How often do you deep clean your carpets? Did you know that your carpets are dirtier than you think? Dirty carpet at home is probably something that’s not top of mind most of the time, so you may let it go for years at a time. But studies and experts agree: you should clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months.

1 Whether you realize it or not, your carpet is the biggest air filter in your house. The inside of your house acts like a trap for dust, dirt, pet dander, and more. In fact, indoor air usually contains twice as much dust as the air outside.

2 That’s about a million microscopic particles per cubic inch of air. And each ounce of carpet dust can support up to 2,000 dust mites, thriving on dead skin cells and nesting in your carpet. The residue they leave behind mixes with dust and becomes airborne, and can become a cause of allergies.

3 Every year, you’ll end up accumulating several pounds of soil in and under your carpet.

4 Vacuuming alone won’t save you – microbiologists confirm that air blown from a running vacuum cleaner is one of the top five places in your home with the highest number of germs, sharing company with your dish sponge, washing machine, kitchen trash can and bathroom toilet during a flush.

5 The good news is, proper cleaning and maintenance of your carpet may improve the quality of air in your home.

No More Dirty Carpet at Home

You don’t need to call in an expensive professional carpet cleaning team to get the job done right. A day with a Rug Doctor deep carpet cleaner will clean your dirty carpets and clear the air for the year. Set a reminder and clean your carpet yearly, and your family will thank you.

1. ABC News, “What’s Hiding In Your Hotel Room?” http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=1507794
2. Alphin, Elaine Marie. 1997. Vacuum Cleaners. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.
3. Woodward, John. 2002. What Lives under the Carpet? Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
4. Brown, Jack. 2001. Don’t Touch that Doorknob!: How Germs Can Zap You and How You Can Zap Back. New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc.
5. Tierno, Philip M. 2001. The Secret Life of Germs: Observations and Lessons from a Microbe Hunter. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
6. Brown, Jack. 2001. Don’t Touch that Doorknob!: How Germs Can Zap You and How You Can Zap Back. New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc.