Spring is in the air, and many of you are taking this opportunity to air out your homes from your winter burrowing. Some of you are getting a head start on spring home maintenance projects. Don’t neglect one of the most important aspects of your home’s interior: your carpet.
Believe it or not, carpet can actually improve your home’s air quality. And with spring allergy season on the horizon, you want to do everything you can to keep your air as clean as possible. Airborne allergens and particles like dust mites will fall to the ground due to gravity’s pull. If they fall on hard surfaces, they can be stirred up again, filtering back into the air. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) in Dalton, Georgia, “Carpet traps particles, removing them from the breathing zone and reducing their circulation in the air.”
BUT in order for carpet to improve the air quality in your home, it must be cleaned properly and regularly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): “It cannot be over-emphasized that proper cleaning and maintenance is a critical component of any flooring system.”
Here are some tips for spring cleaning your carpet.
Hire a professional
Vacuuming your carpet regularly is important but is not the only tactic you should employ. Getting your carpet professionally cleaned is a necessary step to be sure your carpet is not trapping harmful particles that vacuuming doesn’t remove. The EPA recommends getting your carpets cleaned every 6-12 months. Depending on how much traffic your carpet has seen (and how many pets you have), you may want to call a professional more frequently.
Say no to moisture
Avoiding mold and bacteria in your carpet should be one of your primary concerns when it comes to cleaning. Be specifically mindful about leaving behind soap and water residue. Try to find a professional that uses a dry method; if that’s not an option, be 100% sure to let your carpet dry completely after it is cleaned. Be sure any spills that occur are cleaned quickly, extracted if possible. With all the respiratory problems caused by mold and bacteria, knowing nothing is growing in your carpet will give you peace of mind.
Vacuum regularly
Make a cleaning schedule and stick to it. Vacuum your floors regularly and with a vacuum cleaner that’s been approved by CRI’s Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality Testing Program. These vacuums will effectively remove dirt and prevent dust from filtering back into the air.
Spring cleaning your carpet isn’t only good for your home’s aesthetic but also for its air quality, because you deserve a healthy home atmosphere.