Environment
Help Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Carpet
By
May 10, 2008 - 8:01:15 AM

Carpet and Area Rugs Trap Allergens and Pollutants, Allowing Them to be Easily Vacuumed Away


(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Dalton, GA – Think carpet and allergy and asthma prevention can’t go together? Think again. During May, National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) reminds consumers that carpet, when properly vacuumed and maintained, actually helps improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and decreases asthma and allergy symptoms. So, you can love your carpet and breathe better too.

Although it might be surprising, carpet does in fact have a positive effect on IAQ. Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor. Carpet fibers trap the particles, preventing their continued circulation through the air. Proper cleaning with CRI-approved vacuums effectively removes dust and allergens from the carpet, locks them in the machine and keeps them out the air you breathe.

“Scientific studies actually link carpet to a decrease in asthma and allergy symptoms,” according to Werner Braun, president of CRI. “For example, one 18-nation study of nearly 20,000 people revealed a relationship between carpeted bedrooms and reduced asthma and allergy symptoms. When properly vacuumed and cared-for, carpet is tremendously effective at filtering out indoor air pollutants.”

And since today’s carpet is made from harmless synthetic materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and olefin fibers, the carpet fibers themselves are generally safe for those who suffer from allergies. New carpet is also one of the lowest emitters of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the indoor environment, and these emissions dissipate very quickly – usually within 48 to 72 hours after installation, or sooner with open windows and doors.

To ensure the best-possible IAQ at home, CRI offers the following guidelines for proper care and maintenance of carpet, along with tips for helping extend the value of your homemaking investment.

For Homeowners:

Vacuum regularly and thoroughly. It may come as a surprise that something as simple as regular vacuuming can have a big impact on the air you breathe.

Use CRI Seal of Approval cleaning products. An independent laboratory tests solutions, spot removers, vacuums and deep cleaning extractors and systems. Only those that meet high performance standards receive the Seal of Approval. Coming soon: Higher-performing residential vacuum cleaners certified by the newly-enhanced Seal of Approval/Green Label program for indoor air quality (IAQ) and green cleaning chemical certification.

Order “Carpet Cleaning Tips for Dummies.” This handy booklet will save you time by zeroing in on the best cleaning techniques that will help extend the life and beauty of your carpet. It can be ordered for a small shipping handling fee of $2.00 at www.carpet-rug.org.

Professionally clean your carpet every 12 to 18 months. Regular vacuuming removes soil and dust, but periodic professional cleaning is needed to remove embedded dirt. Check with the manufacturer of your carpet for professional service provider recommendations, many of which can be found at www.certifiedcleaners.org.

For Builders and Renovators:

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

The Carpet and Rug Institute, headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, is the national trade association for the carpet and rug industry. Its members are manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers, representing more than 90 percent of all carpet produced in the United States. CRI is the source for science-based information and insight into how carpet and rugs can create a better environment - for living, working, learning and healing. www.carpet-rug.org.

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