At a quick glance, the carpets in your home or business may appear to be clean, but when it comes to floors, there’s always more than meets the eye. As we dig a bit deeper than the surface, we find a plethora of hidden monsters that you may not have known were lurking there! While carpet is a great way to add comfort and personality to a room, the stress, wear and tear that it undergoes each and every day makes it the perfect home for a huge variety of hazardous materials, putting your home and your health at risk.

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CREEPY CRAWLERS

Did you know that the number of creepy crawling bacteria hiding in your carpet amounts to approximately 200,000 per square inch? In fact, a 2001 microbiology study found that the average carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat!

Those may sound like some frightening numbers, but it’s the truth. Of these 200,000 are a variety of illness-causing bacteria including norovirus (Norwalk Virus), e. coli, and salmonella, all of which have the potential to have a number of different effects on the health of you and your family. Norovirus, for example, has been known to cause the stomach flu and other digestive problems. While salmonella is usually associated with food-borne illnesses, its presence in carpets is not one to be taken lightly. It can be tracked in on the bottoms of shoes, can easily become airborne as people walk across the contaminated carpet, and has been known to cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. This type of bacteria can be dangerous for anyone that comes in contact with it but is especially dangerous to young children and elderly adults.

In addition to bacteria, warm and wet environments are also perfect for the development of harmful mold or mildew. Protect your home and the people living in it by keeping a clean, dry, and healthy carpet this fall!

LETTING THE OUTSIDE IN

The number of bacteria living in your carpet may be pretty staggering but, unfortunately, they are not alone. Because of the increasingly inclement weather and the boots, shoes, and cleats that tend to drag the mess it creates into the house, fall is a time of year that has the potential to wreak absolute havoc on your carpet. The average home can accumulate up to 40 pounds of dust over the course of the year, creating the perfect haven for allergens that can trigger serious respiratory problems such as allergies, asthma, and rhinitis if not treated.

These conditions can also attract dust mites that tend to feed on the pet hair, dander, and skin flakes (yes, skin flakes!) that can live in your carpet. Like allergens, dust mites also have the potential to be an asthmatic’s worst nightmare.

FOOD & DRINKS: FOR MORE THAN JUST YOUR FAMILY

Between nights inside with hot drinks to busy holidays with tons of tasty food, fall is a time that is no stranger to spills, accidents, and stains. While those stains are pesky enough as they are, they can lead to bigger problems than just being an eyesore in an otherwise spotless room. If not probably treated, spilled food and drinks can promote bacteria and bug activity by acting as a food source for them and result in unpleasant odors.

Once spills have set into your carpet, they become much harder to clean, so the key to staying ahead of these problems is acting fast. Keeping vinegar, detergent, or other carpet cleaners on-hand is a great way to lessen those tough stains until you are able to service them professionally!

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Now that you have a better understanding of what lives in your carpet, it’s time to send it all packing. Not taking proper action in a timely manner can not only create a bigger mess but can also have some pretty serious health consequences. While vacuuming and other methods of self-care is a great start, no carpet dweller is a match for Carpet Tech’s professional carpet cleaning services. Act quick, stay of ahead of the mess, and keep your carpets looking great throughout the holiday season.

Let our team of professionals help you improve the quality of air and the quality of life in your home. Contact Carpet Tech today to request your FREE carpet cleaning estimate!