Health Center, Dallas Past President, American Academy of Environmental Medicine

I was called to test the front office for a client who was experiencing symptoms from EMF sensitivities and over exposure. She noticed her thighs started developing dents in them. My client looked to see if there was a correlation from EMF sensitivity and what was happening to her body, turns out there is. It’s called Lipoatrophia is a rare but real medical condition that seems to follow highly automated offices. It stems from large amounts of electrostatic and electromagnetic energies. The disease takes the form of “dents’ ‘ in the fatty tissue of the legs. It takes about 3 – 6 months to appear. If the worker leaves the environment, it takes a few months to disappear. If the worker comes back, the problem can reoccur. This is the first disease that seems to be directly related to electrical noise in the workplace and which can be cured by affecting that noise.

When I came out to test I found several potential culprits. There were three portable heaters, a wireless scanner, a wifi booster, computer speakers (very high in magnetic fields), computer tower, cell phones. After testing I recommended replacing the heaters with a ceramic heater which is lower in magnetic fields, moving the speakers away from her desk as well as the scanner. The wifi booster was taken away as well.

Top 5 things to do to reduce your EMF exposures at your workstation/office

1. Move your router or wifi booster at least 20 feet from your desk or anyone’s desk.

2. Use a wired phone rather than a cordless phone

3. Disable Bluetooth and wireless on your phone only use when needed

4. If you use a space heater, use a ceramic one

5. If you use speakers, plug them in away from your desk

Cells in the body react to EMFs as potentially harmful, just like to other environmental toxins, including heavy metals and toxic chemicals. The DNA in living cells recognizes electromagnetic fields at very low levels of exposure; and produces a biochemical stress response. The scientific evidence tells us that our safety standards are inadequate, and that we must protect ourselves from exposure to EMF due to power lines, cell phones and the like, or risk the known consequences. The science is very strong and we should sit up and pay attention– Martin Blank, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons; Researcher in Bioelectromagnetics; Author of the BioInitiative Report section on Stress Proteins

Electromagnetic Sensitivity

Also known as Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) or electrosensitivity, is a condition in which an individual experiences symptoms like headaches, dizziness, unusual heart palpitations, or insomnia, around wireless technologies or electrical devices such as smart meters, cell towers, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, cordless phones, power line magnetic fields, intermediate frequencies, and electric fields from various electronics devices.

Symptoms

• Neurological: headaches, dizziness/nausea, memory and concentration difficulties, insomnia, depression/anxiety, fatigue/weakness, numbness/tingling, muscle and joint pains.

• Cardiac: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure.

• Eyes: pain/discomfort, pressure in the eyes, deteriorating vision, cataracts.

• Ears: ringing in the ears, hearing loss.

• Other: skin problems, digestive problems, dehydration, nosebleeds, impaired sense of smell and light sensitivity.”

The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) and the National Institute for the Study and Control of Cancer and Environmental Diseases ‘Bernardino Ramazzini’, published a report, “ Non-thermal Effects and Mechanisms of Interaction Between Electromagnetic Fields and Living Matter ” in 2010. This was an international effort by scientists to compile what was known at that time about the biological effects and mechanisms of action, and included studies showing EMFs create oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier permeability, genotoxic and fertility effects, heat shock (or stress) proteins, changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and in neurotransmitters, and much more.

Currently, most everything can be managed from your cell phone which can be taxing on your body as well. Do a digital detox and take the time to take breaks from technology, take a walk outside in nature to get grounded as often as you can. At night, turn it on airplane mode with privacy settings off while still being able to use your alarm clock! If you really need to stay connected, move your phone far away from your bed or have your calls transferred to a cord phone/landline.

If you are interested in testing your station, don’t go out and buy a testing device on Amazon, consult with a professional first as many devices aren’t calibrated correctly. There are many more things you can do to bolster your health and protect your body from potentially harmful frequencies. Stay tuned for more articles to come on this topic.

Michelle wrote an article for WORK IN MIND and here is the original post.

Healthy Sleep Series: What you are sleeping on could effect your health.

How healthy is your bedroom? What you sleep on truly matters the most for your wellbeing. An average person will sleep for basically one third of their life, so it’s important to make sure what you’re sleeping on is healthy for your body. DesignWell will be kicking off a Healthy Sleep Series this week to help detox your environment and live well! Let’s start by deep diving into the most important part of your bedroom, the bed. 

Mattresses/Bedframes:

Electric Beds (high EMFs)
I am not a fan of anything plugged in around the area you sleep, this includes electric beds. While electric beds can be great for helping you sleep, they also come at a cost. Electric beds emit electromagnetic fields (EMF’s) that can be harmful to your body’s cellular makeup and cause a host of health issues. A majority of the time electric beds carry motors that are right underneath your heart (YIKES) which can lead to major health issues down the road. If you do choose to keep your electric mattress, try adjusting your mattress to a position where you feel most comfortable and then unplug to help contain unneeded EMF’s.

Memory Foam Mattresses (chemicals)
Memory foam mattresses and covers are often prescribed by doctors and chiropractors due to their support for your spine and bones. However, many people aren’t aware of the toxic chemicals, petrochemicals and oil related chemicals, that are loaded inside. It’s important to let your body breathe and recharge while you sleep, so exposing yourself to these toxins can be super harmful for your body. Throughout the years I have seen many cases personally that result in subjecting individuals to chemical sensitivity.  

Beds with Springs or Metal Frames (conduit to EMFs)
Another common household bed is one that contains springs or metal frames. Metal acts as a conduit for EMF’s. For example, when sitting in your bed at night and your scrolling on your phone or iPad, electromagnetic fields begin to emit from your devices. These fields are like waves that go around in a circle, vibrating, and essentially getting trapped around your body. Springs or metal frames act as a magnet for radio frequencies that can distort the earth’s natural magnetic field and may lead to a restless sleep and other possible health issues. 

Traditional beds (chemicals)
Traditional beds also have a host of petrochemicals in them along with fire retardants. Beds made post 2005 do not have them in them thanks to Arlene Blum from the Green Science Policy Institute! PBDE, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers is the chemical in fire retardants that are associated with endocrine disruption, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cancer, and adverse effects on fetal and child development and neurologic function. It is a common chemical that was used in mattresses as a fire retardant until 2005 when it was banned in the United States. Unfortunately all foam decomposes with age and Harmful PBDE in older mattresses and therefore continues to pollute ones bedroom.

Green Science Policy Institute

Healthy Solutions:

Natural Latex Beds (even for pets!)
Natural latex beds are awesome! While most mattresses and bedding contain a full spectrum of chemicals that may impede our sleep habits, natural materials like latex, wool, and organic cotton mattresses and beddings allow your body to breathe and stay healthy. These natural materials contain no chemicals, no metals, and are super comfortable. Check out Mulligan Mattress for cost effective, handmade natural latex beds without chemicals.

Wooden Bed Frames (make sure they aren’t finished or made with chemicals like formaldehyde)
Solid wood bed frames are the perfect natural material for your bedroom. However, it’s important to make sure that you’re using solid wood. Particleboard furniture can contain glues made of formaldehyde, a toxic gas contributing to poor air quality and adverse health effects.

Earthing Mats (grounding)
“When we make direct contact with the surface of the Earth, with our bare feet or hands, our bodies receive a charge of energy that makes us feel better, fast.” (Earthing.com) Earthing mats are mats that cover the surface area of your bed to help release a natural and grounding energy. These mats allow you to have a deeper and more well-rounded sleep and make a great addition for your healthy bedroom.

So, how healthy is your bedroom? Contact DesignWell Studios to schedule an environmental assessment and to find your best sources so you can sleep well knowing your body is protected. Stay tuned for more infomative artciles on healthy bedrooms.

Be Well.

Home Safe Home

Now more than ever it’s imperative to have a supportive home that is safe, healthy and clean. I have always been an advocate for using non toxic cleaning products but in light of the need to sanitize everything I admit that I have bought and used bleach and traditional hand sanitizers.

Here’s some of the things that my fiance’ and I have been doing to keep our home safe and healthy while we are self quarantining and taking care of ourselves and our family.

• Changing the filters for healthy clean air (do so every quarter)

• Turning up the air purifier to maximum at bursts to cleanse and filter the air

• Burning Palo Santo and cleansing our home then opening all doors and windows to refresh the air. It’s good for the spirit and the indoor environment, as long as you ventilate properly.

• Cleaning all the windows and panes from any mildew or dirt and to give a fresh clean view

• Vacuuming with our hepa filter often

• Dusting all surfaces

• Cooking healthy and nutritious meals on our new gas stove with the fan on (always)

• Washing clothes on hot with EC3 mold eradicator additive to nuke any possible allergens or spores

• Wiping down every surfaces with bleach/water

• Changing our drinking water filter with new wave enviro and aqua bliss filters

• Cleaning all mildew on tiles in the bathroom with bleach/water

• Turning on all the salt lamps in every room for healthy negative ions and purification

• Spritzing OnGuard Essential oils and using them in a vaporizer

Please write to us at Michelle@designwellstudios.com for your tips on keeping a healthy home and I will add them to this post next week.

In light of the health pandemic we would like to promote the Austin Air Healthmate Plus air purifier at a discount. Be confident about the air quality of your home with this professional grade purifier!

Benefits 

• Strengthens the immune system

• Filters viruses and bacteria

• Eases coughing, wheezing and sneezing

• Reduces dry mouth and runny nose

• Sounder sleep

• Reduced snoring

• Lessen night time allergies and asthma attacks

• Eases headaches and reduces nausea related to chemical exposure

• Designed for highly contaminated indoor air conditions

• Extremely effective at removing particles in the air including formaldehyde, elements of smoke, dust and pollens

• Exceptional capacity for removing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

  Order yours today

We are still able to do environmental assessments with limited people in the homes and can offer testing equipment for rental options in the near future. We are still open for consulting and design as well as product sales. Be well everyone!

Could my newly built or remodeled home affect my health?

If you just can’t shake the flu or cold after moving into your new home or after you remodel.

If you recently bought or moved into a newly built home or remodeled, and feel like you just can’t shake that cold or flu? Sick building symptoms could be the cause and have an negative affect your skin, respiratory, and neurological systems and transition into chronic health issues.

Many builders and developers use materials and products that are cost effective which oftentimes have toxic chemicals in them such as wood flooring, vinyl flooring, cabinetry, baseboards, carpet, paint and more. It may save money in the beginning but will have a huge financial increase in medical bills later on for those exposed to the elements that are off gassing into their systems and airways.

Among the possible symptoms are:

• throat irritation

• breathing difficulties

• tightness in the chest

• runny nose

• allergy-like symptoms, such as sneezing

• burning sensations in the nose

• dry, itchy skin rashes

• headaches

• dizziness

• difficulty concentrating

• forgetfulness

• fatigue

• irritability

• nausea

• body aches

• fever

• chills

It’s best to have a professional like DesignWell test the air and see what chemicals could be interfering with your health. Formaldehyde from adhesives and wood products can offgas for up to 15 years!

If you are a medical professional, please ask your patients if they have recently remodeled or have moved into a newly built home in the last 10-15 years. We have a full questionnaire for environmental wellness, contact us to set up a consultation so we can help you help your patients thrive better at home.

It is important to have good ventilation and filtration (see our professional VOC reducing and immune system supporting air purifiers).

Combat Indoor Air Pollution with These 5 Hardy Air Purifying Plants

Combat Indoor Air Pollution with These 5 Hardy Air Purifying Plants

Not everyone was born with a green thumb and a knack for taking care of houseplants. Thankfully, there are several popular plants that require very little maintenance to thrive indoors. One of the easiest and most natural ways that you can combat indoor air pollution is by purchasing several of these low maintenance houseplants and placing them in various rooms throughout your home.

Peace Lilies are easy to care for and effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

These five plants are easy to care for and will work around the clock to help clean your home air by removing toxic pollutants:

Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are another hardy plant effective in removing formaldehyde from the air along with the chemical benzene. Benzene is commonly found in exhaust from vehicles, detergents, cigarette smoke, building materials, furniture, as well as heating and cooking systems. Exposure to small levels of benzene may cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, and unconsciousness. Benzene is also considered to be a known carcinogen.

Spider Plants
Spider plants have a reputation for being easy to maintain. They also are great at removing formaldehyde, which is one of the most commonly found indoor air pollutants. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen; it can cause nasal and eye irritation, increased risk of asthma and allergies, and neurological effects. It is found in numerous household products such as: paint, drywall, adhesives, cosmetics, disinfectants, wood laminate flooring and furniture, and cigarette smoke.

Snake plants
Snake plants are another low maintenance plant. They are effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and trichloroethylene from your indoor air. Trichloroethylene can be found in wood stains, varnishes, finishes, lubricants, adhesives, paint removers, degreasers, and cleaners. It is a known carcinogen that may cause genetic defects and central nervous system damage. Exposure to lesser amounts of this chemical may cause throat irritation, headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion.

Bamboo palms
Bamboo palms require minimal sunlight and water but will grow larger when placed in direct sunlight. They have been proven to successfully remove formaldehyde, xylene, and trichloroethylene from the air.

Boston Ferns
Boston ferns help filter out formaldehyde and xylene from the air. Xylene is a poisonous solvent used in paints, nail polish, lacquers, adhesives, rust preventers, thinners, gasoline, Street Address and permanent magic markers. Exposure to this chemical may cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and throat irritation. Long term exposure or exposure to larger amounts can result in liver damage, unconsciousness, and respiratory failure.

Connect with us to have our Landscape Designer to order and help you design plant scapes for your indoor space with the above plants and more to purifier and beautify your air! We have an array of gorgeous pots to choose from.

If you are concerned about your air quality, contact us to schedule a test for chemicals, mold, fire, smoke or heavy metals.

10 things you can do at home to boost your WELL BEING

At Designwell Studios we help our clients optimize their environments for well being. No matter what the season, it’s important to boost your well being so you can be the best you can be for yourself and those around you.

It doesn’t have to cost much to infuse a little inspiration and feel good into your day.

Check out DesignWell Studios 10 things you can do at home to improve your air quality and your outlook- the best part? Almost all of these are free.

1. Go barefoot in your garden and in your home to help with grounding

2. Open the window when you take a shower to prevent moisture and mold and get some fresh air.

3. Bring plants closer to your sitting and sleeping areas

4. Put an inspirational photo in your view when you wake up that makes you smile.

5. Place your bed and sofa so it they are facing the main door but not in the pathway for positive energy

6. Meditate with your favorite guided meditation -I recommend the insight timer app , it’s free and has over 30000 guided meditations to choose from- to start your day off on a peaceful note.

7. Decorate with nature- use branches with little white lights, driftwood and sea shells and rocks for your dining room or fireplace center piece

8. Get a healthy glow and help heal your air with a salt lamp

9. Take a bath with epson salts to purify your body help rid negative energy

10. Switch your devices to night mode at 7pm and turn your phone off or put it on airplane mode at bed time.

SMART HOMES AND YOUR HEALTH

THE FUTURE OF BUILDING

The latest trend in building is Smart Homes.

Is the convenience of technology in built environments worth the risk of potential health issues?

Buildings are being powered up to be sustainable and efficient but are overloaded with technology. How much is too much?

SMART HOMES = SICK PEOPLE

Are the conveniences of technology worth the cost of potential health risks?

Imagine you have designed and built the perfect home for yourself or your clients. You have your project certified as LEED, WELL or LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE incorporating biophilic design elements. YOU HAVE CHOSEN all the construction materials TO BE healthy AND use a low carbon footprint. No expense has been spared on the flooring, carpets, cabinets, plumbing, etc. The house is beautiful, energy efficient and healthy.

In addition, the house is set up as a smart home. Your doorbell is not only wireless, it can take video, and you can talk to it. You can play any music anywhere in the house with a voice command. Your sprinkler system knows when to go on and off in different places. Even your refrigerator knows how many eggs, how much milk and ice it has. The lights are controlled wirelessly and can even change colors or have them go on when your client isn’t home. The alarm system is wireless. You can even lock or unlock their front door from anywhere in the world using a smartphone. The 5G WiFi router allows instant internet access from anywhere in the home. Even their HVAC system knows when someone is home, turning itself off if no one is around to enjoy the heating or cooling.

Everything in your house can be pre-set or controlled using a smartphone.

Sounds ideal.

Today technology is infused everywhere because convenience is in full demand and manufacturers incorporating it in all their new products. It is all perfect and worthwhile until their child is diagnosed with leukemia or comes down with an autoimmune disease making them electrosensitive.

This is why we like to say that smart homes = sick people.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Where do you draw the line between health and convenience?

Today’s technology is very cool. Who can argue that knowing instantly if your water system is leaking, or knowing if you left the oven on when you leave the house is not a good thing? The problem is that all of this stuff is connected wirelessly to the internet. Gigabytes of information are flying past, around and through the inhabitants of a house usually to a 5g router that transports that information to a cloud. What is wrong with that? Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are the things that make your smartphone work, and allow your doorbell to communicate with your refrigerator. The question is how much is too much technology and where do you draw the line between health and convenience?

WHAT’S THE HARM?

• Leukemia

• Lymphoma

• Brain Tumors

• Weakened nervous system

• Melanoma

• Breast cancer

• Miscarriage

• Birth defects

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Lou Gehrig’s disease

• Depression

• Nausea

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Dizziness

• Mental confusion

• Memory loss

• Sleep disturbance

• Itchy or burning skin

• Skin rashes

The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety (ICEMS) and the National Institute for the Study and Control of Cancer and Environmental Diseases published a report, “Non-thermal Effects and Mechanisms of Interaction Between Electromagnetic Fields and Living Matter” in 2010.

This was an international effort by scientists to compile what was known at that time about the biological effects and mechanisms of action, and included studies showing EMFs create oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier permeability, genotoxic and fertility effects, heat shock (or stress) proteins, changes in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and in neurotransmitters, and much more.

They say: “In children, we are seeing increases in psychiatric disorders, psychotropic medication use, chronic medical conditions, delinquency, addictions, aggression, sensory integration issues, and disability filings.”

BEHIND THE SCIENCE

There has been numerous studies how EMFs and RFs (wireless, cellular) have been found to cause a large number of illnesses in people, animals and plantlife. The BioInitiative Report synthesizes the key findings of thousands of scientific studies showing biological effects from electromagnetic fields.

The U.K. publication, Electromagnetic Sensitivity and Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity contains references to 1,800 studies showing effects of low-intensity exposures.

There exists decades of military Radio frequency (RF) research showing risk, much foreign research, and even an industry-funded review, “Mobile Telecommunications and Health,” prepared by the Ecolog Institute, which was issued in 2000 and lays out the known risks in great detail, including DNA risks, cancer risks and risks to children.

SECURITY AND PRIVACY

HOW SECURE IS YOUR DOORBELL?

On top of all that science, what happens when someone hacks into your security system? How secure is your doorbell? Do you think someone might be able to get into your email or bank account once they are connected to your home system? Believe it… It can happen.

Norton has even published an article offering tips to help secure all of the numerous smart devices in the modern home.

DESIGNWELL FOR WELL BEING

At DesignWell we consult with homeowner, builders, architects and developers on how to incorporate environmental wellness methods into their projects.

Let’s work together on designing and building homes that support the environment and human health and well being!

We are a growing company with a passion for the health and wellbeing of people. We are NOT anti-technology. We have smartphones. We wrote this on computers connected to the internet.

It is important WHERE your project is located, as well as how you use technology, and what is necessary vs. what seems cool. We have helped enough sick people that we understand what they need to do so they can heal in a supportive and inspiring environment. What would be ideal would be to get them into houses designed so they don’t get sick in the first place!

To schedule testing or a consultation contact us today

A healthy dose of interior design for a little girl with leukemia

Portland-based Consulting and Interior Design company, designWELL studios donated its time and services to brighten the home of a young local girl battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

UPDATE: Stella is now a healthy college student as of 2019! GO STELLA!

Nine-year-old Stella Monteverde-Cakebread was diagnosed with AML on February 1, 2010. When Michelle Bexelius, owner of designWELL studios, heard of Stella’s plight, she contacted the Monteverde-Cakebread family and offered them complimentary environmental wellness assessment.

By doing something as simple as repainting Stella’s bedroom using high-quality non-VOC paints and primers (Dick’s Color Center and Pratt & Lambert), Bexelius is proving that ecoHealthy can also be ecoBeautiful. “There is always an alternative [to unhealthy products]; you just have to pick your priorities and know what to look for,” she explains.

Michelle checked the electromagnetic frequency (EMF) levels, moved Stella’s bed, and checked for lead in the windowsills. On the advice of designWELL studios, the family is also getting new, healthy mattresses, pillows and bedding thanks to (Eclectic Home), sustainable cork floors (Eco Haus) and custom designed textiles (cool cotton). The bedroom was cleared of clutter, the stuffed animals were minimized and the space was organized to create a harmonious haven.

We also want her room to resonate with her style making it fun for an almost 9 year old and her 4 year old sister to call their own. Michelle designed curtains and a duvet cover and pillow to brighten the room. Melamine furniture and plastic storage containers were replaced with solid wood pieces to improve the indoor air quality.

It will be a bright moment when Stella sees her room for the first time. We will be there smiling too knowing we helped improve the health of her room so a little girl can heal and grow up and fulfill her dreams.

New case study why sourcing healthy wood flooring saves money and prevents future health issues

New case study: Why sourcing healthy wood flooring saves money and prevents future health issues

By Michelle Bexelius
Environmental Wellness Design Director
Designwell Studios
1/14/19

When sourcing flooring options for interior design projects there are many to choose from that span the spectrum depending on project cost and style.  Flooring eats up a large part of the budget of a project, around 10%. While trying to remain on budget and keep with the style of the project many sources for wood flooring fall short when it comes to health and safety for the people inhabiting the space.

Many wood flooring companies have pollutants like formaldehyde in their products as well as adhesives. The pollutants in formaldehyde can off gas up to 15 years in an indoor environment. The people who come into contact with formaldehyde acutely or long term are at risk for mild to severe health issues. Being an environmental designer trained in building biology, healthy building and remodeling focusing on indoor air quality and electromagnetic fields, I have seen hundreds of cases of environmental toxin exposure and a large percentage have come from pre engineered wood products containing formaldehyde.

This is a case study on why sourcing healthier wood flooring products is vital in preventing chronic health issues like asthma in children after family who moved into a newly built home that proved to be toxic from formaldehyde adhesives in pre engineered wood flooring.

A few years ago a family of 4 (mother, father, baby, toddler) moved into a brand new 3,000 square foot home with new wood floors, cabinetry and carpet and other traditional building products. What happens to them is something you would never wish upon anyone close to you. The children, 8 months old and 2 years and their mother were continually sick with cold symptoms that lasted for more than two months, unusually long after cold and flu season. This was when I was contacted to perform indoor air quality testing to find out if there was something in their home making them sick. After walking in the door I was instantly struck with a strong load of a chemical smell, the room climate was stagnant and heavy. I instantly felt lightheaded and anxious.

After the test results came back from the lab, it was clear there were elevated levels of formaldehyde, 87 ppb (parts per billion) to be exact. Levels 0-16 ppb are the range within acceptable limits. We then determined the source of formaldehyde was coming from the adhesives underneath the pre-engineered wood flooring. The builder was alerted and said they would help mitigate the problem. They installed a new heat recovery ventilation (HRV) unit to help move the air, but the company didn’t balance the indoor air quality correctly, nor install it correctly and they ended up putting in an electrostatic air cleaner that produced a significant amount of ozone. I noticed this when I visited the home again to consult and I couldn’t even be in the home due to the heavy amount of pollutants in the air. I recommended the reinstall the HRV system using a more experienced Heating and Cooling (HVAC) company as well as removing the electrostatic cleaner.

I did recommend to my client that they could replace the flooring with healthy wood floors but they had already spent so much money on hotels, doctor’s bills, consultants, testing and appliances to help their environment. If they had replaced the wood floors with healthier wood floors and adhesives and removed the carpets they would have had a much healthier environment and saved a lot of money. They thought that all new homes off gassed and that their new home would do so within a few months and didn’t realize it would take up to 15 years and have their baby now a toddler suffer from chronic asthma.

My clients ended up taking the builder to court to educate, create awareness and redeem the money lost that was spent trying to mitigate a problem they didn’t sign up for. They won their case and now the builder hopefully has awareness of using healthier building products and materials in their future projects.

Now is the perfect time as a interior designer and architect to source healthier products and materials for your clients health. Choose products and materials that are certified, healthy and safe for humans and the environment.

Cases like these can be prevented from the start of a project by sourcing healthier materials and products. It is also important to test the indoor air quality after installation to ensure a healthy environment.  As an environmental designer and after indepth research, I highly recommend using mafi wood floors for future building and renovation projects.  

Contact DesignWell Studios if you have wood floors you’d like to test and see if they are off gassing formaldehyde or other toxins.

Safety and Electromagnetic Fields = Location. Location. Location →

Electromagnetic Fields = LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Is your home near the following: airport, electric power plant, a foundry, radio/tv tower, a cell tower, power lines/transformers, any industrial plants, a farm, a crematorium, hazardous waste site, a superfund site, nursery, vineyard, orchard, golf course, high traffic highways roads... you want to test your indoor air quality and electromagnetic fields and radio frequencies (wifi).

These outside elements play a bigger role in your life than you think. The golf course is green and beautiful yet they could be spraying pesticides on their grass to make it look perfectly green which blows into the air up to a mile.

Cell towers and power stations are necessary for electricity and communication but if they are too close they could have adverse health effects on your and your loved ones. Each location is different, that’s why it’s important to test first.