Your home likely has hardwood flooring or carpeting.  If you have carpeting, just how clean is it?

We all try to keep our homes as beautiful and clean as possible. Wherever you see dirt, you work to get rid of it. But, what if you can’t see the dirt? What do you do then?

Carpets are not always as clean as they look. Especially in high-traffic areas, shoes walk all over a carpet day in and day out. It may take some time before wear and tear shows visibly on the surface of the carpet, but dirt is still in the fibers.

As more and more dirt enters the carpet fibers, the existing dirt is pushed further down. Most vacuum cleaners are strong enough to pull the surface dirt out, but can leave behind particles that are not seen but which are still hazardous to you and your family.

Think about the dirt that can be found in your carpet. This can consist of smoke particles, dust mites, bacteria, food particles, pet dander and the like. Think about your children playing or even sleeping on that carpet. They could be breathing in mold, spores and any number of other allergens.

Because of the make-up of some carpet fibers, they hold onto chemicals as well. Using sprays and powders to clean your carpet can leave behind residue if your vacuum is not powerful enough to remove it.

Another problem could be the carpet itself. Chemicals are used in the manufacturing process for lots of carpeting. These smells and chemicals can stay in the carpet long after it has arrived in your home. Remember that new carpet smell? It can linger for months and lead to poor air quality for your home.

If your carpet is making you sick, what can you do to stop it?

One, ask about chemical-free carpeting. Some companies don’t use as many or hazardous chemicals in their product. Ask that the carpet be aired out before installation in your home occurs.

Get regular carpet cleaning. Use the carpet cleaning instructions to determine what you need to use. If your vacuum is not getting the deep down dirt out, rent a carpet cleaner or have a professional company come in and do the job for you. They will use steam and/or dry cleaning to remove the dirt down to the fibers. Not only will your carpet look like new, it will be fresher and safer for your entire family.

Choose another floor covering if you can. Invest in hardwood or laminate flooring. It is easier to keep clean and you don’t have to worry about ground-in dirt.

Does your carpet need to be cleaned? If it’s been a while, you might be overdue.