Carpeting muffles noise and can add warmth and charm to a room. Installed properly, new carpeting can change the whole ambience of a home in just a day or so. However, as your vacuum could tell you, carpets are also great harborers of dirt, dust and a myriad of other allergens.

In addition many of the carpets being sold today are treated with a verity of chemicals designed to make them flame retardant, stain resistant and even moth proof. Many of these carpets contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that create that “new carpet” smell but can also worsen or even cause allergies and induce nausea. There are ways though that you can make the new carpeting in your home a little healthier for everyone in the home.

When your new carpeting is ready to be installed ask your carpet installation professional to air the carpet in a well ventilated area for several hours before it is laid down and to tack it down rather than glue it, as this will decrease the amount of chemicals being introduced into the home. After the installation is completed, increase the air circulation in the home, either by opening the windows or running a fan or air conditioner for at least 48 hours, to minimize the effects of any VOCs the new carpet may emit.

If you want to go green when adding new carpeting, consider purchasing carpets made from sustainable materials. Wool, organic cotton and sisal are all more eco friendly options. You can also search out carpeting that has a natural backing sewn on, rather than glued, and you could also ask your carpet installer about laying down a wool under pad before installation as well.