If you’re one of 50 million Americans who has allergies, you’re probably well-aware of the struggles involved in day to day life in managing symptoms. Depending on the type of allergy and the sensitivity, you might have to double check the ingredients of even the most innocent foods, or avoid certain types of clothes due to the materials it’s made of. However, the one thing you might not have thought to check is your flooring. In fact, flooring can make the difference between a fresh breath of air in the morning or seemingly unexplained chronic congestion. In this article, we go over the five best types of floorings for those of us who’d like to avoid the symptoms of allergies in the safety of our home.
Hardwood Flooring
When choosing the best flooring for you, there’s a wide variety of criteria to keep in mind. When keeping in mind your allergy, however, there are few choices better than hardwood flooring. On top of being easy to maintain, aesthetically pleasing, and durable, hardwood floors lack the fibers to trap allergens like carpets. Besides, the addition of hardwood flooring increases the value of one’s home. Who wouldn’t like that?
Cork
If the idea of hardwood flooring just isn’t appealing to you, we’ve got you covered. Cork flooring is an adaptable alternative for those who’d like the benefits of a hardwood flooring but are looking for something a little different. Due to the antimicrobial presence of Suberin, cork tends to be extremely resistant to a host of allergens, like mold, mildew, and fungi. Cork is also extremely easy to mop, adding to its overall value. Especially for those of us concerned with the environment, cork is an excellent flooring option.
Tile
Like hardwood, tile flooring is a hard, flat, easy to clean option for those with allergies. Common allergens, such as dust mites and pollen, are a problem of the past with tile since these allergens can’t penetrate the outer surface. Additionally, tile is extremely water resistant, perfect for people allergic to allergens that thrive in damp environments, like mold or mildew. When picking the material of the tile flooring, there are some considerations to keep in mind, however. While ceramic tiles are flat and smooth, more uneven materials, like natural stone, might even exacerbate allergies by snagging and trapping allergens, creating an even bigger headache.
Linoleum
While many people confuse linoleum with vinyl, for people with allergies, there can be as different as night and day. Unlike vinyl, which is based on petroleum, linoleum is made from linseed oil. This means not only is linoleum more durable than vinyl, but it is also eco-friendly. Furthermore, linoleum has the added benefit of being a long lasting flooring –in many cases, linoleum can go as long as 30 to 40 years without major renovations.
Carpets with Natural Fibers
Even though we’ve already mentioned carpets aren’t favorable for those with allergies, if you must have it, there are options. Carpets made from natural fibers, unlike those of synthetic materials, are much less likely to aggravate your allergies. Sources of natural fibers include wool, jute, and cotton. However, carpet, due to its very nature, will trap some allergens like dust. That’s why we recommend frequent vacuuming and deep cleaning once or twice a year to minimize the number of allergens kept.
And there you have it. From hardwood to ceramic tiling to natural fiber carpeting, we’ve run through five options for flooring that are friendly to those with allergies. With these flooring options, you should finally be able to take a deep breath and relax.
