Carpets bring a stylish finish to your home and office’s décor. On top of that, they provide numerous benefits that other flooring materials do not; they feel comfortable and soft to walk on (no squeaky or clicky shoe sounds while trying to concentrate at the office), they keep the indoor environment insulated, and prevent slip and fall accidents.
We walk and sit on carpets every day, and yet they’re not something we often think or talk about. As frequently as we come in contact with them, there are some surprising and startling facts about carpets that most people simply don’t know.
- Even if you don’t see dirt or stains on your carpet, it can still hide a build-up of dirt and other microscopic particles. Dirt can quickly collect deep within the carpet, and regular pressure from human feet and shoes causes these abrasive particles to cut through the carpet fibres, slowly wearing out the carpet internally.
- Carpets are a magnet for all kinds of microscopic particles and organisms not easily detected by the eyes, including dust mites, pet hair, pet urine, dead skin cells, dust, insect faeces, insect husks, bacteria, mould, and volatile organic compounds. With all this dirt, your carpet can weigh as much as four times its original density.
- Every person constantly throws off dead skin cells – up to 30,000 to 40,000 a day, which can get stuck in your carpet. Just picture all the build-up of skin cells that can be found in your carpet, which becomes a feast for dust mites, especially in crowded areas.
- Bacteria can survive for more than a month on the surface of carpets and can instantly infect anything they come in contact with. Which makes the “five second rule” – that food you drop on the floor is still edible if you quickly pick it up – a complete health risk. If you eat something you’ve dropped on a dirty carpet, you can become sick with food poisoning.
- About 200,000 bacteria can live in each square metre of your carpet, which make it dirtier than a toilet seat and street sidewalk.
- Because of all allergens, bacteria, germs, organisms and other hazardous particles hiding in your carpet, some people become susceptible to allergic reactions, asthma and respiratory problems.
- Your indoor air quality may be affected by the cleanliness of your carpet. Not only does vacuuming remove dirt currently stuck in your carpets, but a clean carpet can trap a significant number of irritants and other contaminants circulating through your home or office, purifying the air indoors and helping you breathe better.
- Contrary to popular belief, regularly vacuuming your carpets does not cause wear and tear. Even cleaning several times a week is no more damaging than vacuuming twice a month. In fact, carpet cleaning will actually prolong the life of your carpeting.
- Dirty carpets can damage your company’s reputation. If a client notices dirty floors when visiting premises, they will be quick to spread the word with other industry professionals, even those than can become you clients one day.
When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your carpets? If you can’t remember, it is probably a sign that it’s time to brighten and freshen up your flooring. If you’re looking for carpet cleaners in Cape Town, Imperial Cleaning can provide you with a regular carpet maintenance crew to help keep your carpet looking and performing at its best. While you’re at it, you might as well check out our other office cleaning services in Cape Town for an all-around cleaning solution.