Why Rug Cleaning Is Necessary
Rugs add comfort and warmth to a room, but they also attract dirt, dust mites, pet urine and other allergens. They must be cleaned regularly to keep them in good shape and remove these harmful contaminants.
Regular vacuuming will help to reduce stains and keep your carpets healthy. To spot treat a rug stain, place a clean cloth or paper towel under the area and blot the liquid. Reach out Rug Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA for comprehensive assistance.
Allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and mold spores can cause itchy eyes, runny nose and other allergy symptoms. These microscopic irritants thrive on various surfaces at home including carpet, upholstered furniture and heavy curtains. These allergens can trigger and exacerbate conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Allergies are caused when your immune system recognizes a harmless substance as an invader and triggers a defensive chain reaction to protect you. The body releases a chemical, histamine, that causes symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing and wheezing. Allergens such as animal dander, pollen and dust mite droppings can become embedded in the fibers of your rug and remain there even after vacuuming.
Regular maintenance can reduce the number of allergens in your home. Vacuum your carpets at least once a week and more frequently during peak seasons when outdoor pollen counts are high. You can also improve the effectiveness of your vacuum cleaner by using a HEPA filter. Adding a doormat where guests and family members remove their shoes can help as well by reducing the amount of dirt that is tracked inside. Brushing your carpet with a Gamby broom or carpet rake once a month can break loose embedded allergens and prevent them from becoming airborne.
Despite these preventative measures, you will still need to have your carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis to remove the deep-seated allergens. Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction, and dry cleaning are the most effective methods for removing allergens from carpet. These services use high temperatures and powerful equipment to dislodge and extract allergens, dust and other debris from your rugs.
However, these carpet cleaning products can also stir up the allergens into the air for a brief period of time. Research shows that the agitation of steam cleaning and dry powder detergents can aerosolize these allergens into the air. This can then recirculate in your home and trigger allergy symptoms for you and your family. This is why it is important to find a reputable carpet cleaning company that uses gentle agitation and does not aerosolize cleaning solutions into the air.
Dirt
Rugs collect a lot of dirt, even though they may look clean on the surface. Dirt irritates the eyes and skin and can also make it harder for people to breathe. It also leads to a buildup of bacteria and pathogens. This makes it necessary to clean rugs regularly.
Regular rug cleaning helps prevent stains, odors, and deterioration of the carpet fibers. It is recommended that a rug be vacuumed at least once a week, using a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. In addition, a rug should be vacuumed every time it is moved, as this will help remove any dirt that has become embedded in the carpet. Stains should be dealt with immediately, before they have a chance to dry. This can be done by placing a cloth or towel under a stain as soon as it is noticed, then gently blotting the stain until all the excess moisture is removed. It is important not to rub a stain because this can cause it to set permanently in the fibers of the rug.
There are many different methods used for rug cleaning, depending on the type of stain or rug. For example, a spot that has been soiled with pet urine will require an enzyme cleaner to break down the odor and eliminate any remaining urine. An enzyme cleaner will not damage the fabric of the rug, and it is environmentally safe. Other traditional methods for rug cleaning include removing ink with tea leaves or cut grass; rust and corrosion with a solution of white vinegar, hartshorn, or oxalic acid; and wax with pipe clay or paraffin.
A rug cleaning customer can reduce the need for frequent professional rug cleaning by avoiding walking on a rug until it is thoroughly cleaned, taking off shoes inside the house, and making sure that rugs are vacuumed often and thoroughly. It is also possible to use a deodorizer or room spray on the area rug before vacuuming it, as this will help eliminate odors and make the carpets smell fresher. It is also helpful to use a carpet protector that helps prevent re-soiling.
Damage
Rugs can be damaged by cleaning products that are not compatible with the fabric or from scrubbing that can cause irreparable damage to the fibers of your rug. It’s also easy to make stains worse when you try to do it yourself.
A professional cleaner has the experience, tools and knowledge to ensure your rugs are cleaned properly without damaging them. This is important because rugs are more susceptible to permanent damage than wall to wall carpets. If a rug is damaged it can result in fading of colors, loss of shape and even shrinking of the rug’s materials.
Most rugs are made from different fabrics that react differently to certain chemicals and temperatures. When a rug is improperly cleaned, it can result in irreparable damage that is impossible to fix. A rug cleaning professional has the tools, equipment and training necessary to identify the different types of rugs and fabrics that are used in them. They will be able to determine which type of cleaning solution is best for each one.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a rug cleaning company can do more than just clean a rug. Most rugs need to be resealed and have a protective coating applied after the wash to prevent dirt and moisture from entering it again in the future. A professional rug cleaning company will be able to do this for your rugs and leave them looking like new.
It’s also important to note that a dry cleaning process only removes dirt and allergens from the surface of your rug. It can’t use enough water to unsettle all of the germs and bacteria that are settled deep within the rug. In addition, it can’t completely unsettle moth repellents and pesticides. These substances can be toxic when they are inhaled or if they come into direct contact with your skin. Examples of these include perchloroethylene, which is known to cause nausea, dizziness and fatigue and has been linked to liver and kidney damage; naphthalene, which can be absorbed through the skin; and Butyloxy Ethanol, which has been shown to cause confusion, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting and nerve damage.
Irritation
Rugs are beautiful home decor pieces that add comfort and style, but they are also prone to heavy wear and tear. Unless they are cleaned regularly, they can become dull, faded and damaged. A rug cleaning professional is best equipped with the right tools and materials to protect your area rugs. They can clean your rugs using hot water extraction, a stain protection treatment or a dry cleaning method if the rug is delicate.
Regular over-the-counter cleaners and vacuuming only get rid of a small percentage of dirt and irritants that are trapped in your rug. They can leave behind a residue that can cause rashes, itchy skin, athlete’s foot and eczema. The residue can also trigger your allergies and make them worse.
Many over-the-counter and homemade carpet cleaners contain surfactants that damage your carpets. The harsh chemicals can also damage the environment and harm your family’s health. Professional cleaners use eco-friendly, non-toxic products that are better for your rug and the environment.
Dirty rugs can accumulate harmful air pollutants that affect your family’s health. They can trigger allergic reactions and even cause respiratory problems and asthma. Rugs can trap dust, old skin cells, pet hair, mould and dirt that causes coughing, wheezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Daily vacuuming can only remove a small portion of this debris. Over time, the build-up can weaken your immune system, causing your body to fight off the irritants rather than ward off infectious pathogens.
Stains are one of the most common irritants in rugs. They can be difficult to remove and can become permanent if not treated immediately. The first step is to locate the stain and blot it. Place a paper towel or clean cloth under the stain to absorb as much as possible. Next, soak a clean cloth in club soda or water and wring it out until it is damp but not wet. Apply the solution to the stain and blot again. Avoid rubbing as this will make the stain permanent. If the stain persists, try a homemade solution of two or three tablespoons of mild detergent mixed with a cup of cold water or a teaspoon of vinegar.