Threats Lying In Wait In Your Carpet
For carpets, there is more than meets the eye. Buried within those lush fibres are substances that pose a threat to your household members, especially the kids and pets who spend lots of hours playing around on the carpet. Some of this will cause immediate reactions, while for others there will be long-term effects on the sensitive family members. Let’s take a look at what’s hidden within the carpet.
- The infamous dust mite
Walking confidently around the carpet fibres, gouging up the skin flakes that are on its path and absorbing moisture right from the air around it is the dust mite. This microscopic creature has all it needs to survive in the carpet. Food – the skin flakes and dander that are showered onto the carpet by the residents of the house, warmth due to the very nature of the carpet material, and moisture which they can get from the air itself and not have to trek out of the house. As such, colonies of the tiny creatures thrive in the carpet, multiplying rapidly. While it’s gross to think about just how many of them may be in your carpet, that’s not the main problem they bring. Their faecal waste is an allergen. Those faecal pellets contain protein elements that trigger reactions once inhaled – which can occur anytime the carpet’s fibres are disturbed, such as when people walk around on it. This waste is actually one of the leading causes of allergic rhinitis, and contributes to reducing the indoor air quality.
Next up is the body waste from cats and dogs, for households with the furry guys running about. As Fluffy and Kitty play or sleep on the carpet, there will be some fur and dander left behind. In addition to contributing to the increasing amount of grime in the carpet, these substances are allergens, causing anything from flu-like symptoms, to triggering asthma attacks for affected individuals.
- Pathogens
Carpets often find themselves being called “wall-to-wall germ farms”, and it’s with good reason. From bacteria feeding on the decaying organic matter, to those infectious strains that are tracked onto the premises, coughed or sneezed into the space and land on the carpet, or deposited in the faecal residue of the insects and pests that come to feed on the food crumbs – the carpet provides them with amicable conditions to thrive. There are different kinds of pathogens that can be residing in your carpet, including: Enterococci that causes issues like urinary tract infections, bacterial endocarditis, and meningitis; Micrococcus that is especially harmful to persons who have compromised immune systems; the Norovirus that has been found to survive in carpets for over a month; Campylobacter that is highly prevalent over the winter months; to E. coli that can have been tracked in on shoes or pet’s paws that stepped on faecal residue; all through to penicillin-resistant pathogens like the MRSA especially for those holds with athletes, where the germs are brought over from gyms and locker rooms.
- Fungi
Fungi spores are a natural part of the environment, and can be blown into the house by gusts of wind. The fibres of the carpet will trap this material – which at the onset is actually a good thing since the carpet will be serving as an air filter. However, over time the build-up of grime in the carpet enables these spores to be easily dislodged, and when they are released back into the air space with a larger concentration, the risk will be higher for the household members.
The spores will lead to an additional problem – growth of the fungi itself, especially when the carpet is allowed to remain wet for extended periods. This can be due to issues like spills that have stayed for long without being cleaned up, or mistakes like overwetting that are witnessed during the DIY carpet cleaning jobs. Mould and mildew growing in your carpet will be problematic in different ways. For starters, more spores will be produced, adding to the health risk. There are also species of the fungi that produce mycotoxins, which will also adversely affect the bodies of the family members. Secondly, the mould creates unsightly stains, which will take away the aesthetic appeal of the carpet. The stains come in different colours, from green and grey, to pink and black, which will clash with the styles and patterns of the rest of the carpet. The structural integrity of the carpet is also on the line, since the fungi will feed on the fibres of the material as they continue growing. What’s worse is that there could be an infestation gowning underneath the carpet, and you wouldn’t know about it until it spread over a huge area of the carpet. This is why it is imperative to ensure that the carpet cleaning is done appropriately, and drying processes used as part of the operations in order to prevent the carpet from remaining wet for days.
Protect Your Home With Quality Carpet Cleaning Services
The carpet needs more than just vacuuming to get rid of these substances that are in the material. Note that it’s not just these listed here. There could also be pollen, smoke particles, dust that settled onto the carpet from the air, and even soiling that is tracked into the household, all of which will wind up in the carpet. Add this to the spills that leave behind stains, and the abrasive debris that gradually wears down the carpet material, reducing its lifespan. A deep carpet cleaning is needed to get rid of these substances and enhance the health standards of the home.
It’s recommended that you hire a professional company for the carpet cleaning task. One that has a track record of quality result delivery, and with reviews that you can look up to see what other clients have to say about the services being offered. When settling on the terms of the service, you should get a written quotation, detailing the specifics of the job and what you’re paying for, to avoid disagreements later on.
