Does Dirty Carpet Affect Indoor Air Quality? What to Know
When you think about indoor air quality, your mind might jump to air filters and air purifiers. You may even think about air duct cleaning. But carpets hold one of the largest air filters in your home.
While carpet provides warmth and coziness under your feet, it also traps everyday dirt, dust, allergens, and more. These particles find their way into your home every day. Over time, your carpet traps too many pollutants that can harm your indoor air quality and family’s health.
ThoroClean has been helping Albuquerque homeowners improve their indoor air for years. Professional carpet cleaning is one of the many services we offer. Here’s what you should know about how clean carpets equal healthy indoor air.
What Is Indoor Air Quality?
Indoor Air Quality, also known as IAQ, is the air quality inside of homes and buildings such as offices. When an area has good indoor air quality, it means that the air isn’t filled with excessive pollutants, allergens, or contaminants that can impact your comfort or health.
There are several health problems associated with poor indoor air quality including:
- Allergies
- Asthma attacks
- Respiratory irritation
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Sinus issues
- Eye and throat irritation
Many things impact your indoor air quality. Ventilation, humidity levels, and filtration all play a part. So does keeping your home clean, including your carpets.
Dirty Carpets Can Harm Your Indoor Air Quality
The average homeowner is surprised by how much dirt their carpets hold. Every day, people track dirt and debris inside on their shoes. Pets also bring dirt inside, as do family members’ clothes.
Even when your windows and doors are closed, debris floats around your home. When your carpet traps these particles, it starts to collect dirt and dust. Here’s how dirty carpet affects your indoor air.
Carpets Hold onto Allergens and Dust
Your carpet traps everyday pollutants such as:
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Mold
- Viruses and bacteria
When your carpet first traps these particles, it’s good for your indoor air quality. It keeps these contaminants from floating through the air. However, after a while, your carpet holds too many allergens and becomes dirty itself.
Whenever you walk or carry furniture across your carpet, you kick those pollutants back up into the air. Over time, vacuuming may not be enough to keep your carpet’s contaminants from affecting your family’s health.
Dust Mites and Other Allergens Love Dirty Carpet
Dust mites thrive in carpet fibers. While they aren’t harmful by themselves, their waste is a leading cause of allergies and asthma. If you battle allergies in your home, dust mites may be the culprit.
Pet Dander Can Cause Contamination
Pets may make your home feel complete. But if you’ve got furry friends wandering your floors, carpet traps their shed hair. It also traps their dander.
When these particles get stirred back up into the air, they can make you and your family miserable. Pet dander is difficult for some people to breathe around.
If you don’t regularly clean your carpet, you may notice your pets causing indoor air quality problems.
Mold Can Grow in Your Carpet
Water accidents happen. Sometimes your carpet suffers from spills or pet accidents. Moisture can also be left behind if you don’t dry your carpet properly after cleaning it.
If moisture sits in your carpet for too long, it leads to mold. Not only does mold create awful smells, but it can also worsen the quality of air inside your home.
Can Carpets Release VOCs into the Air?
VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds are gases that are emitted from certain materials and chemicals. Carpet can also release VOCs into the air.
New carpeting is known for releasing these gases into your home. Many times, it’s the adhesive used to install carpet or the treatment used on carpet that contains VOCs.
These gases will typically fade away after your carpet is installed. However, regular carpet cleaning can help reduce these pollutants.
How Clean Carpets Improve Indoor Air Quality
Not only can dirty carpets pollute the air you breathe but clean carpets can improve it too! Here’s how keeping your carpet clean helps improve your indoor air.
Clean Carpets Trap Fewer Pollutants
When you regularly clean your carpet, you don’t allow large amounts of dust and allergens to hide within carpet fibers. Your carpets can do their job better when they aren’t overwhelmed.
Allergens Are Removed
Vacuuming and carpet cleaning remove pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and other allergens. Reducing these pollutants can decrease your allergies.
Indoor Air Comfort is Improved
Have you ever noticed that your home feels different after you’ve had your carpets cleaned? Many homeowners notice less dust, less stagnant smells, and cleaner air after their carpets are cleaned.
Keep These Tips in Mind for Healthy Indoor Air & Clean Carpets
Vacuum Frequently
One of the best ways you can help reduce dust and debris in carpet is to vacuum regularly. Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filtration system. HEPA filters are designed to trap smaller pollutants and allergens.
Use Mats by Entrances
Help reduce the amount of dirt and debris brought into your home by using entrance mats. Make it a habit to have everyone wipe their feet before entering your home.
Clean Up Messes Immediately
Spills left on carpet can create stains, smells, and attract pests. They can also leave behind excess moisture which leads to mold. Clean up messes immediately to avoid ruining your carpet.
Control Humidity Levels
Help reduce dust mites and mold growth by controlling humidity levels in your home.
Have your carpets professionally cleaned regularly
Yes, vacuuming helps. But did you know that you should also have your carpet professionally cleaned every six months to a year? Professional carpet cleaners remove:
- Grime that vacuuming can’t reach
- Allergens
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Odor causing pollutants
Professional carpet cleaning goes deeper than your vacuum. It can help your carpets stay fresh and keep your indoor air healthy.
Do I Have to Replace My Carpet to Improve My Home Indoor Air Quality?
Homeowners have been told they need to replace carpet to improve their indoor air quality. While tile or wood flooring will always be a great option, you don’t always have to replace carpet.
If you keep your carpet clean and maintained, you can avoid indoor air quality issues. Dirty carpets hold all the pollutants. Clean carpets won’t allow your living space to become contaminated with pollutants and dust.
How Often Should You Clean Carpets?
We recommend professional carpet cleaning every six months to a year. If you have pets, kids, or someone in your household suffers from allergies, you may want to clean your carpets every six months.
Schedule Professional Carpet Cleaning in Albuquerque
If you’re wondering, “Does dirty carpet affect indoor air quality?” now you know! ThoroClean offers professional carpet cleaning services to help you keep your carpets clean.
From family pets to outdoor pollutants, many things can decrease your carpet’s cleanliness. Call ThoroClean today at 505-883-04