Choosing new carpeting for your home is a big decision, especially when you consider it will be around for the next five to 15 years. What pattern works best with my furnishings? What about color trends? They come and go, and I worry my carpeting won’t work with décor changes over time. What have friends and neighbors said about their carpeting?
Whatever you do, don’t let these concerns cloud your mind. Talk to a professional about today’s carpet options and you will be amazed at how versatile carpeting is and how it is not like the carpet you remember from your childhood home. At Eastman’s Carpets & Flooring, we not only have the professionals to give you sound advice, we also have carpeting from the best in the business.
We’ve done a little myth-busting here to get you started and set the record straight.
Myth 1: Carpets are hard to clean
Vacuuming and cleaning carpet isn’t the most exciting thing to do, just like lawn care, laundry, dishes or other household chores. But, like those other maintenance routines, if you want your carpet to look nice and stay in prime condition, you do have to put in the time and energy. There’s good news! Unlike carpets of the past, modern carpet products are relatively easy to maintain—you will just need to vacuum weekly and do an annual deep clean.
If you choose to get a different flooring option other than carpeting, your chores don’t go away. They require sweeping and mopping regularly and budgeting extra maintenance like waxing, polishing, buffing, and stripping, to name a few.
No matter what flooring decision you make, you’re going to have to put in a bit of work to take care of it. But, if you’re looking for something that is soft underfoot, adds texture and beauty to your space, go carpet!
Myth 2: If I have asthma or allergies, I should not even look at carpets
People think carpets are worse for individuals with asthma or allergies, yet modern research has proven otherwise:
A recent study from Airmid Healthgroup, an independent biomedical research group, reports that as long as homeowners clean carpets regularly, they do not threaten those affected by allergies or asthma. In fact, carpets can trap allergen-causing particles and stop them from becoming airborne, so they’re less likely to be inhaled.
So don’t be swayed by this common misconception about carpets. Conduct your own research or consult with your doctor, but don’t let unfounded fears impact your flooring decision.
Myth 3: There’s formaldehyde in carpets
This is an outdated truth; carpet manufacturers used very low chemical levels way back when but have not since 1987. Any carpet that you buy today will have zero traces of formaldehyde.
Myth 4: Carpets are not environmentally friendly
Across the entire carpet industry, there have been great strides in sustainability and being environmentally conscientious.
There are options available to you that are made of “green” materials. That way, when you are ready to replace your carpet, you don’t have to worry about hurting the environment. And, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), which comprises over 90% of the industry’s manufacturers, has kept over 5 billion pounds of carpet from ending up in landfills.
Carpet manufacturers have also decreased the amount of water and energy they use to create carpets and use recycled materials to help reach their goal of zero waste.
Additionally, you will not have to use as much heat during the winter because carpet has inherent insulating properties.
Myth 5: Installing carpet is inconvenient
Truth be told, installing any kind of flooring plan can be inconvenient if, and only if, you don’t properly research and prepare for it. Contrary to popular belief, installing carpet is typically less expensive and easier than installing hard flooring. Carpet is like any investment in the sense that it will cost you more upfront, but with proper maintenance, the quality will last longer than cheaper alternatives.
Now that we have disproven all those myths about carpets, let’s focus on some truths. Carpet flooring can be a great fit for your home as it is the safest flooring option due to its soft nature, sound-deadening qualities, and non-slip surface. We are proud to carry brands and styles that are pet friendly, eco-friendly, easy to maintain, and best of all, come in an amazing array of color, thickness, and textures to get the look you want that will last for years.
Come by Eastman’s and talk to one of our experts to find a carpet that fits your style and complements your flooring needs.