Carpet Cleaning and Allergy Control

Clean carpet traps dust, pet dander, allergens, and other fine particulates out of the air we breathe.  This means what falls on the carpet tends to stay trapped in the carpet until it is removed through either vacuuming or extraction carpet cleaning.  Hard surface floors, such as tile and wood allow dust and allergens to re-circulate into the breathing zone easily.  However, properly maintained carpet actually contributes to improved air quality.  Properly maintaining carpets includes vacuuming thoroughly and having your carpet cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company periodically.   Independent testing compared the distribution of airborne particulates associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces.  A 2002 study by the Professional Testing Laboratory Inc. in Dalton, GA., shows that walking on hard surface floors disturbs more particles than walking on a carpeted surface will.  The carpet surfaces trapped more particles so that walking disturbs fewer particles, resulting is less dust in the breathing zone of children and adults.  In addition to trapping airborne particulates, carpet can insulate, absorb sound, and help prevent slips, falls, and other injuries that are typical on hard surface floors.  A summary of this study can be found on the Carpet and Rug Instittute's (CRI) website.  So keep this in mind, if carpets are dirty, not only will they not trap dust, dirt, and other allergens properly, they won't last as long as carpet that is properly maintained with a professional carpet cleaning company.

Choosing A Vacuum Cleaner

Are you in the market for a vacuum cleaner? Since vacuuming can remove 70% of all the dry soil in carpet, then choosing a good vacuum cleaner is essential for day to day maintenance in between professional carpet cleanings.  With the proper choice this vacuum could last you for years.  Here is a few suggestions of things to look for and research to do before you buy that new vacuum.

When choosing a vacuum for your home it is important to look for an upright, dual-motor vacuum. One motor for the vacuum suction and one for the brush roller. This way the power of one motor is not split amongst two jobs.  Next the vacuum needs to have a high-efficiency filtration system.  This way the dry soil you vacuum out will not be blown back through the area.  For stairs, a backpack or canister vacuum would be better suited for this job. Although an upright vacuum with a hose and attachments could also be used for stairs.

A great place to start looking for a vacuum cleaner is the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Seal of Approval list. The vacuums listed here have been tested by an independent, certified laboratory and have met minimum standards for cleaning efficiency. This should help you further narrow down your choices.  Then you might need to go a retailer that will carry many of the vacuums on the CRI list.  This way you can try them and see how easy they are to use.

Once you have choosen your vacuum cleaner it is important to keep it in good working order so that when you use it, it is actually working.  Periodically you should clean the brush roller and make sure it is free of debris. You should also check to see that the belt is in good condition.  Also never let the bag or canister get more than 3/4 full.  If that does happen, the efficiency of the vacuum is greatly reduced. If your vacuum has a hose attachment, then make sure there are no obstructions in the hose.  Doing a few minutes of maintenance periodically will keep your vacuum looking and running like new for years.

Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician #19267 with the IICRC and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. He is on the Board of Directors of the IICRC and the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance. For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.

Healthy Air and Clean Carpet

Did you know that there are several studies out that show that a clean carpet is better for you if you have allergies and other breathing conditions than a hard surface floor?

Here's why. A clean carpet can trap dust, dirt, and pollutants in the fibers and prevent them from kicking kicked up into your breathing zone. This is a good reason to have your carpets maintained properly. Proper maintainence of your carpet includes vacuuming and periodic carpet cleaning.

Vacuuming is probably the single best thing you can do to extend the life of your carpet. Since 70% of all soil in carpet is dry soil, vacuuming your carpet regularly will remove that soil and keep it from scratching your carpet fibers. Periodically, though it is recommending by all the major carpet manufacturers to have your carpet cleaned by a trained and certified technician. These two things help keep the carpet clean and will allow the carpet to be able to filter out dust, dirt, and other allergens that would not be able to be filtered out by a hard surface floor.