Can dirty carpets cause allergies?
For years, there have been debates on whether carpets are suitable for allergy sufferers. Do carpets make allergies worse? Can carpet trigger your hay fever?
Multiple studies have proven that carpet isn’t bad for allergy sufferers and, in some cases, is better than hardwood floors! But what is bad for allergy and hay fever sufferers are dirty carpets.
Dirty carpets harbour dust, mould, dirt and other allergen triggering particles. When the carpet fibres are disturbed (e.g. constant traffic, pets/kids running over them), these allergen particles can be realised, causing hay fever to flare up.
But all the blame can’t be put on dirty carpets alone. Another culprit can cause hay fever flare ups in your home or office (and it’s one that’s often overlooked).
Do air conditioners make allergies worse?
Your air conditioning or ducted heating unit may also be triggering your hay fever symptoms. A range of substances can build up in your ducts (dust, dirt, pet hair, mould spores, pollen etc.), and when the unit is used, these allergens are blown out. This can make your allergies worse.
How can you prove it’s the carpet, air con or ducts that’s making your hay fever worse?
Take note of where your allergies are flaring up. Is your hay fever triggered in one place or multiple locations? You’ll find a range of allergens can be found in different locations. For example, microbial allergens can grow and fester in air conditioning vents, while dust mites and mould thrive in carpets.
If your hay fever symptoms worsen when an air conditioner or heater is turned on (sneezing, watery eyes, snuffly nose etc.), then get better when you leave the room with this heating unit, it’s fair to say that the air conditioner is causing your hay fever to worsen.
The same general rules apply to carpets. If your hay fever symptoms worsen in a room with carpet (especially if it’s damp or dirty), it’s safe to say that it’s triggering your allergies.
How can I reduce my hay fever symptoms in these situations?
Regular steam carpet cleaning protects you (and your employees etc.) from air pollutants, dust mites and mould.
As a guide, you should steam clean your carpets:
- Annually for low traffic areas
- Every 6 months for medium traffic areas
- Every 3 months for heavy traffic areas
It’s also recommended that you routinely clean your air conditioning or ducted heating units and ducts. Cleaning the ducts will remove pollen, dust and mould spores that have built up, reducing the number of allergens that are blown into the air. Changing or cleaning the filter will also help remove allergens and improve the air quality in your home or office.
OUR TEAM ARE ON HAND TO HELP YOU WITH ALL YOUR CARPET STEAM CLEANING NEEDS
At Eco-Green Cleaning, we provide professional carpet steam cleaning in Melbourne and surrounding areas. We’ll help protect you and your family from allergens building up and causing annoying issues like hay fever.
And right now is the perfect time to clean your carpets.
For an obligation free quote, please get in touch with us today.
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