There is new research out there that carpet is better than hardwood floors. In the research it states that the dust of hardwood easily infiltrate the air around us and carpet holds the dust down. Also, a central vac for your home helps enormously because the tank is usually in the garage. The carpet of my choice is made from bio-based corn and it's from Mohawk and called SmartStrand.

I agree with Ramona. Wool is a good choice but not very resistant to staining. There are many different types of carpet cushion that can be used under the carpet that are hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to help reduce allergens and staining. Consider a hard surface flooring for the bedrooms with a large wool area rug to add warmth and comfort but allowing for easy removal and cleaning when necessary.

Thanks all, very helpful!

Just be sure you know what specific allergies your family has. Growing up I was allergic to wool and jute, so my mother had to rip out our lovely wool carpeting with jute padding. Now my wool allergy has declined, whereas I'm still horribly allergic to dust, so we have hardwood floors with wool oriental carpets and I have no trouble. (I still can't wear wool sweaters next to my skin, however).

carpet may hold allergens and particles in the fibers, but once you walk along the carpet you kick up little clouds of those particles with every step. hardwood only provides a hard surface for particles to fall onto, which can easily be mopped up. natural fibers are NOT hypoallergenic. allergens are made of organic materials which will find comfort in natural fibers. non natural fibers such as nylon provide an inhospitable environment for particles to settle and thrive. for example, a wool (natural) rug will hold and maintain way more allergenic particles than nylon (unnatural).

Let me correct myself with precision. Rugs made out of synthetics have a lot of other chemicals involved. An all wool rug does not have additional chemicals unless processed poorly.

Particles don't thrive. Bugs and microscopic living things can thrive of course.

The off gassing from chemically produced carpeting is absolutely horrible for those of us with chemical allergies.

There are all sorts of allergies. I am allergic to one of the most all natural products available: glycerin

On balance, natural fiber carpets do not off gas dangerous chemicals which can affect you even if you are not allergic.

And everything must be cleaned well, always.

Check out Mohawk Home.

From January, 2013

Am I in the twilight zone..Carpeting is disgusting.Lay a towel on the floor and walk over it for two years and see how clean it is..every house I've lived in in the past 25 years has had all the carpet removed amNd hardwood installed..

Jergens...not everyone can afford to replace their carpet with hardwood every time they move. I have some carpet and a lot of tile, and I have my carpet cleaned once a year....not every two years. I also spot clean between cleanings if I see any spots. We don't wear shoes on it, only white socks. Area rugs get dirty as well, how often do you clean those? Or your couches??? Keeping things clean is the key. I have seen some very nasty hardwood floors, as well.

I make the best carpet cleaner in the world, and I hate carpet because you HAVE to clean it.