Carpets are cozy, but they can harbor some serious health hazards. Mold, bacteria, dust and even some carcinogens can lurk between the fibers. When you clean or walk on the carpet, all this nasty stuff can be released into the air, where it can irritate your eyes and airways. Here are a few key reasons why carpet might not be the most hygienic choice for your home.
Mold and Fungus
If your carpet gets damp, whether as a result of spills or simply humidity in the air, mold and fungus can start to grow between the fibers. You can kill mold with a solution of vinegar, alcohol, water and carpet cleaning liquid, but it is likely to come back if you don’t keep treating the carpet in this way. In areas that are likely to get wet, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, wood or tile flooring might be a better choice than carpet, as they don’t provide such a friendly environment for mold to thrive.
Bacteria and Dust
Carpets trap dust and bacteria. Every time you vacuum the carpet, some of this dust is released into the air, where it could trigger allergy symptoms. Running an air conditioning system with a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter can help to reduce the amount of dust that circulates. Even just buying a fan for your home and running it with an open window could help to circulate bacteria-laden air out of the building. However, the only way to resolve the problem completely is to replace your carpet with a form of flooring that doesn’t trap dust.
Dead Skin Cells
Your skin is constantly shedding dead cells, which are replaced with new, healthy tissue. These dead skin cells fall into the carpet, along with skin cells from your kids, pets, and any other members of the family. Vacuuming the carpet doesn’t necessarily remove all the skin cells, as they cling to the fibers. On the other hand, skin cells that fall onto a hard floor can easily be swept or vacuumed away. If you don’t like the thought of sharing your home with a lot of dead skin, consider replacing your carpet with a more hygienic option.
Cancer-Causing Chemicals
Carpets contain chemicals that could cause long-term damage to health. For example, many carpets contain p-Dichlorobenzene, which causes nerve damage and respiratory problems. Older carpets could contain even more dangerous chemicals, which could increase the risk of cancer. Natural carpets, which are made from wool or hemp, can be a safer alternative, as long as the fibers haven’t been treated with chemicals. If you’re concerned about chemicals in your home, talk to a flooring specialist to find out whether a wood, laminate, or tile floor might be a safer option for your family.
If you’re worried that your carpet could be having a negative effect on your health, it might be time to replace it with another type of flooring. Wood, tile, and laminate flooring are all easier to keep clean than carpet.
Amber Stone writes about the home. She is a Mom of two who runs a business out of her garage and is always looking at ways to improve her environment since she spends so much time there!
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