Carpet can be a beautiful, comfy flooring solution for any home. However, like any part of a house, it needs to be adequately maintained to ensure it lasts as long as possible and provides a safe, clean environment for you and your family.
When carpets are poorly maintained, plenty of unsavory things can find their way into the carpet. Not only will these factors make your carpeting look bad, but they can also cause several health concerns.
So, what’s hiding in your carpet? Let’s take a look at some common things that may be hidden in your carpet.
Dirt and Dust
No one is a stranger to dirt and dust in the house. It happens to all of us. Dirt and dust are easily brought into the home simply by walking through the door. Regular vacuuming can reduce the amount of dirt and dust accumulated in your carpet by as much as 85 percent. However, that still leaves some particles lodged in your carpet’s fibers. These particles can wear down your carpet and reduce its life span.
Pet Hair and Dander
If you keep pets in your house, then chances are that you have tons of pet hair and dander embedded in your carpets. Like dirt and dust, vacuuming can significantly reduce the amount of hair and dander in your carpets, but some will still remain. If left unchecked, pet hair and dander can flare up allergies in some people and even exacerbate respiratory problems, such as asthma.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are drawn to carpets by things like pet dander and human skin flakes, which are food sources. You may think, “Not me. I keep a clean house.” However, the average person can shed over 1 million skin flakes a day. Regular vacuuming can combat this issue, but if left unaddressed, dust mites can cause allergies in some people due to their molted skin and waste.
Mold and Mildew
Spills can cause a number of problems for carpeting. Once the spill happens, it immediately begins soaking into the carpet. If these spills aren’t cleaned up immediately, and the carpet isn’t dried appropriately, mold and mildew can form in this moist, warm environment. It’s essential to keep your carpets dry to prevent mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew can cause serious allergic reactions and respiratory issues for many people of all ages.
Food and Drinks
Spilled food and drinks don’t just leave stains on the carpet but can also cause several other problems, too. As the spill is ground into the carpet, food particles have the same effect as soil, wearing down the carpet fibers. As mentioned above, spilled drinks can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Not to mention, spilled food and drinks can also create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. All of these factors can lead to increased allergies and respiratory problems.
Tips for Keeping Your Carpet Clean
Carpets may be a bit more challenging to keep clean than some other flooring options. However, these gorgeous, soft floors are worth it for many people around the country. So, here are some tips for keeping your carpet clean.
First, take off your shoes as you enter the house to reduce tracking in dirt, dust, and other debris. Have your house guests do the same as they enter, too. Next, you can place area rugs in high-traffic areas to reduce soiling and wear in these spots. Finally, vacuum at least once a week in low-traffic areas and at least twice a week or more in high-traffic areas. Remember to vacuum slowly to ensure it picks up as much waste as possible.
These tips will help reduce the number of things hiding in your carpet, but they can’t prevent everything. It’s essential to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year to eliminate the unseen debris and pests that may be lurking in your carpet to create the cleanest, safest space for your home.
