Choose a flooring material that will be beneficial to your he alth. We have no influence on the streets we walk on. But we can take care of the quality of the floors in the house. It is worth following not only aesthetics, but also he alth considerations.

We rarely wonder that he alth can depend on the material on the floor. And it's worth thinking about.

Wooden floors

Wooden floorsare aesthetic, durable, easy to clean and maintain. They are also he althy. You can walk barefoot on them - they are always warm. They have shock-absorbing properties, which helps our feet and spine.

  • What can be harmful?

Varnishes - especially solvent-based, chemically cured ones, because they can emit toxic vapors for many months. Water-based varnishes are better (their ingredients are natural and synthetic resins). You can also use waxes and oils, but most of them contain turpentine or rosin, which can cause allergies - it's worth reading their ingredients. Thevarnishes for floorsmeeting the requirements of the European Standard EN 71.3 are definitely safe. Essential oils of some speciesexotic woodmay be harmful to allergy sufferers.

Important

A lining made of only natural ingredients is known to all linoleum. They are made of linseed oil, wood flour, mineral fillers and natural resins - with the addition of pigments. It is warm, antistatic, resistant to damage, and insulates sounds. Its chemical compounds hinder the growth of microorganisms. It is recommended for allergy sufferers and people with respiratory problems.

Floor panels

Their advantages are resistance to mechanical damage (especially when laminated) and easy to keep clean.

  • What can be harmful?

Here we can also come across chemically hardening varnish. Therefore, you should carefully read the descriptions of the manufacturers. A lot of harmful "surprises" can hide the inside of the panels. The shavings are bonded with a synthetic glue, which may contain, for example, harmful formaldehyde.

PVC floor coverings

Good for allergy sufferers as it is easy to remove dust. They have good shock-absorbing properties and suppress noise. They are durable and resistant to moisture. Avoid lentex-type coverings, the substrate of which is made of compressed plant fibers,which are an excellent breeding ground for mold.

  • What can be harmful?

When wet, they are slippery, so it is worth choosing non-slip for the kitchen or bathroom.

Rugs

Carpet coverings cannot be recommended for allergy sufferers. The undergrowth collects dust and mites, and the only way to get rid of them is to wash the carpet frequently and rub it off - which is usually impossible.

  • What can be harmful?

Polyester foam floor coverings contain formaldehyde which may evaporate up to several months after installation. An alternative can be carpeting with a felt or jute backing. Dust, mites and bacteria accumulate on them. It is not recommended to wash carpets with home methods, because damp dust mites and molds thrive.

Important

Cork is resistant to moisture and does not rot. It does not pick up static and does not attract dust, which is why cork cladding is a perfect solution for allergy sufferers. In addition, the cork floor is hard, warm and has good shock-absorbing properties. It also perfectly dampens noise.

Tiles

Can be made of stone or ceramic (natural ingredients). They are very durable, resistant to moisture, antistatic and easy to clean - just wash them with water (clean or with detergent).

  • What can be harmful?

A fall can be severe. So let's put non-slip tiles. The tiles are cold and unfriendly to the touch. They are also not suitable for people suffering from rheumatic diseases. To make joints between the tiles, it is worth using a compound with the addition of fungicides - mold and fungus are avoided. It is easier to keep clean when the joints are only 1-2 mm shallower than the tile.

Or maybe a carpet made of natural fibers

Wool pile carpets are elastic, they do not pick up static (so they do not attract dust). They dampen noise well and accumulate heat. They are a good humidity regulator in the interior (they absorb excess moisture and release it when the air becomes dry). Cotton floor coverings are abrasion-resistant and pleasant to the touch. Sisal (agave fiber) floor coverings are durable, antistatic, but not resistant to moisture. Floor coverings made of seagrass are very durable. They are non-static, resistant to moisture and easy to keep clean. Durability and antistatic properties are the features of coir floor coverings, very stiff and slightly prickly (not very suitable for bedrooms and children's rooms).

You must do it

Do you want to thoroughly remove dust, dirt and mites?

  • Vacuum carpets and rugs often, preferablycentral vacuum cleaner or equipped with a HEPA or water filter.
  • Wash carpets only with a washing machine or steam generator.
  • Look for carpets with a special anti-fouling coating that prevents dirt from penetrating deep into the fibers for 8 - 12 months.
  • Cover them once every six months with the Allegoff antiallergic preparation, which neutralizes the harmful effects of mites.
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Allergies