When Your Carpet Gives You The Sniffles
Do you find yourself exhibiting flu-like symptoms whenever you’re in the house, but they seem to end the moment you step out? Sneezing, coughs, eye irritation, nasal blockage – these are likely reactions to allergens that are in the space. One of the biggest culprits here is the carpet. Just what is in it?
A Reservoir Of Allergens
The nature of carpets makes them trap loads of allergens. Dust particles that settle on the fibres from the airspace, outdoor debris that is on clothing and shoes that falls onto the carpet, the soiling that is tracked in under pet’s paws and the soles of people’s shoes, pollen and spores, faecal waste from insects that have come to feed on the crumbs left behind on the carpet, to that of dust mites feasting on the dead skin that has been deposited onto the material – it all accumulates in the carpet.
Sure, the state of the carpet makes it act like a massive air filter. This is true for the initial stages. But over time, the fibres that so chocked up with allergens, that the very particles that have been held in get to be easily kicked back into the airspace. The larger the grime build-up, the easier the dislodging. All it takes is the carpet fibres to be disturbed – as occurs when people are walking on it, or the kids and pets are rolling around the cosy carpet as they play on it. These allergens cause respiratory issues when inhaled.
The sniffles you get from the soiled carpet aren’t really life-threatening – unless you have existing respiratory conditions. However, they are definitely a source of discomfort. After all, no one like constantly coughing or sneezing. For persons with asthma, the situation is more dire. This is as the high allergen concentration causes asthma attacks to be triggered frequently. It is critical to have the carpet vacuumed regularly in order to reduce the rate at which the allergens build up. Schedule the occasional deep carpet cleaning to remove the debris that is buried within the unit.
Let’s delve into other health risks that come with a dirty carpet:
- Skin issues
For those with itchy skin, rashes or eczema, the soiled carpet can make it worse, especially with the colonies of dust mites that reside within it. The faecal residue of the dust mites contains protein elements that affect sensitive persons, making the skin irritation worse. Infections like Athlete’s foot can also be spread. Here, the fungi can have been picked up in areas like gyms and locker rooms, and then tracked into the house, winding up on the carpet. If there are pests like roaches and mice in the residence, these can track in the athlete’s foot from a different house that had an infection, to yours. As other household members walk barefoot on the carpet, they can get infected – especially when there are cuts on the skin. A deep carpet cleaning that destroys the fungi and flushes out the waste is needed on a regular basis.
- Pests
If there are animals in the household, then the stakes are even hire. As cats and dogs go on their adventures in the outdoors – visiting parks, rummaging through bins, chasing the occasional squirrel through the dense shrubs, and interacting with other animals in the neighbourhood, they can pick up pests like fleas and mites. These pests are carried home, and they will find a suitable hiding spot in the lush fibres of the carpet, from where they launch their attacks. No one likes being terrorised by tiny fleas hopping from the carpet onto the body, sucking blood to their fill, and hopping back to the carpet to hide. Here, their populations grow, increasing the damage that is posed to those in the household. Deep carpet cleaning processes like hot water extraction are particularly handy in killing off these pests. Here, the temperatures and pressures involved destroy the colonies that have been growing within the carpet, handling the health standards of the household.
There are also pests like the infamous cockroach that are attracted by the food crumbs that are in the carpet. These come carrying different strains of pathogens, increasing the risks involved. Here, ensuring that the carpet cleaning is done routinely to remove the source of the problem – that decaying organic matter in the unit, will go a long way in getting rid of the unwanted visitors from your household.
- Fungal growths
This is particularly problematic because it can take some time before you notice them. By the time the mould is becoming visible at the top of the carpet, you could already have a huge infestation within the material. Fungi comes with different risks. For starters, the mould will produce more spores, releasing them into the air space, increasing the allergen concentration. There are also species of the mould that produce mycotoxins, which if they get into the body can affect organs like the liver and central nervous system. What causes it? The carpet simply has been wet for too long. This can be due to spills that are allowed to remain unattended for long, issues like overwetting that are seen during the DIY carpet cleaning projects, or even cases of flood damage.
Your mental health is on the line as well. Coming home to a soiled carpet is enough to foul your mood. When your family members keep falling all or getting allergic reactions, it can add to your stress levels. Hosting guests can also be an issue, especially when you’re concerned about how the state of the household will reflect on your personality. No one looks forward to those awkward questions about the stain and odours that are emanating from the carpet. You should be able to relax and be comfortable in your home, and this will be difficult when you’re surrounded by grime and stains. It can even be a trigger – or fuel, for those couple arguments especially when chores come up. Restore sanity to your home by scheduling a carpet cleaning session, where the grime and stains are got rid of, and a fresh new look is brought into your home.
