Cleaning Services

How Carpet Cleaning Can Prevent Allergies

Carpet Cleaning Lehi helps extend the life of your home or business carpet. It removes heavier soil, restores the buoyancy of fibers, and brightens colors. Blotting a stain as soon as it occurs will reduce the likelihood of permanent color change.

A liberal sprinkling of baking soda every month prevents odors and absorbs oily spills. Use walk-off mats outside and water-absorbent mats inside to minimize the amount of dirt accumulating in the carpeting.

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that commonly cause allergies in many people. They thrive in a warm, moist environment and feed on tiny flakes of skin shed by humans and pets throughout the day. Their droppings contain a protein that acts as an allergen for people with allergies and asthma. Regular vacuuming using a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of dust mites in your home.

Vacuuming alone will not eliminate the problem, however. The mites live deep in the fibers of your carpet, which your vacuum cleaner cannot reach. If you have severe allergies, a professional cleaning service is recommended. In addition to reducing the number of mites in your home, professional carpet cleaning will remove detergent stains and help your carpet dry faster than vacuuming alone can.

The type of carpet cleaning method will also have a major impact on how fast the mites return to your home after cleaning. In general, steam or hot water extraction is the most effective way to kill the mites and prevent them from returning. This process uses high heat and powerful suction to kill the mites and their eggs. It is important to note that this process can take between 4 and 6 hours, so it is not practical for daily use.

Other preventative measures include avoiding wall-to-wall carpeting in favor of area rugs and opting for hard surfaces like tile, linoleum, or hardwood floors. It is also a good idea to keep the humidity in your home below 50% as this will discourage mold and mildew, which can also act as allergens. Maintaining allergen-proof covers on your pillows, mattresses, and box springs can also help.

As the most visible part of your flooring, the carpet is a trap for dirt, dust, dander, and allergens. When not cleaned regularly, these contaminants pollute indoor air and can cause asthma attacks, watery eyes, and skin irritation. Keeping your carpet clean is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.

While regular vacuuming removes some surface marks, dirt in the fibers is difficult to reach and causes lasting damage. It eliminates any stain resistance the fibers may have and can cut or scrape at them, especially in high-traffic areas. Deep cleaning removes this grit and extends the life of your carpet.

Dirt also contributes to a dirty, unfinished look for your carpet and can lead to odors. A professional carpet cleaner uses powerful machinery to reach deep into your carpet, removing much of what regular vacuuming leaves behind.

Some chemicals used in carpet cleaning, like acids (lemon juice and battery acid) and alkaline cleaners such as liquid drain cleaners, can damage the fibers of your carpet. A professional carpet cleaner will use chemicals with near-neutral PH levels to ensure the safety of your floor coverings.

If you have a stain that doesn’t seem to go away after you’ve cleaned it or had it professionally cleaned, you might be dealing with what is known as wicking. This is where the substance spilled or deposited soaks into the carpet fibers, the backing of the carpet, and even the underpad. It then returns to the carpet’s surface when it dries, just like a candle travels upwards through its wick. This can leave the same kind of discoloration or odor on your carpets.

The best prevention method is to act as quickly as possible when something is dropped or spilled on your carpets. If you can lift it (with the edge of a credit card or a spatula) or blot it before it sets, you stand a good chance of having it removed entirely. Blotting is particularly important since rubbing can push the stain deeper into the carpet and cause it to become permanent.

Knowing your type of carpet and its fibers when stains occur will help you determine what kind of cleaner to use. Most carpets these days are treated with a water-resistant coating to reduce the likelihood of spills sinking into the fibers or piles and becoming permanent.

If your stains are from organic sources such as coffee, tea, or wine, you can treat them with cold water and dishwashing liquid. If this doesn’t work, try an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. You will need a more intensive treatment if they are protein-based stains, such as bodily fluids or animal products.

Allergies are your immune system’s response to a substance perceived as dangerous. Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. These allergens can be found throughout your home, including your carpets. Dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander are your home’s most common allergy triggers. Carpets can trap these allergens and keep them from being released into the air. They also act as a filter but must be cleaned regularly to function properly.

Many factors can affect the amount of allergens in your carpet, including the type and thickness of the fiber. Carpets with thicker, lush fibers, like Berber and Saxony, tend to hold more allergens than those with a lower, denser pile, such as frieze or shag. In addition, the way a carpet is constructed can impact how quickly and efficiently it can be cleaned. Vacuuming regularly and using a quality vacuum with a HEPA filter are important preventative measures that can help reduce the number of allergens in your carpet.

Aside from a regular vacuuming schedule, spot cleaning stains as they occur and sanitizing your carpet with a vapor steam cleaner can help decrease the amount of allergens in your home. Also, ensuring that your pets are brushed regularly and not left to play on the floor can reduce the amount of allergy-causing dander they produce.

Allergens can be trapped in your carpet fibers for long periods and cause ongoing irritation to those who suffer from allergies. Keeping your carpets clean, especially with a deep cleaning by a professional carpet cleaner and some preventative steps, can make a world of difference in the comfort of your home.

Carpets act as a trap for many types of pollutants and germs. They also harbor dirt, grime, and allergens that can cause health issues. Studies conducted by microbiologist Philip Tierno (author of The Secret Life of Germs) found that neglected carpets contain about 200,000 bacteria per square inch—more than the average toilet! These bacteria can cause various illnesses, including staph infections (often brought home from gym bags and shoes), campylobacter, and salmonella.

Carpet can also be a breeding ground for dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander. These particles can trigger allergic reactions and lead to asthma attacks. Regular cleaning will reduce the build-up of these allergens in your carpet and help to improve indoor air quality.

Another concern is the presence of mycotoxins. Various molds produce these toxins and can weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. If you have a compromised immune system or are pregnant, cleaning your carpets regularly is especially important.

Having clean carpets is about more than just making your home look nice. It is about your family’s health and well-being. Contact us if you have any questions about your carpet’s cleanliness or if you need professional cleaning. We would happily answer your questions and help you find the right service for your needs! Enter your zip below to be matched with top-rated pros near you! Get a free quote now. It’s fast and easy!