Is There a Link Between Carpet and Allergies?

As a homeowner, you have many options when it comes to installing new flooring. You can choose hardwood floors, tile floors or carpet, but it’s up to you to figure out which material is right for you and your household. What do we mean by “the right material”? Some may see one type of flooring material as safer, more attractive or easier to keep clean over another. In the case of carpet, it’s unfortunately common to see its fibers as allergen trappers.

With this in mind, is there a link between carpet flooring and allergies? Read on for some facts from a professional carpet cleaning company in South Amboy, NJ.

The studies

In the past, people with asthma or severe allergies have been told to remove all carpet in their home to get relief. But is it true that carpet fibers can make these respiratory issues worse, or even cause them in the first place? Here’s where various studies come in. The past couple decades have seen studies challenging the claim that carpeting is a problem for allergy sufferers. Some studies are scientific, while others received funding from the flooring industry. Some studies actually suggest carpeting actually helps alleviate allergy symptoms.

Between the year 2000 and 2010, several reputable scientific studies—including the European Community Respiratory Health Survey and the German Allergy and Asthma Society—contradicted views that carpeting materials pose problems for those living with asthma or allergies. Findings came from studies that measured the volume of allergens in rooms with bare floors and again in rooms with carpeting. The central result of some studies was that wall-to-wall carpeting minimizes risk of allergens, while bare floors encourage more airborne particles.

Carpet holds particles: Good or bad?

Many people didn’t read the studies and sit there shocked staring at the findings. You don’t have to be a researcher to understand that carpet fibers have the ability to hold common allergens like dust, dirt, hair, pet dander, pollen and more. The thing about some of the studies is that instead of this being a drawback, it highlights it as an advantage, especially for very sensitive allergy sufferers. The agreement is that carpet holds onto the allergens, which prevents the particles from getting kicked up into the air. They are trapped in the fibers and get sucked up during the next vacuuming session.

The fact of the matter

Regardless of studies and views, the fact of the matter is that cleaning your floors is essential. If you want hard flooring, be sure to clean and maintain it properly with vacuuming, sweeping and damp washing from time to time. If you have carpeting, regular, thorough vacuuming and the occasional shampooing is the key to removing allergens from your home. You’ll breathe more easily and feel better overall. Another step to consider is going to a local flooring installer or even a doctor for advice on the best flooring material options for allergy sufferers like yourself.

A professional carpet cleaning company in South Amboy, NJ can get your carpets fresh and clean in no time. Call Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today to book your appointment!

Categorised in: Carpet Cleaning Company

This post was written by Writer