Carpets do a lot more than just beautify a floor or keep your feet comfy. A recent study by Carpet-Health.org showed that carpets also help purify air by trapping airborne pollutants like pollen, bacteria, pet dander, and dust. However, these allergens could eventually “fill up” the carpets, making them a pollutant reservoir.
An article posted at RestorationMasterFinder.com describes how an air-purifying carpet can turn into an indoor hazard. Without regular cleaning, a carpet can become full of allergens. The moment you and your family walk on it, the irritating substances trapped within the dirty carpet fibers are released into the air you breathe.
Ask any OKC carpet cleaning service provider and they’ll definitely agree to the statement above. Why? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), filthy carpets are shown to hold up to 8 times their weight in dirt, bacteria, fungi, and other allergens that they routinely trap. Here are some of the most common dangers that dirty carpets could harbor.
Campylobacter. This is a type of bacteria typically found in damp carpets, especially during winter. Its clinically proven adverse health effects include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Campylobacter bacteria usually infect over 2 million people each year, with babies under a year old, teens and young adults among the most common victims.
Norwalk virus (Norovirus). The norovirus is a type of virus that can cause severe flu and stomach issues, and can survive on a carpet’s surface for about four to six weeks. Noroviruses cause inflammation of the stomach and large intestine linings (a.k.a gastroenteritis). Fortunately, vacuuming your carpet regularly can help minimize the occurrence and spread of the virus.
Kawasaki Syndrome. Bacteria and all other allergens inhaled from dirty carpets can stick to the insides of the lungs, potentially causing Kawasaki Syndrome. The inhaled bacteria and toxins can harm the coronary arteries, which carry blood to the heart muscle. It is most common among children aged 1 to 2 years, but much less prevalent among children over 8. It is not contagious, but dangerous if not treated immediately and properly.
Salmonella. Typically found in food, salmonella bacteria can also find its way onto carpets via animal feces or the bottom of your shoes. Diarrhea and abdominal cramps are the common manifestations of salmonella infection. Keeping your carpet clean and dry is the best way to thwart the threat of salmonella.
Do not let these menaces harm your family. Have your carpet routinely tidied up by reputable OKC carpet cleaners like Anew Carpet Cleaning. Give trusted carpet cleaners in your area a call and see what they can do to refresh your carpeting.
(Source: Is Your Dirty Carpet Making You Sick?, RestorationMasterFinder.com)
