When you suffer from allergies, you will do absolutely anything to help keep any flare ups at bay. Which is why it’s important to make sure your carpets are kept extremely clean and clear of allergens. As, otherwise, you might just find yourself sniffing and struggling to breathe in your own home.
So, to help you out, here are Insta Clean’s top 5 tips for carpet cleaning:
1. Vacuum Your Carpets and Any Rugs Frequently
When it comes to carpets, our floors can become hotbeds for allergens. Especially when our own bodies shed so much skin every day – which creatures like dust mites love to snack on. These dust mites can be a particular problem for those with allergies, as many people are allergic to their faeces and this can cause itchiness and shortness as breath.
As well as our own dead skin, our carpets tend to get clogged up by dust and dirt brought into our homes from the outside. Particularly on our shoes and clothing. So, to help with allergen control in your home, it is essential that you vacuum regularly.
If possible, those with allergies should avoid vacuuming, instead asking a family member or partner to give your carpet a good vacuum at least once a week. If that’s not possible, try to wear a mask when you use your vacuum cleaner to protect yourself as much as possible.
You should also use a machine with a HEPA filter, as this filter very small allergens into your machine. Whereas an ordinary machine would release them back into the air, potentially causing an allergic reaction for you.
For a top cleaning tip, sprinkle over baking soda on your carpets and leave for around 15 minutes. The baking soda will help lift any odours and can be hoovered up to leave your carpet looking and smelling as fresh as a daisy.
2. Try to Only Have Short Pile Carpets – They’re Far Easier for Carpet Cleaning!
When carpet shopping, many of us look for the shaggiest carpet that will feel fluffy between our toes. However, if you have allergies, this is not a great choice, as these longer pile carpets are harder to clean and will retain more allergens in them.
So, if are thinking about getting a new carpet in your home, try to look for one with a short pile. That way, you should be able to keep more allergens out, which you will feel all the better for. Plus, a short pile carpet comes with other advantages. For one, these carpets are a lot stronger and easy to clean, which means it will last you far longer before needing replaced.
These short-piled carpets will be much easier to vacuum and wash, allowing you to keep your carpets looking brand new and your lungs happy.
As well as looking for shorter piled carpets, it’s also important to remember that not all carpet materials are considered the same when it comes to allergy sufferers. For one, while wool is a top choice for a carpet – especially since it feels so luxurious – this can cause problems when it comes to allergies.
As, over time, wool can retain moisture and release mould allergens into the air in your home. Similarly, unlike a synthetic fibre, wool can shed a lot more as it’s a natural fibre and this can cause problems if it’s not vacuumed regularly enough.
If you have something like asthma, you should look for a nylon carpet fibre. That’s because, when nylon is manufactured it is treated to resist dust, allergens and moisture – making it ideal. Even better, nylon is very strong and will last you many years into the future. It’s even known to be stain-resistant, which is a must for those with kids or pets.
3. Try to Keep Pets off Carpets to Keep Them Clean
Talking of pets, when you suffer from allergies, the shedding fur of cats and dogs can really affect your day-to-day life. That doesn’t mean that you can have pets, though, it just means you have to be a little more careful about where you let your pets in your home.
For instance, as nice as it is to cuddle your bed at night, you should really keep them out of your bedroom. Not only do pets bring in allergens and dirt from outdoors – that then end up on your bed or bedroom carpets – but their fur can also start a build-up of allergens in your bedroom causing you difficulties sleeping.
For rooms that your pets are allowed in, it’s important that you increase your cleaning schedule. In particular, you may wish to get a vacuum cleaner specifically designed to pick up pet hair. You’ll also want to vacuum much more frequently – including furniture and curtains – to pick up stray hairs and allergens.
4. Spot Clean Any Stains ASAP
Whether it’s wine, food or pet stains – when moisture gets into your carpet it’s important that you spot clean it right away. As, by taking carpet cleaning precautions straight away, you’re far less likely to be left with an unsightly stain that needs professional help in the future.
This spot cleaning is also very important if you have allergies. As, when moisture gets into your carpet and it’s not cleaned properly, it can later cause mould problems, which can really affect people’s breathing when spores are released into our breathing space.
Just remember, if you are using any branded cleaning solution, you should test it on a spot of carpet hidden from sight in case it stains. For an old-fashioned but effective cleaner, just add some vinegar over you stain alongside some baking soda. These two substances will react together cause a foam, where little oxygen bubbles will help lift the stain. Then just blot until clean and vacuum when dry.
5. Get Your Carpet Vapor Steam Cleaned
While the tips above are wonderful for keeping your carpet clean on a day-to-day basis, if you want to ensure that your carpet in entirely clean you should get it steam cleaned once or twice a year (or more if your allergies are particularly bad). Here the hot steam of the cleaner can kill every allergen present in your carpet – sort of like getting a brand-new carpet again.
Just beware, not all steamers are created equally. Indeed, the water steamers that many of us have at home can actually cause a flare in allergies and may even cause mould to grow if too much moisture is present. So, it’s important that you either hire a proper vapor steam cleaner or try domestic carpet cleaning with a professional company.
If you’re worried about allergens in your carpets and would like to get them professionally cleaned, you can get in touch with one of our team who will be happy to answer any questions.