Why your bedroom carpet may be dirtier than a TOILET – as we reveal how often you should vacuum
- Carpets and other floor coverings can be neglected during household cleaning
- Bedroom rugs top list of dirtiest places in the house, study finds
- Experts suggest weekly vacuuming to prevent dirt buildup
When cleaning your home, kitchen countertops and bathroom sinks can be your primary focus, leaving other surfaces possibly neglected.
Research by retailer ScS found that carpets and other floor coverings can be overlooked during a cleaning session.
He provided some tips on how to ensure your carpets are kept in top condition.
Bedroom rugs top the list of dirtiest areas in the home, retailer ScS finds
The retailer conducted a swab test of different areas of the house and found varying levels of aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold particles.
He found that bedroom rugs and living room rugs topped the list of dirtiest areas.
This is compared to other areas such as a gym floor, desk mat and even a toilet seat.
Experts suggest vacuuming weekly to prevent dirt buildup in your carpets.
Experts suggest a weekly vacuum to help control the dirt that builds up in your carpets.
They recommend using a vacuum cleaner with soft bristles and strong suction for best results.
Jack Ogden of ScS said: “Vacuuming is a fantastic way to stop the buildup of dirt and dust that can dull or damage carpet over a long period of time.
“It’s best to vacuum your carpet at least once a week using soft bristles and strong suction to prolong the life of the fibers.”
He added: ‘For any sticky stains, for example wet mud, it’s best to use dedicated carpet cleaning products to ensure you don’t get anything too strong on the surface and potentially cause more damage. .
‘For liquid-based stains, use a clean cloth to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Do not rub the stain as this will damage the fibers and push the stain further down. Instead, dab the stain until the majority of it is gone.
‘If you use a specific cleaning product, remember to spray the product on your cloth and not directly on the carpet. Spraying the carpet will make the stain deeper and encourage it to spread.
To give carpets a complete refresh, Ogden recommends a deep cleaning every year.
He said: “If you want to keep your wool rug in pristine condition and get rid of any dirt embedded in the fibers, it is recommended that you steam clean your rug every 12 to 18 months.
“It can help extend the life of your carpet and keep it soft and clean.” If you steam clean your carpet more regularly, you risk damaging the natural wool fibres.
