[meyer]

Pulled out all our carpets a while ago. Harwood floors are a lot easier to keep clean, and they do not "store" stuff in them.

Yes, I pulled carpet out of all the bedrooms in the old house and only kept it in the living room/hall. I still like walking on a carpeted floor. But you're right, carpets do hold dirt like there's no tomorrow.

The new house has carpet in all bedrooms and the living room. If I want hardwood, I'm going to have to remove the carpet and install the hardwood since there's only underlayment below the carpet. Perhaps in a few years.

Honestly, I don't think carpet is that big of a concern with mold, though dust and dust mites may be an issue. Mold is more likely to show up in an area that gets wet and stays wet.

BTW, you may have stumbled onto something else that can be associated with the increased occurance of asthma - carpet.

[Bella_Bru]

One of my family members has horrible asthma attacks. When they pulled out their carpeting, the attacks slowed and were not as severe. His doctor told him, it doesn't matter how often you vaccuum, just get rid of it.

Mold can grow in your carpetting, if you have a bad flood and it does not properly dry.

All I know is any homes I purchase in the future will not be a newer, energy efficient airtight model.

[seams2me]

You're right on track with that carpet/asthma thing.

We are working toward all hardwood floors, and each room we pull the carpet out of reduces the dust in the house dramatically.

It always disgusts and amazes me the amount of stuff that's under those carpets....