[Flooring Myth] People with Allergies Should Avoid Wool

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Many people think that they're allergic to wool.  In most cases this is not true.

Many people think that any kind of carpet is bad for people with asthma and/or allergies.  This is only true if we're talking about DIRTY carpet, especially with wool.

In this post I'll go over the various parts of this myth including the prick factor, different grades, and some of the natural properties of wool that actually make it good for those with allergies.  I previously wrote a post about dirty carpet and allergies.

The Prick-Factor:

Have you ever worn a wool sweater?  Did it make you itchy?  Then, later, did you wear a different wool sweater that didn't cause you to itch?

The itch is caused by the 'prick-factor'.  Like with anything, there are different quality of wools. 

• Some breeds of sheep have better coats than others
• Some wools go through a better harvesting and refining method than others
• Often the wool closer to the skin is considered to be a higher quality than the rough wool on the outside of the coat that's been exposed to the elements

And, of course, higher quality of wool performs better with the 'touch test' and has a lower 'prick-factor'.  These are the different grades of wool in the carpeting and area rug world:

• Grade 1 - New Zealand Wool: the most durable and luxurious wool available world wide; the prick factor with this grade is all but non-existent
• Grade 2: this is the second best of wools, it's still very soft and durable; the prick factor at this grade is very low
• Grade 3: this is the 3rd best and Mercers doesn't deem it to hold enough quality and value to carry it; this grade could cause you to feel itchy after touching or wearing anything made from it
• Grade 4: this is the worst grade of wool; this is what any horrible feeling sweaters or blankets are made of; it is rarely (if ever) used to make carpeting or rugs; this grade of wool will definitely cause an itchy rash because of its high prick factor

If you're unsure of the quality of wool touch it, rub it...heck, roll on it! The softer the better. If you ever feel itchy or even disgusted at the feel, throw it down and don't look at it again. Good wool should feel inviting. Oh, and because it's such a prestigious name, all New Zealand wool is marked as such.

Natural Benefits of Wool:

Like most natural materials, wool as many features that nature built into it.  A couple that are not necessarily related to allergies are its flame retardant and natural soil repelling nature.

First of all, probably the greatest benefit to allergy sufferers that wool carpet and rug offers is its air filtering quality.  This benefit comes in two parts:

1. Like most soft fibers, wool grabs onto any possible irritants that are floating in the air.  And as long as you vacuum it regularly (like you would clean any other air filter), they won't be kicked back into the air of your home.
2. Wool also grabs onto air pollutants and doesn't release them back into the air, effectively neutralizing them.  Examples of the air pollutants that wool neutralizes include formaldehyde and noxious oxides.
3. It also does not give off any dangerous emissions.

The other great benefit of wool for allergy sufferers is that it naturally resists the growth of allergens such as microbes and dust mites.

Wool area rugs and carpet is a completely natural product that is proven to improve your quality of life because of its many health benefits, its stunning beauty, and its luxurious softness.  Wool is what all of the synthetic fibers attempt to imitate.

My mother raised me and my two brothers (plus our numerous pets and Dad!) on wool rugs.  They still look brand new and we put them through it all, trust me!  All of us have different allergies and none of us ever had any negative reactions to our wool rugs or carpeting. 

Yes, I've touched lower grade wool and it did give me an itchy rash (to the point one time that I thought I had a bad poison ivy reaction).  I will always stand behind the quality of wool rugs and carpet, I even have a (beautiful) rug made from the 2nd grade in my apartment.  You just can't beat the durability and comfort of wool.

I've inbedded two videos for your enjoyment.  What do you think?  The first one is a sheering demonstration and the second is a pleasent view of a herd of sheep with their newborn lambs.






What about you?  Do you have wool in your home?  What do you think of it?