If you’ve suddenly found yourself sneezing, coughing or battling unexplainable itching within the confines of your home, then there might be an unlikely culprit lurking beneath your feet. While there can be multiple triggers for these issues, one that’s often overlooked is the accumulation of dust and dirt in your carpet. Even if you’re religious about vacuuming, allergens and grime find a way to settle deep within your carpet fibres, eluding even the most robust vacuum cleaners.
Carpeted floors provide comfort and warmth, but they’re notorious for being more challenging to maintain compared to hardwood or tile flooring. Pollen, mould spores, dust, pet dander and various other microscopic irritants tend to cling to the carpet. To combat these unseen health hazards, it’s highly advisable to call upon the expertise of a professional carpet cleaning company regularly. Let’s explore some common health issues that can be triggered or exacerbated by having a dirty carpet in your home.
Unmasking the Health Hazards of Dirty Carpets
It’s almost inevitable that your carpet will play host to airborne dirt, dust and tiny particles. Here are some common health issues that may result from having a dirty carpet:
Allergies: Whether it’s pollen, dust, or some other allergen, these minuscule particles can take refuge in your carpet, causing your allergy symptoms to flare up or worsen.
Respiratory Issues: Mould, dirt, dust, and allergens find a haven in the carpet, and as people walk over it, these particles are dislodged and released into the air. This can be particularly troublesome for those with asthma or can even irritate non-sufferers’ airways.
Itchy, Irritated Skin: Dust mites and bacteria can lead to skin irritation, causing red patches, athlete’s foot or even eczema.
Weakened Immune System: Constant exposure to a perpetually dirty carpet can push your immune system into overdrive, causing it to weaken over time.
Digestive Problems: In the worst-case scenario, if your carpet remains damp, it can become a breeding ground for stomach-turning toxins like salmonella. Don’t allow mould to fester; instead call in professional steam carpet cleaners to address the issue.
How to Keep Your Carpet Healthy
Regular vacuuming is a crucial part of maintaining your carpet’s health. However, it’s essential to understand that vacuuming alone won’t eliminate every allergen hiding within. The length of your carpet fibres, be it long or short, can also affect the number of allergens retained.
To keep your carpet in tip-top shape and allergen-free, aim to have the high-traffic carpeted areas professionally steam cleaned every three to six months. If you have pets or young children at home, it’s advisable to consider more frequent cleaning. For areas with lower foot traffic, an annual professional carpet cleaning session should suffice. But keep in mind, even if your carpet appears clean on the surface, lurking allergens might be hiding within its fibres.
If you’ve been experiencing unexplained allergies or health issues in your Adelaide home, then it might be time to take a closer look at your carpet.
