If you suffer from allergies, you know everything you breathe in can affect you negatively. You have to pay attention to the air around you. You may not be able to control outdoor air, but inside your home, there are steps you can take to reduce irritating allergens. One of the best changes you can make is replacing carpet with hardwood flooring. Why will this make a difference? Here are three ways that hardwood floors help to reduce allergy symptoms in your household:
1. Hardwood Floor Surfaces Hold Fewer Allergens
Carpeting is soft and fluffy, but that fluffiness can harbor everything from pollen and dust to dust mites. Because they are so small, these particles and insects can live in the fibers for years causing allergic reactions and congestion year round. Cleaning your carpet will help, but it won’t remove all of these allergens and they will build up again quickly.
Hardwood floors don’t have any places to harbor these allergens because there is no place for dust and dirt to sink into. The smoother, flatter surface keeps pollen, dust, and other outdoor materials from building up thus providing relief from symptoms.
2. Wood Floors Are Quick and Easy to Clean
Because wood floors are smooth and even, it’s easy to see when dust accumulates. A quick sweep with a broom or a microfiber mop removes allergens quickly and completely. Cleaning your hardwood floors once a week is all that’s necessary. With microfiber mops, there’s no water needed and no waiting period for the floor to dry – easy peasy!
3. Hard Wood Does Not Produce Gases Like Carpet
Have you ever smelled new carpeting? It has a strong chemical smell from the fibers and chemicals used in manufacturing. Guess where all of those gases go? Yep, right into the air in your home. Carpeting emits gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and as these gases are released, they build up in the air and can cause nose, throat, and skin irritation. Even worse, carpets can emit these gases for up to five years! Hardwood floors do not bring VOCs or additional allergens into the home upon installation.
If you or someone you live with suffers from allergies, hardwood floors will help reduce the symptoms inside your home. By making your home a haven from allergens you can ensure that at least eight hours a day (sleeping hours) are allergen free. That’s one third of every day!
