3 Tips for Cleaner Carpet and Better Air Quality
Believe it or not, what’s trapped in your carpet has a huge impact on the air you and your family breathe every single day. Your carpet is home to a variety of pollutants, including dirt, dust mites, pet dander and mold. When you walk over the carpet every day, those pollutants are released back into the air and can cause a lot of irritation.
Not sure whether your current carpet cleaning routine is up to par? Here are three simple tips to keep your carpets clean for improved air quality.
Vacuum frequently
Vacuuming is an important part of keeping your carpets clean. Frequent vacuuming can help you keep up with the build-up of pollutants that will later be released into the air. The American Lung Association recommends cleaning your carpet three times per week, and always with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. You’ll find that these filters are better equipped to deal with allergy-causing pollutants.
Avoid toxic cleaners.
It’s a good idea to pay attention to the types of cleaning products you use in your home. This is especially true for your carpet. Just like dirt, dust and other pollutants, strong chemicals poured into your carpet will also circulate in the air. If you want to use a store-bought cleaner, stick with one that is labelled “biodegradable.”
However, try using non-toxic items you already have around the kitchen, such as baking soda and vinegar, to remove stains and odors from your carpet as needed. Just be careful, as mixing the wrong chemicals together can be unsafe (or even deadly).
Book a professional cleaning service.
Vacuuming can only do so much to remove pollutants from your carpet, particularly ones that need be “killed,” such as dust mites. That’s why experts recommend getting your carpet professionally steamed once every year. This helps to really get it clean and keep pollutants out of the air.
Your Other Line of Defense
If all of this feels a bit overwhelming, don’t worry — your HVAC system is also fighting the airborne pollutants you want to avoid. When it’s well-maintained, your HVAC system is designed to filter out the air and keep it free of dust, dirt and other irritants. So, while all of these cleaning steps are helpful, you can breathe easier knowing that your HVAC is working 24/7 to filter out the bad stuff.
Looking to get HVAC maintenance checked off your cleaning to-do list? Barineau Heating & Air Conditioning’s Total Comfort Service Program makes it easy. Call (850) 580-4029 or visit barineauac.com/totalcomfort to learn more.
