If you are like most people, you have carpet somewhere in your home, and you probably walk on it daily without even thinking about it. Perhaps you are one of the more than 50 million Americans that have experienced various types of allergies each year. Often the cause of your allergies can be elusive; some people never really know what is causing their allergic reaction and are resigned to a life of treating symptoms, but have you considered your home’s carpet as the culprit?
Consider how long it has been since you have had a professional carpet cleaning service come in and clean your carpet, area rugs, and fabric upholstery. If it has been a few months, then there could be things like dust mites, allergens, pet feces, and other bacteria trapped in the fibers. These problems could be dangerous to your health and making your family sick. Perhaps, you’ve rented a do-it-yourself carpet cleaning machine. There is even more chance that your carpet is the problem. DIY machines leave behind moisture that makes a perfect breeding ground for mold.
Here are three different signs to look for to determine if your carpet may be the cause of your health problems.
1. You have respiratory problems. If you are having difficulty breathing while at home, your carpet could be the issue. Mold and bacteria thrive in dirty carpets. You inhale these toxins, causing respiratory problems. Similarly, dust mites could be hiding in your carpets and cause rashes, nose irritations, and eye irritations.
2. Your allergies are bothering you. If your allergies seem worse whenever you are at home, your carpet could be causing the flare-up. Mold, dust, tiny bugs, and pet hair can be found in your carpet and have been known to aggravate allergies.
3. You’ve noticed skin problems. If there are bacteria in your carpet, it could enter your body through a scratch or cut in your foot. This can cause athlete’s foot fungal infection. As mentioned above, dust mites can also be a big cause of skin rashes and irritations.
If you haven’t had a professional carpet cleaning service in your home for a while, it may be time to call McCartin’s for professional carpet cleaning service. We use state-of-the-art equipment that leaves carpets thoroughly cleaned and needing little dry time. We also use earth-friendly, people and pet-safe green cleaning products. Learn more about our products
We also offer professional oriental and area rug cleaning done in our shop for a more thorough cleaning that it can receive in your home. Learn more
What if I have my carpets cleaned professionally and I still have a reaction?
In some instances, people have experienced an allergic reaction to their carpet. Here’s why…
Off-gassing. The materials used to manufacture carpeting, as well as the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) they emit, can cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, in people who are sensitive to them. They may also adversely affect the respiratory tract or result in allergy-induced asthma symptoms.
Carpets are composed of two parts, the upper pile you see and a backing layer underneath. It’s possible to be allergic to substances in either part. So, if you’ve opted for a rug made of natural material, be aware that usually, that refers to the pile or the upper layer. Then there is carpet padding that is under most carpet.
Carpet padding is made from bonded urethane foam, composed of recycled remnants from car parts, furniture, and mattresses. It may contain a wide variety of potential allergens, including formaldehyde and styrene.
In addition, carpets can be either low VOC or high VOC. VOCs, evaporate into the air, dissipating over time. The higher the VOC load, the more toxins in the carpet. In addition to the actual materials used to make carpets, VOCs may cause allergic reactions in some people.
For example, 4-Phenylcyclohexene is a VOC found in latex emissions and may be off-gassed by nylon carpeting.
If you’re allergic to the materials, your carpet is made of, removing it may be your best, most comfortable option. Rather than carpeting, opt for woven area rugs that are made from cotton and wool and have no backing that can be sent out for a thorough professional area rug cleaning. Visit our Oriental and area rug cleaning shop, Bal Arisi
The above are merely suggestions and are not to be considered medical advice or used in place of seeing a medical professional.