Hypoallergenic Flooring
From Floor Coverings
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Is hypoallergenic flooring kid friendly?
What is hypoallergenic flooring?
It is a product that doesn't make you sneeze, scratch, get watery eyes, develop a lung infection, smell bad (the flooring, not you), produce spots like a giraffe or blisters that are as bad as burn blisters, cough a lot, make your guests want to run right out the back door, etc. You get the idea. Hypoallergenic flooring is also usually eco-friendly flooring and can be made from recycled or organic materials. It is pretty light on chemicals used to make it and fairly free from odors or perfumes (you know how packages of laminate smell sometimes when you open the box, or if you step into a new motor home or mobile home?)
What kind of flooring fits into the category?
Any kind of flooring can fit this category. Hardwoods finished with organic shellac or varnish, or laminates made with a more natural bonding agent; rugs and carpets made from natural and untreated materials such as wool or cotton; stone tiles of all kinds; ceramic tiles; bamboo flooring; recycled Hardwood Flooring (sanded then treated with the aforementioned natural finish); concrete and rubber. Of course, you have to check the info and details with each product as all of these flooring products can come in regular and hypoallergenic forms. And the aftercare for all of these items is important as well. Fortunately, there are a lot of cleaning and washing formulas out there that are eco-friendly, natural or organic and hypoallergenic. The less chemicals an item contains and the more towards a single ingredient they have, then the tendency for it to be hypoallergenic increases a lot. For instance, a simple and inexpensive and chemical free cleaner for hardwood floors is a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar in a gallon of water, then the floor is damp mopped. It shines and doesn't smell of chemicals. And, you can get a bottle at any supermarket.
Are you allergic to your flooring?
If you walk into a big box store and sneeze as you go down the lumber section, then you could be allergic to some of the chemicals used to treat the wood (outdoor lumber especially). On the other hand, it could just be sawdust that makes you sneeze. If you walk through the carpet section of a store and start sneezing, then that is probably the chemicals. Always vacuum your carpets and rugs with a HEPA filtered vacuum frequently, as that reduces the allergic reactions we can have to dust mites and pollen. etc., that is blown in or walked in on the soles of our shoes. Some people are also allergic to bamboo (it can produce a violent red rash) so don't go rolling around on Bamboo Flooring to test it, in case you are. The bottom line is to test out some products carefully, find the ones that your body doesn't react to, and use those when you go to renovate or build your home. And, don't forget to try some hypoallergenic aftercare products on your new hypoallergenic flooring.
