If you’ve ever found yourself sneezing a little more often at home, feeling like your allergies are constantly triggered, or wondering why your attic smells like a dusty basement, your insulation might be to blame.
Yes, insulation.
That fiberglass or cellulose packed into your attic or crawl space is a whole lot dirtier than you might think – and it could be messing with your health.
So, let’s dig into what’s lurking in that fluffy stuff, how it affects your air quality, and how you can clean things up for good.
Short answer: absolutely.
If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues, dirty insulation can make things worse. Traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose trap allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander. When disturbed, these particles can become airborne and enter your living spaces through vents or any cracks and crevices in the home.
This can lead to reactions such as sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, and even asthma attacks. If there’s mold exposure in the home, it can actually cause similar symptoms, including wheezing and throat irritation – and yes, insulation can harbor mold, too, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Let’s break down why fiberglass and blown-in cellulose insulation can turn into a health hazard over time.
Fiberglass is made of fine glass fibers that can embed into your skin, eyes, or lungs.
If you’ve ever handled it without gloves, you probably learned that the hard way. When these tiny particles become airborne, they can cause respiratory issues and irritation.
Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newspaper and is inherently dusty.
It can trap allergens and irritants just like fiberglass. Once it’s disturbed, that dust can circulate through your home.
If traditional insulation gets wet, it retains that moisture, especially in poorly ventilated spaces like attics and crawl spaces.
That moisture feeds mold and mildew. Mold spores can cause anything from minor sinus issues to severe respiratory illnesses, particularly for people with compromised immune systems.
Rodents love to nest in traditional insulation.
They leave behind droppings and urine, which are dangerous to human health. Breathing in contaminated particles from rodent droppings can lead to serious disease, according to the CDC.
You should never vacuum or sweep up rodent-contaminated insulation – this only makes it airborne and riskier.
Yes – especially if you’re adding spray foam insulation.
Dirty, degraded insulation blocks proper foam adhesion and disrupts airflow management. Plus, keeping contaminated insulation means keeping allergens, moisture, and pests that come with it.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
Removing dirty insulation, especially after a rodent infestation or water damage, needs to be done carefully:
Follow full CDC guidelines on cleaning rodent-contaminated areas to protect your health.
Here’s where foam insulation really shines.
Products like RetroFoam and spray foam don’t just insulate – they create an air seal.
That means:
While foam insulation isn’t a pest deterrent per se, it blocks the paths pests use to enter. They’re less likely to make your home theirs without those access points.
If you’re ready to ditch the dirty insulation and create a healthier home, check out the Dealer Finder on our website to connect with a RetroFoam expert near you.
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