Carpets, kids and pets. Carpeting and kids kind of go together. They provide a safe and comfortable surface for kids and grandkids to play on and protect them from knocks, scrapes and mishaps. Pets go with kids. You find a child and a dog or cat are not far away. Beverage spills and pet urine are usually associated with the kid-pet environment. Most of us try to protect our children from disease, injury and discomfort. But that carpet harbors secrets.
Mold in Carpet
Breath in, breath out, mold spores, which are a common constituent of the air we breathe. Give these spores a place, meaning a surface to attach themselves, a cocktail of moisture, food and oxygen they will grow and spread. Carpeting is an ideal breeding ground for mold spores. Mold destroys the carpet and padding and can be allergenic. Asthma sufferers are at risk from mold exposure and even non-allergic people can suffer from irritated nose, throat, skin and lungs. Mold is not always readily identifiable or observable on the surface of the carpet. Mold is secretive, living in the padding and lower fiber matrix of the carpet. Hiding, waiting, growing and expanding mold is like some sci-fi alien invading your home. Flooding, spills and condensation provide the moisture that is necessary for mold growth. Basement carpeting is very susceptible to mold infestation. Reduction of indoor humidity will aid in the prevention of mold growth, with a range of 30-60 percent humidity is acceptable. Prior planning helps.
How to Avoid Wet Carpet Mold Dangers
Do not install carpet in high humid environments, like bathrooms and basements. Choose high quality padding, solid rubber with antimicrobial properties are a high priority, particularly if you live in coastal or other high humidity locations. Never allow standing water, if a leaks and flooding occur, the carpet and underlying padding should be cleaned and dried. Use dry carpet cleaning methods so as to minimize introduction of additional moisture.
Can You Remove Excessive Mold & Mildew from Carpet?
Extensive mold that has grown into the carpet is impossible to remove through cleaning. If mold growth is extensive or occurring in more than one area the carpet will most likely need replacing. Detergent and hot water from a deep clean steam cleaner can sometimes remove mold from a carpet if the mold invasion is localized and relatively light.
What Causes Carpet Beetles & How to Get Rid of Them?
If your carpet is made from natural fibers cotton, linens, rayon and wool, you have to consider carpet beetles. These ugly little critters will munch on your carpets, clothing and furniture. They devour fur, hair, animal detritus, woolen and plant materials. These little monsters are scary enough but their worm like larva is worse. And carpet beetles fly. The black carpet beetles are highly destructive and are common pest. To wage war on these things you can vacuum, spray a preventative agent, spread boric acid which is harmless to pets and humans and pack you clothing with moth balls. Be sure to vacuum up the boric acid within two hours to prevent bleaching of carpet and textiles.
Carpet Cleaning, Stain Removal & More in Valley Village, Long Beach, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Burbank, Calabasas, Beverly Hills, Thousand Oaks & Los Angeles California
Our last little sojourn into the creepy is dust mites. Dust mites are miniature tick like critters that eat all of human detritus like flakes of shed human skin. In a way these things are beneficial in that they clean up a lot of the ‘garbage’ that collects in the house. The problem is that they are very, very small and ride along with the dust when airborne. Breathed in they are a common allergen encountered in any human habitation. They exacerbate asthma and other allergic reactions. Contact Steam Green Carpet Cleaning to remove all these contaminants and more.
