Lying on the floor of your toddler’s bedroom and reading nursery rhymes to her before bed is a sweet way to end the day.
At least it would be until you realize that you are lying in a pool of pet dander, germs, bug feces, and so many other nasty things that you cannot even believe you own a carpet. Your carpet, no matter how clean you think it is, is downright nasty. Consider the following seven things that, shocking as it is to say, are beneath your feet right this very second.
1. Pet dander
Before you point out that you haven’t any pets, accept that it doesn’t matter. Other people have pets. Other people have feet. Their feet bring their pet dander into your office, your home, the floors of the supermarket where you shop and walk, and onto the bottom of your feet. Your feet track them into your home. Your carpet has pet dander.
2. Dust mites
They’re small, they’re nasty, and you can’t see them. Dust mites are filthy little creatures that love to live in your carpet. Dust mites can cause allergies. They love to burrow in the deep areas of your carpet where they can snack on dust, germs, and that nasty pet dander that sifts deep down.
3. Bed bugs
Oh yes, bed bugs can live in carpet too. In fact, bed bugs can live anywhere they can bury themselves and get nice and comfortable. That’s why it is so important that you never place your luggage on your carpet, bed, or soft furniture when you return from a trip. Instead, place it in the garage or outside and clean it thoroughly.
4. Mold
Mold can live anywhere, even in your carpet. It can show up there anytime you have a spill that isn’t cleaned up properly, or just because the darker recesses of your carpet are old and dirty. It can put your family’s health at risk if you do not get the mold treated.
5. Fleas
Fleas love to burrow deep down into your carpet. Whether or not you have animals doesn’t matter. They like to lay their eggs in your carpet, creating a new colony of fleas that will attack your children, your pets, and you.
6. Odors
The odor of old cigarette smoke, a leaking diaper, or your sweaty teenage son and all his friends can live in your carpet for years after the smell hits the fabric. If ever you have wondered where that slightly disgusting smell is originating, it might just be that lovely area rug in your family room.
How to fix it?
Vacuuming alone does not clean all the nasty stuff out of your carpet. In fact, vacuuming can miss most of it. Renting a steam cleaner can help if you do it often enough, but it’s not powerful enough to get rid of all the stuff hiding in your carpet.
The best way to clean your floors is to hire a professional cleaning service. Their equipment and chemicals are designed to help clear your carpets of all things nasty, living, and bad smelling. Regular cleanings can help you keep unwanted germs and living creatures from making too permanent a home in there.
