Is carpet practical in the kitchen?

Carpet is a wonderful invention. Not only is it warm, slip resistant and comfy, but studies show that it is also good for you. Carpet traps dust and other airborne allergens, thus reducing allergic reactions, and even traps 'outgassing', the harmful release of chemicals from many new items in the home. But is wonderful carpet ever practical in the kitchen?

Carpet in the kitchen

Carpet is rarely spotted in kitchens, and there are some very good reasons why.

• Carpet is hard to clean thoroughly, and let's face it; the kitchen is a messy place. Carpets trap crumbs and other small food particles and absorbs spills and grease, and these things are very difficult to totally remove from carpet. You can't lift it to clean, either
• Carpet absorbs odours like cooking smells, grease and smoke, and these can build and mingle over time creating an unpleasant result
• Kitchens are by their nature damp places, and carpets are hard to get dry. If left damp, your kitchen carpet may mould, or even start to rot

For these reasons, experts suggest that you stick with more traditional flooring options in the kitchen, like tiles or lino. But many people love carpet in the kitchen. If you share this enthusiasm, there are ways of making it work for you.

Making carpet practical in the kitchen

Many people, particularly those who spend a lot of time preparing food, find standing on a cold hard surface in the kitchen uncomfortable and tiring. If you love the non - slip, warm nature of carpet while you're cooking, consider these ways of making carpet work for you.

• The most practical type of carpet for the kitchen is carpet tiles. This type of carpet is often used in commercial applications like shop floors, precisely because it is so practical. Carpet tiles are short, easy to clean carpet, and can be lifted individually for replacement or deeper cleaning
• Choose a very short twist or loop carpet for easy cleaning
• Consider a carpet mat with a non slip surface under it instead of permanent carpet. This can then be taken out for proper cleaning and freshening up. Have two, so you can use one while the other is being cleaned, dried or just aired out
• A large washable cotton mat may be a more practical choice than carpet in the kitchen. Again, have two (perhaps two different ones, so you get two looks for the kitchen), and glue non - slip pads under them if they move about on your floor

If you just love carpet in the kitchen, try these ways of making it practical for you.

Kitchen carpet

While carpet in the kitchen is not recommended by experts, choosing wisely can make it work for you. Carpet is warm, non slip and thus practical in some ways, but if you are using it in the kitchen you need to work around the hygiene and other practical issues. Using some of these tips should help you make kitchen carpet practical.