What rug should I choose if I have allergies?

Do you like the feeling a rug brings to your home, but the thought of constantly sneezing or having watery eyes makes you hesitate? Many people with allergies don't want to risk their health, so they end up discarding the idea of buying a rug. In this post, we'll tell you which rugs are best for allergy sufferers and how you can use them to your advantage against dust mites and dust. Keep reading and discover which rugs are most recommended for you and can help improve the quality of the air you breathe.

Features to look for when buying an anti-allergy rug

The material composition is the most decisive factor in the hypoallergenic nature of a rug. Natural and synthetic fibers present different allergic profiles that you should consider depending on each case; however, they require frequent washing to prevent mold growth in humid environments. Nylon with an antimicrobial treatment is one of the best rugs for allergy sufferers with multiple sensitivities. The very manufacturing of the rug's structure does not allow the adhesion of allergenic proteins.

The best rugs for allergy sufferers should be easy to clean. In this sense, the density of the fibers plays a very important role, as it must be sufficient to trap particles, but not excessive, as this hinders the extraction of the vacuumed material from the rug's surface and, therefore, the elimination of harmful agents. We recommend choosing rugs with medium densities.

The texture, far from being just an aesthetic element, in this case plays a very important role in the hypoallergenic performance of a rug, as it directly influences the ability to retain and release allergens and how easy it is to clean. Short-pile rugs are the most recommended option for people with allergies. They reduce the surface area available for the accumulation of allergenic particles and make it easier to remove them simply by vacuuming.

Tips for keeping rugs clean and reducing allergies

Clean, clean, and clean – that's the best advice we can give you. The effectiveness of a rug in retaining particles depends on the maintenance and cleaning it receives. Adjust the frequency of vacuuming according to the intensity of use and the characteristics of your home. From Atticgo, we recommend vacuuming thoroughly, at least twice a week, rooms like bedrooms and living rooms, while in less used rooms, you can do it once a week. In particularly critical times of the year, with high pollen counts or when your pet sheds, you should vacuum more frequently.

You should vacuum with slow and regular movements, making several passes in perpendicular directions. This way of doing it increases the extraction of allergens by up to 85% compared to quick and aimless vacuuming. Pay special attention to the edges of the rug, as these are the areas where the most dust accumulates.

Why it's important to choose rugs for allergy sufferers

Choosing a rug is very important, but it's even more so if our well-being or that of our loved ones may be at risk. The allergic reactions caused by an inappropriate rug can manifest in multiple ways, with the intensity varying according to each person's sensitivity. These symptoms are really bothersome and, in most cases, interfere with the daily lives of those who suffer from them.

• Respiratory symptoms: nasal congestion, occasional sneezing, and runny nose.

• Eye discomfort: mild irritation, redness, and moisture that can temporarily affect reading or working with screens.

• Throat discomfort: mild discomfort and occasional coughing, mainly at night.

• Respiratory effects: some rugs can contribute to breathing difficulties in predisposed individuals.

• Skin reactions: people with sensitive skin may notice slight irritations after contact with certain fibers.

The appearance of these symptoms may occur gradually or after prolonged exposure.

They filter dust and improve air quality

Contrary to what people believe, a well-chosen rug can help people with allergies by acting as a barrier thanks to its fibers, which trap and retain up to 50% of airborne particles. This prevents these particles from being resuspended in the air. But are all those allergens accumulated in the rug harmful? If you don't maintain strict cleaning, they can pose a risk, so the key is to maintain regular cleaning of the rug.

What types of allergens can you find in rugs?

Rugs can harbor a large number of allergenic substances, so it is necessary to identify these allergens to make a good choice of the best rug for allergy sufferers that minimizes the symptoms described above.

• Dust: Contains a mixture of particles such as textile fibers, skin debris, pollen, bacteria, etc. In the fibers of a rug, this dust can accumulate at a rate of several grams per square meter, even with regular cleaning.

• Dust mites: They are the most common allergen in rugs. Each mite produces about 20 droppings daily that contain highly allergenic digestive enzymes. A temperature between 20-25°C and a relative humidity of 70-80% are the optimal conditions for their development.

• Pet dander: Pet hair and dander constitute another quite annoying and difficult-to-remove allergen due to its tiny size of less than 2.5 microns and its ability to remain suspended in the air for hours.

• Chemical components: Stain-resistant, antimicrobial, and flame-retardant treatments may contain compounds that irritate the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Our rugs have the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certificate, which ensures that their treatments are completely safe for health.

• Mold: Thrives in humid environments, especially on the reverse of rugs that are on floors with residual moisture or in areas prone to condensation.

Which are the best anti-mite rugs for allergy sufferers?

After everything we've told you, we can say that the best rugs for allergy sufferers are short-pile rugs , since, as we have said, they minimize the accumulation of allergens and are easy to vacuum. These rugs accumulate up to 75% less breathable allergens compared to long-pile rugs under the same conditions of use and maintenance.

The medium density of these rugs facilitates the penetration of airflow during vacuuming, allowing suction to reach the areas where mites are concentrated. Models with fibers between 4 and 6 mm are balanced rugs that retain a sufficient amount of allergens and are easy to vacuum at the same time.

But these rugs are not the only ones you can buy if you are allergic. Vinyl rugs are also a recommended option, as although they do not have textile fibers that trap mites, they are extremely easy to clean with a damp cloth, as are flatweave rugs . These are the best rugs for allergy sufferers; with these tips, choosing a rug will no longer be a problem. No matter what allergy you have, at Atticgo we have a rug for you! Take a look!