Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. Is Cleaning Products Safe for Vinyl Planks? These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer . These type of floors (including hardwood, cork, and LVT) are easy to clean and dont trap allergens like carpet does. Cork. These substances are broadly called allergens. https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/review-coretec-plus-luxury-vinyl-waterproof-hardwood-planks.html. However, this type of flooring could be toxic flooring in your home that will release toxic chemicals into the air. Formaldehyde publicity might most likely cause quite a number warning signs and unfavourable well-being effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and dermis irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions. Over the past several years, some waterproof and laminate floors have developed a reputation for having high levels of VOCs. However, this type of flooring although it seems like the perfect flooring to select in your home, it actually is packed full of toxic chemicals that can pollute your indoor air and possibly effect the health of those exposed to this environment. Hi there, It naturally resists mold, mildew, and bacteria and is easily maintained, like hardwood floors, with a dust mop and appropriate cleaner. When it comes to vinyl flooring, this plasticizer is also used mostly in the time of final production to increase their flexibility and durability. by amanda wooley | Jun 10, 2019 | Indoor Air Quality, VOCs. The Top 5 hardwood cleaning productsand the one I recommend to my customers, read more about cork here Cork flooring how is it made and why is it considered green, Whats the difference between linoleum and vinyl, Discover the 6 Secrets of Refinishing Hardwood floors, https://theflooringgirl.com/blog/review-coretec-plus-luxury-vinyl-waterproof-hardwood-planks.html, California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Policy. The materials contaminate the air, and when you breathe in, it goes into your body. Armstrong Luxe Plank Bushes Bay Barnyard Gray A6861. However, selection can come with some considerations. Method vs Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 Safety Tips To Remember When Moving Out, Why Hire An Electrician Hartford CT For Your Home Remodel. These emissions are caused by a variety of factors, like the adhesive and finishes used with the floor. Always consult your medical physician for any specific medical advice or recommendations., ENVIROKLENZ Get Additional $250 OFF Now*. If your vinyl floor comes from an old plastic material, be sure it will contain phthalates that make the floor soft. Laminate flooring, like vinyl plank, is likewise tremendously long lasting and is a good choice for residences with infants and pets. But for allergy sufferers, even the home can be a minefield of triggers and health concerns on a daily basis. Due to its chlorine base, vinyl siding does not ignite quickly and is inherently flame-retardant. How Floors Affect the Allergy Sufferers in Your Home, What You Need to Know About Replacing Carpet with Hardwood Flooring, 5 Benefits of Hardwood Flooring that May Tempt You to Tear Up Carpet. If youre interested in buying some cork flooring online, check out US Floors Natural Cork line. Do you need a local flooring contractor? Building a new home or renovating the home you currently reside in will leave you with many decisions, some of which will be critical to both the air quality in this environment and the health of those that are exposed to this tainted air on a daily basis. Vinyl flooring is made from phthalates mixed with additives; plasticizers, stabilizers, pigments, and fillers. Long popular for their durability, style, high-end appearance and variety, tile and stone are good allergy-friendly options for flooring if attention is paid to the selection, style, and installation. Its also wise to stay awayfrom lower end products as those tend to have more chemicals and fumes. Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in VOCs and offgassing. Also, most companies today choose to make vinyl planks that are not toxic elements or free of phthalates. How do I clean my above ground pool for the winter? Linoleum. This makes woven vinyl flooring a great option for allergy sufferers. Ive heard of tree pollen and mold, but not trees. Dioxins and Vinyl Flooring Those substances pose a overall healthiness danger to anyone whos uncovered to them. Besides, this report shows commercial products containing phthalates are safe and will not be harmful to the human body at a typical exposure level. Cork / Bamboo. One of the next things we wanted the answer to was, are vinyl flooring toxic? What does the ghost do to Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 4? Just found out my daughter is allergic to trees. By Dane Eckard | Nov 13, 2015 7:58:00 PM | Allergies and Flooring. Why is energy transfer inefficient in the ecosystem? The only meds that seem to alleviate the itch and hives are prednisone and benadryl- which I cannot live on. However, prolonged exposure to this chemical may lead to several health issues like reproductive health issues. However, theyre not completely impervious to allergens either. Carpet works well in some areas of the home. Vinyl is a good allergy-friendly alternative as its hard surface qualities make it easy to clean of dust and debris and don't lend towards trapping allergens. Allergens can live in any number of places throughout the home, including oft-overlooked flooring. Many carpet manufacturers are now offering hypoallergenic carpet, and moisture-resistant padding is available (very useful in basements, for example), and natural fiber or renewable green carpeting is better on allergies than the standard products. Has the floor been tested for harmful chemicals? The relieving fact is- home improvement companies now produce phthalate-free vinyl flooring. Unlike vinyl, which is petroleum based, linoleum is made with linseed oil and its eco-friendly. It can trap bacteria and allergens and its a terrible surface for laminate or vinyl to go on top of. As you can see, there are significantly more allergy-friendly flooring options than one might initially think. The short answer is- yes, as the manufacturers now use a minimum level of phthalates. What can I do after installation to prevent allergens from living in my home. Stay toward natural products, rather than man-made, to avoid chemicals. Kick Dust Mites Out of Bed These microscopic bugs can trigger allergies and asthma. Bamboo Floors - Touted as one of the most allergy friendly floors, bamboo floors can work well for allergy sufferers. Linoleum is also a natural product that also is a good option for those with allergies or asthma. A full-bond floor will have adhesive applied to the entire surface area. Engineered Hardwood contains several layers of actual wood, bonded to a base layer for strength. How long does laminate flooring off-gas? Why is Renting Furniture a Smart Decision? The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. Carpet will also be warmer and acoustically more sound deadening. This chemical is used in hundreds of personal care products, furniture, or other applications. Solid hardwood flooring is considered the safest and least toxic option as it's completely natural and free from any toxins. Allergies may be prompted by way of many things found in your home such as carpet, which might include a hundred instances extra allergens than hard flooring [source: e-healthy-homes]. Does that mean she cant go outside? I really appreciate that. the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, Waterproof floors (sheet vinyl, LVT, and LVP. Vinyl plank floors have a shorter lifespan than wood floors, not eco-friendly and hard to recycle, emit gasses into the air called VOCs (volatile organic compound), hard to repair, and overall have inconsistent qualities. I have lived with dogs and cats my whole life and when I am around them I do not break out. 1. Off-gassing is identified as the release of a chemical, particularly a harmful one, that will turn into a gas at room temperature and will expel into the air, leaving this space significantly compromised by the released chemicals. It is important to note that now, in 2020, this question is now considered to be a myth. Off-gassing can last between six months and five years depending on the household item and the chemicals used to treat it. Never fully immerse the floor with water as this can cause water damage. Compared with other types of floor, this kind of flooring is superbly easy. Following the below steps, you can easily protect yourself from vinyl toxicity. I started to see an allergist and had the skin and patch testing done. Here is what my research found. Runny, stuffy nose. BTW, an alternative to laminate, which is much better and waterproof is Coretec Plus. Vinyl production creates dioxin, vinyl chloride and ethylene dichloride, which can impact the environment in surrounding areas. They are natural, renewable resources, that like anything in nature omits some VOCs, however, they pale in comparison to those contained in (brace for a surprise!) The Best IOL for 2022 RXSight Light Adjusted Lens, Will refractive surgery such as LASIK keep me out of glasses all my life. The symptoms that can follow after toxic vinyl floors are installed into your home can include the following: When it comes to the release of chemicals into your home from construction or home renovations the best way to effectively mitigate these chemicals from the air and help to improve the conditions in this indoor space is to buy and utilize an air purifier for VOC removal. Even though cork is porous, the finish prevents allergens from collecting and growing. In the case of allergies, this is a short list, however, well get into more detail as we go through each option. These chemicals have been associated with serious health issues, including respiratory problems, neurological issues, skin irritation, and cancer. I recommend them as they are good products. Phthalates, a type of plasticizer, are added to plastics or PVC (vinyl) to make them more flexible, durable, and transparent. Be sure to choose ones that are easy to keep and are right for the type of lighting your room gets. . Hard-surface flooring such as vinyl, tile or wood is much easier to keep free of dust mites, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. First, the production of PVC causes the release of toxins into the environment. So, is vinyl flooring toxic in the real words? Im not sure if that product existed at the time I wrote the allergy issue. PVC is hazardous to both the environment and human health. Laminate flooring is toxic, because the wood-bonding adhesive and top layer contain and emit chemicals, which are harmful to our health. And, if you do have carpet, vacuum frequently. If you are still concerned about the safety issue of Vinyl floors, you can consider the following alternatives for healthier options. OMG I thought I was the only one with this! It also leads to the pollution of the environment. Whilst laminate can fade while uncovered to sunlight over long periods of time, it is more resistant than vinyl flooring. Hardwood floors have been a consistent, popular flooring choice for literally hundreds of years. Which flooring is the best option for combating allergy triggers? However, a protective finish floor may emit VOCs. Because youll likely find it in 12-foot-wide rolls, youll purchase a roll of 12 feet, Your new vinyl floor will require an adhesive. On top of that, flooring manufacturer companies now produce phthalate-free or non-toxic LVP surfaces. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Do you have plywood subfloor or wood in the house? Laminate floors is more largely used in other rooms of the home, yet its an affordable alternative for kitchen flooring. Katie Knight joined The Masters Craft marketing team in 2017. . Every time your nose runs, it may not be due to allergies. Additionally, when seasonal allergies are at their high, avoid opening your windows. The PVC will create a large number of toxic chemicals like dioxins and phthalates that are released into the air and can produce toxic fumes into the environment. Get more details about these certifications here. Therefore, you can remove dust and debris from the hardwood floor efficiently using a vacuum. It isn't easy, but us possible. A recent study found that most vinyl flooring, made from reprocessed plastic, contained toxic phthalates, lead, cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other toxic chemicals. Also, the floor has cadmium, lead, and other dangerous things, but in small numbers. Thirdly, you can use an air purifier if you have a PVC (vinyl) floor. Remember if youre just dealing with the carpet youre missing 50% of the area in which allergens hide. By the way, you may also find this article helpful: The Top 5 hardwood cleaning productsand the one I recommend to my customers. In reality, the off-gassing should be the strongest during the first two weeks and continue to off-gas for up to months after it is placed into your home. If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog. While linoleum is all natural, vinyl is an artificial product made with a variety of poisonous chemicals, certainly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. If a flood happens in the space, you can remove the flooring boards to let the subfloor and flooring boards dry. Nonetheless, the top part that would be exposed is vinyl and should be okay. This makes them incredibly easy to clean, which is especially helpful during allergy season. 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