Whereas wood floors and area rugs were the norm in the first half of the 20th century, a marked shift in tastes and costs has greatly increased the popularity of wall-to-wall carpeting in apartments and homes. Carpet is a great insulator and it cuts down on slips and falls, but it can also make allergies worse. Our Littleton, CO carpet cleaning company looks at how.
Mold and Mildew
Wherever there is unattended water or moisture in a home, mold or mildew is sure to follow. These allergens are equally amenable to growing upon wood and paper as they are in promulgating within a damp carpet or carpet pad. Mold and mildew allergies are two of the most common possessed by human beings, so if you’re wondering why your allergies are acting up while you’re sitting on your living room couch, the presence of mold and mildew could be the answer.
If you’ve experienced flooding, a burst pipe, or the like, the affected area needs to be dried immediately before mold and mildew can set in. This is where the carpet cleaning services provided by A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning will really come in handy.
Carpet Is an Allergen Trap
The very nature of carpet makes it a natural trap for all sorts of allergens. Mold and mildew as mentioned above, but also pollen, pet dander, insect debris, and cigarette smoke. The level at which these things can become trapped in your carpet depend on the type of carpet you have and the thickness of the pile, but even the thinnest carpet contains fibers that accrue allergens. Over time, these substances can cause big problems for people with allergies, even if you vacuum frequently. If you suspect that your carpet is exacerbating the symptoms felt by your home’s allergy sufferers, we recommend contacting our local carpet cleaners and making an appointment for a professional steam clean. In fact, this is something we recommend our customers do at least once a year, regardless of whether allergies are involved.
Dust Mites
Dust is right up there with mold and mildew on the list of “most common allergies”. Dust is everywhere, and it’s especially prevalent in carpet. Of course, this creates the perfect breeding conditions for dust mites, which multiply quickly and can cause big problems for allergy sufferers. The longer you go without cleaning your carpet, the more likely it is that dust mites will become a major source of coughing and sneezing in your household.
Tips For Keeping Allergens In Check
Vacuum Regularly
For households with pets or kids (and by extension, discernable high-traffic areas), we recommend vacuuming daily. Carpeted areas that see medium traffic should be vacuumed a couple of times a week, and even low-traffic zones require vacuuming at least once per week.
Minimize Dirt
Dirt is a carrier of allergens, and so the less dirt on your carpet, the better. Make sure you have doormats at each of your home’s entrances so people can wipe their shoes. Or even better, ask people to take their shoes off before walking on the carpet.
Clean Non-Carpet Allergen Sources
Along with maintaining a clean carpet, make sure to clean other allergen sources in your home: upholstery, drapes, blinds, and the like.
Schedule a Professional Carpet Cleaning
Carpet can be tough on allergy sufferers, but proper maintenance and cleaning go a long way towards alleviating many symptoms. Contact A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning and learn more about protecting your family’s health and well-being.
Call us today at 720.344.2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
