Residential Carpet Cleaning EL Dorado Hills CA reduces airborne allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. Regular cleaning also extends the life of your carpets and keeps them looking great.
Carpet shampooing is similar to shampooing hair, using special detergents and lots of water. Rotating brushes scrub the carpet and clean the solution into the fibers, and the machine sucks up the soapy residue.
Allergens like pet dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen can easily penetrate carpet fibers. They can also become airborne and circulate throughout the home, causing allergy symptoms in household members or guests. Regular vacuuming can help remove surface allergens, but traditional carpet cleaning is the only way to get rid of the hidden ones.
While having clean carpets is important for everyone, it’s especially crucial for allergy sufferers. Allergens from dirt and debris can irritate the sinuses, leading to sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and other allergic reactions.
Here are some tips for keeping your carpets free of allergens:
Vacuum frequently, at least twice a week, or more often in high-traffic areas. Invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap the smallest particles of allergens. Use air purifiers with an allergy rating to further reduce your exposure to harmful allergens. Wash your bedding and curtains regularly in hot water to kill allergens that can build up on them.
If you have children, implement a “no shoes” policy in your home to limit allergens entering your carpets. This is particularly helpful during the summer, when plants produce more pollen. Look for carpets that are labeled as hypoallergenic or low-pile, which can minimize allergens’ ability to stick to the fibers. Additionally, it’s a good idea to schedule professional carpet cleaning at least once or twice a year to remove embedded allergens. This will also improve indoor air quality and reduce the chances of mold or mildew growth. This will create a healthier and more comfortable living space for your family, especially those who are suffering from allergies.
Dirt
Every day oily residues from your feet, the family pets (if you have them) and other sources of dirt cling to carpet fibers. These organic materials break down and sink to the bottom of carpet where they rot. Over time, this rotting organic material gives carpets a darker overtone and smells bad. It also serves as a food source for bacteria, which can make you and your family sick. Vacuuming alone isn’t enough to clean up this problem; a thorough deep cleaning is required.
Dirty carpets can contain up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch, which means your soiled carpet can be 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat. This nasty bacteria can lead to a variety of health concerns, including diarrhea and vomiting. It can also exacerbate respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergies. Fortunately, the best way to keep bacteria out of your carpets is by implementing preventive measures, such as using doormats, taking shoes off at the door and vacuuming regularly.
Routine cleaning also helps prevent dirt buildup and extends the life of your carpets. Even though many carpets today are treated with stain resistant coatings, it’s important to treat all spills immediately and use a stain removal product that doesn’t damage or cause resoiling. A professional deep clean can help you get rid of stains and other grime that builds up in heavy traffic areas. The deep cleaning process can also remove airborne pollutants, which are often triggered by allergens and other particles lodged within dirty carpets. This can lead to a more comfortable home for you and your family.
Deodorization
Carpets can trap odors such as cooking, pet urine, smoke from cigars and cigarettes or even mildew. Liquid freshener spray deodorizers may mask odors temporarily, but they can also damage carpet fibers and leave behind a sticky residue that attracts more dirt and dust. There are a variety of natural ways to deodorize your carpets and some products that can be used in conjunction with regular cleaning and steaming.
Baking soda is a good way to get rid of stubborn and persistent odors. Sprinkle the powder evenly over the carpet and let it sit for a few hours. Then, vacuum the powder. Repeat as needed.
Another natural deodorizer is vinegar. It has cleaning properties and helps to deodorize, but you must be careful to use a dry method of cleaning afterward or the acid will discolor and weaken your carpet fibres.
A low-moisture cleaning process, called a bonnet or rotating scrubber, works well for residential carpeting. It uses a solution and a rotary cleaning machine that spins a removable pad or brush to remove soil from carpet fibres. This method is very fast, usually taking an hour or less, and can be done in a commercial setting as well as at home.
One of the best ways to prevent a bad odor from returning is to hire a professional who uses high-quality, CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) approved equipment. Using these kinds of products will help maintain your carpet warranty and ensure your carpet gets the cleaning it needs without damaging the fibers. You can check with CRI to find a certified carpet cleaner near you. A professional will also be able to recommend the most effective deodorizers for your carpeting and use a method of cleaning that will avoid excess moisture, which can cause mold and mildew.
Extend the Life of Your Carpets
Carpets provide comfort, style, and warmth in a home, but they require regular care to ensure that they last as long as possible. Fortunately, there are many things homeowners can do to help extend the life of their carpets. For example, regularly vacuuming and cleaning spills immediately can significantly decrease the risk of permanent staining. Using a carpet stain protector like Scotchgard can also be very helpful.
In addition, carpets should be deep cleaned on a regular basis. A professional can remove deeply embedded dirt and allergens that regular vacuuming and surface cleaners may not be able to reach. Carpets should be cleaned at least twice a year, and it is recommended that entryways are cleaned quarterly.
Taking off shoes when entering a home can greatly reduce the amount of dirt that is tracked onto carpets, which can increase their lifespan. Shoe dirt can include natural oils, sweat, residue from foot moisturisers and other substances that can degrade the fibres of a carpet.
One of the most important things that a homeowner can do to extend the life of their carpet is to choose non-toxic cleaners. Harsh chemicals can damage a carpet, leaving behind stains that are difficult to remove. Choose natural cleaning products such as vinegar and baking soda, or opt for plant-based cleaners.
Another way to extend the life of a carpet is to regularly rotate the furniture in a room. This will cause people to walk on different parts of the carpet, which will spread the wear and tear more evenly. Finally, it is recommended that carpets be placed away from direct sunlight as long as possible, as UV rays can cause fading and break down fibres over time.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming regularly helps prevent the buildup of abrasive dirt particles that can damage carpet fibers over time. It also reduces the risk of allergies and respiratory problems caused by these particles. It’s recommended to vacuum your carpets on a weekly basis or more often if you have pets and high foot traffic areas. When vacuuming, use a crevice tool or brush attachment to get the most out of your vacuum cleaner. If you use a bagged vacuum, consider replacing or emptying it when it gets one-half to two-thirds full.
Vacuum your carpets in a series of strips rather than moving back and forth across the room. This will give you that much sought-after, beautiful vacuum line. You may also want to vacuum a second time in the opposite direction, such as vacuuming north to south on the first pass and then going east to west on the second pass. Doing this ensures you’re getting all the deep-down dirt.
Even when you have your carpets professionally cleaned, you should vacuum them beforehand. Vacuuming prepares the carpet for cleaning, ensuring that existing dirt doesn’t turn into mud when mixed with water and cleaning solutions. It’s like preparing a canvas before painting.
This step is especially important if you’ve opted for a dry cleaning method, such as encapsulation or VLM. These methods don’t involve water, but they still require a pre-treatment to break up dirt and allergens. These treatment products can leave residue on the fibers, and if it’s not vacuumed away, it could attract new dirt and staining over time. For this reason, it’s particularly important to wait 48 hours before vacuuming a carpet that has received a VLM treatment.