The Growing Urgency to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools

 

Classroom health has always been a significant concern for both teachers and parents, but in recent years, there’s been an increased focus on refining air quality and reducing allergens in schools. With growing awareness about environmental and health issues, there’s an increasing emphasis on creating healthier environments overall, not just in medical practices but also in everyday spaces like classrooms.

 

For example, it has been found that blue inhalers have a harmful environmental impact due to their hydrofluorocarbon propellants, which are potent greenhouse gases. The NHS estimates that blue inhalers account for 3pc of their carbon footprint. With doctors being advised to reduce inhaler use because of their environmental impact, there is a growing need for preventative measures to minimise asthma triggers that lead to asthma attacks at school in the first place. By focusing on improving air quality using hypoallergenic materials, and reducing allergens like dust mites and mould, schools can essentially adopt a proactive approach to reduce students’ dependency on inhalers.

 

Child using blue inhaler

 

Ultimately, the shift away from certain inhalers, due to their environmental impact, reinforces the growing urgency to improve the quality of indoor air in schools. It’s about creating spaces where asthma triggers are minimised, thus reducing the need for medication and improving overall student health.

Main Asthma Triggers in School

To effectively reduce allergens and create a healthier classroom environment, it’s essential to first identify the primary asthma triggers commonly found in schools. Understanding these triggers will help guide the actions needed to minimise their presence, ensuring a safer, more comfortable space for all students.

 

So, what are the main asthma triggers to watch out for in schools?

 

  • Dust mites: These microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in carpets, soft furnishings, and bedding
  • Mould: Mould can grow in damp areas like bathrooms, leaky ceilings, and around windows
  • Pollen: Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds can enter the classroom through open windows and doors
  • Animal dander: Pets can bring dander (skin flakes) into the classroom on students’ clothing
  • Chalk dust: Chalk dust can irritate the airways and trigger asthma symptoms
  • Cleaning products: Strong-smelling cleaning products can also trigger asthma
  • Pests: Cockroach and rodent droppings can be significant asthma triggers

 

Dandelion pappus seeds

Simple Steps to Reduce Allergens

Taking proactive steps to reduce allergens is essential for creating a healthier environment for both students and staff. While it may seem challenging, there are a variety of simple, effective measures you can take to decrease common asthma triggers. These actions can significantly improve air quality and help reduce asthma-related symptoms in your classroom.

 

  • Regular cleaning: Frequent dusting, vacuuming, and wet mopping can help reduce dust mites, mould, and other allergens
  • Air filters: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove allergens from the air
  • Ventilation: Good ventilation can help reduce moisture and prevent mould growth. Open windows when possible or use a ventilation system
  • Hypoallergenic materials: Choose hypoallergenic curtains, tablecloths and any other classroom fabrics
  • Pest control: Implement a pest management plan to prevent infestations
  • Consider carpet tiles: While some may associate carpets with allergens, recent studies suggest carpeted floors reduce PM10
  • Alternative writing materials: Use whiteboards or markers instead of chalk
  • Safe cleaning products: Choose fragrance-free and non-toxic cleaning products

 

School child stood reading by an open window. An open window in a classroom can reduce allergens.

Carpeted Classrooms and Air Quality

A common misconception is that carpeted flooring exacerbates indoor allergens and reduces air quality. In reality, carpets can actually improve air quality by acting as a natural air filter by trapping dust, allergens, and other particulate matter. For example, as people walk across carpeted surfaces, dust and airborne particles are drawn down into the fibres, where they become trapped rather than floating freely in the air. By capturing these particles, carpets can significantly improve indoor air quality and help create a healthier environment, especially in spaces with high foot traffic, like classrooms.

 

Furthermore, carpets continue to trap particles until they are cleaned, meaning they can act as a long-term filtration system for indoor environments. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies, as it reduces their exposure to common irritants that would otherwise circulate in the air. As a result, carpet tiles offer several benefits over hard flooring, particularly in environments like classrooms.

 

Additionally, recent studies have shown that carpeted floors can actually help reduce PM10, inhalable particles that are 10 micrometres or smaller, including dust, pollen, and mould spores, in classrooms. For example, the University of Surrey found that hardwood floors had twice as much PM10 pollution in the air than carpeted classrooms. Therefore, while carpets may trap some allergens, they can also help to reduce the overall level of PM10 in the air, improving overall air quality and making the environment healthier for students and staff, especially those with allergies or asthma.

The Role of Carpet Cleaning

Frequent cleaning helps eliminate particles like dust mites, pollen, and other irritants that accumulate in the carpet, which can otherwise contribute to poor air quality and trigger allergic reactions. In fact, properly maintained carpets are more effective at keeping allergens contained compared to hard flooring, where dust and particles can easily become airborne and contribute to poor air quality. It’s also important to note that fragrance-free and non-toxic cleaning products should be used when maintaining carpets, as these are less likely to release harmful chemicals into the air, ensuring a healthier environment for both students and staff.

 

Hoovering can reduce allergens by removing debris trapped in the carpet

 

Nevertheless , staying on top of maintenance can be challenging, particularly in large educational intuitions. Investing in low-maintenance solutions can help ease the burden by reducing the frequency and effort required for upkeep. Supacord, known for its low-maintenance and easy-to-clean properties, features a design with fewer fibre surfaces for dirt and debris to cling to, helping to maintain a cleaner and healthier learning environment with minimal effort.

 

Supacord carpet tiles in Charcoal at Orsett Heath Academy
Supacord carpet tiles in Charcoal in a secondary school’s library

 

Carpet Cleaning Has Additional Benefits

 

While regular carpet cleaning is necessary to reduce allergens in schools, it is also an invaluable and simple way to save your school money in the long run by extending the lifespan of your carpets and reducing the need for frequent replacements. To learn more about the best practices for maintaining your carpets and maximising their longevity, check out our guide to carpet maintenance.

Creating a Healthy Learning Environment

Overall, carpets, when properly maintained, offer significant advantages in creating a healthier and more comfortable environment, especially in classrooms. By trapping allergens and dust, they help improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory issues, making them an ideal choice for educational spaces. To ensure that your carpets continue to work for you, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential. If you’re looking to create a cleaner, healthier classroom environment, consider investing in high-quality, low-maintenance carpet options like Supacord.

 

Ready to make the change? Contact us today to learn more about our carpet solutions and how they can improve the air quality in your school.

Blu Tack is an essential product throughout schools, with classrooms all over the UK using it to put up wall displays and showcase work. But, it can be a nightmare if it gets stuck in your commercial carpet – especially if it’s been trodden in by the children’s feet! Our blog will help explain what you can do if the dreaded event happens and you get Blu Tack stuck in your classroom carpet.

Does anything dissolve Blu Tack?

There are quite a few different things which have the ability to dissolve Blu Tack. However, it’s important to know that these things won’t dissolve it completely, but will instead soften it enough to aid removal. Here is a list of the different liquids which can dissolve Blu Tack:

4 ways to remove Blu Tack from carpet

Now you know what dissolves Blu Tack, let’s talk about some of the tried and tested ways you can remove it from your carpet.

Use heat

Applying heat is often one of the best methods for removing Blu Tack that’s dried into the carpet and hardened over time. Using heat will soften it and bring the elasticity back, making it much easier to get rid of.

Hold a hairdryer to the blob in 15-second bursts. Take care not to hold it too close to your carpet as you don’t want to damage the fibres. When you see that the Blu Tack is starting to peel away, try collecting as much of it as you can. You’ll need to repeat the process as many times as you can until it’s nearly all been removed.

If you don’t have a hairdryer handy, then an iron will work the same way. You just need to pop a cloth or tea towel over the Blu Tack, then hold the iron over it in short bursts.

The last step in this method is to mix a mild detergent, like washing up liquid, together with some water and give the patch some good, old-fashioned, elbow grease! Once you’re satisfied that you’ve removed all remnants of Blu Tack, you can leave it to dry.

Vegetable oil

As mentioned previously, oils such as vegetable, olive or eucalyptus can be used to help soften the Blu Tack, and reduce any stickiness. For this method, you just need to apply your oil to the Blu Tack using a cloth and let it soak in for a couple of minutes. Then, using a blunt knife, you can try to scrape as much of it off as you can.

Once the Blue Tack has been removed, it’s important to thoroughly clean the carpet area where the oil has been. This is because oil can leave a residue which can easily stain the carpet fibres if not thoroughly removed. For this, you can just use a mild soap or detergent.

White vinegar

Another common method for removing Blu Tack is white vinegar. This is one of the things which will dissolve it, and therefore make it easier to remove. The first thing to do is to gently heat the vinegar, if you can, by popping it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Then, apply the vinegar to a damp cloth and let it soak into the Blu Tack for approximately 15 minutes, or until you see the blob starting to peel away. Using a blunt knife, you can then scrape it off the carpet.

Don’t worry about washing the vinegar with soap once you’re done, simply some warm water and a cloth will rinse away any remaining vinegar.

More Blu Tack

This method may seem counterproductive, but we assure you it’s not. Using a blob of spare Blu Tack, you can attempt to stick it to the Blu Tack which is in the carpet to pull it off. Keep repeating this process until it’s all been lifted out.

Does Blu Tack leave a stain?

It’s likely that Blu Tack will stain if you have lighter-coloured carpets. But, how easily the stain will come out all depends on how long it has been there. The best way to remove stains from your carpet is to use a detergent or carpet cleaner and blot the stain rather than rub. When you rub a carpet stain, the colour can easily seep into the fibres making it difficult to remove completely.

How can you prevent it from happening again?

Although you can remove Blu Tack using the methods above, ensuring that it doesn’t get stuck to your carpet again would save you a lot of hassle. One way would be to not let any children in the classroom use the Blu Tack, as they may be more careless with it. Another alternative would be to use sellotape where possible, as it’s much less likely to cause damage.

We hope that you’ve found this blog useful and that it’s given you some tips and tricks on how to keep your classroom carpets free from Blu Tack.

Our commercial carpet designs are perfect for giving a fresh new look to your school flooring. For more information about how we can help, get in touch today.

Monday 4th May 2020

Further to the statement made on 31st March, National Floorcoverings Ltd would like to provide an update to all its customers and stakeholders on the changes made to Group activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

As of today (Monday 4th May), all manufacturing and despatch departments across the Group, including Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works and Playrite have returned to fully operational levels. The Group has also increased its staffing capacity within customer services, alongside other areas of the business, to ensure any queries are managed efficiently and effectively.

However, even with increased capacity and staffing levels, the Group is ensuring that all staff are following Government guidelines and safe working procedures. Where it is applicable, employees are working from home.

The Group and all its employees would like to thank its customers for the support they have provided during this unprecedented time and it hopes everyone continues to stay safe and well. Alongside this, thanks go to the NHS and other frontline businesses that have worked tirelessly and continue to do so.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with customer services, whether that’s at Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works or Playrite. If you don’t have any details available, please visit the relevant company’s website.

The Group will provide a further update in due course.

Regards,

National Floorcoverings Ltd

Tuesday 31st March 2020

Further to the statement made on 25th March, National Floorcoverings Ltd would like to provide a further update to all its customers and stakeholders on the changes made to Group activity due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Group can confirm that due to concerns surrounding the safety and wellbeing of its employees, it will be closing the manufacturing operations of Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works and Playrite on Tuesday 31st March, until further notice.

Although a hard decision to make, the Group values the safety of its staff above all else and therefore decided to carry out the aforementioned closure.

National Floorcoverings Ltd will issue a further statement once manufacturing operations are re-opened.

However, the company would like to reassure its customers that companies across the Group are available to take orders from its range of extensive stock, using the normal channels, with staff following remote working procedures. Despatch is also operating during this time to ensure orders are fulfilled.

At this time, the Group, and all its employees, would like to thank the NHS and all other support workers that are working tirelessly to combat the virus. That is why we are giving priority to all ongoing and new orders that are required for frontline businesses, or NHS departments, that may need the Group’s support during this time.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch your relevant sales contact, whether that’s at Heckmondwike, Paragon Carpet Tiles, Mat.Works or Playrite. If you don’t have any details available, please visit the relevant company’s website.

Once again, we would like to take this opportunity to wish every one of our customers, and their families, good health and we hope you all stay safe in these unprecedented times.

Regards,

National Floorcoverings Ltd

Every business should prioritise hygiene and cleanliness, and, for offices, educational facilities and retail spaces, it’s extremely important to keep carpets clean.

During this time of uncertainty, many businesses may have temporarily closed their doors, but for those who haven’t and for those who will be reopening in the coming months, here are our top cleaning tips to help prevent germs spreading.

Identify high traffic areas

Certain areas of all commercial spaces will see a higher footfall than others, and it’s important to pinpoint these areas in order to provide the extra care needed. Keep track of these places by writing them down or creating a cleaning chart – it’ll help to maintain higher cleaning standards.

Frequent vacuuming

Vacuuming your carpet regularly is key when trying to keep it clean and will also help extend its life. High traffic areas should be cleaned more often than others – daily if possible to avoid a build-up of dirt.

Deep cleaning

Although vacuuming will remove a lot of dirt from your carpet, it won’t remove 100% of it. This is why it’s important to give your carpets a deep clean at least three times a year. For high traffic areas, you should do a deep clean once a month.

One of our favourite carpet cleaning products is Prochem’s Microsan spray. It is effective against bacteria including MRSA and viruses including Hepatitis B, HIV, and coronavirus. It also has an apple blossom fragrance which will keep your commercial space smelling as fresh as it looks.

Have entrance mats 

It might seem like a basic measure, but having entrance mats is a great way to stop as much dirt and debris being brought into a commercial space from outside!

Avoid eating or handling food in some areas

Most offices will have a separate area for eating and drinking, but a lot of businesses also allow staff to eat at their desks, which could create more spills. If you’re concerned about hygiene, try and limit where people eat in the workplace or in schools and universities to prevent more mess occurring.

At Heckmondwike FB, we have over 50 years’ experience in providing fibre bonded carpets to a wide range of sectors. For more information on how to clean your carpet, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact your local area manager here, call us directly on 01924 410 544 or email us at sales@heckmondwike-fb.co.uk.