A CLEAN CARPET IMPROVES YOUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Updated: Feb 29, 2020

A fresh looking carpet is pleasing to the eye, but it is also important to remember that a clean carpet is imperative to the maintenance of good indoor air quality in any building. Carpet has some distinct advantages when compared to other types of indoor flooring. It is a thermal insulator and provides comfort for people’s feet, especially those who are standing all day. It also insulates against noise. However, some health problems have been blamed on carpeting. So why is this? Well, it is due to the way we live now. More contaminates are present in indoor environments than ever before and, because they are unable to escape, they have to end up somewhere and that place is usually the carpet. A carpet is actually a very good retainer of pollutants, but only if it is maintained properly. It is important to bear in mind that, unless cleaned regularly (the recommended frequency is at least once every two years), pollutants retained within a carpet will eventually be transferred back into the air. A dirty carpet subjected to moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and dust mites to proliferate. Unless a satisfactory cleaning programme is initiated this can, and does, often lead to people becoming unwell, especially those with allergies and breathing difficulties. In the home we used to have carpet squares, not fitted carpets. These were taken outside regularly to remove the dirt and dust by beating. The floors underneath received a thorough cleaning. Many carpets these days do not even receive a good vacuuming, due to the inefficiency of the equipment used. Dust particles of one micron or under, in most circumstances, will pass through the vacuum cleaner and back into the air. These particles will collect pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, tobacco smoke and cooking off-gases. The dust is then breathed into the lungs where it penetrates deep within, causing harm, such as triggering asthma. A carpet which is cleaned regularly will improve the health of the building occupants. This is because pollutants are extracted from the carpet during the cleaning process. A clean carpet will obviously also look better and it will last longer too, that’s a proven fact.