In any home, it’s not uncommon to have a carpet or at least a rug or two. Carpets and rugs are one of the best ways to decorate a home, so homeowners get them. However, one thing that homeowners often forget is cleaning them.
Dirty carpets or rugs can cause various problems such as air quality deterioration and allergens. However, perhaps the biggest issue is germs living in your carpet or rug’s fibers. These germs can cause all sorts of health problems and infections. Furthermore, they can also cause your home to smell bad. This can spell disaster in your home, especially if you live with other people. For this reason, one must be aware of the most common germs that could be living in your carpets or rugs at this moment. These include:
#1 – Campylobacter
This moisture-attracted bacteria-friendly bug is one of the most common bacteria types anywhere. This bacteria can survive for quite some time in the dirt and moisture of carpets and rugs, and other places. If your carpet or rug has these bacteria, it can cause you to contract campylobacteriosis, a type of food poisoning. Some of the signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, painful abdominal cramps, and fever.
#2 – E. Coli
E. Coli is a bacteria commonly found in human and animal intestines, food, and untreated water. It can also be found in the toilet, although it can survive on the carpet, where it can make you ill. If you have it on your carpet, it can lead to three weeks of diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea.
This type of bacteria can also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication leading to kidney failure and death. If your home has children, you must be especially careful as HUS is more common in children than adults.
#3 – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
MRSA is a common bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. This means that it’s hard to treat. It can live for years in the dirt of your carpet and can make you ill by causing a mild to deadly infection.
Furthermore, MRSA can also cause your skin to break out in a skin condition called contact dermatitis. This can make you itchy so much that you don’t want to touch anything. This could lead to a staph infection or a complication known as toxic shock syndrome.
#4 – Norovirus
This virus is what causes the stomach flu. It usually lives in the intestines of infected people. However, it can also live in the carpets and rugs of these infected people. If your carpet or rug has norovirus, anyone who touches it could get infected. This virus can cause issues such as diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and nausea.
#5 – Salmonella
While commonly associated with food, salmonella can be found in the carpet of households that have recently had someone come down with food poisoning. This bacteria-friendly bug can live as long as two years in the dirt of your carpet or rug. If your carpet or rug has bacteria, it can make you sick. Some of the signs and symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.
What You Can Do
The best way to protect your carpets and rugs from these bacteria is by getting them cleaned. It’s recommended that carpets be cleaned every six months. This helps ensure that your carpets and rugs stay clean and germ-free.
As for the best methods of cleaning your carpets, you can use a steam cleaner, vacuum cleaner, or have them deep cleaned. These methods will be the most effective for your carpets and rugs because they involve cleaning them from the inside, meaning that the rug fibers would be cleaned and not just the top layer.
Conclusion
Carpets and rugs are a great way to decorate your home. However, if you don’t clean them, you can end up with a house full of germs. These germs can lead to illness, making both you and your visitors sick. Therefore, be sure to get your carpets cleaned regularly to have a clean home.
If you’re looking for a carpet cleaning company in Seattle, Queen Bee Cleaning Services is for you! We also offer various cleaning services, such as deep cleaning, house cleaning, and moving in or out cleaning, all for affordable prices. Reach out today to get a quote!
