Thursday, March 28

How to Choose the Best Carpets if You Have Allergies?

It is commonly considered that carpets bind allergens so tightly that they result in continuous issues with people who suffer from allergies or asthma. They hold on to dust, dirt, and other particles, many of which negatively affect even people who don’t have any sensitivities to known allergens. So how can you incorporate a carpet into your interior design safely?

Best Carpets

Can carpets be a part of an allergy susceptible household?

However, a German study by the German Allergy and Asthma Society proved that carpets can, unexpectedly, help with allergies. The other types of flooring materials won’t hold on to particles that are air-born like carpet will.

The wooden flooring or tiles will have a layer of dust on them that will fly again with each movement across the floor, making you suffer again and again. The carpet holds on to the majority of those, and in this way, the necessary hygiene of the carpet can ensure that the accumulated particles completely leave your space.

What can carpets hold on to?

Carpets are made to be a part of the décor, to add to the warmth of the room, and to be a soft material for your feet or your whole body if you prefer to be on the floor level. Here is a list of what can live in your carpets:

  • Dust, dirt;
  • Pollen, ash;
  • Skin cells and human hair;
  • Pet dirt and fur; and
  • Food and drinks.

If not properly maintained, these will pile up. Your dirty carpet can, over time, become a city of living creatures that negatively affect our health. The most common citizens of dirty carpets are:

  • Bacteria;
  • coli;
  • Salmonella;
  • Mould;
  • Campylobacter;
  • Mites;
  • Lice, and others.

Prevention of these is done by regular cleaning schedule, of course. However, to be certain you can thrive with the carpet that repels the rise of microorganisms, check out our recommendations.

Woollen carpet 

Wool is the perfect natural material that is proven to be hypoallergenic and even helps with skin issues in multiple studies. The only reason that wool can cause itching is the diameter of the fibres. That is highly unlikely with modern wool garments, especially the ones made from ultrafine Merino wool. The next benefit, aside from gentleness, is that those fibres are so dry that it is almost impossible for the life of mould and mites in between them. It also absorbs common airborne contaminants, like cleaning chemicals, smoke, cooking fumes, deodorants, and perfumes, which helps improve the air quality.

Synthetic materials that repel allergens – nylon and polyester

The other types of carpet fibres proven to repel allergens are nylon and polyester fibres. What differentiates these carpets from woollen carpets is the different price categories, as they can fit almost any budget. Moreover, almost every professional carpet store offers many different designs, so it is almost impossible not to find the best carpet for your design and lifestyle.

Nylon and polyester fibres are durable, man-made materials designed to repel irritants. Low pile or short-cut fibre is not only designed to hold on to the dirt from the air but not to let it get embedded in it. Nylon carpets are not an environment for the growth of bacteria, mould, and mildew. It is designed to be cleaned easily. Nowadays, it is used for clothes and linen, making it the safe choice for carpets in most categories.

Careful with the underlay and adhesives

The fibres and their design are not the only factors you should take into account if you or your loved one suffers from allergies. The hidden irritants can be found in special chemicals that carpets are treated with when produced, as well as in adhesives. These are used to make the carpet more durable but also to repel offending particles.

The underlay of the carpet is the bottom layer of any carpet. It is placed often with some type of cushioning like sponge, foam, or rubber to reduce wear on the carpet and provide insulation against moisture, heat, cold, or sound. Underlay can be treated with chemicals that will release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with time. The VOCs are the air pollutants that irritate people who suffer from allergies but also can do the damage to the people without them, according to the American Lung Association. To avoid them, buy hypoallergenic carpet underlays that will diminish the VOC’s influence on your and your family’s health. A hypoallergenic underlay that is moisture resistant will have antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Easy to clean carpet

The most important habit you have to adopt if you suffer from allergies is regular cleaning. Invest in a vacuum cleaner that does deep cleaning every time, and use it a few times a week depending on the severity of your reaction to allergens. Furthermore, practice professional cleaning of carpets a few times a year to further ensure cleanliness. A good idea is to also invest in an air purifier that has a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. This type of filter can also be found in some high-quality vacuum cleaners.

Your lifestyle and interior design style don’t need to be affected because of allergies. Your health will definitely benefit from the safer choice of carpets and their underlays, as well as from the regular cleaning. Enjoy decorating your home and play some music to enjoy that a bit more vigorous cleaning schedule!

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