Take a green step: Select the right eco-friendly carpet for your home.
There are many choices on the market and it can be confusing.
If you or someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, you should be looking for a non -toxic and non-allergenic carpet.
Carpet made from natural, renewable fibers tend to be the most environmentally friendly and include sisal, seagrass, coir, organic cotton, jute, organic wool and bamboo.
A favorite of mine is 100% organic wool.
It is a natural, strong and durable fiber.
It comes in different textures, from very fine to coarse.
100% organic wool is considered the finest fiber used for carpet.
Drawback: wool can shed so you will need to vacuum more frequently, and it is more expensive.
Make sure you select one with a natural backing, as it is as important as the carpet itself. The chemical latex used in regular carpet is toxic, opt for one made from a natural rubber base.
Carpet is usually categorized in loop, cut pile, cut and loop types:
Loop: Loop carpets have soft, continuous loops, have a more casual look and are prefect for high traffic area. The Berber is a good example for this category.
Cut pile: The loops of yard are cut at the top. They show footsteps, vacuum marks and are used in low traffic areas. (This type includes Plush, Saxony, Frieze carpets).
Cut and Loop: These carpets have the cut and level loop. They are very absorbent and durable. This type of carpet includes Sisal carpet.
How can you tell whether a company is really producing eco-friendly carpet? Look for green carpet certifications like Cradle to Cradle, The Sustainable Carpet Standard (NSF 140), CRI Green Label Plus, BRE Environmental Assessment.
Carpet manufacturers with notable eco-friendly policies include Mohawk, Shaw, Nature’s Carpet and Beaulieu.
Last but no least, Interface, Inc., produces the popular modular FLOR carpet tiles and is among the world’s most environmentally friendly businesses. It reclaimes old carpet and recycles yarn.
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