ICYMI: Carpet Myths Debunked

Carpet has been the most popular floor covering in America for decades for good reason - carpets feel soft, reduce noise and insulate rooms. But some common misconceptions deter people from buying carpets. Let's fix that right now.

MYTH 1: Asthma and allergy sufferers should not have carpet in the home. FACT: EPA scientists concluded that carpet fibers, in trapping and immobilizing potential allergy-causing particulates, help people with allergies. If allergens are in the carpet, they're not circulating in the indoor air stream. Shaw recommends using a HEPA-filter vacuum to fully remove such particles from the indoor environment.

MYTH 2: Carpet is hard to maintain - it stains and wears out very easily. FACT: Simple steps can extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking new. Frequent vacuuming removes soil particles before they get below the surface of the pile, where they are far more difficult to remove.

MYTH 3: Carpet is outdated and boring. FACT: Carpets come in patterns ranging from traditional hounds tooth to exotic zebra, and in stylish colors like chocolate or mint green.

MYTH 4: Carpet emits harmful chemicals that cause health problems. FACT: Carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) among househld furnishings and building materials. Shaw carpets meet the industry's highest VOC standard, the Carpet & Rug Institute's Green Label Plus program. MYTH 5: Carpet is bad for the environment FACT: Floor manufacturers now provide many eco-friendly options for environmentally-conscious consumers. Shaw carpets made of Anso or EverTouch nylon can be recycled at Shaw's Evergreen Nylon Recycling Facility, where they are broken down and remade into new carpet fiber. The process helps turn carpet into a renewable product and keeps carpet waste out of landfills. In fact, Shaw has collected 178 million pounds of post-consumer carpet since 2006. Source: Shaw Floors Photo: Tuftex, Carpets of California