True or False: “If my carpet LOOKS clean it IS clean”.

Answer: False.

Think about that answer for a moment.

What it would be like if you were to lay one of your shirts on the carpet for about six months.  You walked on it, ate over it and accidentally dropped food on it.  Many different people sat on it and put their hands and feet on it.  Your pet might even have had an accident on the sleeve of it.

Would you wear that shirt now?  …even if it LOOKED clean? Would you invite your friends and their kids to put the shirt on?  Doesn’t it make your skin crawl at the thought of having it on you?

Well here’s the scoop… A “clean looking” carpet is not necessarily as clean as it looks!

Here’s why! Carpets fibers are specifically designed to HIDE SOIL.  The shape of each individual yarn is designed so as to minimize the particles of soil that are embedded in it.  Long ago, when synthetic carpet yarns were first invented, their shape actually magnified particles of soil and gave the appearance that the carpet was more soiled than it really was!  On one hand it’s good that you don’t see the soil, but on the other hand the soil that you don’t see still has the same damaging/scratching effect on the yarns.

So the #1 reason “clean looking carpet” is actually SOILED is because it can hide soil…really well!

But there’s another reason…Our air in the city contains many contaminants – pollens, fungus, bacteria, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and hundreds of other chemicals just to say the least. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollutants in your hair, on your skin, your clothing, and your shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria wind up, (…you guessed it), in your carpet!

Your carpet acts like a huge filter for these pollutants.  This is a good thing… until it becomes full.  When that happens (about every 6-12 months depending on traffic in the home) it’s time for a good, thorough cleaning.  Especially if you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems – one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet.

What’s more, you might find that you’ll breathe a lot easier after you hire a professional carpet cleaner to get those harmful chemicals out of your carpet.

So in addition to getting rid of soil, another important reason to clean your carpet (aka GIANT air filter) is to get rid of pollutants such as; pollens, fungus, bacteria, and chemicals.

Before you lay or sit down on your carpet that may “look” clean, remember that there is much that is unseen.  Unfortunately, the (slightly disgusting) truth is that your carpet, no matter how clean you keep your home, gets full of soil and other gross stuff on regular basis. 
Even studies by Hoover show that even the best vacuum cleaners can only remove about 80% of the soils embedded in carpets!

The answer?  Have your carpets cleaned regularly and thoroughly to remove the unseen soil that lurks deep inside your carpet fibers.

Good health to you.

Nick Cohen – owner, Eco Choice Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
916-705-9349