Do you suffer from allergies? With national asthma and allergy awareness month coming to a close, we thought this would be a good time to discuss flooring options for an allergy-free home.
Choosing Flooring with Allergies in Mind
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are known as a great choice for allergy sufferers. Dust and other allergens don’t settle on wood like they do on other choices, such as carpet. They are also very easy to sweep or dust mop, wiping away any potential problems. If you do opt for hardwood floors, choose a species that is treated with a water-based polyurethane or varnish rather than a solvent-based coating; this will help reduce potential allergic reactions to varnish or smells you’re not accustomed to.
Another nice option with hardwood floors is area rugs. In addition to giving you more design flexibility, they’re easier to clean than traditional wall-to-wall carpeting.
Carpet
There’s a common myth that carpets aren’t a practical flooring option for those with allergies. The truth is, many allergy-sufferers enjoy their carpets; it’s just important that you clean them very regularly. Those lush fibers contain nooks and crannies where common allergens like to hide. At any given time your carpet could be storing pollen, dust, dander and pet hair. Also, microscopic dust mites excrete waste onto the carpet, which can cause an allergic reaction. In addition to vacuuming three times per week, steam clean your carpets at least twice a year.
Whether you’re looking to update your old carpeting or make the switch to hardwood floors, there are countless colors and styles to choose from. Feel free to come visit our showroom to talk to our flooring experts. Remember to contact us for a free in-home consultation, too!