People who suffer from allergies often feel that they shouldn’t use carpet in their homes. After all, dust, pollen, animal dander, and other allergens can all find their way inside, and will eventually become trapped in carpet fibres. This means that every step will dislodge them.
However, your choice of flooring material will greatly change how you feel about your home, so it’s always wise to pick the one you really want. Luckily, there are a number of handy ways to reduce the allergy-related problems of carpeting.
Fortunately, most fibres used in the construction of modern carpets are made of non-allergenic materials, which actually repel airborne allergens. Pollen will dry out, and organic compounds simply die off. Nylon is our top pick for controlling your allergies, while the prize for worse material goes to wool.
Try paying attention to the density and length of fibres too. Shorter, tightly woven strands will mean that there are less places allergens can become trapped. This makes cleaning much more effective. Also, remember that newly purchased carpeting has usually been chemically treated, often with allergens like formaldehyde. Ask your carpet supplier to provide you with an option that limits the use of such substances. In any case, keep the room well aired for a few days after it is laid down.
Whatever option you go for will need to be cleaned regularly. After all, you can’t stop allergens entering your home, but you can stop them settling in the carpet. Vacuum frequently, and use carpet shampoos or steam-cleaners every couple of months. Some vacuums are equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which trap allergens, so they might be worth investing in if you suffer badly.
If you’ve inherited a carpet from a previous homeowner, remember to check if they had a dog or cat. If so, a professional cleaning service will probably be more useful than anything you can provide by yourself.
Carpets can often be problematic for allergy sufferers, but they don’t need to be. If carpet is what you want, carpet is what you deserve – all you need to do is follow the advice provided above.
