Recent research claims an average carpet could harbour millions of harmful bacteria. Along with dust mites, dirt and grit, an unwashed carpet is a breeding ground for hidden health hazards. Although regular dry vacuuming removes the surface layer of everyday dust, embedded dirt and grime still exist in your carpet, making fibres look flat and lifeless. The only way to remove deep down dirt is to wash your carpets. Dust mites and allergens live and multiply in warm, humid conditions. With central heating and double glazing in many homes, carpets provide the perfect surroundings in which they can live. And what's more, dust mites, pollen and other allergens found in carpets are the main triggers of allergies such as asthma and hayfever, so in order to keep your home as hygienic and germ free as possible, it is important to regularly wash your carpets. In addition to health and hygiene advantages, carpet washing will also provide other benefits such as revitalising dull and flat carpets or sucking up accidental spills which, if not cleaned up properly, leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt and results in a stain. A costly carpet replacement can be avoided by using a carpet washer to put the life back into your carpets! Carpet cleaning becomes even more important when baby arrives – as does finding ways to save time on life’s little chores
Top tip Aim to wash your carpets every three to six months to keep dust mites under control “Dry vacuuming only removes the surface layer of dust and debris and the only way to effectively reduce the number of dust mites and bacteria in carpets is to wash them,” says Vax marketing manager Naomi Brennan. “To protect sensitive babies from too much contact with dust mites, it’s a good idea to wash your carpet more often – at least once every three to six months. This helps keep mites under control and with accidental food spills more likely with children around, it’s a good way to keep carpets fresh.”Finally, make sure you open lots of windows while washing your carpets as dust mites will love the extra humidity, and leave them open for a few hours afterwards to be sure.