Some types of flooring collect and trap allergens, like dust, pollen, mites, animal dander and mold, easier than others. Since these allergens are disrupted every time you walk across the floor, you're more likely to inhale or come into direct contact with irritants that cause reactions like itching or watering eyes, sneezing, coughing or a runny nose.

If you live with allergies or asthma, your new flooring should be more than a stylistic choice — you should also factor in which types won't trigger your symptoms. Learn about the best flooring for allergies below.

Characteristics of Allergy-Friendly Flooring

The best flooring for allergy sufferers and people with asthma has the following characteristics:

• Low VOCs: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gas emissions associated with many everyday items, including some types of flooring. VOCs have been linked to various short-term and long-term health issues, such as headaches, nausea, irritation to the eyes, nose, throat or skin, and dizziness. They're more heavily concentrated indoors, making it essential to choose a low-VOC option if you're sensitive to emissions or worried about adverse effects.
• Easy to clean: Choose flooring that's easy to keep clean without any extra equipment — otherwise, pollutants can gather on the surface and trigger a reaction. If choosing hardwood, make sure it's sealed with a protective finish. If choosing tile, make sure the tile and grout between each piece are sealed regularly.
• Nontoxic materials: Some flooring is made from or installed with glues and adhesives that can irritate certain allergies or respiratory conditions. This often happens when the flooring releases fumes through a process called off-gassing. Ask your contractor which of their options are safest for your needs.

The Best Flooring for Allergies and Asthma

Consider the following types when choosing flooring for your home:

Hardwood

Sealed hardwood floors have a smooth, uniform surface that doesn't trap allergens. They're also easy to clean, so any irritants that do make their way inside are simple to remove with a dust mop or a regular mop paired with a hardwood-safe cleaning solution.

Unsealed or unfinished hardwood floors aren't a good option for people with allergies, as their surface imperfections can harbor debris, including pollen, pet dander, dirt, and mold or mildew. They may also be more triggering for people with tree pollen allergies since there is no barrier protecting the wood grain.

Standard hardwood floors are better for allergies than engineered hardwood, as the adhesives and sealants used to make engineered flooring may cause allergic reactions in some.

If your asthma or allergies are especially sensitive, be sure to ask your flooring contractor about their installation methods. If they'll be finishing the floor on-site, sanding dust and various finishes can exacerbate your symptoms.

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Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) are a popular choice for homeowners with allergies because it's affordable and has a smooth surface that doesn't trap allergens. It's also moisture resistant, as long as it's installed correctly — any gaps between pieces can become a hiding place for irritants and may collect moisture that leads to mold or mildew growth. You'll need to clean your vinyl flooring regularly, as allergens can still settle and build up on the surface.

Be sure to ask your contractor about the type of adhesive they use as well as their installation methods. They may recommend increasing the ventilation in your home during installation to minimize the effects of off-gassing.

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Tile

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are smooth, nonporous and often glazed with a protective surface that resists allergen buildup. They're also impervious to moisture, so the only issue you have to worry about is the grout between each piece. It can accumulate dirt, dander and moisture over time, especially if left unsealed. Most tile floors require regular grout resealing.

Tile's characteristics make it ideal for bathrooms, but it's also a good fit for laundry or mud rooms. It's easy to keep clean with basic sweeping and mopping as long as the tiles and grout are finished with the appropriate sealants.

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Bamboo

Bamboo flooring is similar to hardwood, but its grass-like qualities make it even more moisture-resistant and less prone to mold or mildew growth. That said, it's not a good fit for those with grass allergies. Similar to engineered hardwood, you should be mindful of potential VOCs and off-gassing if you're especially sensitive to fumes.

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Flooring to Avoid if You Have Allergies

People with allergies or asthma should avoid installing carpeting around the home, especially varieties with heavy or high-pile fibers. Carpet's thick, dense surface holds on to all types of triggering allergens, even if you vacuum and shampoo frequently. They have no moisture resistance, so it's easy for mildew or mold to grow if water is left sitting on the surface for too long. Some of the installation adhesives may also irritate your symptoms.

If having a soft surface underfoot is important to you, choose carpeting with a very low-pile fiber made with hypoallergenic materials. Washable rugs are an even better option — you can wash them as needed to help remove set-in irritants and change them out as your style evolves.

Flooring Maintenance Tips if You Have Allergies

The best move you can make to create a more allergy-friendly home is to replace any existing carpeting with one of the options listed above. This is especially important if you have or plan to have pets — their hair and dander will accumulate faster than you anticipate.

You can also implement the following strategies:

• Control your humidity levels: The more humid and damp a space is, the more likely mold and mildew can grow. Take steps to mitigate excess moisture by using dehumidifiers, maintaining your heating and cooling system, and keeping doors and windows closed on warm days. Try to maintain an indoor temperature of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and aim for 50% relative humidity or less.
• Dust and vacuum regularly: Clean your floors daily or weekly to eliminate any surface buildup. Don't forget to clean the area between tiles or planks if necessary.
• Deep clean periodically: In addition to regular cleaning, plan to deep clean your floors monthly or as needed with material-safe mopping solutions or manual scrubbing techniques.
• Choose emissions-free installation: If possible, opt for an emissions-free installation method, like flooring with nail-down or interlocking pieces. If your chosen flooring type requires adhesive, ask your contractor about using a low-VOC option.
• Replace air filters as needed: Air filters play a critical role in maintaining a comfortable home because they trap irritants and keep them from circulating. Change yours as often as recommended by the manufacturer, and look for ones made specifically for allergen defense.

Be aware of air purifying systems that claim to kill or control allergens, as there's little evidence that some of these methods work. They may also emit ozone, which can irritate allergic symptoms and make breathing more difficult for those with respiratory conditions.

Let Carpet & Tile Mart Help You Create a More Comfortable Home

Carpet & Tile Mart is your go-to destination for allergy-friendly flooring, whether you're after a stylish washable rug, beautiful domestic hardwood or something in between. Visit a location near you to explore our selectionin person, and take advantage of our professional installation options!