8 Tips on Making a Healthy Carpet Choice (Premium)
Architect Rose Grayson, who specializes in green interior design and sustainable buildings (LEED certification), replied to a reader’s question on carpeting.
Question: We make a real effort to “go green” in our home, but we’re confused about a decision on carpeting. We have mostly hardwood floors but want carpet in the master bedroom. A design consultant recommended a line of carpeting and said it was “natural and healthy.” But when I checked it is treated with Scotchguard, Teflon, and microbial inhibitors. What do you suggest?
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Answer: Though I usually recommend tile, wood floors, or even sealed concrete for interior spaces, I know many people like the look and feel of carpeting. While carpeting often has a bad reputation when it comes to indoor air pollutants and allergens, the important thing is to research the carpet you select carefully, and then use proper care and maintenance. Even an “eco-carpet” that’s not installed properly or regularly maintained can have a negative impact on sensitive individuals.
Organizations like the EPA and Carpet and Rug Institute will have some helpful tips when researching carpet. (A note: The Carpet and Rug Institute is a big supporter of the carpet industry, so it is biased towards the purchase and installation of carpet. Still, it has useful information regarding indoor air quality and certifications to look for when selecting your carpet.)
For new carpet, sustainably-minded companies like Flor and Interface are good places to start looking — or at least researching for your next purchase.
From an environmental standpoint, some companies focus on using recycled and natural products in their carpeting and most of their carpets can be recycled. This is what is known as a cradle-to-cradle approach to design. This could range from using materials like plastic water bottles to kernels of corn or 100% wool in the creation of their carpets, and then being able to recycle every part of it from the fibers to the backing at the end of the carpet’s life. This has a huge impact on the waste stream, as rolls of carpet account for billions of pounds of waste in landfills.
Also, considering using a more modern look with carpet tile. Flor has a great residential line that is trendy, stylish and offers carpet in a variety of materials, colors, patterns and textures that can be easily maintained and look great. Using tiles can help prolong the life of your carpet because the entire rug does not need to be replaced when stained or worn from heavy traffic. Tiles in these areas can be picked up, washed, allowed to dry, and then reset or replaced with a new tile. Residential carpet tiles are adhered in select locations, and most are held in place by friction of the other tiles. These do require a level subfloor to allow a smooth installation. These tiles can also be used as an area rug on existing hard surface finished floors. At the end of their useful life in your home or office, Flor (and other companies mentioned above) gladly accept the carpet tiles for recycling.CARE is an independent organization that is trying to keep carpeting out of landfills and it would be worth looking into what carpeting recycling is available in your area if you’re replacing an existing rug in your home.
Indoor Air Quality
VOC levels are one of the primary concerns when choosing a new carpet. From the glues, adhesives, backings, fibers, and stain-resistant treatments that are put into most carpets, these can be a problem for those with chemical sensitivities. Look for companies that offer low-VOC materials in the carpet and also in any adhesives or underlayments that are used in placing the carpet.
Carpets are notorious for trapping dust, dust mites, dander and other indoor pollutants. The Carpet and Rug Institute suggests this is a benefit, as it traps the dust or allergens once they fall to the floor and reduces the chance of it being stirred up into the air again. Depending on the type and style of carpet, if it is regularly maintained in a dry, well-ventilated area, it is not necessarily going to be a major health problem for individuals. However, so often carpets, even eco-friendly ones, are neglected; spills go through the carpet into the padding underneath that is hard to access, or it is installed on cold, damp basement floors where moisture can lead to mold growth.
While regular care and maintenance is needed, the EPA warns, “Allergic individuals should leave the house while it is being vacuumed because vacuuming can actually increase airborne levels of mite allergens and other biological contaminants. Using central vacuum systems that are vented to the outdoors or vacuums with high efficiency filters may also be of help.”
The EPA suggests the following:
- Talk to your carpet retailer.
- Ask for information on emissions from carpet. Ask the retailer to unroll and air out the carpet in a well-ventilated area before installation.
- Ask for low-emitting adhesives, if adhesives are needed.
- Consider leaving the premises during and immediately after carpet installation. You may wish to schedule the installation when most family members or office workers are out.
- Be sure the retailer requires the installer to follow the Carpet and Rug Institute’s installation guidelines.
- Open doors and windows. Increasing the amount of fresh air in the home will reduce exposure to most chemicals released from carpet. During and after installation, use window fans, room air conditioners, or other mechanical ventilation equipment you may have installed in your house, to exhaust fumes to the outdoors. Keep them running for 48 to 72 hours after the new carpet is installed.
- Contact your carpet retailer if objectionable odors persist.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper carpet maintenance.
Some helpful links:
Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label
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