Carpet Cleaning Dublin

Carpet Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers – Best Practices

If you’re prone to allergies, you know how rough allergy season can be. Waking up with that irritating tickle in your throat and feeling a wave of fatigue is not something anyone looks forward to. Watery eyes, going through packs of tissues – it’s not exciting. Rubbing your eyes only makes things worse, relieving you for a short while then irritating them more.

Throughout the day, your nose swings between being blocked and embarrassingly runny. Constantly reaching for antihistamines that barely take the edge off? Frustrating isn’t it? Those work-from-home meetings become a challenge; you’re trying to focus on the discussion, but half your attention is on managing your next sneeze or clearing your throat.

Evenings aren’t much better. You would like to lie down and unwind, but how can you when it worsens the congestion? Getting a restful night’s sleep is a challenge. You end up propping yourself up with pillows, searching for a position that lets you breathe easier. 

Now, imagine dealing with all this while your carpet is dirty. An environment where each step you take stirs up dust and allergens, making your symptoms even worse.

Which Allergens Are In Carpets? 

Here’s what accumulates within those fibers. 

  • Dust Mites: These tiny creatures love places with warm and humid conditions – and that includes carpets and upholstery and soft furnishings, where they crawl around while feeding on human skin flakes. On average adults shed around 500 million skin cells daily, which is equal to between 0.03 and 0.09 grams per hour for each person. So yes, there’s more than enough food to keep those critters going. And the problem isn’t the mites themselves but what they leave behind. Their droppings and the tiny parts of their bodies can float in the air and when breathed in trigger reactions and exacerbate asthma.

 

  • Pet Dander: Have cats or dogs around? Then you’re familiar with the little gifts they leave behind, like pet dander. As your furry friend plays and relaxes around the house, they continually shed more material that gets embedded deeply into carpet fibers. This is a normal part of their skin’s renewal process, but unless thorough carpet cleaning is done, it ends up putting everyone in the premises at risk.

Then there’s the issue of saliva. When pets groom themselves, their saliva, which contains proteins that can trigger allergies, gets onto their fur. From there, it’s easily transferred to your carpets, particularly in their favorite spots to hang out and roll around. Once the saliva dries, it becomes part of the household dust.

Urine adds another layer of challenge, especially with younger or older pets who have trouble controlling their bladders. Urine can seep deep into carpet fibers and padding, leading to stubborn odors and stains if not promptly cleaned up. Even small amounts that might seem insignificant, like a few droplets from wet fur after using the litter box, can accumulate in your carpets and contribute to the buildup of grime.

 

  • Pollen: Pollen might not seem like a big deal when you’re outside, but it can easily hitch a ride into your home on your clothes and shoes after a stroll or any outdoor activity. Ince it falls onto the carpet, those fibers latch onto the particles. Simple actions like walking across the room or opening a window can send that pollen swirling back into the air inside your house, triggering sneezes and sniffles.

 

  • Mold Spores: They are all around us, floating in the air, ready to enter your home through open doors, windows, or even hitch a ride on your clothes and shoes. Once inside, they only need a bit of moisture to start growing. Spills and leaks can also contribute to the problem if not cleaned up promptly. Using a humidifier without proper ventilation or living in a humid climate can increase indoor moisture levels, worsening the problem. 

So how do you deal with all these substances?

Best Carpet Cleaning Techniques for Allergens

  • Vacuuming with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters

HEPA filters are designed to trap 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which include common allergens stuck deep within that luxurious carpet. These filters work by forcing air through a fine mesh, capturing the tiny particles, and keeping them from being recirculated back into your living space.

  • Wet vs. Dry Cleaning Methods

With dry carpet cleaning, it typically includes applying a compound or foam onto the carpet and working it into the fibers. Some time passes, during which the chemicals involved absorb the dirt. The contents are then vacuumed up. Taking this approach means that you won’t have to wait extra time for the carpet to dry. You can walk on it immediately after the cleaning – which makes it particularly suitable for regular maintenance and high-traffic areas that need a quick refresh. However, dry cleaning might not remove deep-seated dirt and stains as effectively as wet methods and can leave residues that may attract more dirt over time​​. 

The most popular wet cleaning method is hot water extraction. Basically, a mixture of heated water and detergents is sprayed under high pressure into the carpet fibers, agitated and then sucked out. This method is highly effective at removing deep-down soil, stains, and allergens.  The major downside is the drying time; it can take several hours to a full day for carpets to dry completely, although advanced equipment can reduce this time significantly. This method is ideal for heavily soiled or stained carpets and is often recommended for an annual deep clean​​.

Considerations for Homeowners

  • Traffic and Usage: High-traffic areas may benefit from frequent dry cleans with periodic wet cleans for deep sanitation.
  • Carpet Type: Some carpets, especially those with delicate fibers, might require specific cleaning methods. Mistakes can be costly. Use a tough chemical to try to get rid of a stubborn stain, and suddenly the carpet is bleached out. Too much water, and you risk delaminating it.  The material can even shrink. So it’s important to only use the methods that you are certain are compatible with the carpet type.
  • Allergies and Sensitivity: If anyone in your home is sensitive to chemicals or allergens, discuss with professional cleaners about using hypoallergenic and eco-friendly cleaning solutions​;
  • Urgency and Accessibility: If you need your carpet ready for use immediately, dry cleaning is the way to go. However, this will leave behind grime that is deeply embedded in the fibers of the material. For the most thorough clean, particularly if the carpet is very dirty, opt for wet cleaning.

Routine Maintenance to Prevent Allergen Buildup

Keeping your home free from allergens doesn’t have to be a chore. Vacuum your carpets at least twice a week. Got pets or there’s lots of activity in the house? Do it more frequently.  

Also deal with any spills or stains right away to prevent them from becoming permanent and attracting more grime. Don’t wait for them to accumulate and become a nightmare for residents in the household.

Bring in the pros to give the carpet a deep clean once or twice a year. Take extra care when selecting the contractor though. What’s their track record? What can you expect from their service delivery? Some factors you should take into account include:

  • Reputation and Reviews: You want carpet cleaning companies with strong reputations. Online reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp or business directory listings can be a great asset for you here. Positive feedback and high ratings from previous customers can give you confidence in their service quality. If there are negative reviews, how were those handled? Were they simply brushed aside or did the company do a follow-up to deal with the complaint? Don’t forget to ask for testimonials from other clients to get firsthand accounts of their experiences.
  • Experience and Expertise: Generally speaking, a contractor who’s been around for years generates more confidence than one who just popped up last week. This is not to beat on startups After all, some of the newest companies on the scene can deliver exemplary results. So while how long the company has been in business should not be the only metric to consider, it is still an important one. Ask about the training and certifications of their technicians to ensure they are qualified.
  • Cleaning Methods: Ask about the specific processes they use and why they recommend them. Then confirm that this is good for your carpet. You can always get recommendations from the manufacturer on which is the right approach. This will also need to account for the kind of grime involved, and if there are any particular stains that you want dealt with.
  • Insurance and Licensing: You don’t want to run into legal hurdles in case of any accidents or damages during the cleaning process. What kind of coverage do they have?
  • Transparent Pricing: Look for companies that offer clear and upfront pricing. Ask for a detailed estimate that includes a breakdown of the costs. Be wary of services that give vague quotes or try to upsell you with hidden fees. That way you won’t have nasty surprises down the road.

A few DIY solutions that might help between professional cleanings. Start by mixing a solution of white vinegar and water; it’s great for spot cleaning and deodorizing. Baking soda is another go-to: sprinkle it on your carpet, let it sit for a few hours to absorb odors and moisture, then vacuum it up. For tougher stains, you might try a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Apply it to the stain, let it dry, and vacuum. Remember, while these home remedies can be effective for light cleaning and maintenance, nothing beats the deep clean that professional services offer. They have the right tools and products to really get your carpets looking and smelling fresh again.

Can plants help with reducing indoor allergens?

Yes, certain plants can. The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is known for its ability to remove pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene – and it does well in indirect light and only needs some water. The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) also filters out formaldehyde and is easy to care for, surviving with moderate light and the occasional watering.

For homes with pets, care should be taken with certain plants. Dracaena species are effective at removing airborne toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde but can be toxic to your furry friends if they go nibbling on it. The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) also poses a risk if ingested and should be kept out of reach of children and animals – but it’s great for absorbing mold spores and improving humidity levels.

Other helpful plants include the Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) and Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii), both of which help to humidify the air while removing toxins. The English Ivy (Hedera helix) is particularly good at reducing airborne mold spores, and does well with medium to bright light and regular watering.  You also have the Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) with its large, glossy leaves that helps remove airborne toxins and trap dust particles.  

Allergen-Proofing Your Home

Let’s tackle it room by room. Start in your bedroom—use hypoallergenic covers for your mattress and pillows to keep dust mites at bay. Make sure to wash your bedding in hot water every week to get rid of any allergens.

Switching over to living spaces – when was the last time those curtains and fabrics were washed? Launder them thoroughly. For the bathroom, it would help if you could run  exhaust fans during and after showers to help prevent mold. Got a home improvement project coming up? Use mold-resistant paint to protect your walls. Throughout your home, using air purifiers and keeping humidity levels between 30-50% helps a lot. Also, remember to clean or change your HVAC filters regularly to maintain clean air.

Thinking of ripping out your carpets? Well, all types of flooring, whether wood, carpet, or stone, can harbor allergens. The key isn’t necessarily to remove carpets but to ensure whatever flooring you have is cleaned thoroughly and regularly. This approach helps minimize allergens no matter the type of floor.

Carpet Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers – Best Practices

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