Let’s face it: The COVID-19 outbreak changed life as we know it. With health, hygiene, and safety being of paramount importance, it’s imperative to keep the surroundings clean to ensure your family’s safety. To combat the rapid spread of the coronavirus, regular cleaning of high-touch areas and surfaces is critical.
However, we need to take note that different surfaces have different cleaning requirements. We’re sanitizing surfaces like crazy but are we doing the same for our carpets, rugs, and upholstery? Carpets can be difficult to clean and sanitize especially during these unprecedented times. Bacteria and viruses often get trapped in the fibers.
To make things easier for you, here’s everything you need to know about cleaning and sanitizing your carpets during the coronavirus outbreak.
Does the Coronavirus Live on Carpets?
Typical germs remain on surfaces for up to 12 hours, while the coronavirus can live for up to 24 hours on cardboards and several days on metal surfaces. Fortunately, the virus doesn’t survive long on fabrics and other porous surfaces like carpets. However, carpet fibers are magnets for dust mites, pollen, and germs. This makes it harder to clean thoroughly than any other hard surface.
How To Do In-Home Carpet Cleaning
According to the Centers for Disease Control, you can still “visible contamination” from carpets, rugs, and other soft surfaces by using appropriate antimicrobial products. After cleaning, use cleaning products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogen claims to remove contaminants from the carpet.
Steps on How to Get Rid of Germs in Carpets
Never underestimate the power of cleaning your carpets and area rugs, especially during a global pandemic. Here are some tips to keep our carpets clean, reduce germs, and ensure that your home is sanitary at all times:
Take Your Shoes Off
If you want your carpet to stay in top shape, avoid wearing shoes indoors. The soles of your shoes track in mud, dirt, and debris from outside. Wearing shoes in the house also wears your carpets more quickly. Always leave shoes on the porch or use house slippers, so the residue will not build up quickly on your carpet surface.
Carpets Cannot Be Disinfected, Only Sanitized
Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are often used interchangeably, but these terms are not exactly the same. Cleaning involves water and cleaning products to remove germs and dirt from surfaces but not necessary to kill them. Meanwhile, sanitizing involves any cleaning product for reducing the bacteria or germs on surfaces. Lastly, disinfecting kills and destroys the majority of viruses and bacteria on hard, nonporous surfaces.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), disinfectants are only needed for hard, nonporous surfaces. Since carpets are porous surfaces, you only need to clean and sanitize them. This is because porous surfaces are less hospitable to viruses.
Use a Vacuum Cleaner With HEPA Filter
When it comes to carpet care and maintenance, the right vacuum makes all the difference. Vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems are most recommended for improving air quality. HEPA is a type of filter that traps airborne dust, microscopic particles, and viruses instead of recirculating them back into the air. HEPA filters help remove disease-causing microorganisms and minimize allergens.
Choose the Right Cleaning Products
Not all carpet cleaning solutions are created the same. Aside from being ineffective at cleaning, the wrong products might ruin your carpet surface. When using a new cleaning solution, always follow the instructions on the product label or stick with the manufacturer’s recommendation for cleaning procedures. You may also ask your carpet cleaning company if they are using an EPA-approved cleaning product that is proven effective against bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19.
Professional Carpet Cleaning in the Wake of COVID-19
The coronavirus is an enemy that we can’t see. That’s why deep cleaning with EPA-approved products and top-notch equipment will help you feel relief and peace of mind. For carpets and upholstery, steam cleaning and hot water extraction are most recommended. Steam is excellent for cleaning and killing germs and viruses in your carpet.
At Carpet Cleaning Pros of Lancaster, we have the training and equipment to protect you and your family. We use the best practices in cleaning your carpets and removing microorganisms from your soft surfaces. Call us to schedule an appointment today!