Here at Wizard we know the importance of a clean floor, from your carpet to your tiles and especially your rugs. Rugs are host to an alarming rate of bacteria and germs and are often the forgotten or least cleaned flooring item. This blog will highlight the importance of Rug Cleaning.
We all know that eliminating bacteria 100% is simply an impossible reality, however curbing bacteria and keeping it at a manageable level, is within our control. Upon searching for tips and tricks to share with our readers, we recently found a short post on a reminder of the germ hub that is carpet and rug flooring. “In fact, according to Men’s Health, it’s a germ hotspot and can be 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat — ew! “Rugs are botanical and zoological parks,” microbiologist Dr. Philip Tierno…” 1*
1* http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/21/cleaning-carpet-germ-hotspot_n_2916850.html
Many of us do not consider the means of which dirt and germs are tracked in to the home and how such germs become viral and airborne from the ground up. Carpet and rug fibres are ideal fortes for mold spores and allergens to accumulate, and when stepped on, the particles break apart in to the air and in to your body. Common pathogenic diseases such as Salmonella can be brought in to your carpet and rug fibres from your shoes, embedding themselves and regenerating in their cosy environment.
Damp environments are germ hotspots for mold based diseases, including homes in tropical locations, businesses, child care and school facilities. Regular vacuums slow the germs however is not the means to curbing and eliminating some or most of the dangerous bacteria. Flood affected carpeted flooring is a disaster in many ways, and whilst a clean up may have been conducted, consistent flooring maintenance thereafter is a must to limited the bacteria growth and mold growth.
Even if you are a regular cleaner of your carpets, a decent vacuum cleaner will pick up top based dirt particles, yet deep within the carpet and rug fibres, these germs are still there. “Experts say that most people’s carpets and rugs contain a whopping 200,000 bacteria particles per square inch.” – http://www.womansday.com/home/organizing-cleaning/tips/a955/9-surprising-germ- havens-87157/
Many of us are not even aware of the bacteria and germ types embedded in to our rug fibres. If you have animals in the home, this only adds to the faeces, E.Coli and other pathogenic germs waiting to spread elsewhere. Check out this blog from the UK – The Killers in your Carpet. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2724022/The-killers-carpet-Millions-Britons-risk-pneumonia-E- Coli-salmonella-filthy-rugs.html
Ok, so we have covered the fact your floors are possibly the worst place for bacteria, so let’s look at a few tips to minimising tracked bacteria and germs on to your floors:
– Position decent dirt collecting mats at entrance points to your home or business. The cheap options are not always the best, so don’t be afraid to invest in more expensive quality mats
– Remove shoes in the environment where possible, especially within the home
– Vacuum daily over carpets, rugs and tiles
– Steam clean your rugs and carpets at least twice a year
– Ensure your tiles and other floor types are kept clean or even professionally cleaned regularly to minimise the spread of germs from other floor types in to your rug and carpet fibres
– Spot clean your rugs with vinegar and water solutions when there are spills
– Air and sun your rugs when possible, beat the extra dust out if you can keeping your mouth covered
Be sure to book a steam clean with us and check out our carpet and rug cleaning specials today:
Steam carpet cleaning, or otherwise known as hot water extraction, is the recommended method for deep cleaning most rugs. We have a great special on for carpets and rugs, so if you have not booked a professional carpet clean in this year, give us a call and book the recommended 2 cleans and enjoy peace of mind.
Call Wizard Tile & Grout Cleaning today on 0438 554 830, for efficient and competitive results.