The debate on allergies and carpets continues. While most people associate carpets with allergies, The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) claims that carpets are actually better for preventing allergies because they trap dust and pollen, preventing them from circulating freely, so the air is cleaner.
However, medical professionals beg to differ. They still advise people who are prone to allergies to stay away from carpets, especially wall-to-wall carpeting. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America agrees on one aspect though; homes with carpets have more allergens on the floor surface than the air. That doesn’t mean there is less danger from them. Sitting on the carpet can stir up the dust and pollen, and send you on a sneezing fit. The allergens floating above you then can circulate for several hours before they settle down on the fibres again.
Are Allergies Right Under Your Nose?
Below are some of the attacks against carpets.
Dust Magnet
Your carpet traps allergens, dust mites, mould spores, pet hair, bacteria from spilt food, and debris like a magnet attracts iron. Allergens are nothing but antigens that spur allergic reactions in a sensitive immune system. Carpets are known to contain 100 times more allergens than hardwood floors.
Children are More Prone to Carpet Allergies
Are you aware that 11 square feet of carpet area can contain two ounces of dust on average? This is a troubling fact for those with allergies or small children who breathe the air that’s closer to the floor than the ceiling. Their immune system is more sensitive to foreign particles, so babies, toddlers, and smaller children are more susceptible to allergies and infections than their parents in the same room, who inhale the air circulating higher up. If left to crawl freely, an infant could breathe in 0.4 ounces of dust daily, just from the carpet. This may be the reason why you may find them sneezing or coughing more than you in the same room.
On the other hand, a study conducted by the DAAP (German Allergy and Asthma Society) published in a German magazine a few years back argues that wall-to-wall carpets actually improve air quality. Below are the reasons why:
Wall-to-Wall-Carpeting Minimizes the Risk of Infections
The study points out that allergens on vinyl and hard surface floors move around freely. As air is circulated through open windows, dust particles rise and float about, passing into the human lungs more easily. Good quality carpeted surfaces hold on to these allergens better than non-carpeted areas. In another intensive study by a toxicologist performed in eight different countries over 19 years, findings reported that fewer allergy and asthma symptoms come from fitted carpets. It does not increase the severity of allergic symptoms or reactions but reportedly, reduces them by trapping the allergens in the fibres, preventing them from being airborne and inhaled.
The Importance of Thorough Vacuum Cleaning
In conclusion, it is safe to say that maintaining a clean carpet is imperative to breathing easy. Thorough vacuuming is essential to remove allergens from the environment. A strong vacuum cleaner of the right kind is essential to be most effective.
Royal Carpet Cleaning for Homes and Offices
Royal Carpet Cleaning uses an advanced deep cleaning system that flushes out dirt and pollutants from your carpet fibres with non-toxic self-neutralizing cleaning chemicals that are biodegradable to leave your rugs and carpets spotlessly clean. We offer nothing but the best carpet cleaning methods with only the most effective products so your carpet remains fresh and fabulous for years to come. Our fully trained and certified technicians follow your carpet manufacturer’s recommendations, with special attention to tough stains and traffic areas, indoors and outdoors. Revive your carpet and prevent allergies with just one call to us. We look forward to hearing from you.
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