How Dirty Carpet Can Affect Your Health

If you have a home with carpets, you no doubt know how quickly they can get dirty and even stinky. All that dirt and grime is not just an annoyance; it can also be hazardous to your health. A carpet that is not adequately maintained can harbor mold, bacteria, and other contaminants that can affect the air quality in your home. These are some of the most common ways dirty carpets can affect your health.

Dust mites

Dust mites are more common than people realize, and they could be living in your carpets right now. These creatures love to live in the fibers of your carpet and that’s because, as their name suggests, they feed on dust and detritus that has settled in there. Dust mites can cause many health problems, including asthma and other respiratory problems due to the frass they leave behind.

Mold

Another danger that could be lurking in your carpets is mold. Especially in these Minnesota Winters, wet carpets are not uncommon thanks to snow and ice that can be tracked in from the outside. And when carpet remains wet for long enough, it creates the perfect breeding ground for mold. As mold grows in your carpet, it releases spores. Those spores, in turn, become airborne, making them easy for you to breathe in. Mold is hazardous to children and pregnant women because it can bring on allergies and asthma. Over time, mold in your carpet will also ruin its color and luster.

Other pollutants

Bacteria, viruses, and pet dander can also accumulate on your carpet. If you have pets, cleaning up the hair and dander on your carpet after grooming is essential. Allergies are a common problem for those with pets. This is because the dander from your pet can get into your lungs when you breathe or make contact with your skin as you touch the carpet. To remove these contaminants from your home, vacuum once a week and shampoo every two weeks depending on traffic in and out of the house.

All in all, if you regularly care for your carpet, you can reduce the risk of coming in contact with these asthma inducing elements. Even with proper care, though, sometimes carpets just become worn down. When that happens, call your friends here at Carpet Stretch and Rescue. We can revive your carpets!

By Carpet Stretch and Rescue 1-10-2023