Carpets can trap allergens in their pile while hard floors allow the allergens to float around.
Flooring for allergies.
The best flooring for allergies asthma sufferers hardwood is widely known to be the best flooring for asthma and allergies.
Remove carpeting and use hardwood or linoleum flooring and washable area rugs.
As a general rule carpeting is the worst choice for allergies while wood or cork flooring are the best selections.
In addition to natural allergies like dust and mold some flooring contains volatile organic compounds that can also trigger allergies in some people.
Some sources say people with asthma and allergies should replace carpet with hard flooring but this isn t always the best option.
Making decisions about the right flooring for your home can be tricky when you have asthma or allergies.
The various types are easy to keep dusted and won t absorb airborne particles.
This means that allergens like dirt grit grime pet hair and mildew won t get worked into the flooring.
According to the national wood flooring association nwfa wood floors have the added benefit of not harboring allergens microorganisms or harmful pesticides that can be tracked in from outdoors.
Long popular for their durability style high end appearance and variety tile and stone are good allergy friendly options for flooring if attention is paid to the selection style and installation.
And generally hard surfaces will be better options than carpet.
Exposure to vocs can trigger asthma attacks and is associated with symptoms including headaches eye irritation coughing unexplained fatigue and respiratory distress.
If that isn t an option use low pile instead of high pile carpeting and vacuum weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a small particle or high efficiency particulate air hepa filter.
The best flooring for people with allergies.
The best flooring options for people who are allergy prone are floors that are flat smooth and easy to clean.
In general hard surface flooring is the best bet for those with allergies and asthma because it s easy to sweep and mop and it doesn t attract dust mites or mold but the floors aren t all created equal.
While these surfaces certainly offer more allergy control than carpeting they can be manufactured and treated with chemicals which can increase your exposure to vocs.
Hard surface flooring really is a great option for allergy sufferers.
As discussed above you want to look for nail in or staple down products when possible and keep it organic.
Often the flooring can be the biggest source of allergens.
Hardwood flooring is a good option because it is easy to clean smooth and flat.
Since carpeting is a no no for allergy sufferers when considering the best type of flooring for people with allergies laminate and vinyl flooring is often a popular choice.
