March 21st, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

It is easy to be fooled into thinking our carpets are clean if we don't notice any stains or obvious patches of dirt, but the truth is that there is a whole lot going on beneath the surface and without regular cleaning, they can become a host to a whole range of bacteria.

A dirty carpet can be a problem for your health.

Carpets are a breeding ground for bacteria, dust mites and allergens. In fact, did you know that a carpet can hold 4 times its weight in dirt and carry up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch? Of course, every carpet is different but with numbers like these, it is no surprise that a dirty carpet can be a problem for both your health and comfort.

Bacteria and dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in your carpeting. You can't see them with the naked eye, but they are there in large numbers! They feed on dead skin cells that live on your carpeting surface, which is why it's important to clean up spills right away--don't let them sit for more than five minutes before cleaning up. These germs can cause illness if they get into unsuspecting mouths or noses while you're sleeping at night (or any other time). Dust mites alone are also one of the most common triggers for adults and children suffering from asthma.

Carpets also trap odours which means that if you have pets or smoke in the house then these smells will linger in your carpet even after vacuuming, carpets also hold a lot of dust and other direct particles which are distributed every time you walk on your carpet and will affect the quality of the air in a room.

Cleaning your carpets regularly will reduce the number of bacteria and allergens in your home.

Regularly cleaning your carpets will reduce the number of bacteria and allergens in your home. If you don't clean them regularly, they will get dirty, which attracts more dirt and dust mites. The more often you vacuum or steam-clean your carpets, the less likely it is that these things will build up on top of each other over time. If someone has allergies or asthma, cleaning their carpets more often can help them feel better by reducing the number of allergens in their environment--especially if they live with pets! So, if vacuuming alone isn't enough what should you do?

Brush your carpet.

This is a good idea for any type of carpet, but it's especially important if you have pets or children who play on the floor and track dirt into their rooms. Use a carpet rake or brush to remove loose dirt and hair from deep within the fibres of your carpets. You should brush your carpets at least once per month; more often if there are many people walking across them every day (such as at an office). Run your brush or rake over all areas with hard-to-reach spots such as corners, edges and baseboards first before moving onto flat areas where you can easily walk around as needed without having to bend down too much while still getting all sides covered evenly enough so no one misses any spots when vacuuming later!

Vacuum your carpet.

Vacuuming is one of the best ways to remove ground-in dirt and dust from your carpets. A rotating beater bar can help break up dirt and lift it out of the fibres, but only if you're using a vacuum that has one. If not, there's no need to worry--your regular upright should do just fine at lifting most of the surface dust and dirt. Keeping up with regular vacuuming will not only keep dust to a minimum but it will also prevent the build-up of mould and mildew.

Shampoo your carpet.

This final step is often overlooked or not done as regularly as it should be to truly be effective. However, shampooing your carpet is a great way to remove stains, restore the colour of your carpet, neutralise bad odours and remove dirt and bacteria that your vacuum alone cannot reach.

Each carpet and household have different needs so it is important to pick the right carpet shampoo for your needs. For example, in homes with pets, especially young or old pets that may be more prone to accidents then a shampoo with an enzyme digester is a must as this is the most effective way to remove pet odours.

5L Cleenly Extreme Odour Remover Carpet Shampoo

Price: £24.95

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You should clean your carpets on a regular basis to keep them looking their best and smelling fresh.

Carpets are a great way to add style and comfort to your home. They can also be quite expensive, so it's important that you take good care of them not only for your own health but to keep them looking their best for years to come. You should clean them twice a year for a truly deep clean, however homes with pets and children will benefit more from cleaning them up to 4 times a year.  While carpet cleaners and steamers are often faster, not to worry if you don't have one or if you don't have room for one, most shampoos can be used by hand too!

Other things to consider

If someone in your home has just come back from an extended trip or has recently been ill with flu or other similar illness' you should also consider cleaning your carpet at that time to remove any potential germs they may have brought in with them. Germs can take up to 24 hours to transfer from one person to another, so if someone has been sick while travelling, there will be plenty of time for those germs to spread throughout your home before anyone else gets sick as well.

We hope you feel inspired to clean your carpets more often, and we want to make sure that you have all the tools you need to do so! If you want more information about how often you should clean your carpets or rugs, check out our other blog posts on the topic.