Eco-friendly homes are becoming increasingly popular, with the number of people moving towards environmentally-friendly products. However, not everything is created equal, and certain things need to be considered before you can make your green choice.
One of the things that you might need in your home is a good carpet. It should absorb sound efficiently with cozy underfoot. However, the manufacturing process might not be too eco-friendly as it gives off volatile organic compounds, and its chemicals may affect one’s indoor air.
The solution?
You might want to look more into green and environment-friendly carpets that will allow you to utilize the full benefits of this home addition without the negative impact. A recyclable carpet might be the right choice for you. This is available on various websites from companies concerned with the ecosystem.
Some of the things that you need to consider are the recyclability of the carpets. If it was manufactured in a responsible way without the additional organic compounds, then you know that you’ve found what you’re looking for.
These rugs come in different forms and sizes. There are wall-to-wall and customizable area rugs that you can install in your home. However, you might encounter other products out there, so here are some things that you may need to watch out for:
How to Maintain an Eco-Friendly Home
Carpet is one of the most important pieces of furniture in a home. It can contribute to a comfortable environment and help to reduce energy costs. However, carpeting can also be an eco-friendly nightmare if you choose wrong.
- The process of installing the carpet emits air pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene when it is manufactured. These pollutants can cause health problems such as respiratory issues, cancer, and reproductive difficulties. It is important to purchase rugs that are made with low-emitting materials.
- Cleaning the rug is a major source of water consumption. A single roll of carpets uses lots of gallons of water. This water is used to extract the carpet fibers, wash the surfaces, and treat the wastewater discharged from carpets. It is essential to choose water-efficient products with low water consumption rates.
- Carpeting contains allergens which can cause problems for people with allergies. It is important to test for allergies before purchasing any type of carpeting to avoid any potential issues down the road. Read more about the allergies in this link here.
Considerations when Buying Rugs
Energy Footprint
The chemicals of a nylon-based rug will not have a good impact on your home, so it’s best to avoid them. Sometimes, carpeting two-bedroomed apartments could take about 80 gallons of petrol or gas. These nylons generally end up in landfills after they wear and get a replacement.
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that over a billion pounds of carpets become waste yearly, which is harmful to the environment.
Allergies
Some people are allergic to certain types of wool or other materials used in carpets. If you have severe allergies, it’s important to consider whether carpeting is a good option. Generally, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, roaches, pesticides, mold spores, and lead are just some of the causes of allergies.
Choosing the ones that you can regularly clean to keep eczema to a minimum is best. Contamination can be airborne; if you have pets or children, you might be exposed to more pollutants. Studies have also linked the infants’ wheezing to the installation of the new rugs.
When you can’t afford the eco-friendly and organic option, select the ones that make the least emissions in VOC. The American Lung Association advises unrolling the rug in a well-ventilated area for at least 72 hours before installing it to remove the most toxic chemicals.
Keep everything clean and do some vacuuming every week. If possible, don’t install it in damp areas like the bathrooms or kitchens since dampness can equal mold. Utilize the mats, trap dirt, and decrease the outdoor allergens through door screens.
When fully committed to a eco-friendly home, you might want to install the bamboo and hardwood floors instead. This is where you keep the coziness while minimizing health hazards. There are biodegradable and sustainable options, so you might want to consider them.
Things to Do with the Older Rugs
It’s important to make sure that your choice of carpets is made up of biodegradable or recyclable products if you’re concerned with the environment. Know that when the older rugs get thrown away, they might end up in landfills and tend to leach toxic substances that affect the water and soil supply.
This is why cleaning companies and take-back programs reduce these wastes. Worn-out carpets will be recycled, which can be used as new home insulation. Others have recycling partners near you that you can check out.
Another option is to get a facelift with the old rugs instead of getting rid of them. The faded and stained carpets can be cleaned and dyed so they will show their patterns more. These makeovers will make them fresher. Some can have a different cut to match the ones in your room.
The carpet dyes are an excellent way to save mismatched or older rugs from the wastelands but ensure that the colors are not toxic. Consider using tiles in rooms that have high traffic as well.
Conscientious Carpeting
It’s helpful to get the world’s most eco-friendly businesses, and this is generally based on sustainability and a proactive approach. Some of them use waste yarn and reclaimed carpets to create products that have various sizes and shapes. You don’t need to worry because you’ll generally get high-quality, premium rugs from the best companies.
Also, it’s helpful to get the ones without any chemical additives, undyed wool, VOC, and natural latex adhesives. These may sound a lot, but they are generally non-toxic and eco-friendly. See more about VOCs on this page: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-are-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs. They are also insect-resistant, a feature you should check out.
Some are using natural latex and industrial hemp, which are all a hundred percent biodegradable. They don’t have synthetic adhesive, backing, or face yarns. The pigmented and undyed wool fibers will last for almost two decades before the need to replace them, and this can have a good impact on your family’s health.
