You probably think about cleaning your carpets when it’s the right season. Spring cleaning mania, anyone? Yet, unlike cleaning your walls on a half-annual basis, your carpets will need some additional love and attention.
If you’re not a microbiologist, you’re probably unaware of the sheer number of viruses and bacteria that have set up shop in your carpets. We’re talking around 200,000 bacteria per square inch. That’s enough soldiers to go to war with your immune system and win. Also, that’s way dirtier than your toilet seat, in case you were wondering.
Keep on reading for our delightful breakdown of the common types of bacteria in carpet.
The King of Bacteria in Carpet: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
Don’t let the long scientific name fool you. You’re probably already familiar with MRSA. It’s a penicillin-resistant monster of the bacterial world, and it loves chilling out in your carpets.
The probability of having MRSA in your home exponentially increases if you have athletes in the house. It’s rampant in gyms or locker rooms, so most athletes will carry them on their gym bags and track all of that bacteria all over the carpets.
Suddenly setting up a routine carpet cleaning service is a great idea.
The Winter Monster: Campylobacter
A lover of dampness, this bacteria is most dangerous during wintertime, and it tends to hang on to your galoshes and on your carpets they go.
It can cause a terrifying disease called campylobacteriosis, which can really wreck anyone’s health, especially those with compromised immune systems.
The Stomach Flu Lookalike: Norovirus
Otherwise known as the Norwalk virus, it causes symptoms that are similar to the stomach flu or even food poisoning. Not only can this virus chill in your carpet for four to six weeks, but it can also become airborne when people walk across your carpet.
Besides, if you’re living in a state well-known for its dust, then the risk of having Norovirus get into your home is much higher than average.
The Traditional Pests: Fungi and Mold
Wherever there’s life, there will probably be fungi and mold.
However, that doesn’t mean that you should give up, and leave them to fester throughout your home. Some types of fungi and mold can cause severe allergies and even death.
Hitting Your Skin: Micrococcus
This one also tends to hit folks who are immunocompromised pretty hard.
It can cause some horrid symptoms, with serious skin infections, meningitis, and septic shock amongst some of them. A severe case of infection can lead to death.
Ready to Clean Your Carpets
After learning about all the bacteria and viruses that can inhabit the same spaces that you and your loved ones occupy, it’s your responsibility to take all of your precautions to keep yourself and your family healthy.
Thankfully, even with bacteria in carpet, all you need to do is to stick to a regular vacuuming and carpet cleaning schedule.
On the other hand, if your carpet hasn’t been cleaned in a very long time, maybe you’ll want the professionals to do a session of deep cleaning first, just to ease your worries.
