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The Carpet & Rug Institute provides answers below to commonly asked questions about carpets, asthma and allergies.
Q: My child has asthma, I want carpet but what do I look for?
Look for Green Label Plus carpets and cushions, plan for good ventilation during the installation process and plan for routine vacuuming with a Green Label Seal of Approval vacuum.
Q: I have asthma, how should my old carpet be taken up because dust triggers my allergies?
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly before the installers take up the old carpet, rolling up the old carpet if possible. After the carpet and pad has been taken up, vacuum the floor again before the new pad is put down. After the installation of new carpet, you may want to be out of the house for the first 24 hours, ventilating the first 48 to 72 hours.
Q: I have dust and pollen allergies, I want carpet but how will this affect my allergies?
People that have allergies should vacuum their carpet at least twice a week and have their carpet cleaned the way the manufacturer specifies approximately every 12 to 18 months. We recommend using a vacuum with good dust containment and performance properties such as those in our Green Label Seal of Approval vacuum program.
Q: Where can I find allergy-free carpet?
The Carpet & Rug Institute has an IAQ program that tests for emissions that may affect sensitive people. Look on the back of the samples for the CRI label ensuring that the carpet meets CRI's standards for chemical emissions. For dust and pollen, carpet should be vacuumed at least twice a week and professionally cleaned approximately every 12 to 18 months according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
Q: I’m allergic to latex, is there any carpet made without latex?
People who are allergic to latex are allergic to the protein enzymes in natural latex. Latex that is used on today’s carpet is a synthetic latex that doesn’t have these protein enzymes.
