If you live with allergies or live with other people that have allergies, the kind of flooring you choose can make a big difference in your life and your health. Hardwood floors are one of the best types of flooring for allergy sufferers. The wood floor experts at SVB always recommend wood floors for anyone who deals with allergies.
Wood Floors vs. Carpeted Floors
One of the worst types of floors you can install, if you suffer from allergies, is carpet. Carpet can hide many allergens including pet hair, dander, and dust mites. Dust mites are one of the worst offenders when it comes to allergies. These tiny insects are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but they excrete waste products that cause allergy symptoms. They feed chiefly on the tiny flakes of human skin that people normally shed each day. These flakes work their way deep into the inner layers of your carpet. Even if you vacuum your carpet often, you’ll never get the mites or their excrement out of it. Killing the dust mites won’t solve the problem as they leave their feces behind, which is the worst cause of allergies.
Remedies for Allergies Include Wood Floors
There are a few precautions you can take to lessen allergy symptoms. One big change is to install hardwood floors throughout your home (or at least the areas that the allergy-prone people frequently enter). Wood floors won’t hold dust, pet dander or dust mites. The hard surface leaves no room to hide for dust mites, and it cleans easily, leaving a dust and hair-free surface. Plus, there are no odors from smoke, pets and food staying in the environment to cause reactions either. Besides the type of flooring you choose, there are other smaller changes you can make that will help as well:
1. Change the air filters in your furnace to HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. These filters reduce the amount of dust and other particles in the air.
2. You can also purchase a central air filtration unit for your whole house.
3. Place a portable HEPA filter unit in your bedroom where you know you’ll be breathing the same air for 8 hours a day. Try adjusting your air filter so that it directs clean air toward your head when you sleep
4. Have your air ducts cleaned to remove any dust, mold or bacteria that may linger there.
5. Purchase a vacuum with a HEPA filter that can filter airborne and surface allergens. Ensure it does not have a beater bar as this can damage wood floors.
6. Reduce the humidity in your home to less than 50 percent by using a dehumidifier and/or air conditioner. A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information showed that this resulted in significant reductions in mite and allergen levels.
Related Read: Humidifier Tips for Hardwood Floor Owners
You’ve always known that hard wood floors are beautiful, but if you suffer from allergies, they can be healthier too. If you have any questions about wood floor refinishing, repair, or installation, feel free to call SVB Wood Floors at (913) 213-5187 or (816) 965-8655.
