Shopping for flooring can be overwhelming, especially if allergies are a concern. A good flooring choice can be a big deal when crafting a healthy home environment. Many people are finding out the hypoallergenic-friendly benefits of hardwoods. You'll get a bigger breath of fresh air in your home to support your family's health as well.
But how hypoallergenic are solid hardwood floors? And what makes them great for those with sinus sensitivities? You can see hardwood flooring has a smooth surface when compared to carpets. This smooth surface doesn't suck in bacteria or dead either.
Carpet is well known to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other microscopic allergens. Hardwoods can't supply a safe place for irritants to multiply or grow. Carpet free homes reduce sneezing, wheezing, and itchy eyes for those with allergies.
Table Of Contents:
- Why Consider Hardwood for a Hypoallergenic Home?
- Hardwood vs. Other Flooring Options for Allergies
- FAQs About The Hypoallergenic Features and Benefits of Wooden Flooring
- The Choice is Easy
Why Consider Hardwood for a Hypoallergenic Home?
Hardwood flooring comes in a hard surface construction. There's nowhere for allergens to hide. The EPA reports that hardwood floors are more hypoallergenic than carpet.
Unlike carpet, rooms with wood floors do not trap microorganisms. A problem particle that tracks into home is the weed killer RoundUp, this pesticide pollutes many homes air quality levels. The carpet foam underlayment can also cause indoor air pollution.
Carpets can harbor dust mites, mold, and mildew deep within their fibers that create a toxic flooring environment in the room. Hardwood allows for easy cleaning and removal of these allergens. But the hypoallergenic benefits extend beyond just being easy to clean.
Benefits of Hardwood for an Improved Indoor Air Quality Environment
Think of your flooring as a giant air filter. This filter can either trap or release junk particles into your living space. Carpets, while cozy, can act like a magnet for dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. These trapped allergens get stirred up with every footstep, leading to poorer indoor air quality.
Hardwoods minimize this issue. This is especially helpful for people with allergies or respiratory issues. Choosing hardwood flooring can even improve indoor air quality for those with pets.
The Easy Maintenance of Hardwood
Regular cleaning is vital for any flooring or allergery friendly home. The added simplicity of cleaning hardwood makes it a winner for allergy sufferers. A simple sweep or vacuum completely removes surface dust and allergens on a hardwood floor.
A damp mop with a mild cleaner keeps your hardwood clean and removes any lingering particles. This is a significant advantage over carpets. Carpets require more intensive and frequent cleaning to manage allergen and bacteria buildup. A Hardwood Floors Mag commenter, Angela Hall, agrees and points out in her following statement. "One of the bigger benefits of hardwood flooring is the low maintenance."
Hardwood vs. Other Flooring Options for Allergies
| Flooring Option | The Hypoallergenic Boon | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | Naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew; Smooth surface for easy cleaning. | Can be scratched or dented; May require refinishing over time. |
| Carpet | Can provide warmth and comfort underfoot. | Traps allergens deep within fibers; Requires more intensive cleaning. |
| Laminate | Offers a similar look to hardwood at a lower price; Easy to clean. | May contain trace amounts of formaldehyde; Not as durable as hardwood. |
| Luxury Vinyl Plank | Durable waterproof flooring. Easy to clean and naturally resistant to allergens. | Can create a cold indoor environment and hard underfoot. |
A Closer Look at Wood Species
All wooden floors have hypoallergenic properties. However, some lumber species are better suited for allergy sufferers than others.
Consider hardwoods with a tighter grain, such as hard maple or oak. These are less likely to absorb allergens. These hypoallergenic flooring woods create a more sleek and un-notched surface. This kind of veneer stops microscopic particles from finding a home in wood grain cracks.
If you love the look of pine but need the benefits of a wood floor, don’t despair. Ask about a prefinished pine floor.
Maximizing Hypoallergenic Effects of Hardwood: Tips and Tricks
Investing in hardwood flooring is a great start to a healthier home. But, you can take some extra steps can enhance your home's hypoallergenic goals. By following these tips you are well on your way to a healthier living space.
- Regular Cleaning: Frequent sweeping or vacuuming with a HEPA filter removes dust and allergens before they settle. Aim for at least once a week, or more if you have pets or live in a dusty area. Remove allergens often especially if you have carpet which will harbor allergens.
- Ditch the Shoes at the Door: Encouraging a "no-shoes" policy indoors significantly reduces tracked-in dirt, pollen, and pesticides. Place a shoe rack and inviting rug by the entryway to make it easy for family and guests to comply.
- Invest in Area Rugs (Washable Ones.): Area rugs can add warmth and define spaces in your home without compromising your hypoallergenic haven. Opt for washable rugs made from natural fibers and be sure to launder them regularly. This will provide comfort and style.
FAQs About The Hypoallergenic Features and Benefits of Wooden Flooring
Are hardwood floors better for allergies?
Hardwood floors can be a great choice for allergy sufferers. Compared to carpets, hardwood is naturally more resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew. It's also a breeze to clean.
Unlike carpet fibers, hardwood's solid surface makes it tougher for allergens to cling on. So, regular cleaning easily removes those pesky allergy triggers, keeping the air inside your home cleaner and fresher.
What wood is best for allergies?
For allergies select a wood species with a tighter grain, like hard maple, white oak, or hickory. Their dense nature creates a more dense and less gaps inside of their wood grain patterns. If there's nowhere for allergens to get cozy, they can be swept and mopped up every time.
If you found a good deal on a specific type of wood for your flooring choice, make sure its a prefinished hardwood. If you buy an unfinished floor, there will be off gassing particles and smell in the air when you apply any finish option to it. Allergy-friendly hardwood is one that comes with a prefinished stain.
What is the best flooring for allergies and asthma?
For people with frequent allergic reactions to airborne irritants and asthma, the best floor will come with a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. This means hardwood, tile, luxury vinyl plank, or laminate flooring are excellent options. These floors can't harbor dust mites and other irritants.
Cleaning hardwood floors regularly will help keep your home's airborne pollution-free.
What are the benefits of hypoallergenic features?
Buying products in the hypoallergenic category will reduce your exposure to common allergens. There are numerous benefits to purchasing bedding, air filters, and cleaning supplies that offer hypoallergenic-features.
For allergy sufferers, opting for hypoallergenic products is a big help in gaining releif and a sense of normal. Improving your quality of life and minimizing allergy symptoms will change your life for the better.
The Choice is Easy
Choose hardwood flooring products that support a healthy lifestyle. You can browse hardwood on our shop pages to help remove dust from a carpeted room today. Understanding how hardwood flooring options can make a big difference in making your home's pet hair free without specialty cleaning products. With proper care and maintenance, solid or engineered hardwood flooring not only enhances your home's aesthetic appeal, it also contributes to a cleaner and healthier living space.
