What Is In My Carpet?
The question everyone asks, but no one truly wants the answer to. So what exactly is residing in your carpet, and what can you do about it?
Bacteria
Bacteria can linger anywhere if you let it long enough. A damp carpet provides the perfect environment for mold or mildew to begin their growth process. Not only that, but viruses can stick around in carpet fibers well after the illness has passed. A notorious bacteria that is commonly found in carpets is salmonella. Yuck!
Spills and Odors
Accidents happen, and sometimes they occur on your carpet. Food and beverage spills are some of the more common stains found on the carpet. If not addressed properly, they can linger for years. If your carpet has suffered from serious stains, make sure to get it cleaned by a professional! Another hazard to carpet is cigarette smoke. The odor can live in your carpet and cause breathing issues for anyone who enters your home. Not only that, but it can stain your carpet as well.
Dander
This category can include both human and pet dander. The average person sheds around 30,000 to 40,000 skin flakes per day. That is just from one person! If you live with your family and pets, that number is only going to increase. So when you think about it, that is an unpleasant amount of dander residing in your carpet.
Bugs
The most unpleasant residents of your carpet are bugs. The most common bugs found in carpets include bed bugs, fleas, ticks, and mites. Fleas, ticks, and mites all survive off of dander, so if you have dander in your carpet, there may be bugs there too. Bugs can cause unwanted health issues to those living in your home. They can hitch a ride inside with your pets and the bottom of your shoes as well. Be sure to take proper precautions to lower the chances of bugs living in your carpet!
What Can I Do?
You can implement a few things to extend the life of your carpet. Hire a professional carpet cleaner to deep clean your carpet at least once a year. They have the proper tools to rid your carpet of tough stains. Secondly, create a designated space to leave your shoes when you come in from the house. If you can, try not to wear shoes on your carpet. This will help with tracking unwanted guests and dirt into your home.
To learn more about what’s living in your carpet and how to care for it, check out Spotless Carpet Cleaners!
