How much do you know about your carpets? Commercial Cleaning in Tucson has compiled a list.
15 Interesting Carpet Facts
Carpet Fact #1
“To sweep under the carpet” was a figure of speech first heard and recorded in 1963.
Carpet Fact #2
The air blown from a running vacuum cleaner is one of the top five places in your home with the highest number of germs. Microbiologists noted that dish sponges, washing machines, bathroom toilets (during a flush), and kitchen trash bins are the other four.
Carpet Fact #3
Did you know that the term “carpet” comes from the Latin word carpere, meaning “to pluck,” most likely this definition came about because carpets were made from unraveled or “plucked” fabric. Additional fun fact: the word “carpet: has the same Latin root as carpe diem, literally meaning “pluck or seize the day.”
Carpet Fact #4
If you fail to clean your carpets properly you may find yourself with the Norwalk virus. The Norwalk virus or Norovirus is known to cause the stomach flu and can survive on an uncleaned carpet for over a month!
Carpet Fact #5
Speaking of sweeping under the carpet, every year several pounds of dirt and soil can accumulate in and under your carpets.
Carpet Fact #6
That five-second rule that you hear everyone talk about is just a myth. Bacteria and germs can live up to or longer than four solid weeks on and on the carpet. Some of these germs can immediately be transferred to food because of microbial adhesion. Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella enteritis are just a few nasty bacteria that can attach themselves to your dropped food. In case you are wondering, both of the mentioned bacteria can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Carpet Fact #7
A good amount of dead skin flakes will find their way onto your carpet. The average person sheds around 1.5 million skin flakes in a single hour.
Carpet Fact #8
Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite,” is more than a bedtime rhyme. Bed bugs can easily live in your carpet fibers. These nasty little critters can crawl more than 100 feet to find a tasty meal, usually at night from sleeping victims.
Carpet Fact #9
The air inside your Tucson home can contain twice as much dust as the air outside. That averages out to be about one million microscopic particles in a single cubic inch of air. A single ounce of carpet dust is enough to feed 2,000 dust mites.
Carpet Fact #10
Most carpet cleaners you can purchase contain Naphthalene. In a concentrated form Naphthalene can be dangerous to breathe and can cause headaches, nausea, and can be toxic to children and pets.
FYI: Commercial Cleaning uses carpet cleaning products that are completely safe for you, your children, and your pets.
Carpet Fact #11
In the Middle Ages, people would cover their floors with rushes. Rushes acted like disposable carpets. If the rush got dirty it was thrown away. Today, carpets are more permanent, and more often than not standard vacuums miss a large percentage of the dirt and germs that live in carpet fibers.
Carpet Fact #12
Dust mites can create airborne allergens. Dust mites love warm, humid environments and will eat dead skin cells and nest in your carpets collecting dust. The residue that the dust mites leave behind can mix with the dust and become airborne.
Carpet Fact #13
Having your carpets professionally cleaned every 12 months will help extend the life of your carpets and, depending on your carpet manufacturer, keep the carpet’s warranty in place.
Carpet Fact #14
When professionally cleaned and maintained, your carpets can improve the quality of air in your Tucson home. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not clean their carpets correctly, which can increase the risk of allergies and lower the quality of air.
Carpet Fact #15
The toxic substances that are found in cigarette smoke can cling to your carpet fibers. The carcinogens in this substance increase the risk of lung cancer for any pets or children who spend a great deal of time on the carpeted floor.
Do you still have questions about your carpet? Contact the carpet cleaning professionals at Commercial Cleaning in Tucson today!