Flooring and allergies: tips for an easy life
If you’re unfortunate enough to have an allergy you’ll be all too familiar to the pain that comes with it. From stray cat hairs irritating your skin to the endless sneezing brought on by a dusty carpet, why is it that we suffer so much? And more importantly, what exactly can we do about it?
Understanding your allergies
There are almost as many allergies are there are kinds of people, whether it’s mildew, pet dander or dust mites the list goes on…and on…and on. Most allergies are caused by your body mistaking these otherwise harmless substances for more serious nasties such as bacteria or viruses and can vary in the reactions they cause.
If you feel you might have an allergy it’s worth seeing your local doctor to find out; they can quickly carry out a test to find out for sure. If you already know, it’s important to understand just what kinds of flooring are most conducive to it. Helping you to make your life stress free.
Should I disregard carpets?
When it comes to the choice of flooring one would think the choice would be obvious. Surely a wooden floor is easier to clean and therefore better? Well, you’re only semi-right. While hard floors are easier to maintain carpets actually act to trap dust and other allergens meaning that when you walk on them, they aren’t kicked up into the surrounding air. Obviously, if you fancy yourself a tap-dance guru the picture might be different. However, for minor allergies, carpets are often the better choice.
Choosing the right carpet
When it comes to allergies not all carpets are created equal. Generally speaking, it’s worth avoiding wool as it’s easier for natural spores to grow within it. For the best outcome consider fitting a synthetic based carpet with tight twists. Not only are these long-lasting, they’re also easier to clean and delightful underfoot – a triple win. Likewise, when buying a new carpet, plump for one labelled as “low VOC”. This means it has been treated with less volatile organic compounds, harmful processing substances that often act to exacerbate allergies.
Choosing a hard floor
If you choose to go the hard-floor route there are a number of options at your disposal; depending on your allergies you may wish to take these into account. Natural wood is unlikely to be a significant source of VOCs and can easily be cleaned with a vacuum or mop. However, bear in mind that a damp hardwood floor is a potential home for various moulds. In the same vein, cork flooring is an excellent option; easy to clean and natural. If you do go for it just make sure the glue used is as harmless as the cork itself, avoiding any nasty surprises.
Alternatively, man-made flooring can be a fantastic option, simple to maintain and stylish. It’s an unfortunate fact for some, but allergies aren’t going away anytime soon. However, with the right help, choosing the right floor for your home shouldn’t be a nightmare. In fact, with a great choice available there’s no reason an allergy should even have to limit your style.
At Hudson flooring we’re more than happy to guide you through our extensive range of carpets and hard floors, even going the extra mile to procure allergy friendly carpets you may have seen elsewhere. Get in touch! Before you know it you’ll be saying “allergy, what allergy?