Allergens in the home—especially in rugs—can be a major health concern. Common allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen tend to build up in rugs and carpets. These can worsen respiratory problems such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, causing symptoms that include sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and others. Keeping your home—particularly your rugs—clean is key to managing these allergens.
Below, we’ll briefly go over ways to help you effectively manage allergens by cleaning your rugs.
For starters, one of the best ways to handle allergens in rugs is by vacuuming regularly. Using a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can greatly lower the number of allergens around your home. HEPA filters are designed to trap tiny particles that other vacuums might let back into the air. It’s best to vacuum your rugs at least twice a week to keep allergen levels down.
Steam cleaning is another great method to reduce allergens in wall-to-wall carpet. The high temperature of steam can kill dust mites and remove deep-seated dirt that vacuuming might miss. Experts recommend steam cleaning your wall-to-wall carpet at least once every six months for the best results. If you have severe allergies, you might need to steam clean more often to keep your living space comfortable.
Handmade wool area rugs and hand-woven area rugs, formerly known as “Oriental rugs,” should never be steam cleaned, nor should they be cleaned with chemical cleaners. The high temperatures used in the steam cleaning process can cause dyes to run or “bleed.” Chemical cleaners can cause colors to be stripped from area rugs. Most area rug retailers that specialize in handmade wool rugs offer a cold-water hand-wash process that uses soaps or detergents that will not harm your valuable area rug. A hand-wash process is recommended every three years to prevent allergens and maintain the health and longevity of your wool area rug. Handmade area rugs should never be steam cleaned or dry-cleaned.
Keeping the humidity levels in your home appropriate is another important aspect of managing allergens. Dust mites and mold thrive in humid environments, so using dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels below 50% can greatly reduce their presence. You should place dehumidifiers in spaces like basements and bathrooms to control moisture and prevent mold and dust mites.
Last, but not least, professional cleaning services can provide a deep clean that might be hard to achieve with regular household methods. Hiring professional cleaners who use allergen-reducing cleaning agents at least once a year can confirm your rugs are thoroughly cleaned and allergen-free.
By following these cleaning practices, you can significantly reduce allergens in your home – especially in your rugs – and be well on your way to a healthier living space. For further information on rug allergen cleaning practices, please see the accompanying resource.
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