The Health Risks Associated With Dirty Carpets

A clean environment can help you stay healthy, but a lot of people forget about their carpets. Dirty carpets can be unpleasant to look at, but they can also cause a lot of health problems. It is important that you know what the health risks of dirty carpets are.

Respiratory Issues

The fibers of your carpets will trap a lot of dirt from pet hair to dust to mold. The problem is that daily activities such as walking on the carpets or vacuuming will free these trapped particles. Once free, they will spread into the air and around your home.

Many of the pollutants in your carpets can cause respiratory issues such as coughing and shortness of breath. Anyone who suffers from asthma will feel the effects more intensely as they are vulnerable to these airborne particles. According to the American Lung Association, children who spend a lot of time on the floor will be more at risk and affected by the particles in the carpet.

Allergies

The dust mites and mold that cause coughing and lung inflammation will also cause red eyes and a runny nose if you suffer from allergies. The build-up of particles in a dirty carpet can easily trigger an allergic reaction or make your day much less comfortable. There are ways that you can tell if your carpets are the cause of your allergies flaring up.

If you often wake up with allergy symptoms, your carpets should be the first place you look for the cause. You need to take the time to eliminate the dust and other dirt in the carpets. If you experience skin irritation and sneezing, ragweed and mold could be the cause. These irritants will rest in your carpets and you could feel your allergies flare-up in the hours after you vacuum.

Skin Irritation

Skin irritation is not always linked to an allergic reaction, but can still be caused by a dirty carpet. Dirty carpets can trigger a range of skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, itchy skin, and athlete’s foot. If you have any of these skin conditions, they can also be worsened by the dust mites in a dirty carpet.

To reduce the chances of skin irritation, you need to regularly clean your carpets. If you have sensitive skin, you should consider running a humidifier and having your carpets professionally cleaned regularly. This will reduce the dust mites in the fibers which are small enough for most residential cleaners to miss.

Stomach Illness

If your dirty carpet becomes damp, the health risks will increase because nothing good comes from wet carpets. These carpets will have mold growing in or under them and this can cause a range of health problems. Of course, the exact health issues will depend on the type of mold.

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, mold will often go unseen and is very common in basement carpeting. This carpeting is also cleaned less regularly than in other areas of the house. The problem is that basement carpeting can host a range of bacteria including salmonella. Most people associate this with certain foods, but it can be tracked into your home and fester in the carpets putting your family at risk.

Dirty carpets are unpleasant to look at, but they can also cause a range of health problems. The particles trapped in the fibers can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues. They can also harbor dangerous molds and other diseases such as salmonella. If you suffer from certain skin conditions, a dirty carpet can exacerbate the issue or cause it to flare up.