Carpet Cleaning is important because it removes soils that have accumulated over time. This prevents the accumulation of additional soils and allows the carpet to remain in good condition.
Some cleaners have a scrub brush that can be attached to the bottle or detached by hand for more aggressive cleaning. It did well against mud stains, but struggled with wine stain removal.
Removal of Allergens
Your plush, beautiful carpet may be making your home cozy, but it’s also a trap for microscopic allergens. These include animal dander, mold spores, dust mite excrement and pollen. All of these can cause your immune system to react, resulting in itchy eyes and a stuffy nose.
Allergens accumulate in and around the fibers of your carpet, including shag rugs and high-pile carpets, and can be a source of allergies. X-Mite Anti-Allergen carpet powder is a non-toxic formula of medical grade Tanacetane 2, which destroys allergens in their early stages by oxidation and encapsulation.
Some people are allergic to the materials that make up their carpeting, such as wool, nylon, polyester and polypropylene, or to the chemicals (known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) in the glue used to hold the fibers together. These toxins can be off-gassed into the air during the carpet’s manufacturing and installation, triggering allergy-like symptoms such as sneezing and itching.
Inhibition of Mold Growth
The spores of common indoor molds such as Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys and Alternaria can settle on organic surfaces (like paper, books, gypsum wallboard, fabric coatings or food) with the proper nutrients, moisture and warmth. These spores can then grow, digesting and eventually destroying the material they land on. Mold growths are not only aesthetically unsightly and give off earthy mildew odors, but they may also cause health problems for building occupants due to the production of various mycotoxins such as Aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, Satratoxin H and Fumonisin.
A well-designed janitorial carpet cleaning program should include a daily vacuuming of high traffic areas and weekly vacuuming in low-traffic areas. The use of a CRI seal of approval certified vacuum cleaner, which is designed to remove the maximum amount of soil, helps reduce wear and tear and extend carpet life. The use of spot cleaners formulated to quickly and thoroughly remove most spots and stains should be included in the program as well.
Removal of Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny microscopic creatures that thrive in warm, damp environments. They can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible people. They eat dead skin scales and cling to textiles in your home. When disturbed, they become airborne and can be inhaled. Regular cleaning practices help control dust mite populations.
Vacuum your carpets regularly, ideally daily. Steam cleaning also helps reduce the number of mites. Avoid putting rugs in rooms where you sleep. Instead, consider wood flooring ideas that are easier to clean and less attractive to dust mites.
Remove upholstered furniture from bedrooms and replace it with wooden furniture. If possible, remove wall-to-wall carpeting and replace it with tile, wood or linoleum flooring that can be mopped daily. If you are allergic to dust mites, wash stuffed animals weekly in hot water and use allergen encasements on mattresses and pillows. Keep clutter to a minimum and use fans to circulate air, which can reduce humidity levels.
Removal of Moisture
Moisture will wreak havoc on carpets over time. If left unchecked, it will cause mildew and mold to grow in the fabric. In addition, it can also attract fleas and dust mites. These problems are especially damaging to natural fiber carpets and area rugs, but can affect nylon carpet too. Moisture in carpeting also creates a dank, musty smell.
Regular cleaning and proper carpet maintenance will extend its life. However, moisture will negate most of these efforts. Wet carpets act as a magnet for dirt, and will become dirtier faster than the surrounding area.
If you are experiencing more than garden variety dampness, have a survey done by a property care expert to determine the cause of the problem. Once the dampness is under control, you should dry the affected area as quickly as possible. Large fans and de-humidifiers can be used to help speed up the drying process. It is also recommended that you use an air mover or floor blower to create a breeze through the wet carpet.