Carpets or hardwood

[Blyth1]

My lung condition is getting progressively worse. I think my triggers must be in my home. Checked for mould, apart from small bits on grout, which we ( the husband) clean when we see them I can find none.

My next thought is to rid the house of carpets and put down hard flooring. Has anyone done this and noticed a difference in their breathing?

Any hints or tips appreciated.

Restarted my Mycophenolate last night after a weeks pause due to back pain. Hopefully all well on restart!

[Spacecat1]

Yes about 7 years ago we went onto laminated flooring . Easy to clean. We use a steam mop also long handled brush. Lot easier on my chest house smells fresher especially if you have pets.

[Karenanne61 in reply to Spacecat1]

When I first saw my present consultant she asked questions about our home. She said it was good I had wooden flooring and only the bedrooms have curtains, we have blinds elsewhere. Soft furnishings can harbour dust if not cleaned regularly.

[knitter]

I replaced all carpets apart from stairs ….but some people are sensitive to laminate flooring too . But easy to clean

I replaced dralon velvet / feather sofa same time with leather…but some people sensitive to those leather fumes too .

Warning …I fell on to my hard floor and it was a hard landing .

I bought two air filter units , one fan one without …not ioniser type …hepa filter type .

My dyson is linked to my iPad, gives a readout of air quality ….best when windows open , worse when I am in the room with closed door and window without dyson on.

Got mattress cover and new pillows too …expensive business !

My daughter rang this morning ….her allergies playing up …mould outside she thinks , leaves , damp air etc as she has hard flooring and two air filters

[Blyth1]

Thank you all so very much for replying.

I think I will also look into air filter units. It could be a Christmas pressie to myself.

I run my dehumidifier regularly, even checked that for mould, none.

Have changed pillows, even got a new bed!

Thought about getting rid of my gas hob.

Sorry to hear about your fall knitter, hope all is well now.

Thanks again everyone X

[Bevvy in reply to Blyth1]

As others have said. I now have laminate flooring and find it much better and cleaner than carpets. I also have blinds at the windows instead of curtains.

Are you on oxygen? Not sure why you are considering getting rid of gas hob??

[Blyth1 in reply to Bevvy]

Hi Bevvy not on oxygen as yet, consultant is referring me for assessment.

Gas hob removal was after I read that induction hobs do not generate particulate bits into the air. Just considering everything at the moment.

[Bevvy in reply to Blyth1]

suggest you try changes to environment slowly. That way you will hopefully find out what was the culprit. It may be that there is no allergy and sadly things have just deteriorated. This could well be the case when you state that nothing has come up with allergy tests.

I haven’t heard of anything re gas hob but am not sure how much difference it would make if you change the hob………

[Blyth1 in reply to Bevvy]

Thank you Bevvy, yes I will make changes slowly. I think I am at the stage of just wanting to try and be proactive. It is certainly annoying when you try and do everything you are told will be helpful and your body still goes downhill!

[peege]

I suppose it would depend on your allergies, if it's to dust mite then switch from carpets. They're notorious for collecting dust, our dead skin, dust mite & pet dander especially round the edges which are hard to reach. I'm so pleased I'm not allergic to dust mite with my cream wool carpets, we're a no outdoor shoes household (my dog and I), I need them for warmth & insulation plus like them clean. A good vacuum cleaner helps. I dont think polyester carpets help people with dodgy lungs.

[Blyth1 in reply to peege]

Peeve, they have never come to any conclusion as to what I am allergic to unfortunately. Think it would be easier if I knew. x

[peege in reply to Blyth1]

What a pain, about 2007 when childhood asthma returned I stored away my cosy goose down pillows & duvet, kept my bedroom scrupulously clean. I also brushed the Choccy Lab outside daily only to discover in 2013 after referral & allergy tests (for aspergillus which was showingin all sputum tests) that dust mite & pet stuff were negative 🥳! Out came the goose down bedding immediately. On reflection allergy testing has been extremely helpful and if I knew then what I know now I'd have gone private & paid on a credit card.

[Blyth1 in reply to peege]

It took me a couple of reads to realise a Choccy Lab was a dog and that you were not part of the chocolate making industry 🤣

[Spacecat1]

Yes we did the same after speaking to consultant. And it works the cat loves it chasing her tail around. Hope you feel it works

[Bingofox007]

don’t forget to vacuum your mattress regularly too. I got rid of all my carpets and as it’s a very old Victorian cottage I have the original floorboards, look lovely but notice the draught through them. Don’t forget Christmas tree and decorations can make things worse this time of year with dust too. Take care 🦊x

[garshe]

I have hardwood flooring throughout my house except for stairs and landing. Best move ever. Used to hate seeing dust gathering along skirting in carpet. Can now steam clean into corners and everywhere. So much cleaner. Can also yse antibacterial cleaners. Smells so lovely. You won't regret it.xxSheila.👍💕

[Mooka]

When I was first diagnosed with. pseudomonas my consultant told me it hides in crevices like under the sinks. I’m not sure you can ever rid your home of these things.

[Blyth1 in reply to Mooka]

That’s interesting Mooka. Did the consultant suggest anything regarding cleaning under the sink? Or was it just a point made in the conversation with nothing specific recommended?

[Mooka in reply to Blyth1]

No didn’t recommend anything to clean it with. He went on to tell me it looks like an onion when it’s going off! I’ve never been able to look at onions the same way again. He did say it lurks everywhere though. I find it’s a fine balance between keeping the bugs away and not using chemicals that aggravate. I hope you find a way that works for you.

[Blyth1]

Thanks to everyone replying to my query, much appreciated. X

[Mellywelly]

My sister says she can't sleep in the bedroom because the dust is particularly bad in there as it's carpeted and curtains, but the same downstairs. To me anything you have that has fibres ie: curtains. Carpets. Fires. Dander from pets will all contribute. Damp dusting rather than ordinary dusting is good as your not just pushing the dust around. Websites are good too if you want to know what to avoid. 😉

[Maximonkey]

Hi Blyth, I suffer with asthma and bronchiectasis and since moving house I have changed from carpets to wooden floors, I have noticed a definite improvement in my breathing. I would recommend anyone who is thinking of changing from carpets to hard floors of any kind to go ahead, I believe you will not regret it. Take care, Maximonkey

[Chip_y2kuk]

Hardwood definitely... we removed all the carpets downstairs a few years ago and despite being 5-6yesrs old and cleaned regularly the amount of dust was shocking (more so as I'm allergic to dust)

I've also got an air purifier we run on occasion (removing the carpet would be one) ... that certainly helps too