Carpeting is a great option for the homeowner who wants flooring that is easy on the feet. Unfortunately, carpeting has the tendency to collect a lot of dirt, especially in high traffic areas. And where there’s dirt, you better believe there are germs.
But we bet you didn’t know just how many germs. According to Men’s Health, a typical carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. No thank you! At One Stop Rental in Cincinnati, we have the tools you need to get your carpet clean. In this article we want to share some (disturbing) carpet facts and the proper ways to clean them up.
Germs and Bacteria Galore
According to the Men’s Health article, carpeting has about 200,000 bacteria per square inch. How do they all survive? There are a multitude of things that bacteria can survive off of, but their main food is actually your skin. Every hour, we shed about 1.5 million skin cells, which float down to your carpeting and provide a veritable feast for the bacteria. Add bits of food, pet dander and whatever you drag in on your shoes and you’ve got a smorgasbord!
Speaking of what you bring in on your shoes, according to ABC News, shoes contain millions of bacteria on them. The most popular type? Coliform, a bacteria found in human and animal waste.
Deep Cleaning Steps
With stats like these, we’re guessing you’re absolutely itching to get your hands on a vacuum. But what would really benefit your carpet is a good deep cleaning. You can do this in a few ways, but two that are particularly good at removing germs deep below the surface are with a carpet cleaner or a steam cleaner.
A carpet cleaner works by injecting a water-based cleaning solution into the carpet, then pulling the dirty solution back into the machine. We recommend starting at the farthest point away from where you’re plugged in and move backwards so the cord isn’t in the way. An upholstery attachment can also be rented for those who want to give their furniture a deep cleaning as well. Just be sure not to let the carpet get overly wet, as this can lead to damage and mold.
A carpet steamer works much like a carpet cleaner, with the main difference being that no chemicals are needed. A carpet steamer is a great choice for a household with people or pets who are sensitive to chemicals. A soft cloth called a bonnet can be placed over the head of the steamer to help the hot steam disperse evenly over your carpet.
Regular Carpet Maintenance
Deep cleaning should be done at least once a year. For the rest of the year, it’s good to keep up with regular carpet maintenance. High traffic areas of the home should be vacuumed twice a week, while lower traffic areas are cleaned weekly. A wet or dry vacuum is a great tool to use for weekly cleaning. But if you’d like something a little lighter, a regular standing vacuum is also great for picking up surface debris on your carpet.
For all your carpet care needs in the greater Cincinnati area, we’ve got you covered here at One Stop Rental. Give us a call or stop by either of our locations in West Chester or Liberty Township. You can also reach us on social with any questions, or if you’d just like to talk!