Carpet cleaning and your health

Prevent Allergen Buildup

Australia has the highest incidence of asthma and allergies in the world.¹

Many substances in the air and in our homes cause allergies and asthma. These substances are called allergens. Common allergens are produced by house dust mites, cockroaches, grasses, pollens, moulds and mildew, and pets such as dogs, cats and birds. Inside the house, dust mites can be a problem for allergy and asthma sufferers. These tiny critters love warm, moist conditions like your bedding and carpet. Pet hair can also cause allergy sufferers misery.

Over time, allergens build up in your carpets, couches, bedding, drapes and curtains.

Many people will scrub away for hours at their bathrooms and kitchen but not consider the nasties that are breeding in their bedrooms and living rooms.

Professional cleaners recommend the following professional cleaning regime:

• Carpets - once a year
• Upholstery - once a year
• Mattress - every six months

Keeping carpets, furniture and bedding clean is critical to minimise the discomfort of allergies and asthma. As well as measures such as regular vacuuming of carpets, cleaning of bedding and using protective covers on pillows and mattresses, professional cleaning can help to reduce allergens in the home.

Professional cleaning provides a deep clean. It gets to the dirt and dust that regular vacuum cleaners can't reach. The steam or water methods bring the grime, germs and allergens to surface and extract them. You can also ask your cleaner to apply a neutralising spray to reduce allergen irritants between regular cleaning.

Some people are allergic or sensitive to the chemicals in common household cleaning products, such as ammonia, chlorine and volatile organic compounds. Therefore when choosing a professional cleaner, it is important to choose one who uses cleaning agents and methods that are 'allergy-free'. Today there are many powerful cleaners that are hypo-allergenic and deliver great results. That way you can be sure that the clean is thorough and the method doesnt exacerbate the problem.

Some questions to ask:

• Are your cleaning solutions plant or chemical based?
• What is in the cleaning agents?
• How do your products and methods compare to other service providers?
• Will this cleaning method pick up pet hair, pollen, dust?