Depending on the type of flooring you’ve selected for your home, carpets can be great at keeping your floors clean and comfortable, especially in places where you take off your shoes before walking around the house. However, carpets can also contribute to allergies, especially if not looked after properly. 

How common are allergies?

Allergies are very common, affecting millions of people. Almost 1 in every 5 people will suffer from an allergy each year, but sometimes allergies can develop out of nowhere. If you’re allergic to dogs, cats or pollen it’s easy enough to avoid these triggers. But what if you develop an allergy to a material that you spend most of your time on? Carpets for example. Keep reading below to find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about allergies and carpets. 

What are the common allergens?

Pollen, mold spores, dust mites and pet dander are among some of the most common allergens found in homes. In fact, as many as 50 million Americans experience respiratory issues due to various household allergens.  Though a number of symptoms can be attributed to allergen exposure, there is a way you can determine if your home contains these types of irritants: ask yourself whether or not you’re sneezing more than usual or experiencing allergy-like symptoms such as headaches, itchy eyes and runny noses.

Reducing allergens in your home

Although not all carpets are made equal, it’s important to understand that some types can trap more allergens than others. Homes with wall-to-wall carpeting often see a buildup of pet dander, pollen, dust mites and other allergy triggers. Thicker carpets are also more likely to trap allergens. Over time, these allergens can cause indoor air quality issues as well as allergic reactions in those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions. Choosing hardwood floors or rugs that can be regularly vacuumed or washed (such as washable rugs) might be a better choice for people who are sensitive to allergens; there are also ways of removing dust mites from your home if they are an issue.  Carpet isn’t inherently bad—but you’ll want to take steps to ensure it doesn’t become an airborne problem. Be sure to ask your doctor what would work best for your family when considering which flooring is right for your home.

Do carpets cause allergies?

Carpets by themselves don’t cause allergies. In fact, carpets actually reduce indoor air pollutants, like those found in wall-to-wall carpeting, curtains, upholstered furniture, pillows, bedding and stuffed animals. Carpets trap these pollutants when vacuuming occurs. The less debris that’s allowed to stay on carpet fibers—the less likely it is for a person with asthma or other respiratory issues will be triggered by them. 

The problem comes when carpets are not cleaned regularly enough. Carpets that have been neglected can hold onto and build up years of dust and dander causing asthma and allergies in your household. Carpet that is not regularly cleaned can also hold onto mold spores which can multiply quickly in dirty carpets. So to summarise, if you keep your carpets and rugs vacuumed regularly and have a 12-18 month regular professional carpet clean, carpets can actually reduce allergies in your home. Are your carpets due for a clean? Contact us today on 0428 420 667. 

What you can do

If you want to determine whether carpeting causes your allergy symptoms, consider investing in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. For one thing, up to 80 percent of dust mites are picked up by a vacuum with good suction and passed through filters. Most people buy less expensive models that don’t have enough power or filtration to help significantly with removing allergens. You may also be surprised at how often your vacuum should be used—many experts recommend vacuuming daily.

If your carpets haven’t been professionally cleaned in a while, it’s time to consider calling your local Fraser Coast carpet cleaning business. At Ivey’s Carpet Cleaning and Pest Control, we specialise in carpet steam cleaning and upholstery cleaning.  We are a local family-owned and operated business that provides professional carpet cleaning services throughout the entire Fraser Coast region including Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Tiaro and surrounds. Talk to us today to discuss your individual needs. Contact us on 0428 420 667 or fill in the form here for a FREE quote.