GETTING DOWN TO THE BASICS OF CHOOSING CARPETS FOR KIDS
When it comes to choosing floor coverings – when pets and children are involved, it brings a whole new perspective on things. For children, a carpet isn’t something practical – it’s a racetrack for cars, a battleground for toy soldiers, a doll’s house, a wrestling arena and sports field, a mystical sea and sometimes even a canvas for painting! . The possibilities are as wide as their imaginations. And that’s why we have to use our own imaginations quite carefully when choosing what to put onto the family floors.
A poor decision will cost both time and money. Spend a bit of time researching your options before making a commitment – you could save yourself a lot of time, hassle and money!. Here are some family friendly flooring tips:
Safe and sound
Safety is paramount, so choosing a floor covering that provides a stable platform is very important. Slip resistance and shock absorption are also key attributes. The safest non-slip choice is carpeting, but other alternatives include natural fibre coverings such as sisal and jute, vinyl flooring, carpet tiles, rubber flooring, cork, bamboo and even wooden floors with rugs over them. Look for something that provides a softer landing – especially when it comes to energetic kids and budding super heroes!. Tiles are probably not the best choice as they are extremely hard underfoot and can be treacherous when wet – so, although spills are easy to clean up, they can also cause problems.
And if your children use the floor to slide and ride on – then vinyl, laminate or carpet tiles are a good option. Because these can be replaced in small sections, they offer a cost-alternative option where wear and tear is an issue.
Health matters
If your children are prone to allergies – try and avoid carpets with a thick pile where dust and other allergens can accumulate and avoid coverings that give off lots of fluff or lint. Avoid floors where fungi, mould or bacteria can grow.
What colour to choose
A dark carpet is a good foil for spills and stains, muddy paws and footprints and other general marks and spills, but it will show up dust, crumbs, light coloured pet hair etc. The best choice for purpose and performance is to choose a middle tone carpet – in earthy colours, browns and neutral beiges. They are also a practical decorating choice as you can easily combine them with a colourful rug or playmat. .
Two-tone, patterned or textured carpets are also a good option as they disguise life’s little accidents !.
Thick or thin?
Plush carpets are good for grown-ups, not for growing families! . Tempting as the luxury and feel of a thick-pile carpet may be, it’s probably not worth it. With a growing family, durability comes ahead of luxury, but there are many great flooring choices on the market today.
Nylon carpets are a good choice, as they are colour-fast, hard-wearing and retain their appearance even with constant use. Tight-weave carpets or those with small, tightly packed loops are also a good choice as they won’t snag on pet paws, toys or other objects.
Protecting your assets
For an added layer of protection, put down a teflon coated carpet or have it Scotchguarded.
Cleanability
Before you make a final decision – ask the supplier about the cleaning requirements. A floor coverings Perth supplier suggests weekly vacuuming to remove dust and debris, with a deep steam clean once a year to prevent allergens building up, remove deep-seated stains and to extend the life and looks of your investment. It’s also worth asking your supplier to only show you carpets that have an “extra heavy duty’ rating as these will provide the very best defence against vigorous family use!.
Episode One
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