Did you know that a healthy carpet in your home can actually help keep you and your family healthy? It’s true. Carpets will act like an air filter in your home, trapping allergens and bacteria which would otherwise circulate more freely.
From dust mites and mould spores to pollen and pet dander, your home is a haven for allergens. According to the Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, the majority of homes have at least six common allergens. For those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory issues, these allergens can be a major health concern.
And allergens are just part of the problem. Your home also contains potentially harmful bacteria and mould. A recent study by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) found that 81% of tested households had detectable levels of Coliform, a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. coli. In addition, the study found that 31% of participating homes tested positive for moulds and yeast.
Is my carpet capturing all this nasties? Probably not. Other fabrics and porous surfaces (mattresses, upholstery, rugs, and drapes) will trap allergens as well, and they can also accumulate on hard surfaces.
However, your carpet does capture many of these allergens and bacteria, accumulating an average of 2 ounces of dust and dirt per square meter. Unlike hard surfaces, porous materials like carpets do a better job of keeping allergens out of the air, but they can only do so much.
It is important that you do your part to help your carpets to remain effective at capturing and holding these allergens for you. Regular vacuuming with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter will remove loose dirt and dust, and help your carpet remain an effective air filter.
Likely the most important thing that you can do to keep your carpets healthy is to have them professionally cleaned two or three times per year. Deep cleaning with a hot water extraction process will remove contaminants that have settled deep in your carpets fibres.
So, next time you look at your carpets remember that they are doing their part to keep you and your family healthy, and you should do your very best to return the favour. After all, a healthy carpet makes for a healthy home.