Carpets make me sick.

[Deleted]

I would think that any 100% natural wool carpet would be very low VOC. Wool is very good for carpet and stain resistant, but it is also expensive.

I also saw that you can get 100% wool carpet pads with no additives, which are very low VOC.

Match those up with a low VOC adhesive and you are on your way to being less sick, hopefully.

[Deleted]

It seems hard to search for specific wall to wall on-line. But I have read things that seem to imply that you can get plush, or cut pile wool carpet.

[mizbear]

What about a natural fiber?

My DGM just had new carpet installed in the family room- she went with a low pile industrial grade sisal? and we did not have any smell with it. I did go in and vacuum right away after they left, but there was still no smell.

[toomuchreality]

Good luck to you lonewolf.

A few years back I switched apts. (same complex). When I took my ferret to the new apt., he walked around curiously until he hit a certain area. At that point he laid down/collapsed, and seemed to have a hard time moving from the approximately 1 ft area. After that, he started having seizures and had to be put to sleep. (PTS 2 months later)
Eventually I got another ferret. The first time she walked across that spot, she too had a problem. I have asked the management about this, and was told there was no reason for this. Personally, I think the new carpet or something used prior to laying the carpet, was the cause. I don't think it was a coincidence.

-take care!

[Deleted]

How about a radiant floor heating system under some hard flooring?

[Artemis Windsong]

I am glad I had taken an allergy med when I went to my cousin's brand new twin home. The adhesive for the carpet choked up my DH, as well. We were there one hour. I don't know what would have happened had I not taken a med.

A friend's DH has numerous allergies. They are removing carpet completely.

I think having bare flooring and putting on slippers would be preferred over ill and warm.

[mizbear]

lonewolf- My ex-SILs parents have the type of system Archie suggested. It is very comfy and didn't add much to their utility costs because everything was well insulated, properly installed and they religiously use a thermostat.

[Epiphany]

Sorry this is a bit late but I can help. I'm an interior designer and what is making you sick is called VOC's. Carpets without VOC's both in the fibers and backing have been popular for some time now especially on the commercial side because of the Green movement. VOC's are also in adhesive that is used to put the carpet down. Go to a store that sells both commercial and residential carpet and ask to see ones with low or no VOC's and make sure they are installed with the correct adhesive too. There is no reason to give up on carpet because of this issue. I actually have zero VOC carpet tiles in my living room installed with simple double stick tabs sold by the manufacturer, no adhesive. Let me know if you have questions and I can help direct you.

[Deleted]

rl,

do you have Flor?

[Epiphany]

and yes, radiant heat under tile or hardwood is a good option too. I have this in our master bath and LOVE it

[Epiphany]

sorta yes- it's the commercial version of their brand called InterfaceFLOR but shaw, mohawk, etc. also have no VOC carpet options

[Deleted]

How do you like it? Does it stay in place? Does it look cheap? Would you put it in again?

[Epiphany]

Oct 18, 2011 15:39:54 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

How do you like it? Does it stay in place? Does it look cheap? Would you put it in again?

We love it and I will replace with more carpet tile when I'm tired of it. We got it because of the pets in addition to it's non-toxic qualities. I can pick up a tile, rinse it in the kitchen sink and put it back down after it's dry = awesome. I love the look because I like a more modern feel. DH was concerned because it wouldn't be "plushy" but he's gotten over it. We get a ton of compliments on it and people always ask where we got it.

ETA: yes it stays down no problem, I don't even use the sticky tabs anymore when replacing. Furniture does slide a bit on it (couch)

[Deleted]

Cool. Do you have wall to wall or a carpet? Also what room?

i was looking at Flor, but they seemed to be pricey. I haven't known anyone who had them before, either.

[Epiphany]

it's wall to wall in our open floor plan living room area. It is pricey for the residential, luckily I got a very large discount on the commercial side.

[thyme4change]

Could you get the carpet installed and then get it steam cleaned the same day or the next day by a company that does "green" cleaning? Maybe they can suck some of the toxins out before you even see the carpet. I would be out of the house the day of installation and cleaning. The smell of the installation is strong.

(Personally I love that industrial smell - all the glue and chemicals. I would have been an awesome street-drug addict. Too bad I ended up semi-respectable.)

[Epiphany]

Unfortunately the VOC's are in the carpet fibers and backing as part of the manufacturing process and also in the adhesives so vacuuming doesn't help much. It takes several weeks to off-gas. With all the green carpets and adhesives on the market it should not be hard to find something that would work for the OP - just find a knowledgeable sales rep.

[Deleted]

I talked with my wife about putting down FLOR in our basement. I think it would be a perfect solution. Do you know of a good quality alternative that is less expensive?

[Epiphany]

I don't know anything on the residential side but even the commercial version of FLOR is way less expensive for the same thing. I would go to a flooring dealer and ask about buying something out of their commercial division. Most carpets in commercial are between 2.50-3.50 sq. ft. material only. Not sure with mark up what they'd be. I'd see if you can install yourself if it's just carpet tiles.