The Unseen Dangers Lurking within Your Dirty, Nasty, Disgusting Carpet

Humans are easily fooled by appearances.

This is true when it involves the state of our carpets. We notice stains, sure. But the surface only tells a part of the story.

The fact is:

If you had the slightest idea of the type of nasty things living in your carpet, you'd probably start deep cleaning straight away.

Warning: this text isn't for the faint of heart!

 

4 Disgusting Facts About Your Carpet

Few outside the carpet cleaning industry are tuned in to how nasty carpets are often.

In truth, most carpets provide a breeding ground for all types of nefarious little creatures. This is often true irrespective of location. Both residential and commercial carpets are in danger.

Here are some facts that may surprise (and disturb) you.

(Continue reading at your own peril. This information can't be unlearned.)

Carpets hold 4 times their weight in dirt.

Let that sink in. Oh wait… it already did!

Dirt and whatever else comes into your home often settle into the depths of your carpet. Over time, this accumulation can outweigh your carpet itself. Hidden well below the surface, few would ever expect this.

75% of individuals walk on carpet with dirty shoes.

This one shouldn’t surprise you in the least.

Just don’t let that expectation cause you to numb to it. Not only do your carpets end up holding what your family brings in, but they also capture what your guests bring in. Your own dirt is one thing, but the dirt of others? Intolerable!

Indoor air quality is also 8-10 times worse than outdoor air quality.

This one always seems to surprise.

Textiles in your home absorb an array of contaminants. This includes both the living (germs) and non-living (dirt and dust). Every step you are taking on an unclean carpet sends invisible clouds of nasty into the air. Dirtier carpets means dirtier air.

Carpet may hold up to 200,000 bacteria per square meter.

That is about 4000 times more than your toilet. No joke.

Every carpet is unique. But a maintenance schedule is more important than the fabric or length of the fibres. The longer you permit your carpets to go uncleaned, the more unclean they become putting your family in increasing harm.

What’s Living in Your Carpets

Your carpet essentially absorbs organic matter all day.

This includes:

 • Food, Beverages, Moisture

 • Dirt, Dust, Pollen, Smoke

 • Hair, Skin Cells, Nastier Human Stuff

 • Whatever your kids dragged in

 • The presents your pet leaves for you

Bit by bit it all adds up. All the gross stuff breaks down, sinks to the bottom, and rots. It gradually gives your carpets a darker overtone and a pleasant smell to go together with it.

The longer you neglect it, the more severe it gets. But that’s not actually the problem.

The problem is all the things that go after the rotting organic matter. Those are the things that get you and your family sick.

Let’s discuss some of them, starting with one you most likely suspect.

Mould

Your carpets are one of the most high-risk areas for mould growth.

Airborne mould spores land on your carpet fibers and find themselves comfortable and well-nourished. Mould often finds everything it has to grow and thrive on in your carpets.

Moisture is the biggest factor for mould growth. Mould loves humid climates. Carpets near bathrooms, basements, or other damp parts of your home are at a high risk. Moisture provided by air-con contributes further.

Mould is difficult to detect without an expert. It’s rarely visible, lurking within the far reaches of your home. You don’t even realize it is there, and yet it's spreading. This is often unfortunate because it can negatively impact your health.

Allergens produced by mould affect people in several ways. Reactions and severity is also different. But generally, allergic mould reactions are limited to symptoms like skin rashes, cold-like symptoms, or difficulty breathing.

Some mould also produces mycotoxins - toxic compounds which will have serious health effects. In fact, one among those effects is that it makes you more sensitive to the next unsavoury character on our list.

Bacteria

Carpet will be a breeding ground for every kind of bacteria.

And this isn’t just any bacteria. We’re talking about strains responsible for the number of the most illnesses, hospitalizations, and even deaths within the world.

Some of these notorious bacteria include:

Salmonella

This bacteria is usually spread to your carpet by faeces, from people and our animals. Contaminated food and other outside substances can contain it as well. Salmonella infections may result in diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping. Young children and the elderly are especially in danger.

Campylobacter

Campylobacter is usually found in moist or damp carpets. This bacteria needs an especially moisture-rich environment. But it needs little oxygen to thrive. Campylobacter infections cause an illness called campylobacteriosis, which might result in diarrhea or dysentery syndrome.

E Coli

Perhaps the most notorious bacteria out there, E. coli isn't to be taken lightly. It can come from raw food products in your home or tracked in by your family. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In additional severe cases, it can result in bloody diarrhea, dehydration, or kidney failure.

You never want to underestimate the power in little things. And these little things could make an enormous difference within the lives of your family.

Unfortunately, mould and bacteria aren’t the sole threats.

Other Harmful Things

Unfortunately, lots of creepy little things love consuming rotting organic matter.

For instance, many insects thrive on a concoction of food residue, pet faeces, and other insects. And they can continue to thrive on it as it rots away beneath the surface of your carpet.

What’s more:

Tiny channels within your home can provide direct routes to your kitchen or bedroom. Even worse, some of the organic matter will inevitably escape the carpet to land as dust around your home.

Obviously, such insects transmit disease. This should be motivation enough. But sometimes, dirty carpets can get you sick without any extra help.

Norovirus is a contagious stomach and intestinal virus. It can survive in carpets for an extended period of your time. This is often one of the things that make norovirus outbreaks difficult to regulate.

Steam cleaning is the safest way to fight norovirus in carpets. However, it’s crucial that steam temperatures reach 170°. This may be hard to try and do without the assistance of an expert.

Norovirus is life-threatening for young children, the elderly, and people with other health conditions. And it’s clearly not the sole virus that might survive into your carpets. In fact, contaminated textiles throughout your home can help sickness spread.

We are literally exposed to such microorganisms on a daily basis. The problem is that our homes too often foster their growth. Then, our immune systems are eventually overtaken through repeated exposure.

Fortunately, the answer is straightforward. And no, you don’t need to burn your house down.

What to do About Carpet Contaminants

You have to keep them clean.

And while regular vacuuming could be a great start, professional deep cleaning is a must. Household vacuums don’t have the power to pull debris from below the surface. Even dry vacuuming from a professional probably won’t be enough.

In our opinion, regular professional carpet cleaning is one of the most powerful ways to keep your family well.

You might think about it like this:

Deep cleaning your carpet will remove thousands of times more germs from your home than cleaning your bathroom. This includes some of the most likely to cause illness.

A professional cleaner has a variety of techniques to deal with embedded carpet contaminants. In addition to fighting sickness, this also helps your carpets last. In fact, most carpet warranties mandate professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months. Pause and think why this may be.

You may have recently moved into your home. Or, you may have been living in the same place for 20 years. Either way, it’s a good time to start keeping a regular schedule of professional carpet cleaning.

No matter who you decide on, professional deep cleaning will benefit you and your family in the long run.

If you are looking for someone to rid your home of its tiny invaders, look no further than Sporganise Professional Residential & Commercial cleaners.

SPORGANISE We’ll tackle your mess!