Dirty Carpet or Rug Making You Sick? (2024)

FAQs

Dirty Carpet or Rug Making You Sick? ›

Can dirty carpets make you sick? This movement of pollutants can lead to respiratory issues such as coughing or difficulty breathing. Individuals who suffer from asthma can feel these symptoms even more intensely, as they're more vulnerable to airborne toxins.

Thus, a dirty carpet can lead to gut issues, furthered by the presence of mycotoxins that cause severe stomach irritation and infection.

Itchy skin, rashes, athlete's foot, and eczema are all dirty carpet dangers that can be triggered or made worse by dust mites in an unclean carpet. Even a regular maintenance schedule from the most diligent home cleaners is insufficient to evade all of the tiny dust mites.

Toxic Emissions

In the last several years, there have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of instances in which people became ill after new carpeting was installed in their homes, work- places, or schools. Commonly reported symptoms in- clude eye, nose, and throat irritation, rashes, and fatigue.

Most carpet cleaners use cleaning solution that contains two particularly toxic chemicals: perchloroethylene, and napthalene. Perchloroethylene (commonly called Perc in the industry) is a chemical commonly used in dry cleaning that can cause dizziness, fatigue and nausea if inhaled.

A dirty carpet is more than just an eyesore – it can actually make you sick. From allergies to respiratory problems, dirty carpeting has been linked to a variety of health issues. For dirty carpeting it's crucial to hire a professional residential carpet cleaning company.

Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold.

The best way to test for mold and bacteria in carpets is to collect dust and send it to a lab for culturing.

1. Mold on Carpet Can Cause Health Problems. Thousands of different mold types could be hiding in your carpet. Some of the molds hiding in your house can cause allergies, cancer, respiratory diseases, and even death.

Respiratory Sickness

One square foot of carpet can contain up to one pound of dirt before it becomes visible. Things like skin cells, pollen, food, and other dangerous particles combine to make up that pound. This grime can aggravate respiratory issues and cause coughing, sneezing, or difficulties with breathing.

Can carpet fumes make you sick? ›

The “new carpet” odor is the 4-PC off-gassing, which can cause eye and respiratory tract irritation and may also affect the central nervous system. The adhesive used to affix the carpet to the floor typically contains benzene and toluene, some of the most harmful VOCs.

Typical reactions to new carpet VOCs and PFCAs include headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, and asthmatic reactions. The aroma that's making you feel unwell is mostly down to the odor of 4-PC, which is an eye and respiratory-tract irritant that may also affect the central nervous system.

Common bacteria found in carpets include E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can cause a range of illnesses if ingested or inhaled, including food poisoning, respiratory infections, and skin infections like athlete's foot.

Itchy skin, rashes, athlete's foot, and eczema are all dirty carpet dangers that can be triggered or made worse by dust mites in unclean carpet. Even if you maintain a regular cleaning schedule, dust mites are small enough to evade the most diligent home cleaners.

Dirty carpets tend to contain mold, mildew, bacteria, allergens, and pet dander which can aggravate asthma, bringing on more attacks. The carpet in your bedroom is a particularly big offender because you're breathing that air all night.

Yes it's perfectly fine to stay in a room that has been carpet cleaned by a professional, you can even sleep in the room if you want. The only time it can be unsafe is if after 24 hours the carpet has not dried out as it could develop mould spores.

Moldy carpets harbor mycotoxins, which are a toxic compound capable of causing disease and death. One of the most dangerous effects of mycotoxins is that they cause severe stomach irritation and infection. Mycotoxins are especially dangerous because the wrong cleaning processes can make the problem worse.

A soaked carpet can trigger allergic reactions in some people with weakened immune systems like flu-like symptoms and respiratory problems. If you've recently experienced carpet water damage, it's important to take action immediately and get the water damage restored to avoid putting your health at risk.