Area Rug Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers

Pollen and dust mite allergy sufferers would benefit from regular area rug cleaning. Vacuuming rugs twice a week and having them professionally cleaned every year is the standard advice from most area rug manufacturers as well as allergy specialists.

Vacuuming

Area rug cleaning is easily accomplished with vacuuming to control pollen, dust, and dust mites. Vacuum cleaners designed for allergy sufferers include those with a water filter or one with a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and must remove at least 99.97% of air particles going through it that are bigger than 0.3 micrometers (um).

Allergy Sufferers

Previously, allergic individuals did not have many floor covering choices. However, today, area rugs come in various natural materials that are friendlier to people dealing with environmental allergies. Although not all area rug options are perfect for all people, today’s options offer great variety in terms of color, style, material and ease of maintenance.

Synthetic Area Rugs

Although natural area rugs are usually easier on allergy sufferers, due to fewer chemicals and toxins that are involved in the manufacturing process, there are some synthetic area rugs that are easy to clean and maintain with frequent washings. Olefin and polypropylene are examples of synthetic fibers that wash well and may be considered by people with environmental allergies, especially if constructed without chemicals and geared toward the allergy prone consumer.

Natural Rug Fibers

People dealing with hay fever or other environmental allergies may find that they do well with natural fiber area rugs. Jute, seagrass, bamboo, and sisal are some options for firm natural area rugs, while wool and cotton are more fabric-like and are soft and cozy.

Bamboo Area Rugs

Bamboo area rugs are quite durable and inexpensive to produce. They are very affordable and are the perfect choice for high traffic areas. In fact, bamboo grows quickly, up to 10 feet in a year, without using many natural resources. Bamboo is environmentally friendly and is sustainably grown in China and Japan.

Sisal Area Rugs

Sisal area rugs are made from a plant that is now grown in various parts of the world, although it is indigenous to Central America. Sisal area rugs are sound absorbing and flame retardant. These rugs are durable, easy to maintain and are long lasting.

Jute Area Rugs

Jute area rugs are made from plant fibers that are common to India and China. Although jute rugs are durable and sturdy, they are somewhat rough to the touch and are easily stained. When manufacturers create area rugs, jute and other natural plant fibers are sometimes combined with synthetic fibers to take the best of each material and create a more durable, easy to use and maintain final product.

Seagrass Area Rugs

Seagrass area rugs are natural and environmentally friendly. They are made from plants growing near marshes. The plants are similar to tall grasses and are very durable, which makes them perfect for kitchen area rugs. Seagrass area rugs are also stain resistant, durable and affordable.

Cotton Area Rugs

Cotton area rugs are soft and cozy, yet they are quite durable. They are an ideal addition to a room with casual décor. Cotton area rugs are versatile and come in a variety of colors and patterns. Allergy sufferers should consider eco-friendly, natural cotton area rugs with biodegradable dyes. Cotton area rugs can be manufactured as cotton-wool blends and are less expensive than wool area rugs.

Wool Area Rugs

Wool area rugs are naturally hypoallergenic, anti bacterial and resistant to dust mites, all of which are very good qualities in an area rug. Allergy sufferers should opt for short pile rugs and avoid wool area rugs with heavy piles, as these collect dust and other allergens.

Professional Area Rug Cleaning

Vacuuming area rugs regularly is good rug maintenance because it prolongs the life of the rug. Vacuuming is also a necessity for allergy prone individuals. However, nothing replaces a professional area rug cleaning. Thorough rug cleaning should take place on an annual basis, or even more frequently, depending on the severity of the allergies. Professional area rug cleaners can work with allergic individuals and use only natural and chemical free rug cleaning products.