Carpet get a lot of use throughout the years and along with that use comes natural wear and tear. Some of the things that are typical of being included in that normal wear and tear are allergens, fungi, and bacteria that build up in the fibers of your carpet. By cleaning your carpets frequently and sanitizing them, you can reduce your health risks.
There are a multitude of products, equipment and chemicals on the market that all help to clean and sanitize your carpets, but they are not all equal in what they can do. Deep cleaner machines are the best for revitalizing your carpet and sanitizing it; these machines typically use a liquid cleaner that is to be added with water. Aerosol cleaners come in a can that makes it easy for you to spray the dirty areas and once it has sat for a few minutes, you just blot it up with paper towels or clean cloths. Vacuuming will help pick up excess dirt, but it will not do much by ways of sanitizing your home, but there are various products that are made to be used with a vacuum to further its cleaning and sanitizing potential.
There are brush-on cleaners that have cleaning agents in the brush already and all you have to do is brush it into the area that needs to be cleaned. Once the cleaner has dried then it can be vacuumed up with the dirt it has released carpet cleaning. Foam cleaners are much like aerosol ones as in they come in a can, but instead of having to blot it up with paper towels or clean cloths, you just vacuum up the foam once it has fully dried. Pet cleaners are typically in a powder form and they focus more on killing the harmful bacteria that causes those specific odors.
Steam cleaners work wonders on releasing dirt from carpet fibers and in sanitizing carpets as well; it is also the most common way used to clean and sanitize carpets. With steam cleaners there actually is no steam, but instead very hot water is deposited and then the water and dirt is vacuumed back up. Typically you can see the results right away, as the water being pulled back up is a murky brownish color. Ideally, even with steam cleaning, it is a good idea to vacuum before cleaning since you should not do so while the carpet is wet and it will likely take a few hours for the carpet to fully dry.
Allergens locked in the fibers are a big contributor to people feeling ill. Fungi and bacteria can cause breathing problems as well, such as asthma and emphysema, over time. Other bacteria and viruses, such as influenza, like to reside deep in carpet fibers as well. Consistent cleaning and sanitizing of your carpets with whichever method works best for you will help your home look cleaner and smell better as well as reduce your risks of health issues down the road.