Allergies can be a major problem for many people, and carpeting is often the culprit. Carpet fibres contain dust mites and other allergens that you bring into your home on your clothes or in your hair. This means that carpeting has to be regularly vacuumed and replaced to keep it allergy-free. If you suffer from allergies, replacing carpet with hard floor-coverings like wood or laminate can help improve air quality in your home dramatically!
Dust Mites in Carpet
Dust mites are one of the biggest causes of carpet-related allergies, and they can be a real problem for those living with asthma or other respiratory conditions. They also contribute to carpet staining over time as dust mites release body fragments into the carpet fibres that attract dirt.
These microscopic bugs like to live in warm places close to their food source – which is you! In order to kill the mites, you could try chemical products to remove the dust mites. The challenge is, these pesticides can often be a problem to allergy sufferers also so this solution may be counter-productive.
Bacteria in Carpets
In addition to dust mites, carpet can be home for many types of bacteria and fungi. There are five common varieties of bacteria that commonly live in carpet and they can all cause allergic reactions. No matter what the cause may be, if you’re suffering from allergies or asthma then these microorganisms that carpet can harbor need to be dealt with.
Most carpet materials have been found in studies to have a significant amount of microbial growth due to its porous nature that allows for bacteria, dust mites and other microorganisms such as mould spores to enter and grow over time.
VOCs and Allergies in Carpet
The materials in carpet, particularly new carpet, can also cause a plethora of different types of reactions. Carpet is made up of dozens if not hundreds of chemicals that are used to create the fibres, carpet backing and binding agents.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been shown to trigger many allergy sufferers. All these combined can make for an unhealthy living environment which causes respiratory difficulties in some individuals who are exposed to the carpet on a daily basis. Depending on how severe your families allergies are, your carpet may need to be taken out of the home.
How Can Hard Flooring Help?
One way to protect your family from carpet allergies is by putting down hard flooring such as tiles or laminate in place of carpet which will allow for a healthier living environment without causing any respiratory issues. There are many reasons floor tiles may be a wise choice for your home.
Hard floor-coverings like wood or laminate are easier to keep clean and help reduce exposure to allergens, making a big difference for those living with allergies and asthma. Replacing carpet in your home can be a big step towards a healthier lifestyle.
Next Steps
For serious allergy sufferers, removing carpet throughout your home may be the only option. For those with milder conditions, it might mean removing carpet from select rooms and considering some alternatives to reduce your families risk to allergies.
If you have family members with allergies, asthma or respiratory conditions, consider removing carpet from their rooms if possible and be sure to keep the room clean. If you have indoor pets, it may be wise to keep them outdoors if you can. You should clean your floors regularly and thoroughly.
There are many benefits to carpeting, but if you suffer from allergies, it may not be the best option for you. As we’ve covered, carpet can harbour dust mites that will aggravate your allergy symptoms and the fibres can cause respiratory issues. The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to carpeting. We hope this article helps in some way to minimise your allergies at home.
