07 Mar Fact or Fiction: Carpets Cause Allergies

Wall-to-wall carpets are often blamed for causing indoor allergies and asthma. And there may be some truth to this… if you never ever clean your carpets.

First and foremost, carpets don’t cause allergies, allergens cause allergies. Allergens are substances that the immune systems of certain people identify as dangerous. For other people, however, the exact same substance can have no effect at all. When an allergic individual comes into contact with an allergen, his or her body begins to fight against it. This natural defense is known as an allergic reaction.

Carpeting in your home acts as a trap for outdoor allergens tracked in on shoes and pets. Dust mites, mold and pet dander can become stuck in carpeting and sometimes take months to leave. While this may sound like a good reason to put in wood floors, trapping allergens is often a good thing. Wood and tile flooring allows allergens to become airborne when you sweep or walk around. Carpeting meanwhile, keeps dirt and mites on ground level, giving you cleaner, healthier air to breathe up above.

Carpeting’s ability to trap allergens also means that you can eliminate indoor allergies with regular vacuuming. Carpet only becomes an allergen hotbed if it’s not taken care of.

To keep your carpets truly allergen-free and fresh, we recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months. If you would like to schedule a carpet cleaning with Steamers, call our office today!