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Carpet and Asthma Can Coexist With Proper Maintenance

It probably doesn’t take a leap of faith to believe that our team at Sloane’s Carpet Secret is partial to carpet. However, we do pay attention to what is happening in the medical world, and we know that many people ditch their carpet because of health reasons. This month, we are looking into this by busting the myth about carpet and asthma.

For many years, it was widely accepted that a person with asthma, or a family with an asthmatic child, should not have carpeting in their homes. On the surface, this might make sense. Carpet traps dust, which is a main irritant of those with asthma. It was thought that hardwood surfaces were safer for this reason. However, many studies have been conducted on this topic and they have shown that carpeting does not actually contribute to asthma or make it worse as long as it is properly maintained. One such study was presented in 2012 at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting. Scientists exposed several different types of carpeting to dust and other particles and then cleaned them. The allergens in the carpet were drastically reduced when cleaned. Other studies have suggested that carpeting even improves air quality indoors since particles are drawn to the carpet and therefore they are not floating around in the air as much. The takeaway is that if you or a member of your family has asthma, there should be no rush to remove your carpet.

Now, let’s turn our attention to the stipulation of this study: asthma is not made worse by carpet as long as the carpet is regularly cleaned. What does this mean, exactly?

1. Vacuum your carpets regularly. This means weekly, and maybe even several times a week in areas where the person with asthma spends most of their time. Make sure that when you start vacuuming, your vacuum bag is no more than half full. Also check to see if your vacuum has a Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval. The CRI-approved vacuums have been found the most effective at removing particles from carpets.
2. While you are vacuuming, get out your duster and swipe it across your surfaces, especially in common areas in which people spend a lot of time and walk around frequently. This will greatly help in reducing particles in the air.
3. Get your carpets professionally cleaned regularly. This typically means every 12-18 months. However, if you or someone you live with suffers from severe asthma, you may want to get your carpets cleaned more often—every 8 months or so. This, combined with your vacuuming routine, will greatly improve the air quality in your home.

How to Use This Information

Here at Sloane’s Carpet Secret, we love carpet and believe that it contributes to the comfort and overall aesthetic of your home. Even if you clean your carpets regularly, there will come a time when replacement is needed. Make sure to contact Sloane’s for the greatest selection and prices of carpeting and installations at (303) 300-9555 or online here!