WHAT ABOUT CARPETS?

Carpet pile and fibres trap dust and germs, effectively eliminating them from circulating in the air, and they can easily be removed by daily vacuuming.

“You need to make sure that if you do have carpets, you have a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter (5ugm). You don’t want to suck everything up and then throw it out of the other end of the vacuum cleaner,” says Cape Townbased paediatrician Dr Paul Sinclair, who has a special interest in allergies. “That could bring on an asthma attack.”

He goes on to explain that some carpets – such as the new fibre carpets that are on the market – are definitely better than others. Also, ones that offer anti-bacterial protection and the natural antiseptic properties of silver are definitely the way to go if your child suffers from allergies. For example, silver’s broad-spectrum disinfectant properties kill bacteria on the spot, leaving your floors superhygienic and clean. The highly active protective shield of silver ions naturally fights against dust mites, bacteria and unpleasant odours to combat allergies and respiratory problems.