People who don’t live on the central coast of California between Monterey and Santa Barbara may think allergens don’t exist here, but we locals know the truth! Between the Bermuda Grass of Santa Barbara, Arroyo Willow of Arroyo Grande, Beach Wormwood of Monterey, and many varieties of Oak of Paso Robles, allergens are everywhere here.
If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you probably already know that hard flooring is better for you than carpeting because carpet likes to trap and hold those allergens. But have you ever noticed you suffer from your allergies less in some of the big warehouse stores? It isn’t because of their commercial-grade air filter. It’s because many of them utilize the best flooring for allergies – concrete! Concrete floors are the best flooring for allergy sufferers because they don’t trap allergens or use any harsh chemical glues, cleaners, or sealants. Goodbye asthma triggers, hello eco-friendly!
I’ve struggled with allergies for many years and it wasn’t until I was a grown adult that I realized how bad carpet was for me.
Have you ever read the back of the bottle of your floor cleaner? The front label may say “non-toxic” but there are still a lot of harsh chemicals in there. Some may even cause allergies on their own. For example, the number-one seller on Amazon for floor cleaner has several terrible reviews left by consumers after they read the back of the bottle.
“Water, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Butoxypropanol, Ethoxylated Alcohol, Alanine, N,N-Bis(Carboxymethyl)-, Trisodium Salt, Isotridecanol Ethoxylate, Oxirane, 2-Methyl-, Polymer With Oxirane, Mono(2-Propylheptyl) Ether, Maleic Acid, Polymer With Diisobutene, Sodium Salt, Benzisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Colorant”
Notice there are two types of polymers in there? And emulsifiers designed to make chemicals ‘play nice’ together that usually wouldn’t, like oil and water. Those polymers stick to your floor and trap dirt and allergens that try to brush on by. Visually, this results in a shiny floor, but drag a damp paper towel across and you’ll see the residue of the polymers and what it’s trapped:
If you think that’s scary, the hardwood floor adhesives are even worse! Google Shopping’s first result has the following on the warning label:
“Contact with this material can cause irritation to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Thermal decomposition/burning may produce toxic gases and fumes. Closed containers may rupture when exposed to high temperatures, or when the product has been contaminated with water. Avoid breathing hot mists and vapors. This product contains a respiratory and skin sensitizer. Causes respiratory tract irritation and may cause allergic respiratory reaction. May cause permanent respiratory damage. Product vapors are potentially irritating to skin. May cause allergic skin reaction and dermatitis.”
The best line, though, comes from their hazard statements:
“This product contains Methylene Diphenyl Isocyanate (MDI) which is a potential skin sensitizer and has been shown to alter cells in certain experiments.”
Respiratory and skin allergens along with cell alteration? Yikes! Mechanically polished concrete floors take all those chemicals, allergens, polymers, and other scary things out of your home, making allergy sufferers (and everyone in general) breathe easier.
We love to use concrete flooring in businesses and homes here on the Central Coast of California because we live here and know you share our concerns about allergens, asthma, preserving the environment, and saving money on heating and cooling costs. It doesn’t matter if you’re more concerned about running the air conditioner in the summer like Santa Barbara or Paso Robles, or if you’re more concerned about moisture damage and running the heater like in Monterey, concrete floors are the perfect solution! Concrete floors can be stained and mechanically polished to look like wood (if that’s the décor you’re after), but withstand dog claws and furniture drags better than traditional hardwood flooring. Think about that the next time you touch your thermostat or replace that allergy filter.
Pristine Concrete is a concrete contractor in Paso Robles, California, offering concrete and concrete flooring services.