Carpet Cleaning 101: Mold Prevention Made Easy

By:


Carpeting is often one of the most prominent elements in a home. When cared for properly, carpeting can add warmth, comfort, and decorative ambience to a living space for many years. However, when carpeting is cared for improperly, it can detract from the appearance of an otherwise beautiful home. More important than that, poorly maintained carpeting can also pose some fairly major health risks to those who are exposed to it on a regular basis.

What Is Mold and How Does It Spread?

One of the most unfortunate consequences of poor carpet care is mold. Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on almost any surface, living or inanimate. The reproductive cells that a mold emitssporesare what enable the fungus to spread. Spores travel through the air, attaching themselves to people, pets, and whatever else crosses their path. Once inside a home, they can settle throughout the living space. They sometimes settle on the carpeting.

When Is Mold a Problem?

Mold spores are around us all of the time and should not be a cause for panic. Mold is a problem, however, when it is allowed to grow unchecked.

How To Prevent Mold Growth Through Proper Carpet Cleaning

There are a number of simple, proactive steps that homeowners can follow to help prevent the harmful growth of mold in household carpeting. They include:

Leave Your Shoes at The Door. Molds thrive on moisture. If you minimize carpet moisture, youll help to prevent mold. One way to keep your carpeting dry is to institute a no shoes policy for all who enter. By parking wet or muddy walkers at the door, youll be doing yourself, and your carpeting, a huge favor.

Regular Vacuuming. Even though the invisible mold spores that travel into our living spaces are an unavoidable reality, their impact can be minimized through regular, thorough vacuuming. Two to three vacuums per week are acceptable. Daily vacuuming is best.

HEPA Filtering. A regular, high quality vacuum cleaner can do a fine job sucking up mold spores, but it is likely to spew them back out. To avoid this problem, be sure to use an authentic HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter with your vacuum cleaner. HEPA filters are specially engineered to trap harmful pollutantsincluding mold sporespermanently.

Quick Cleanup. Never allow wet spills to remain in/on the surface of your carpeting. Blot them up carefully as many times as you need toto ensure that the area is clean and dry.

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com


About the Author:
Vic Roberts is Vice President/Co-owner of Right Way Restoration. Right Way is an IICRC certified restoration company based in Atlanta, Ga. but provides services nationwide throughout the continental United States.

http://www.rightwayrestoration.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Home-Improvement Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.