If you suffer from allergies or asthma, spending the winter indoors can be an unpleasant mix of reaching for the tissues and refilling the tank in your humidifier. Though no two allergy sufferers are alike, one thing is for certain when it comes to choosing a hypoallergenic flooring material for your home: harder is better.

Though carpet has many benefits, including softness, warmth, and sound-dampening qualities, its fibers provide a safe haven for dirt, dust, pet dander, mold, mildew, and other irritants, making it a no-go for those with allergies or other respiratory conditions. The same goes for area rugs, unfortunately. The best hypoallergenic flooring materials are free from fibers, chemicals, or nooks and crannies where dirt can accumulate, damaging your floor and your lungs. Keep reading below for our recommendations for the best non-toxic flooring materials for households with allergies.

Hardwood

Installing new hardwood floors is a non-allergenic home improvement project that only needs done once a generation. If well-maintained, hardwood flooring lasts for up to 100 years before it needs to be replaced. Hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times over before it needs replaced, making it an easy choice to get a solid return on investment and improve the property value of your home.

Compared to other flooring types, the hardwood manufacturing process is light on chemicals, so you can breathe easy. With its smooth surface, dust and dirt have nowhere to accumulate, and cleaning is as easy as broom, dustpan, and occasional dry mopping.

If you think installing a new hardwood floor is a summertime project, think again. Because hardwood planks expand with warm weather and humidity, the winter months are the best time to lay new hardwood floors for a snug fit that won’t surprise you after the boards settle in. Check out our previous blog about the benefits of installing hardwood floors during the winter to learn more.

Cork

Hardwood can be a bit much in children’s’ bedrooms or playrooms. It’s expensive, and its hardness is tough on accident-prone youngsters. For children with allergies, cork is a suitable replacement for hardwood, plus it has benefits of its own. Besides being hypoallergenic, cork is softer than hardwood, water-resistant, and easily replaced should it be damaged. Above or below-grade, cork is a perfect choice for home theaters, weight rooms, utility rooms, and more.

Linoleum

While other materials like vinyl use a cocktail of safe but non-hypoallergenic chemicals to produce quality flooring products, linoleum is an all-natural alternative to other engineered flooring materials. Linoleum is naturally anti-static thanks to its jute-and-linseed-oil makeup, which keeps dirt from sticking to the floor and makes cleaning a breath of fresh air.

Carpets with Natural Fibers

If you’re absolutely committed to carpet, investing in a high-quality carpet with natural fibers (such as wool) is an easy way to minimize allergic reactions. With weekly vacuuming and twice-yearly deep cleanings, carpet can work, it just takes a little extra upkeep. Do you have questions about the best flooring materials for homes with allergies? Give us a call at (888) SHOP-123 or stop into any of our four Northeast Ohio locations to check out the latest and greatest in hypoallergenic flooring materials!