What Germs Does My Carpet Harbour?

When you think of cleaning a carpet, the first thing that probably comes to mind is mopping up spills and dealing with stubborn stains. 

However, below the surface, there is a lot more to be worried about. In fact, according to microbiology research, your carpet is likely to be about 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat! 

As well as this, it’s predicted that a carpet has the capacity to hold four times its own weight in dirt, so it’s clear to see that they act as a breeding ground for all kinds of nasties.    

In this article, we’ll take a look at what germs your carpet may be harbouring, and what you can do about it.  

What type of germs are in my carpet?

Carpets can be full of all kinds of substances, including food, beverages, dirt, dust, smoke, hair and a whole host of other human cells. 

One of the biggest types of germ that lives in carpets is mould.

The fibres in your carpet provide a habitable environment for airborne mould spores, with moist areas of the home at particular risk. Damper areas encourage mould growth, so carpets in bathrooms are much more likely to have mould appear in them. 

Certain types of mould can be toxic if breathed in and cause allergies, but it’s hard to identify without consulting an expert. 

Additionally, carpets are a breeding ground for a whole host of bacteria, including:

• Salmonella – Typically found in animal faeces and food
• Campylobacter – Found in moist carpets 
• E Coli – Found in raw food 

All of these bacterias are a threat to your health and can do a great deal of damage – which is why it’s important to have your carpet cleaned regularly. 

Where do these germs come from?

You may be wondering how these germs gain access to your home.

In reality, even the most basic day-to-day activities can lead to harmful germs entering and spreading in your home.

Dirt from your shoes, the feet of pets and even pollen blown in from outdoors can spark bacteria growth, so it’s important to stay on top of your carpet cleaning regime.   

Droplets of food and drink, that you may not even realise have fallen from your plate or glass, can also play a role in the formation of germs.

All of these substances break down, fall to the bottom of the carpet and rot, resulting in these nasty germs coming out to play in your home. 

How often should I clean my carpet?

We’d always recommend that you vacuum your carpet on a weekly basis, paying extra care to areas that are more likely to become contaminated, such as where pets walk. As well as this, it’s important to have your carpet deep cleaned by a professional every six months.

You can tie this in with spring cleaning, or at a time of year when you’re more likely to have guests round, to ensure your carpet is in the very best condition. 

This is where we can help. The team at John Frederick are experts in cleaning carpets, rugs and curtains and have provided a quality carpet cleaning service for over 90 years. To find out more about what we do, contact us today.   

John Frederick is based in Hendon, but provides cleaning services throughout the Greater London area, including Chelsea, Kensington, Ascot & Weybridge.

John Frederick’s are expert carpet, upholstery, curtain & blind cleaners.

They also supply a wide range of curtains & blinds and carpet & flooring options to customers throughout London.