Carpet Stinks

Carpet stinks. Did you know that most carpet is treated with over 100 different toxic chemicals before it gets to your house? You may think things like stain resistance, color, and odor eliminators serve you well, but it’s a high price to pay for, oh, I don’t know—your health?! Most carpets are made from synthetic materials, materials that are dangerous from cradle to grave. Their very creation causes an outpouring of toxic gasses. They offgass in your home, emitting fumes that may very well make you and your family ill. They aren’t biodegradable, and end up in a landfill somewhere where they spend hundreds of years, taking up space and resources.

But let’s focus on their lifetime in your living room. I already told you about all the chemicals most carpets are treated with before they arrive at your house, but what about the backing? Carpets are usually lined with a vinyl backing, and if you’re familiar with my articles, you’ll know how much I hate vinyl. It offgasses during its entire life cycle, which is pretty much forever. Not only that, but when vinyl catches fire, it creates fumes so toxic that exposure to one vinyl fire can result in chronic bronchial disease. And we haven’t even gotten to the glue yet. The adhesives commonly used to attach carpet come with their own set of unhealthy chemicals.

So what to do? Opt for hardwood, linoleum or other eco-friendly options instead of carpet. If you need a soft surface, try natural alternatives like Jute or Seagrass. If carpet is the only thing for you, look into 100% wool options, preferably those that are untreated. Look for cotton backing instead of vinyl, and try tacking down the material rather than using adhesives.