Carpets are usually laid out on the floors of our home, where everyone steps on them day and night. On top of that, different kinds of contaminants can stick to them through spills of any kind. If left untreated, our carpets can become a breeding ground for all types of bacteria and allergens that can spread to anyone in your household.
It is important to schedule a maintenance on your carpets from time to time to ensure that these contaminants won’t spread easily. To give you an idea, here are the common risks that come with having dirty carpets:
Allergies
Sneezing, coughing and wheezing are caused by breathing in the dirt which is mixed in the air and this dirt comes from filthy carpets at our homes. If there has been a rise in cases of allergies at your home, then there’s a high chance that your dirty carpets are the reason behind it.
Home for Pests
Pests like dust mites, carpet beetles and fleas like to live in filthy carpets. Flea eggs remain in the carpets for many days waiting to hatch when the time is right for them and later these fleas cause major problems for your pets. Dirty carpets have abundance of dead skin particles and other food sources, which makes them ideal breeding ground for dust mites. Source: Pressure & Steam
Pet Dander
Pet dander is microscopic particles of skin shed by animals with fur or feathers, and it is one of the most common allergens found in homes. Allergic reactions to pet dander (and pet hair) can include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, exposure to pet dander can lead to sinus infections or asthmatic issues. To reduce the risk of allergies, keep pets well-groomed, vacuum frequently, and use air filters.
Mold
Mold spores are microscopic fungi that thrive in damp and dark indoor environments, such as carpets, and their presence can lead to serious allergic reactions. Common symptoms associated with mold allergy include sneezing or coughing, itchy eyes, and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases, exposure to mold spores can lead to infection in the sinus cavity. Source: Heaven’s Best
Skin Irritation
Prone to sensitive skin? Dirty carpets will exacerbate this issue and can make you develop more skin issues. This is especially common in fungi-infected carpets—fungal carpet growths are responsible for many contagious skin conditions including:
- Rashes
- Itchy Skin
- Eczema
- Athlete’s Foot
Even if your carpet isn’t the source of these illnesses, dust mites found in carpet fibers can exacerbate symptoms of these skin conditions and be harsh on your skin in general.
Stomach Issues
One of the most pressing issues a moldy carpet can cause is with your stomach. Moldy carpets harbor mycotoxins, which are a toxic compound capable of causing disease and death. One of the most dangerous effects of mycotoxins is that they cause severe stomach irritation and infection.
Mycotoxins are especially dangerous because the wrong cleaning processes can make the problem worse. Where many people consider simple vacuuming “carpet cleaning,” all vacuuming does is push the particles into the air, making them more likely to enter your respiratory system and aggravate your body. Source: Carlson Building Maintenance
By knowing about these risks, we hope that you won’t be neglecting carpet maintenance anytime soon. If you need professional help, just give us a call!
