Given their intricate designs and functionality, it is no wonder that many homes in the country today own a carpet or two. In fact, most families opt for wall-to-wall carpeting, particularly in bedrooms and living spaces such as dens and family rooms. If not wall-to-wall carpeting, then most families own at least a snug little rug or two, oftentimes placed in prominent areas where they are displayed.
Yet while they may be beautiful to look at, did you know that sometimes carpets can pose as health hazards, particularly if your loved ones are prone to respiratory conditions? Here’s what you need to know how your carpet can be a danger to your family.
From the Outdoors to Your Floor
Most people would walk into their homes from the outdoors without removing their shoes or shaking off the debris that have accumulated on their soles. Rather, they would head right in, oftentimes just stomping or half-heartedly wiping their feet on the rug in the foyer before barging in.
As a result, debris such as mud, dust, sand, and other allergens can be caught on the soles of their feet. When they walk on your carpeted floors with their shoes on, then these debris can be transferred to your carpet. Given the fibrous material of the carpet, these items would therefore tend to burrow down into the fabric, thereby accumulating and increasing the chances of putting your family in harm’s way.
Common Allergens
Debris from the outdoors aren’t the only ones that can be stuck on your carpets, however. Pet dander (microscopic flecks of skin shed by your pets), saliva, pollen, dust mites, and mold spores can all be trapped into your carpet. If your carpet is especially dusty, then if you settle down in a nearby area and you somehow disturb the dust, the allergens would rise from the carpet and would circulate in the air around you, which thereby causes the intense bouts of sneezing you often experience if you’re near your carpet.
These trapped allergens can prove to be problematic, particularly if you have someone with asthma in the house. Also, you can be putting your toddlers and young kids at risk, as they are the ones who are oftentimes crawling on the floor. If you find yourself sneezing even though you’re about four feet away from the floor, then just imagine how the allergens would affect a wee little baby, who is literally on the floor!
Carpet Cleaning
At this point, the only thing you can do is to ensure that your carpet is free from allergens. You should have your carpets expertly cleaned once every two years, as regular vacuuming wouldn’t cut it particularly, if the allergens are deep-seated. Furthermore, professional cleaners have the means to thoroughly clean and air your carpet, without having to remove it from your home or inconveniencing you and your family.
At the end of the day, you only need to watch out for your family. If your home has items that could compromise their health, then wouldn’t it be prudent to remove the health hazard in the first place?