3 Tips for Cleaner Carpet – and Better Air Quality
Other than a quick vacuum or a clean-up after a spill, carpet can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to cleaning. But keeping your carpets as clean as possible is a lot more important than you think – particularly for air quality.
Believe it or not, what’s trapped in your carpet has a huge impact on what you and your family breathe in every single day. That’s because your carpet is home to a variety of pollutants, including dirt, dust mites, pet dander, dust mites and mold. When you walk over the carpet every day, those pollutants are released back into the air. This can cause a lot of irritation, particularly for young children or those who suffer from allergies. That’s why it’s so important to keep your carpet clean throughout the week. You need to eliminate as many of these pollutants as possible before they become airborne.
Not sure whether your current carpet cleaning routine is up to par? Here are three simple tips to keep your carpets clean for improved air quality.
1. Vacuum frequently – but not too frequently.
Vacuuming is an important part of keeping your carpets clean. Some people go a week (or even weeks) at a time between vacuuming. This which allows pollutants to build up that will later be released into the air. Frequent vacuuming can help you keep up with that buildup.
There’s a balance to it, however. Vacuuming every day isn’t necessarily a good idea, as over-vacuuming can damage your carpet over time. The American Lung Association recommends cleaning your carpet three times per week, and always with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. You’ll find that these filters are better equipped to deal with allergy-causing pollutants.
2. Avoid toxic cleaners.
It’s a good idea to pay attention to the types of cleaning products you use in your home. This is especially true for your carpet. Just like dirt, dust and other pollutants, strong chemicals poured into your carpet will also circulate in the air. Plus, if you have young kids who spend time playing on the floor, they will come into direct contact with the cleaning products.
Try using non-toxic items you already have around the kitchen, such as baking soda and vinegar, to remove stains and odor from your carpet as needed. PopSugar put together this simple DIY Carpet Cleaner recipe that’s great for removing stains. Just be careful to look for a reputable recipe or instructions before mixing anything together. Mixing the wrong chemicals together can be unsafe (or even deadly). If you want to use a store-bought cleaner, stick with one that is labelled “biodegradable.”
3. Book a professional cleaning service.
Vacuuming can only do so much to remove pollutants from your carpet, particularly ones that need be “killed,” such as dust mites. That’s why experts recommend getting your carpet professionally steamed once every year. This helps to really get it clean and keep pollutants out of the air. Just make sure your carpet is properly dried afterward. Damp carpet is the perfect environment for mildew to grow.
When you choose a company to clean your carpet, choose one that is bonded by the state. You want one that can present the necessary insurance and licenses. Choosing a company without all the paperwork might feel tempting if the cost is lower, but you run the risk of expensive damages they are not insured to cover. Ask friends or family if they have anyone to recommend – most people love to share a great (or not so great) experience they’ve had with a cleaning company.
If all this feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry – there’s another force fighting the airborne pollutants you want to avoid. Your HVAC system. If working properly, it is designed to filter out the air and keep it free of dust, dirt and other irritants. So while all of these cleaning steps are helpful, you can breathe easier knowing that your HVAC is working 24/7 to filter out the bad stuff, and you can worry about more important things.
Looking to get HVAC maintenance checked off your cleaning to-do list? Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning’s Total Comfort Service Program makes it easy. Click here or call 850.580.4029 to learn more today!
