Health Hazards Of a Dirty Carpet

Studies show that when you have carpeted flooring, your indoor air will be cleaner and of a higher quality than if you did not have carpeting. The reason for this is that carpets trap such things as dirt, pollen and other foreign particles in its fibers.

As such, instead of these allergens being in the air, they become imprisoned in your carpet.

When Does a Carpet Become Harmful?

While it is true that carpeting can offer cleaner air than floors without carpets, when they are not kept clean, they can pose various health hazards to you and your family.

This can include respiratory problems, skin problems, headaches and nausea. Dirty carpets can also trigger allergy and asthma attacks.

When you regularly vacuum your carpets though, you remove any harmful dirt and particles from its fibers eliminating these problems.

Unfortunately, many people simply do not vacuum their carpeting as often as they should. In this case, the fibers become saturated with harmful contaminants.

Who is at Risk the Most?

When you have dirty carpets, your children and pets are at risk the most. This is because they are generally closer to the floor and spend more time playing on it.

However, others can be at risk as well. This is because when people walk across a dirty carpet, the dirt and particles can be sent back into the air and enter people’s respiratory systems.

Other Concerns

Other concerns pertaining to dirty carpets are dust mites. These little critters thrive on such things as bacteria, fungi and skin cells.

Thus, dirty carpets are perfect breeding grounds for these harmful little creatures. Furthermore, studies show that most people are highly allergic to dust mites and contact with them can cause such symptoms as skin rashes, irritated eyes and runny noses.

Not only can dirty carpeting be harmful, but if it is wet, it poses many additional health hazards as well. Wet carpet can encourage the growth of mildew, mold and fungi, all of which are also favorite environments for bacteria and allergens.

The toxins in mold spores can easily enter your body when you breath causing various problems such as stomach pain, rhinitis and even toxic illnesses.

How Can You Avoid These Health Hazards?

You can avoid all of the above health hazards by keeping all of your carpets clean and thoroughly dry at all times.

Vacuum your carpets regularly to remove any dirt and particles in its fibers. For high-traffic areas, you may need to vacuum more often, and if you have any spills, you should clean them immediately.

Professional cleaning can also help keep your carpets clean and free from any harmful debris. These services can help your carpeting look and smell new as well.

Since dry carpets are important, you may wish to select a dry cleaning method for a quicker and more effective cleaning.

Keep Your Family Healthy

Finally, it is essential to keep your home properly ventilated. You can accomplish this by opening your windows during warm weather and allowing fresh air and sunlight to enter your home.

When you follow all of these useful tips as outlined here, you can easily avoid any health hazards of a dirty carpet.