How to Keep Your Carpet Healthy

Is your carpet showing its age? If so, it might be time to replace it. When it comes to installing new carpet, it's vital to reduce or eliminate potential health problems that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the carpet can induce.

Try these tips from flooring manufacturer U.S. Products to keep your carpet and building occupants in good health.

• Look for the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label or Green Label Plus certifications. Products that earn this distinction have very low VOC emissions.


• Make sure your installation technician carefully follows the CRI's standards and guidelines for installing carpet.


• If you can, unroll the carpet a week before installation and let it air out, especially if the carpet is destined for a school or healthcare facility. This allows initial off-gassing to occur in a safe space.


• Schedule the installation over a weekend if possible. Carpet releases the most VOCs in the first 48 hours after installation, so an off-hours installation allows the carpet to release most of the remaining gasses when the building is empty.


• Open doors and windows to increase ventilation during installation.


• Vacuum the carpet shortly after the carpet is installed. Afterward, vacuum frequently with HEPA or high air filtration vacuum cleaners.