If you have a child or family member who has allergies to dust, pollen, and other common allergens, you are probably wondering how you can make your home more allergy-free. Some homeowners consider a whole-house air purifier, others choose certain kinds of bedding, and still other homeowners choose to battle allergies with sprays and spritzers.
But you may be overlooking one of the sneakiest causes of indoor allergies: your flooring!
That’s right. Many homeowners choose carpeting and fancy rugs to brighten up a room and create a warm environment underfoot, all the while sneezing and wheezing. All carpets and rugs are safe havens for allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust. Even if you take your shoes off at the door to avoid letting plant pollen in, pet dander from beloved pets and every day dust can settle in the fibers of carpet and rugs; when stepped on, these allergens erupt from below right up to our noses. Those with allergies may also experience watery eyes and hives – in addition to sneezing and congestion.
Vinyl flooring can also be a culprit when it comes to irritating your body’s defensive systems. Vinyl can be created using dangerous and noxious chemicals, which can put out irritating fumes. These fumes can tickle the nose and set of a storm of sneezing. Dangerous chemicals in carpet and vinyl tiling can also exacerbate asthma symptoms. In addition to the creation process, certain adhesives that are used to glue carpet and vinyl flooring in place can cause irritation as well.
A few great alternatives to carpet, rugs, and vinyl flooring are stone tiles, bamboo flooring, and ceramic tile. All three of these flooring options can be seen in high-end homes all across the United States – and you certainly cannot beat the durability of stone or ceramic tile.
Both of these flooring options are strong and hold up in many different home environments. If you’re looking for an earthy alternative in areas that see a lot of foot traffic (the entryway, the kitchen, the bathroom, or in a finished basement are all great examples), ceramic or stone tile are wonderful and allergy-free choices.
For areas like a living room, bedroom, or other area where you prefer the look of wood, go with bamboo flooring. This option is sustainable, renewable, and durable. Not to mention allergy-free! The allure of bamboo flooring is sure to draw admirable looks through clear and non-watery eyes.
To speak with one of our design consultants, please call us at 1-800-764-1633.