Once the weather warms up, one of the first things people think about is spring cleaning. Although it is important to make sure the curtains have been washed and the kitchen cabinets have been cleaned and rearranged, one of the most important aspects of spring cleaning is your carpets. When the carpets are clean, not only will your home smell cleaner, but you may also be treating your allergy symptoms. A dirty carpet is the biggest contributor for bacteria and allergens that cause a wide array of allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes, skin rashes and a runny nose. The more your carpet traps the dust, dirt, dander and mold spores, the higher the risk is of increased allergy symptoms and other health problems.
Vacuuming is Not Enough
The carpet in your home acts as a type of filter. As allergens become airborne, they get trapped in the carpeting and continue to increase until they are removed. Although vacuuming helps to eliminate some of these allergens, it only removes the top layer on the carpeting, leaving behind the bacteria and allergens that may lead to health problems. Each time you walk on or vacuum the carpets, all of these allergens are being pushed to the bottom of the carpeting and matting, and the only way to completely remove them is through professional steam cleaning.
The Allergens Hiding in Carpet
The carpet in your home may contain a wide range of allergy and asthma causing allergens, including:
- Chemical residue from cleaning products
- Dust mites
- Tobacco smoke
- Insect debris
- Pollens
- Insecticides
- Pet hair and dander
- Mold and mildew
Why Are Allergens Harmful?
If you or anyone in your home has asthma and/or allergies, allergens can have a significant effect on their health and over time, even those who didn’t previously suffer from allergies may develop them. The longer the bacteria, dirt, dust and debris reside in your carpet, the greater the risk is for those in your household to develop allergies and other health problems. Outside of allergies and asthma, breathing problems, such as snoring and viruses can also be a result of allergens and bacteria being trapped in the carpet.
How to Prevent Allergens
It is important to do a thorough vacuuming at least once each week to help reduce the buildup of allergens in your carpets. This includes vacuuming in the corners and under furniture, and if you have pets or someone smokes in the home, it is recommended that you vacuum at least twice each week. If your home has high levels of humidity, running a dehumidifier as often as possible will help to reduce the dampness in carpeting and lessen the risk of mold and mildew growth. The safest way to ensure your carpet is clean and allergen free is to have all of the carpeting, especially in high traffic areas, professionally steam cleaned every three to six months.
Don’t let allergens ruin your spring and summer! To keep your carpet fresh and clean this season, contact Chet’s Cleaning Inc. today.