Did you know that the average carpet has 200 000 bacteria per square inch? That’s more than the average toilet seat!

Every day, we take countless trips across our home, tracking bacteria and dirt from our feet as we go. Carpets may also be a home for other debris, including plant matter from grass and leaves, as well as dead bugs.

Carpets can be difficult to clean, require hours of vacuuming, steam cleaning, and scrubbing. The fibers can trap microbes that cause health complications, allergic reactions, and unpleasant odors, and can be especially problematic if a member of the household has medical conditions such as asthma. Check out this guide to identify the main microbial culprits in carpets, and how associated health risks can be minimized.

Mold and Mildew

Most carpets are absorbent, meaning that spilled foods and drinks will become trapped in the fibers. Not only will this cause the carpet to be sticky and stained, but moisture from spills will promote the growth of fungi and bacteria, which can result in unpleasant smells, mold, and mildew, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Wallemia which cause allergic inflammation, respiratory complications, and pulmonary immune responses, including irritation and inflammation of the lungs, larynx, and bronchial lymph.

Dead Skin

The average adult sheds between 0.03-0.09g of skin every hour. This may not seem like much, but that averages to half a kilogram, or a little over a pound each year. This promotes the growth of mold including Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, or Wallemia sebi, which are the main food source for dust mites. The mold breaks down and softens dead skin cells, making them easier to consume. The thriving mite population will produce more droppings, which around 10% of the global population is allergic to, causing symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, stuffy nose, and difficulty breathing, especially in those with respiratory conditions like asthma.

Bacteria

The average carpet has 200 000 bacteria per square inch, that’s 4000x more than a toilet seat! The weight of the average adult walking across the carpet can cause bacteria to be resuspended in the air and can be responsible for over 80% of airborne bacteria.

Staphylococcus aureus can be found on the skin and can be transferred onto carpets from feet, resulting in skin infections. Campylobacter is a type of bacteria common in animals and can be tracked through the home by pets, causing fevers, pain, cramps, and diarrhea in people. Other types of bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Micrococcus can cause allergic reactions, respiratory complications, skin infections, and gastrointestinal issues. This is especially problematic for young children or babies crawling across carpeted floors.

Pollen and Dust

20 million adults and 6.1 million children across the US suffer allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, caused by pollen from trees, grass, weeds, and other plants.

The average adult walking across a carpet can resuspend anywhere between 10-100 million pollen particles a minute, and walking-induced resuspension accounts for over 2/3 of biological particle emissions in the home. Allergic reactions to pollen may cause symptoms including sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itching of the eyes, nose, and throat.

How Can I Reduce Illness- and Odor-Causing Microbes on my Carpets?

Don’t bring the outdoors back inside: Avoid wearing shoes on carpeted floors. If pets are in the household, wipe their paws down when they enter the home.

Don’t install carpets in areas that may become damp, including basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Contact a professional carpet cleaner for regular deep cleanings

Keep carpets dry; if foods, beverages, or liquids are spilled, quickly blot it dry, and use an enzyme cleaner. This will make the carpet a less than ideal environment for mold and mildew

Vacuum carpets weekly to prevent the buildup of dead skin, mites, and microbes

Use a carpet-compatible antimicrobial to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

Bio-Vanguard’s spray is a long-lasting antimicrobial spray that binds strongly to both hard, and soft surfaces like carpets and linens, creating conditions that inhibit the growth of 99.9% of microbes including mold and bacteria for up to 30 days after application. Learn more about how this antimicrobial destroys harmful illness-causing bacteria and eliminates unpleasant odors here.
For more information about bulk orders, custom formulations, or to learn more about how Bio-Vanguard can be incorporated into carpets, rugs, and other fabrics, contact us at info@bio-vanguard.com.