Carpeting adds comfort and warmth to any room in your house as well as helping to keep the air free from allergens and pollutants if properly vacuumed and maintained.  This is due to the fact that allergens, dust, pet dander, and other pollutants fall onto the carpet and stay on the carpet until the carpet is vacuumed. Smooth surfaces allow these pollutants to re-circulate. Regular vacuuming locks pollutants in the machine, removing them from the air, and this leads to improved air quality and a healthier indoor environment.

Some facts supporting the use of carpets to prevent asthma and allergy symptoms:

• Several studies disapprove of any correlation between the rise of allergy and asthma and the use of carpeting.

• Carpet may be helpful to asthma sufferers.  An 18-nation study of 20,000 people found a statistical relationship between carpeted bedrooms and reduced asthma and allergy symptoms and improved breathing.

• In New Jersey, a 2003 study of more than 4,600 schoolchildren found that a carpeted, child’s bedroom was associated with fewer missed school days and less need for asthma medication.

• Studies compared the distribution of airborne dust associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces, the findings show that walking on hard surfaces distributed more particles causing them to become airborne. Carpeted surfaces trapped more particles, and walking distributed fewer particles. The result was less dust in the air over carpeted floors.

Other helpful tips:

Vacuum regularly. Regular vacuuming has a big impact on the air you breathe.  Use slow repetitive overlapping front-to-back motions when vacuuming. Move slightly left to right every four strokes. A quick once-over doesn’t do much.  Do not ignore corners or crevices where there is a build-up of dust. The proper attachments to clean those hard-to-reach areas are recommended. Use the top-down effect: dust blinds, windowsills, and furniture surface first then vacuum the room. Remove and replace empty vacuum bags when they are half to two-thirds full.

Professionally clean your carpet every 12 to 18 months. Regular vacuuming removes soil and dust. Professional cleaning is needed to remove the embedded dirt.

Purchase carpet certified with the Green Label or Green Label Plus. These programs make certain that carpet and adhesive products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.