How to Find Eco-Friendly Carpets for Your Home
Your home holds more than just you and your things. It holds your hopes and values, showing those who enter who you are and what you believe. If one of your values is to help the environment, there are many eco-friendly items that you can incorporate into your home, including carpets. Keep reading to learn more about eco-friendly carpets that you can choose from to feel confident and happy with your home.
Why buy eco-friendly carpets?
Besides helping the environment, eco-friendly carpets use fewer chemicals and fewer plastics in some cases. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are the chemicals in carpets used during the creation of the carpet, mostly in the adhesive. These compounds are why we recommend getting professional carpet cleaning after new carpets are installed in your home.
What makes a carpet eco-friendly?
There are two different directions you can go when looking into eco-friendly carpets. The first is to find a carpet with eco-friendly materials and production. The materials used in eco-friendly carpets are renewable, meaning that it can be produced without being depleted, according to National Geographic. For carpets, the common materials are natural materials with the most popular of these being wool. Others include sustainable cotton, hemp, bamboo, and other plant materials.
The other direction is to use recycled carpets. Some companies use discarded yarn, reclaimed carpets, and recycled plastics to make carpets from materials that would otherwise go in waste piles.
Which carpets are eco-friendly?
To determine which carpets are eco-friendly, you have to look at the source and what it takes to make the carpet. As we mentioned earlier, carpets made out of renewable resources are eco-friendly and that includes wool, cotton, hemp, bamboo, and other plant materials.
The carpet fibers are not the only material used when making it. Backing, padding, and adhesive are all used in the process. Recycled backing and padding are used in eco-friendly carpets and rugs with varying amounts of recycled material in the finished product. Adhesives that are eco-friendly have low to no VOCs present. Each manufacturer has the percentages of recycled materials and amount of VOCs.
The way a carpet is produced can also be eco-friendly. Facilities that use energy efficient methods, reuse their dyed water for multiple carpets, and reuse waste yarn on different carpets to reduce waste. A bonus is if the facility uses renewable energy, like solar panels, to power the building.
How do you clean an eco-friendly carpet?
Cleaning a recycled or natural carpet is the same as any other carpet. Be sure to spot clean as messes come up, vacuum regularly, and schedule professional carpet cleaning twice a year. The regular vacuuming and cleaning make sure any allergens that are trapped in the carpet are removed, any stains are lifted out, and anything that can cause wear is cleaned up.
The most eco-friendly carpet is the one that lasts a long time. To keep your carpets maintained and extend their typical lifespan, regularly schedule professional carpet cleaning. Our unique process is sure to get your carpets clean and your home ready for action quickly.