The Great Carpet Allergy Myth  –  And What Research Actually Shows

When asked whether carpet or hard flooring is best for people with allergies, most will respond with the same answer: hard flooring. The argument is that carpeting traps dust, leading to poor air quality and worsening allergies. However, research on this topic reveals a more complex answer to the question than many people would expect.

Several studies have been performed to investigate whether the presence of carpets in homes is linked to an increased incidence of asthma and other allergy symptoms. One of these studies, conducted by Germany’s Federal Environmental Agency, found no such link between carpeted homes and asthma. In fact, many homes with hard flooring have been found to contain similar or even higher levels of airborne allergens than those with carpeting, as the particles that fall into the fibres of carpets tend to remain within those fibres, rather than being returned to the air through foot traffic on a hard floor.

The catch to using carpet in your home is maintenance. The carpet acts as a filter for the dust, pollen, and pet dander that circulates throughout the home. However, this only works if the carpet is properly vacuumed. If the carpet is neglected, it will become a reservoir for the allergens that enter the home. If it is properly maintained, the carpet will remain a barrier that prevents those allergens from entering the home’s air. For Pay Weekly Carpets Bridgwater, contact https://www.simplypayweekly.co.uk/pay-weekly-carpets/bridgwater/

Another interesting example of how the variables in an experiment are often the wrong ones altogether relates to the experiment described earlier regarding which type of flooring is best for cleaning. The experiment found that the type of flooring does make a difference in the ease with which floors can be cleaned, but it is the vacuum cleaner rather than the flooring itself that makes the difference.