Whether it’s clothing, carpet, furniture, or even food, when you make a purchase decision based on price alone, you could be selling yourself short.
Imagine you’re buying carpet for your new home; you might browse through a few stores before going for the cheapest option that fits the style you’re going for.
But what’s the real cost?
While synthetic materials might seem cheaper in the short term, the true cost is much greater than what you see on the price tag. When you opt for the lowest possible price, there are many extrinsic costs to take into consideration. You could be adding to the global churn of fast fashion and throwaway home-wares, pouring trash into our oceans and creating a toxic home environment (and not the kind that a marriage counsellor can help you with).
1. There’s a cost to the planet
When it’s time to renovate again, your cut-price choice will have a second life; travelling the world, polluting the ocean, damaging wildlife, and even contaminating our food supply.
Synthetic microfibres do not biodegrade
Unlike wool fibres, which can biodegrade in as little as a year, fragments of that cheap synthetic carpet will be around forever.
2. There’s a cost to your health
In recent years, as synthetic materials have gradually replaced natural products, our homes and businesses have become more toxic than the outdoors.
Watch out for indoor pollutants.
Interior furnishings and textiles can absorb and neutralise certain pollutants from the indoor environment. Because of their size and materials, carpets have much greater potential for gas absorption than other items in the home.
In contrast to wool, synthetic materials are less effective at absorbing harmful vapours and particles in the home. If you or your family members are experiencing irritation, respiratory issues, or fatigue, then synthetic furnishings could be the key culprit in your trial for crimes against healthy-living.
Choose wool to support your well-being
Wool can efficiently absorb the three most common pollutants; nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, and sulphur dioxide. It also reduces airborne dust and allergens by absorbing the particles and holding them beneath the surface. If you furnish your home with carpet made from wool, you can vacuum once or twice a week and then forget about it!
Because of its unique natural structure, a wool carpet could continue purifying the air in your home for up to 20 years after installation.
3. There's a cost for a replacement
While that cheap carpet looks great in the showroom, it will start to show its age after just 4-5 years. In contrast, a premium wool carpet will still be going strong 15-20 years later. There's an old builder's saying; measure twice, cut once.
Next time you're renovating, you can adapt this saying for the occasion and ‘think twice, buy once.' Then breathe easy knowing you’re making the right choice for your family and the planet.
