It’s a part of life that 55 percent of people suffer with allergies, so this is a broad article for a lot of people. I have been writing about pets and our homes for the past couple of weeks and I wanted to spend some time on a topic that comes up often in my flooring business.
I hear people talking about having to break up a family because of allergies and surrendering the family pet.
Before we go out and do something brash, I hope to shed a little light on the topic. And as usual, if you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact me.
First, let’s tackle the flooring arguments and misconceptions that go hand in hand with allergies, especially pet dander and airborne pollutants. It’s often said that we need to remove our carpet and put in a hard surface flooring option, e.g. hardwood, laminate, vinyl or tile so we can minimize the VOCs and airborne pollutants. The battle between hard surface and carpet is a long-standing marketing battle, not an actual battle between good and bad for allergies.
It has been proven that carpet will trap more allergens, dust mites and dander than hard surface flooring, but that in no way means it induces or causes more allergic reactions. Carpet actually keeps the allergens, dust mites and dander trapped and not airborne when we walk across the carpet, whereas hard surface permits the pollutants to rise up and become airborne, which exposes the person at a higher rate than carpet. However, if you clean and maintain your hard surface floor, there is nothing to stir up, so you have less exposure.
In the end, you can go with your flooring of choice. Just make sure it is properly maintained and remains clean and it will not aggravate your allergies. I know all the responsibility falls on to your shoulders, but in this case, those are the facts. Carpet versus hard surface is a draw, but depending on your circumstances, one of the pros or cons of each may make it the better choice.
So, now that we have dispelled the flooring myth on allergies, what is going to happen to little Buster now that I have been diagnosed with allergies? By all means, don’t run out and surrender your family pet without first checking out these tips on managing allergies without breaking up a good relationship. According to the National Humane Society, you may actually not be allergic to your pet. It may have been something that got on the fur during your latest walk. The National Humane society recommends getting your allergies tested so you know exactly what you are allergic to so you can make an informed decision.
Some other tips I came across as I researched this topic were to keep your animals off of the couches and other furniture that is covered in fabric because the allergen may be transferred and then you’ll be exposed to it. It was also recommended that you bathe your pet weekly to keep the allergens off the fur; thereby exposing you to less of the bad stuff that makes you sneeze and wheeze. Also, before I go, it was highly, and I do mean highly, recommended (in every article I read) that you need to clean, clean, clean using hypoallergenic cleaning materials and machines with a HEPA filter. On your carpet, if you have carpet that is more than five years old, I recommend cleaning it every 12 months. If you have recently bought carpet and got the fuzzy stuff with good bells and whistles, you are good with getting your carpets steam cleaned every 24 months. You must vacuum at least weekly and if you suffer from really bad allergies, you may want to vacuum and dust mop your floors daily.
Thanks again for taking a brief moment out of your day to sit and talk with me. As always, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at chussey@theflooringshack.com or give us a call at the office 928-515-2450. Remember, we are here with you as you take your shack to a mansion. QCBN
By Chris Hussey