The Hidden Dangers of Dirty Carpets: What You Need to Know
Think about the bottom of your shoes and everywhere you’ve stepped. Maybe you’ve stepped in gum, mud, and who knows what else. If you wear shoes indoors or allow guests to leave theirs on, you’re dragging in all sorts of contaminants. Dirt and debris can carry bacteria that the human eye cannot see, which may be a bigger issue if you’re immunocompromised.
With professional cleaning, you can keep your carpets fresh while minimizing bacteria. Chemical solutions used by professional cleaners block out pathogens created by dirt. Dead skin, hair follicles, and other contaminant-carrying particles are expertly removed.
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What’s Living in Your Carpets
Do you know what’s living in your carpets? As a leading professional carpet cleaning company, we see a few common contaminants. Mold, dirt, and pet dander, are all allergen-inducing contaminants that love to pitch a tent in your carpet.
Here’s an up-close look at what’s living in your home carpets:
Mold
Water-logged carpet is a leading cause of mold growth. Carpet that’s been affected by water creates a perfect moist environment for mold to grow. In addition to unhealthy air quality, mold can cause serious respiratory issues. Plus, you don’t want your bare feet touching moldy carpet. If you suspect mold has grown, contact a professional immediately.
Bacteria
E. Coli and Salmonella can be found in carpet fibers. These types of bacteria can be dragged in by shoes, pet feces, or even food spills. Bacteria like E. Coli and Salmonella can cause symptoms like nausea and vomiting, but it might be hard to trace things back to your carpet fibers. When in doubt, call a professional.
Salmonella
Those with pets need to be aware of Salmonella. Brought in most commonly by pet feces, Salmonella can cause diarrhea or fever. Again, it’s best to call a professional for help if you’re unsure of where the symptoms originated from.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter can get into carpet fibers by floods or the bottom of shoes. Where moisture goes, Campylobacter follows. It thrives between wet, moisture-absorbed carpet fibers. This bacteria can create a variety of physical complications, from prolonged diarrhea to dysentery syndrome.
E Coli
The most infamous bacteria, E. Coli can be tracked in by pets, family members, or shoes. It is commonly found in raw food products but can have a serious impact if found in your carpets. Common health complications caused by E. Coli include abdominal pain, fever, and even kidney failure.
Other Harmful Things
There are a few nonviral things found in carpets. Parasites, pest infestations, and asbestos can be all found in carpet fibers. With professional help from technicians, such as ours at PureClean, you can locate and remove these from your carpets before they compromise your health.
Understanding Carpet Contaminants
There’s no one type of carpet contaminant. And unfortunately, there’s truly no way to know what’s lying beneath the surface without a professional inspection. With laser-focused assistance, a professional can track down anything from dust particles to allergens. Just ask the experts.
Professionals use advanced technology, like blacklight flashlights, to see just how far bacteria has spread. This makes it easier to remove, mitigate, and remediate contaminated fibers.
Health Risks Associated With Dirty Carpets
Dirty carpets can be a health risk. Mold can lead to new or worsened respiratory problems while bacteria can cause harmful and dangerous symptoms.
If you’re worried about dirt, debris, or other outside materials infiltrating your home, contact PureClean for an allergen-resistant cleaning. Our solutions are tailor-made to block out bacteria growth on your carpets. Professional cleaning guarantees that mold or other lingering contaminants are indefinitely removed.
Not in Seattle? Check out our list of service areas for dirty carpet cleaning.
Allergens and Your Carpet
An overlooked consequence of dirty carpets is carpet-induced asthma. Even if you’re not diagnosed as asthmatic, allergens buried in carpets can cause symptoms. Wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing can all happen. This is why routine carpet cleaning is essential.
Another frequently overlooked carpet allergen is pet residue. Dander, or residual skin cells, can accumulate on the fibers of your carpet. These skin cells are hard to spot since they’re generally tiny, colorless flakes. People with dander sensitivities may sneeze or exhibit asthma-like symptoms on contact.
Prevention and Remediation
Even with professional help, bacteria may still find a way. Prevention starts at home. Routinely vacuum your carpets for peace of mind. Inspect them in full, making sure to look for small contaminants. Create at-home prevention that’s right for you.
Whether it’s routine maintenance or inspection, minimize bacteria presence with consistency:
Regular Cleaning
Reduce dark spots with regular cleaning. Stains, discoloration, and residue are likely to appear less noticeably if regularly cleaned. In addition to appearance, regular vacuuming and spot cleaning stops bacteria from developing.
Proper Maintenance
Maintenance is the best way to prevent dirty carpets. If you do see a stain, immediately attend to it. Spills need to be removed immediately. Maintain the comfort and cleanliness of your carpets with the help of PureClean.
Invest in Quality Mats
High-quality mats yield high-quality results. Putting mats in high-traffic areas can be the difference between a long-lasting carpet and a short-lived one. Invest in this small yet powerful protective step.
Professional vs DIY Carpet Cleaning
While you may know what you’re doing, you likely can’t match the precision of a professional carpet cleaning at home. Vacuums can only pick up so much dirt. Professional cleaning services employ layers of tough-on-dirt processes so your carpets can remain fresh. Continue to vacuum daily to decrease the risk of allergens.
What to Do About Carpet Contaminants
If you’re wondering how to clean a filthy carpet, there’s not much else to do except clean them regularly—and take your shoes off when indoors. PureClean is proud to offer our very own stain protector.
Regardless of what you think will (or will not) happen, dirt is a natural part of having carpets. There’s no way to indefinitely curb bacteria, so start with the easy stuff. Enlist us at PureClean to be your first defense against dirt, debris, and bacteria. We’ll disinfect your damaged carpets to as good as new in a single service.
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FOR A QUOTE
If you are looking for a professional, non-toxic, and long-lasting clean, then Pure Clean’s carpet cleaning services are your best option. Give us a call to discuss our options and schedule your appointment.
