Myths About Carpet

Breathe Easier with Carpet

Many misconceptions exist about carpet and allergies. Research has proven that rooms with carpet present less of an issue for people with allergies as they have lower levels of allergens (dust borne) than rooms with hardwood, tile or concrete.

Allergens

House dust mite, animal dander and other pollutants (most of these  are in most homes) can aggravate allergies and asthma.  Understanding that the presence of these pollutants does not necessarily present a hazard.  In order to be exposed the allergens must be inhaled and that requires an allergen to be airborne.

Carpet Acts as a Trap for Allergens

Carpet is capable of holding significant quantities of soil, dust, etc., without appearing very dirty.  It has been demonstrated that carpet is quite efficient at keeping allergen and other small particles such as pollen out of the air.  In fact, data from a Swedish government study indicates that when use of carpet declined, the number of people reporting allergy problems increased.

Carpet has the unique ability to hold large amounts of dust and soil, yet not give an unclean appearance.  Carpet works in an efficient way to keep pollen, allergens and particles out of the air. A recently completed study by the Swedish government concluded that as carpet use declined the number of people suffering from allergies actually climbed.

Regular vacuuming with a vacuum using a high-efficiency filter and periodic cleaning using the hot-water extraction cleaning removes the majority of allergen from carpet as well as significantly reducing mite populations.

Research has clearly shown that there is no correlation between allergen contained in carpet and allergen in the air in the carpeted room.

Research on Carpet

By Research Triangle Institue (RTI) and University of North Carolina (UNC) investigators conducted two studies in 2002.  One school had mostly resilient tile floors, while the other was 70-75% carpeted.  The conclusion was that allergens were higher over tiled floors than over carpet.

The Professional Testing Laboratory examined foot traffic on air quality, using commercial carpet and commercial vinyl flooring.  After 16 minutes of foot traffic on each surface, the concentration of particulate was found to be four times more than on the carpet.

Other studies, including one using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), have reinforced these findings and concluded that carpets actually reduce exposure to particulates and potential adverse health effects.

In a recent paper, "Carpet, Asthma and Allergies – Myth or Realty," Dr. Mitchell Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT, examined numerous scientific studies and other research contradicting some long-held beliefs on carpet's alleged negative characteristics.

Sauerhoff concluded, "…based on the available science, carpet does not cause asthma or allergies and does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies symptoms. In fact, with respect to asthma and allergies, multiple studies have reported fewer allergy and asthma symptoms associated with carpet."

Carpet Myths

Carpet has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason – carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms. Misconceptions stop people from buying carpet. We’ve outlined several common myths about carpet 

MYTH 1:

Asthma and allergy sufferers should not have carpet in the home.

FACT:

Carpet actually helps people with allergies by trapping and immobilizing particulates. Carpet prevents allergens from circulating in the air stream.

MYTH 2 :

Carpet is hard to maintain – it stains and wears out very easily.

FACT:

A few basics steps will extend the life of your new carpet and keep it looking resilient.  Consistent vacuuming will remove dust and other particles.

Hot water extraction or steam cleaning carpet every 12-18 months is another excellent step in maintaining your carpet.

MYTH 3

Carpet is outdated and boring.

FACT:

A tremendous variety of colors, styles, prints and patterns are available from the most conservative to the most outrageous animals prints with an equally wide variety of colors to go with the patterns.

MYTH 4

Carpet emits harmful chemicals and gasses that cause health related issues.

FACT:

When considering building materials in general, carpet is perhaps the lowest emitter of volatile compounds. Much of the carpet being sold and installed today is ‘green’.

MYTH 5

Carpet is bad for the environment

FACT:

All of the major carpet manufacturers have presented the consumer with environmentally friendly options.  Our major carpet supplier, Shaw, has made  Anso nylon which is completely recyclyable. The old carpet is turned into new carpet, virtually eliminating carpet waste.