Carpeting can give rooms an elegant look and provide a safe, comfortable surface. However, dirty carpets detract from home beauty instead of improving it. With that in mind, many owners invest in vacuum cleaners and rug shampooers that give flooring a fresher, brighter look. Unfortunately, most DIY projects do not come close to removing the most dangerous pollutants found in floor coverings. The pile in rugs can trap a host of contaminants that include bacteria, grime, mycotoxins, pet waste, germs, bugs, and even human skin.
1) Carpeting Can Harbor Dangerous Mycotoxins
Mold, mildew, and other fungi may grow in carpets, especially after water damage. In addition to creating an unpleasant odor, the fungi produce mycotoxins that impact human immune systems over time. Even if surfaces are cleaned, mold may continue to grow in padding. In some cases, the only solution is to replace the floor covering.
Some specialists provide deep cleaning services that sanitize carpeting and eliminate dangerous substances. For example, homeowners can visit zerorezpugetsound.com and schedule EPA-approved cleaning services.
2) Animal Waste May Live in Flooring
Eventually, nearly all home carpeting harbors some animal waste, even if owners do not have pets. When residents walk through common areas like parks, they may pick up small bits of droppings. Rugs in homes with cats are sure to have bits of kitty litter embedded in fibers. Many of these problems can be controlled if everyone entering the house leaves their shoes at the door. Flooring that is severely affected by pet stains and waste should be professionally sanitized or replaced.
3) Carpets Often Contain Bacteria
Experts report that a carpet can host over 200,000 bacteria per square inch, which is more than the average toilet seat. Per Everyday Health experts, the contaminants contribute to poor indoor air quality. Some pose no threat, but rugs may contain staphylococcus, E-coli, and salmonella, which are linked to skin infections, digestive problems, and respiratory issues. Specialty cleaning companies use powerful equipment and robust solutions that kill these pathogens.
4) Chemicals Make Their Way Into Carpet Fibers
According to experts at the Green and Healthy Info site, 80% of pesticide exposure occurs indoors. When homeowners spray for bugs, paint a room, or add laminate flooring, chemicals are released. They settle into rugs, which hold toxins very efficiently. As a result, residents inhale chemicals long after projects are completed. Deep cleaning can remove most of them, but some homeowners with the problem replace their flooring with greener options like bamboo, Marmoleum, or cork materials.
5) People Shed Skin Onto Rugs
Every resident in a home sheds about 1.5 million skin flakes daily. Those flakes drift downward and make their way into carpets. Flakes can become the ideal food for dust mites, which also live in rugs and are responsible for a variety of indoor allergies. Regular vacuuming helps keep the problem under control.
6) Bugs Get Trapped in Carpeting
Studies show that there are more insects in carpeted homes than in those with other flooring types. Bugs generally end up in rugs after they die, so thorough vacuuming can usually control their numbers.
7) Carpets Often Contain Ground-in Dirt
Residents, pets, and guests regularly track dirt onto carpets. Over time, it is ground down to the point that an average rug can hold several pounds. Doormats can absorb a great deal of grime, and regular, careful cleaning will remove any that get trapped.
Dirty home carpets can be surprisingly unhealthy since they trap a host of harmful things. A typical rug hosts bacteria, mycotoxins, pollen, and germs. Carpeting can be home to chemicals, human skin flakes, and pounds of dirt. Professional cleaning designed to sanitize carpets can restore most flooring and contribute to safer indoor air.
