If your allergies or asthma cause you to think twice about things you bring into your home, reevaluating your flooring options could be beneficial to your health. Many people with allergies are told to remove carpets in the home, but some studies have shown that this may not be the best idea. The Carpet and Rug Institute has found that carpets may be beneficial because they trap allergens until they can be vacuumed up. Carpets and rugs prevent dust and dirt particles from circulating through the air as they do with hard flooring surfaces. Therefore, carpeting can result in fewer allergens in the air above carpeted floors.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) says that while carpets do trap particles, much of those can easily be stirred and released back into the air. The AAFA also notes that dust mites can live in carpets, releasing waste materials that can trigger allergy symptoms. For this reason, they recommend bare floors or low-pile or washable rugs for people with allergies.
These conflicting recommendations can make it difficult to make a strong statement in favor of carpet or bare floors. The best advice, if you are prone to allergies but like owning a rug or carpet, is to be sure to vacuum regularly and have your carpet or rug cleaned professionally every 12 to 18 months. Regular cleaning will remove the majority of allergens that remain trapped in the carpet even after vacuuming. Low-pile rugs such as Merida’s textured and flat-weave sisals and flat-woven wools, are preferable for people with allergies because they do not hold as many dust and dirt particles as deep-pile rugs.
Our Parquet rug is a flat-woven sisal design that is preferable for people with allergies.
Our Viewpoint rugs are flat-woven wool designs that do not hold as many dirt and dust particles as deeper-pile rugs.
Tags: eco friendly, natural fiber rugs
