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Earth-friendly Non-Toxic Carpet Flooring

SarahClark | Aug 12, 2010 |

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There are many different reasons why choosing earth-friendly carpeting is important. Not only is it better for the environment, but it is also safer for your family to use in your home. By choosing carpeting that is manufactured from natural fibers instead of from synthetic materials, you will be able to feel good about the product that you choose and its effect on the planet.

"Green" Factors to Consider When Purchasing Carpet

There are a number of different factors to consider when purchasing earth-friendly carpeting. Not only should the carpet be made from fibers and materials that are not detrimental to the environment, but the processes used to manufacture the carpeting should also be environmentally responsible. The carpeting should be made with renewable materials as opposed to non-renewable materials such as petroleum products. The inclusion of recycled materials is another way that manufacturers can make their product earth-friendly. It should also be recyclable in the future, so that at the end of its lifetime, the carpeting doesn't end up in a landfill. There should also be no toxic materials included in the carpet materials that could detrimentally affect the air quality of the home during or after installation. It's also important to choose environmentally friendly carpet padding.

Carpeting that Uses PET

Carpeting manufactured from recycled PET containers such as beverage bottles and food containers is becoming quite popular. Not only is this carpeting beautiful and durable, it also helps the environment by keeping these containers out of landfills. It is estimated that for each one square yard of PET carpeting, approximately forty containers and bottles were kept out of the landfill. When choosing PET carpeting, you should be sure to select a brand that uses dying methods that reduce pollution as well. PET containers are manufactured from resins which are considered safe for food , so it is a safe and non-toxic choice for carpet. This carpet is also highly stain resistant, which means it will not require the chemical stain resistance treatments that many other carpet fibers do, which is another way that it is environmentally friendly. It is also very colorfast and resistant to fading when exposed to sunlight, and can withstand repeated cleaning without losing its beauty.

Natural Fiber Carpeting

There are also a number of natural fibers that can be used in the manufacture of carpeting. These fibers include organic cotton, wool, jute, hemp, sisal, linen, coir, and seagrass. These fibers are often used in combinations to provide the best qualities for durable and environmentally safe carpeting. Short wool fibers called kemp are often woven into carpet fibers to give them extra resiliency, since these fibers are coarse and strong. Wool is also fire resistant and provides good insulating properties, which helps to keep the floor warm. Hemp is often combined with wool, which creates a wonderful environmentally friendly carpet. Yarns made from linen are naturally strong and resistant to wear, and are a good addition to natural carpeting. Jute, seagrass and sisal fibers are also commonly used in indoor carpeting, but these are not recommended for outdoor carpeting because they tend to absorb moisture. Carpeting made from coir fiber, which comes from coconut husks, is highly resistant to rot and can withstand a lot of water exposure. This makes it a good choice for outdoor carpeting and areas that are prone to dampness.

Just like bamboo furniture and flooring, rehabbed furniture, recycled metal tree art or outdoor wall art sculptures fashioned from scrap metal, earth-friendly carpet is one more way to make a little difference that adds up to a better planet for everyone.