Do your floors really make a difference with allergies?

You know the symptoms: bloodshot, itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and worse.

Suffering from allergies or asthma is stressful when navigating through those high pollen-count months. Managing these times can take its toll on you and your family.

Home should be a place to rest and relax, safe from the seasons that trigger your body’s painful allergic reactions.

Nevertheless, it is often the very floors you are walking on in your home which can be a major source contributing to allergies and asthma.

Wood floors are easy to clean and don’t trap dirt and debris that can cause allergies. Learn more about how simple it is to clean wood floors here!

Wood floors are better than carpet in preventing allergies and asthma

Carpeting can be a reservoir for allergy-causing substances (allergens) that trigger asthma. Carpeting in the bedroom can be especially problematic because it exposes you to carpet dust throughout the night.

“Hard-surface flooring such as vinyl, tile or wood is much easier to keep free of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and other allergens.”

Dr. James Li from the Mayo Clinic

Wood floors have many benefits. One of the most important is how easy they are to keep clean. Wood floors do not trap dust, dander, dust mites, pollen or other allergy and asthma triggers.

These allergens can be mopped up and won’t be trapped by carpet pad and fiber or be agitated into the air as you walk along your floor. That’s what makes hardwood flooring one of the best floor types for controlling allergies.

“In general, hard surface flooring is the best bet for those with allergies and asthma, because it’s easy to sweep and mop, and it doesn’t attract dust mites or mold…”

Allergic Living Magazine

Wood floors are ideal for adding warm layered textures. A large area rug is a perfect way to keep your home cozy and still deter allergens.

So, you still like the look and feel of carpet

Carpet is certainly a soft comfortable floor covering and it’s understandable that you may choose to keep it in their bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas. Even so, it’s not the best choice to control allergies.

Here are a few things to consider if you like the benefits of carpet, but want to reduce allergy and asthma triggers:

1. Do regular steam cleaning for your carpeted floors to remove as many dust mites and other allergens as possible.
2. Replace your HVAC filters regularly and have your ducts and vents cleaned.
3. Consider adding a whole home HEPA filtration device, or at least one in the room where you sleep.
4. Swap out carpeting for wood floors and a rug. Rugs can be cleaned and replaced more easily than glued down carpeting.

Choose wood flooring

Portercraft offers a comprehensive selection of prefinished and unfinished wood flooring products.