Area rugs trap allergens, dust particles, and other pollutants that can significantly affect the overall health and well-being of those living in your home. Professional area rug cleaning helps to eliminate potential health issues and maintain a safe and clean home environment.

The Health Risks of Dirty Area Rugs

Dirty area rugs pose several health risks due to the accumulation of dirt, pathogens, and pollutants. Area rugs in the home trap dust particles, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens. When you walk on your carpet or sit on it, these particles can become airborne. Inhaling these particles can cause potential respiratory problems and trigger allergies or asthma attacks. Dust mites and mold spores in rugs cause various allergic reactions, such as watery eyes, itchy skin, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Rugs in damp areas, such as bathrooms, become nests for mold and mildew. Dirty carpets can cause skin irritations, infections, or an athlete’s foot if the rug is contaminated with harmful pathogens or fungi.

Bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella and pathogenic organisms can dwell in dirty area rugs, especially if food has spilled or someone walked on the carpet with contaminated shoes. When these bacteria come in contact with open wounds or are ingested, it can lead to infections. Suppose you haven’t professionally cleaned your area rug. In that case, it can strain and weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses with constant exposure to pollutants and germs in dirty rugs. If young children like to play on the rugs, dirty rugs have contaminants they can pick up on their hands, which can easily be ingested, leading to stomach or gastrointestinal infections. Having dirty area rugs in your home can jeopardize the indoor air quality (IAQ), leading to developing health issues over time. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants trapped in rugs can contribute to fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms.

The Role of Professional Rug Cleaning in Maintaining a Healthy Home

Professional area rug cleaning plays a significant role in helping maintain a clean and healthy home environment for you and your family. Unlike regular vacuuming, professional rug cleaners make contact with the ingrained dirt, dust, and pollutants trapped in rug fibers. Professional rug cleaning versus doing it yourself might seem more expensive, but professional equipment is stronger and more effective than rentals. DIY carpet cleaners don’t thoroughly rinse or dry the carpet fibers, leaving you with a wet, musty-smelling rug. Professionally cleaning your area rugs can help create and maintain a healthier home environment by improving indoor air quality (IAQ) and removing odors, dust, and allergens.

Dust and Allergen Removal

Professional carpet cleaning techniques, including steam cleaning or hot water extraction, effectively remove allergens, relieving those with sensitivities and allergies. The allergens in rugs include pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.

Prevention of Mold Growth

Mold growth in area rugs can be widespread when not regularly or adequately cleaned. In humid conditions, area rugs can nest mildew and mold, requiring deep and proper rug cleaning. Professional rug cleaners utilize specific methods, cleaning solutions, and equipment that thoroughly clean and dry area rugs to prevent mold growth.

Elimination of Pathogens

Area rugs conceal bacteria, fungi, and viruses that require regular rug cleaning. The cleaning solutions professionals use, and high steam cleaning effectively kill these pathogens to provide a healthier living space.

Odor Removal

Over time, the odors from pets, spills, and mold can get trapped in area rugs. Professional area rug cleaning goes beyond masking these odors, addressing their root cause, and leaving your home smelling fresh.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

The pollutants accumulating in area rugs contribute to poor indoor air quality, leading to lung cancer and chronic lung diseases. By removing dust, pollutants, and allergens from rugs, professional cleaning contributes to better home indoor air quality (IAQ). Good indoor air quality is especially beneficial for respiratory health.

Prolonged Rug Life

Regular professional cleaning not only maintains the health of the home environment but also extends the rug’s life. Dirt and grit that embed within rug fibers can act abrasively, causing wear and tear. Removing these ensures the longevity of the rug.

Safe Cleaning Products

Alameda’s professional rug cleaners utilize non-toxic cleaning agents that are safe for the home’s inhabitants and the environment. These products effectively clean the rug, ensuring no harmful residue is left behind.

Expertise and Equipment

Professionals have the expertise and equipment to handle various rug types, materials, and dyes. This ensures the rug is cleaned and maintained in its best condition without damaging its fibers or colors.

Pest Prevention

Dust mites, carpet beetles, and fleas are all types of pests that reside in rugs. Professional carpet cleaning helps prevent infestations from pests that might choose dirty rugs as their habitat.

Get Professional Area Rug Cleaning in Portland, Oregon

Professional area rug cleaning can help eliminate potential health risks linked to dirty rugs in the home. Alameda offers professional area rug cleaning in Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding areas. The benefits of professional area rug cleaning go beyond mere aesthetics and a visibly cleaner rug. While regular vacuuming is beneficial for area rugs, it often fails to remove the deeply embedded particles and pathogens. We utilize specific cleaning equipment and techniques that infiltrate deep into the rug fibers for a comprehensive cleanse that removes all dirt and grime. Alameda’s team of professionals guarantees thorough area rug cleanings, targeting dust, pollen, allergens, and pollutants that regular cleaning methods often miss.

Our professional cleaners are experts in cleaning various types of rugs, ensuring that specific materials and dyes are treated with the utmost care. Alameda’s cleaning services prioritize the health of your home and the environment by using eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning products. We address stubborn stains and odors in area rugs, refreshing your rug and extending its lifespan. Our Portland area rug cleaning enhances the longevity of your rug and helps maintain a clean, healthy, and fresh home environment.

If you’re looking for area rug cleaners in Portland, Oregon, or surrounding areas, Alameda offers a wide range of cleaning services, including upholstery, carpet, and business cleaning. Contact us today!

References:

  • American Lung Association, 2023. Carpets and Rugs.
  • Advanced Podiatry Group, 2022. Athlete’s Foot and Carpeting.
  • American Lung Association, 2023. Indoor Air Pollutants and Health.

Office & Rug Plant

Alameda Carpet &
Upholstery Cleaners
1100 NE 21st Ave, Suite B
Portland, OR 97232

Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 9-5

After hours drop-off/pick-up:
Tues/Thurs by appt.