Carpets may look clean but may still be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and other micro-organisms. Allergy-causing contaminates such as pet hair or pollen can get into carpets and affect family members long after the allergy season or pet has gone.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has always recognized the importance of carpet cleanliness and its effect on health and indoor air quality. When carpet is properly maintained, it can help improve indoor air quality. Carpet is designed to collect contaminants - soil, bacteria, allergens, pet dander and fluids, viruses, fungi, pollen, and dust and dust mites - and prevent them from becoming airborne. These contaminants have been linked to allergies that are the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. Approximately 35 million Americans suffer from allergies.

To help control the spread of dirt, allergens and contaminates in your home or office, use entry mats, vacuum regularly, and immediately attend spills and stains with proper spot removal processes. Regular vacuuming helps to keep the indoor air quality cleaner and extend the carpets life. However, in a recent study, Dr. Michael Berry - a former Deputy Director of the EPA Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office - indicated that typical vacuuming does not reduce fine particle levels. Fine particles of less than seven microns pass through most vacuum cleaning bags. These small particles tend to build up over time and are released back into the indoor air, thus having the greatest potential to cause harm as they penetrate deep into the human lungs.
The EPA indicates that the most effective way to fully remove contaminants from your carpet is through hot water cleaning and extraction or steam cleaning. This is the next best thing to throwing your carpet in a washing machine and flushing out all the contaminants.
Your carpet should be professionally cleaned at least once or twice a year depending on the foot traffic. However, for homes with high traffic, children, and/or pets, or for those residents suffering from allergies or asthma, a more frequent cleaning is recommended. The EPA provides a Carpet Cleaning Frequency Chart to assist home and business owners with health concern to improve indoor air quality for their dwellings.*
* Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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