How clean are your carpets?

Have you ever noticed, when the light is right in a room, small particles of dust floating in the air? They are more noticeable when sunlight comes through the window, but they are always there, like a floating mist of fluff. This is the air that we breathe in and out every day. These small particles will eventually settle into the carpet as they float to the floor where they can fester and mingle with other toxins. When you enter a room, these particles become disturbed and stirred into the air for someone to breathe in.

It is estimated that 80% of the exposure we have to pesticides happen in our own homes. Dirty carpets can hold up to 8 times their weight in bacteria and dirt, even with regular vacuuming. This can lead to respiratory issues and allergy problems if not addressed. For kids and pets who spend more low-level time in contact with carpets, the threat of exposure to toxins only increases. For those who smoke indoors, carcinogens in cigarettes can accumulate in household carpets. Because dogs and cats (not to mention children and infants) spend a great deal of time on the floor, they may be at risk for developing lung cancer in households with cigarette smokers.

Carpets are highly effective places for mature fleas to live because fleas thrive in the carpet’s dry temperature. Conversely, flea eggs love wetter carpets that may be damp due to flooding, inadequate bathroom ventilation, or kitchen-generated moisture. Fleas can bite both people and animals. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments, eating dead skin cells and nesting in dust-collecting carpets. The residue that mites leave behind can mix with dust and become airborne, which may cause allergies. When properly cleaned and maintained, the carpeting may improve the quality of air by trapping allergy-inducing dust and allergens.

Studies have shown that people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors. Every time we enter a home, office or other building, we are unknowingly bringing a host of pollutants in with us. This is more so true for children and pets coming in from the outdoors. Vacuuming does help, but even the best vacuum on the market will only pick up around 15% of the dirt in your carpet. The best thing you can do to avoid the spreading of these bacteria and toxins is to have your carpet cleaned by a professional on a regular basis. A good, deep cleaning of your carpet at least once a year will help to prevent illness and health problems in your home.

If you're looking to have your carpets cleaned, contact Xtraclean today for a prompt, efficient and professional deep carpet cleaning.