Attention Allergy Sufferers: Are Wood Floors Better Than Carpet?
“My allergies are so bad, we’re ripping out the carpet and installing hardwood floors.” I hear people say this all the time. And I feel it’s my duty to tell them the truth.
Carpet acts like a huge filter in your home. Dust and tiny particles that trigger allergies fall onto carpet and become lodged, keeping them from stirring back into the air (and into your nose, mouth and lungs). Hard floors, however, don’t hold onto allergens and dust, allowing them to swirl around and become airborne, where you’re much more likely to inhale them.
The next time you’re around hardwood floors (or tile, or laminate, or any other hard flooring surface), pay attention to the edges, baseboards, and areas under furniture. Especially if pets are present, you’ll find all manner of debris–hair, dust, cobwebs, etc. You’re not as likely to see the same debris on a carpeted floor, because they settle into the pile.
I don’t want to burst your bubble, but it’s a proven fact that hard floors, including hardwood, are horrible for allergy sufferers. In fact, according to this recent Swedish study, allergies in that country went up by 30% after a 70% decline in carpet in favor of hard flooring. Yes, you read that right…as carpet disappeared from homes, allergies went up significantly.
So what can you do if allergies are driving you crazy? Here are some tips you’ll find useful:
- Use carpet in your home wherever practical.
- Vacuum carpets at least twice a week to remove allergens that settle into the pile.
- Learn to love the crevice tool on your vacuum…use it to get behind furniture and along baseboards.
- If you have hard floors, use a dust mop to sweep them every day.
- Consider using large area rugs on hardwood floors. Oriental and other wool rugs work best. The thick pile traps lots of debris. Plus, they are beautiful to look at.
- Have carpets and wool rugs professionally cleaned at least once a year.
In case you’re wondering, I clean hardwood floors and tile and grout in addition to carpet, so it’s not like I’m trying to talk you into keeping your carpet just so I’ll have something to clean. While we’re on the topic, since you need to have your carpet cleaned once in a while anyway, I’d love to help you out. Please give me a call today and I’ll take good care of you.
Ryan Wilson 316-491-0449