According to the World Health Organisation, there is an increasing number of people developing allergies worldwide. This includes sensitivity not just to outdoor allergens but sensitivity to indoor irritants. Examples of allergens that could make your life miserable are mildew, mould, animal dander, and pollen. All of these can make your life unpleasant if you suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Organic allergens are annoying, but there are measures you can take as a homeowner to reduce the allergen levels inside your home. One of the best ways to do that is to pay attention to your home’s flooring. If there are issues with allergies, hypoallergenic flooring that won’t irritate or harbour irritants is the best option for you. Here are the top flooring choices for those who suffer from allergies.
- Hardwood Flooring
This classic flooring has been tested over time. It’s a great choice for allergy sufferers because it reduces pollen exposure and allergens in the home. Dust and other debris can easily be wiped away from hardwood floors.
With regular floor cleaning and polishing, the pollutants cannot cling to the surface of hardwood. Moreover, hardwood is all natural, so it is made with the least chemicals compared to other flooring materials. Just make sure to avoid solvents and other finishes that contain harmful chemicals if you wish to avoid any reactions. Sticking to natural hardwood would certainly elevate your indoor air quality and prevent reactions.
- Vinyl Flooring
When you don’t want any respiratory reactions, vinyl is another allergy-friendly alternative. Although it is crafted from synthetic materials, it is not known to cause reactions in allergy sufferers. The nature of vinyl flooring also doesn’t trap allergens.
Luxury vinyl flooring is super trendy right now because it is highly resilient and easy to maintain. It is made with a waterproof and scratch-resistant surface. These qualities make vinyl flooring easy to clean and maintain. You can rest easy knowing dust and debris will not accumulate and become trapped in the floor surface or subfloor. This means less exposure to allergic triggers that make you stuffy and miserable.
- Cork flooring
Although cork flooring is not as popular because of its aesthetics, it’s one of the most hardy and durable materials that will not trigger your allergies. For starters, cork is made from the renewable bark of cork trees, making it naturally hypoallergenic. Moreover, it has an innate beauty that will grow on you. It comes in a broad range of wood tones so it can work with any home’s theme.
Usually, cork is used for insulation and soundproofing. But if you’re severely asthmatic or suffer from incessant allergic rhinitis, cork is the answer. Its cellular structure is very close-knit. As a result, it will naturally repel pollen, dirt, dust, animal dander, and other allergens. Best of all, cork is highly durable so if you use it for your floors, it will last for a long time.
- Linoleum flooring
Allergy sufferers will also love linoleum flooring. This is another classic flooring material that has been around for ages. Linoleum is typically crafted from all-natural raw materials including linseed oil and jute. As a result, you have a material that is free from allergy-causing VOCs or volatile organic compounds emissions.
Moreover, linoleum contains anti-static properties, which means that it repels allergic irritants like dust, dirt, or dander. Since allergic triggers and particles are less likely to adhere to linoleum flooring, you will be exposed to fewer irritants at home when this as your flooring material.
- Natural Fibre Carpet
In general, carpet is the least desirable flooring for people who suffer from allergies. However, some people prefer the plush and soft carpet material because it feels cosy underfoot. If you still want carpets, make sure to opt for carpet with all-natural fibres. That’s because synthetic carpets will aggravate allergies. In contrast, natural fibres are the least likely to cause a reaction.
For instance, wool is a natural material and is a viable option as a floor carpet. However, you must remember that even if you opt for natural materials, the fibres can still attract and entrap allergens in the home. Thus, you must be vigilant with routine vacuum cleaning with a HEPA filter that sucks out even small particulate matter. You must also schedule professional carpet cleaning for a deep clean at least twice a year.
Get Flooring Help
Whether you are building a custom home from the ground up or replacing existing flooring during a home renovation project, it’s best to consult with a reputable flooring specialist like those on our team. Remember, a trustworthy flooring company can assure customer satisfaction since professionals are the right people to give you advice on the best flooring material that will work well for your needs.
If you are determined to minimise exposure to allergens, our flooring consultants can provide you with the pros and cons of various flooring materials. You will not only get beautiful floors that catch your eye, but you can feel assured that your floors won’t irritate your allergies or harm your health. Visit https://www.prolinefloors.com.au/ now to learn more.
Check out this article for some additional ideas!
If indoor allergies are bringing you down, you might want to look at your flooring
Easy-to-clean tile and stone are typically the go-to choices, because neither trap dust mites, pollen, dander and other airborne particles that aggravate allergies. Still, not everyone likes the feel, or they worry about falling on a hard surface. Hardwood is generally somewhat better than carpet in terms of allergies. But hardwood flooring can be problematic for the environmentally intolerant, because it can release harmful chemicals into the air, says Jonathan Bernstein, an allergist-immunologist and professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
“Between the off-gassing of volatile organic compounds [VOCs] such as formaldehyde from the wood, as well as varnishes and sealants, you can experience the same problems with hardwood flooring as with carpet,” he says. These emissions can cause congestion, increased mucus, coughing, wheezing and other symptoms, such as those plaguing Donald Coney. Experts disagree about how long VOC emissions take to dissipate. Some say most chemicals leach out of a product within 14 days; others believe it can take five to 10 years, if not longer.
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