One of the most overlooked and misunderstood factors of a healthy home is the wall to wall carpeting. We all know to change our air filters and dust regularly, but understanding that carpets are the biggest in our home is critical to any healthy home action plan. As much as 80% of air pollutants and particulate matter will settle and be trapped within the carpet fiber. Indoor air moisture, and frequent traffic will combine to create an unhealthy carpet and indoor environment.
Many bronchial conditions, allergic reactions, and odors will originate from a seemingly “clean” carpet. Black mold and mildew can begin to be a problem, particularly in carpeted bathrooms and along the outside edges of walls. One clue will be a very dark or black strip immediately along walls and under door jams. While this black substance may not be black mold, it is a sign of an extreme accumulation of pollutants. Home that are “sealed” and with little air flow, or with constant air conditioning, will experience higher concentrations.
Most carpets are well designed to retain particulates, but they can only hold so much. Particulates such as human and animal hair and dander can be nearly translucent, because of this, carpets may be able to retain a tremendous amount of this material before ever showing visual signs of soiling or discoloration.
Any traffic on a carpet nearing it’s “saturation” point will release this matter into the air repeatedly, in addition to any accumulated mold or spores that may have grown in addition. Some carpets can be complete biological ecosystems, which contain “food” (animal dander), microorganisms which feed on dander, and molds. The carpet could even show little or no signs of stain or soil to have this condition.
The answer to this problem is a little more complicated then “Steam Cleaning”, and requires a much more “modern” solution then the familiar vans with dirty hoses and tanks showing up at your door. Dumping and wasting hundreds of gallons of water on a unhealthy carpet will only serve to prolong the situation. The machines used are inadequate to “pull” or remove most of the pollutants in a carpet. These old steam machines cannot even remove most of their own moisture, this is why one must wait several hours for the carpet to even be dry. If the moisture is still there – what else did they leave behind?
The steam pressure will only serve to “push” the pollutants deeper into the carpet fiber. Mold and mildew will thrive in any kind of moisture, and simply return exponentially after the steam cleaners leave. The harsh detergents used in steam will also remain on the carpet, contributing to bronchial and allergic conditions.
So what is the “Modern”, Healthy and Safe and Effective carpet cleansing solution?
Is there a Carpet cleaning method without the water, and removes 80%-90% of these pollutants after one cleaning?