Bacteria in Carpet: What Germs Are Hiding Underfoot?

Most of the germs and bacteria in carpet can’t be seen. Even to the trained eye, the majority of these nasties need a microscope to spot. But out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind. By leaving these unwanted invaders in your carpets, you increase the chances of a pet or family member having an unfavourable reaction to them, which makes looking after your carpets all the more important.

Here’s what can live below the surface of your carpet, how it gets there, why vacuuming alone can’t remove it, and what actually works.

What Bacteria Are Hiding in Your Carpet?

According to Reader’s Digest, “About 200,000 bacteria live in each square inch of carpet (nearly 700 times more than on your toilet seat), including E. coli, Staphylococcus, and salmonella”. That’s a lot of bacteria in a surface you walk, sit and play on every day.

How Germs Get Into Your Carpet

Germs come in on shoes, paws and hands, and settle into carpet along with crumbs, spills, skin cells and pet accidents. Salmonella is a good example. Many studies have found salmonella in carpet fibres. Many people think of it as a food-borne bacterium, but it can also be carried into your home on the soles of your shoes. All it takes is a little contact with livestock. A study published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found:

“Salmonella organisms from all groups were found in household vacuum cleaner bags, except those from homes in which occupants had no contact with livestock or exposure to S. enterica in the workplace”

Why Vacuuming Alone Isn’t Enough

Regular vacuuming is still worth doing, as it picks up surface dust and debris. But as the Reader’s Digest article points out, a standard vacuum cleaner isn’t capable of reaching deep enough into the carpet’s fibres to give it a thorough clean. That’s why they recommend a professional carpet cleaning service.

How to Reduce Bacteria in Your Carpet

• Take shoes off at the door, and put a doormat at every entry.
• Vacuum busy areas at least once a week, ideally with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
• Clean up spills and pet accidents straight away, then let the area dry fully. Damp carpet is where bacteria and mould grow best.
• Wash pet bedding often, and keep pets groomed.
• Book a professional carpet clean every 6 to 12 months for most homes, every 6 months with small children, and every 3 to 6 months with pets and small children.

What Actually Helps Remove Bacteria from Carpet

When you read about germs and bacteria in carpet fibres, most articles point to the same reasonable solution: professional carpet cleaning.

With Wizard Cleaning®, you can rest assured your carpets are cleaned to an extremely high quality. We use hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning. The combination of extremely hot water and high-pressure suction helps release the germs and bacteria clinging to the fibres. Most of our jobs use a truck-mounted system, with portable machines for apartments and places a van can’t reach. This type of clean is impossible to achieve with a standard vacuum: it removes surface particles but doesn’t give the same deeper clean.

Your carpets will not only feel cleaner, but they’ll actually be cleaner.

To find out how a professional carpet clean can help reduce your family’s exposure to bacteria and germs in your carpets, give us a call on 0400 634 609 or request a free, no-obligation quote.