Allergies and Carpets- The Facts

Health professionals sometimes recommend that allergy and asthma patients remove carpet from their homes. But those recommendations are generally based on faulty assumptions. In fact, clean, dry, well-maintained carpet actually improves air quality.

Carpet acts as a trap for airborne particles grounded through natural gravity.

Professional Testing Labs studied the distribution of airborne dust associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces. Their findings showed that walking on hard surfaces disturbed more particles. These particles became airborne and entered the breathing zone. In contrast, carpeted surfaces trapped more particles so that walking disturbed fewer particles. Result: less dust in the breathing zone over carpeted floors.

Here are two articles that provide more information on the relationship between carpet and allergy symptoms:

1.) Click here to learn about the Swedish study that showed an increase in allergy cases as carpet use declined.

2.) Click here to read the results of a Solutia study on airborne allergens.

                        
Courtesy of: The Carpet and Rug Institute

Carpeting Pet Owners Have Been Waiting For

We've always had pets, and while we love them, they can be incredibly frustrating to clean up after *especially on carpeting. And surely we are not the only ones who knows this plight. In fact, the American Pet Product Association found that more homes in America have pets than children. That’s a whole lot of carpet damage just waiting to happen.

But there may be hope: Stainmaster has introduced a new PetProtect carpet system, designed especially for cat and dog owners. Stain master touts the line as taking on pet messes in three smart ways.

First, unlike many carpets, PetProtect builds dye and stain-resistance directly into the fibers, which means you can scrub and scrub (because, as pet owners know, accidents and muddy paws do happen) without  fading your rug or diminishing its resistance to stains.
The new carpeting is also designed to reduce pet hair cling, making it easier to vacuum away.

And finally, the carpet cushion has a moisture barrier that keeps pet accidents (or any other spills) from penetrating the padding and subfloors. This could be big for those of you housetraining a puppy: no more hidden stains that cause lingering odors.

PetProtect carpet comes with a lifetime warranty, is available in many styles and colors, and typically retails for $2 to $7 per square foot.

    
Courtesy Of: Lexie Sachs * Good Housekeeping

What Kind of Rugs are Good for High Traffic Areas?

Most well-made wool rugs are quite durable, so you have many options. But there are some types of rugs that are not well suited to high-traffic areas. Graham Head, vice chairman of ABC Carpet & Home, recommends steering clear of sisal and other natural materials like sea grass. “Those are not hard-wearing materials,” he said. “They will absorb any water spills and deteriorate.”You should also avoid silk, which is not durable, and shaggy carpets, which “will lay flat and wear out because you’re walking on the side of the pile and not the top,” Mr. Head said.

Most wool rugs will hold up well for a relatively long time, but there is a simple step you can take to extend their lifespan. “The critical thing is to put a pad underneath,” Mr. Head said. Most rugs do not wear out from the top, but from the bottom, where the knots rub against the floor. A pad “works as a shock absorber,” he said, keeping the knots away from hard surfaces and holding the rug in place.

Color and pattern are also important considerations. There is no point in buying a long-lasting rug if it is going to be stained by foot traffic. That means no whites or creams and no dark solid colors (think of how quickly a car with black paint appears to get dirty). Your best bet is to go with a hue somewhere in between. Search out either a solid that has specks of color in it or something with a pattern that will camouflage pet hair, spills and dirt.

                                                                                    Courtesy of : Tom McKEOUGH   NY Times 2014
             
                       

Do Carpets Help to Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Carpet can be wrongly blamed for contributing to asthma and allergy and for emitting high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard surface, such as tile or hardwood, because carpet fibers catch particles and allergens that fall to floor. When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they cannot circulate in the air for you to breathe. Proper cleaning effectively sucks up the dirt and dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air.

New carpet may also have a “new carpet smell.”  Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment. In fact, carpet emits less VOCs than other products such as paint.  Further, these emissions clear very quickly. The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet dissipate within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation — even sooner with open windows or doors.

So if you are concerned about asthma, allergies or VOCs, be sure to ask about Green Label and Green Label Plus carpet, cushion and adhesive options.
               

                                                  Courtesy of: The Carpet and Rug Institute

Happy December!

Have You Checked Your Carpet Warranty?

Did you know that your carpet warranty requires you to do certain things?

For instance, Home Depot limited warranties require you to have your carpet cleaned every 12-18 months using the hot water extraction method (such as the one used by CarpetUp).
They also recommend that you vacuum at least twice a week.

Stain and Soil Warranties can be even more specific, since coverage is limited to certain items that can cause the stain, and often exclude non-food and non-beverage items, for instance. Even here, many items that have strong dyes such as coffee, curry, mustard, and herbal tea are also not covered under soil and stain warranties. Be aware that bodily fluids are also typically excluded.

If you have a tough stain to get out or a carpet under warranty, call the professionals at CarpetUp to make sure you can get the longest life for your carpet!

Warranty information: Courtesy of Commercial Steam Team

Myths and Facts About Carpet Cleaning

"The carpet doesn't look dirty enough to have it cleaned at this time."		Some carpets do hide soil more than others. It does not mean there is no soil to be removed. All soil, whether hidden or not, acts an abrasive. It can result in early wear, loss of fiber protection, and even some loss of color.
"I was told to wait a few years before having my carpets cleaned. 'They' said, once you have them cleaned, you always have to have them cleaned!"		Check your paperwork. Carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpets cleaned by a trained and qualified professional every 12 to 18 months. Call the manufacturer, not the retailer, they will refer to an IICRC Certified Firm, such as CARPETS ETC. The problem many consumers face is the fact that many companies use a high-residual detergent that remains in the carpet long after they leave, and it continues to attract soil, causing your carpets to get dirty fast.
"They said Steam-Cleaning will ruin my carpets!"		Many carpet cleaning companies use Hot-Water Extraction (Steam-Cleaning). Steam-Cleaning is the preferred choice that CARPETS ETC. chooses because of the thoroughness of the method, only when done properly. It is recommended by the leading carpet manufacturers. On the other hand, untrained and uneducated carpet cleaners can over-wet your carpet creating a variety of problems for you. According to IICRC Standards, carpets should be fully dry within 24 hours.
"I was told that once I have my carpets cleaned, I do not need to have any carpet protectant applied. It has built-in stain resistance."		Most of the residential installation of carpet these days are stain resist. But no carpet is ever "stain-proof", but added carpet protectants, when properly applied, will enhance stain resistance to accidental spills and spots. It will also help remove more dry soil during vacuuming.
"I shouldn't have to pay a lot for carpet cleaning."		Never select a carpet cleaning company solely based on price. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some would like for you to think. Their technique is to advertise a low price to get you to call them, so they can push their low quality, ineffective goods at higher prices than what the real professionals charge. Thorough carpet cleaning is not cheap, but it will extend the useful life of your investment and care for your carpeting in a way that will save you money in the long run.                                  Courtesy of Carpets Etc. 412-221-8851