Carpet is often blamed for allergies, but the picture is more nuanced: soft flooring traps particles and holds them until they are removed, whereas hard flooring lets them circulate more readily.
The important variable is how thoroughly and how often that trapped material is removed.
What accumulates in soft furnishings
These are the usual contributors in a typical home.
- Dust mite allergen, concentrated in mattresses, upholstery and bedding
- Pet dander, which is light and settles across every soft surface
- Pollen carried indoors on clothing, shoes and open windows
- General household dust, skin cells and fibre debris
What cleaning achieves
Thorough vacuuming with good filtration removes surface allergen, and deep cleaning removes what vacuuming leaves behind, including material bound in oily soil.
It is honest to say that cleaning reduces allergen load rather than eliminating it. Nobody can make a home allergen-free, and claims to the contrary are marketing.
Sensible supporting measures
Manage humidity, since dust mites thrive in damp conditions. Wash bedding regularly at a warm temperature, use barrier matting at entrances, and ventilate rooms daily.
Include mattresses, upholstery and curtains in your cleaning plan — treating only the carpet leaves the largest allergen reservoirs untouched.