Have you ever walked into a facility and immediately noticed the carpet smell? Musty, odoriferous carpet is more than just unpleasant; it is a health hazard.
The high amount of foot traffic that your facility’s carpet receives does more than just cause wear and tear. Employees and guests track mud, debris, moisture, and allergens into your carpet that can negatively affect the air quality in your building.
Frequent carpet cleaning is vital to workplace health because it will prevent the buildup of allergens and irritants in your carpet that can have a negative effect on employees’s health and wellbeing.
Common types of carpet cleaning
Routine carpet cleaning
Your janitorial team will be in charge of regular carpet cleaning. They follow a set schedule for regular vacuuming of your carpets. Day porters should also be available throughout the day to address any spills, mud, debris, or residue that accumulates on your carpet during business hours.
It is imperative that spills on carpet are addressed immediately to prevent staining and mold or mildew growth.
Shampooing
Carpet shampooing is a good option when carpets become soiled or musty. But this service needs to be conducted by professionals because incorrect carpet shampooing can cause more carpet damage than it solves.
It is imperative you follow instructions and use the right amount of solution when shampooing your carpets. Too much shampoo can actually collect dirt and weaken carpet fibers more quickly.
Steam cleaning
Also called “hot water extraction cleaning,” steam cleaning is a method that uses a cleaning agent that is brushed into the carpet before washing with a steam cleaner. This process can return carpet to its original color by removing built-up dirt and debris from the fibers. It will also remove harmful irritants from your carpet like allergens, dust mites, and others.
Scheduling steam cleaning for the carpets in your facility is a great option if you have never had your carpets professionally cleaned. It will restore your carpets to their original look, remove harmful agents, and extend the life of your carpets.
Professional carpet cleaning produces a higher quality of clean
You cannot take any chances when it comes to employee health and well-being. Commercial carpets trap:
- Dirt
- Debris
- Allergens
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Mildew
- Dust mites
Each of these things will negatively affect your indoor air quality. Most employees spend 90% of their time at work indoors, which means they are especially susceptible to the effects of poor indoor air quality.
As people walk across carpet that hasn’t been professionally cleaned, the following irritants will rise into the air.
Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew spores grow when moisture is allowed to linger in carpet. Many people will experience symptoms like headaches, coughing, and allergic reactions when they are exposed to mold or mildew. In addition to the health problems they cause, mold and mildew also cause odor and discoloration in your carpet.
Dust mites
Carpets can contain hundreds of thousands of dust mites in a small area. Vacuuming isn’t enough to expel dust mites from your facility’s carpeting. To prevent allergic reactions from dust mites in your facility, it is important that you have your carpet professionally cleaned regularly.
Allergens
Carpet is a trap for pollen and allergens that are tracked into your facility. Allergy season is an especially good time to schedule professional carpet cleaning to prevent the harmful buildup of allergens in your carpet.
Protect workplace health by scheduling regular carpet cleaning year-round. City Wide can help! Contact us today to learn about the over 20 facility solutions we manage for clients.
