Experts have warned that carpets and rugs that look clean could actually be packed with bacteria.
People should be vigilant when it comes to cleaning the floor coverings, which require more upkeep than other surfaces in the home.
This is because fabric is more prone to holding onto dirt and dust particles than other materials due to its porous texture.
And the structure of carpet fibres in particular makes them particularly prone to trapping microscopic organisms like dust mites, as well as other debris particles.
In order to avoid this, rugs and carpets should be vacuumed regularly, whether they look like they are dirty or not.
And as well as vacuuming, brushing the fibres will help removed dirt that is more deeply embedded in the floor coverings.
When it comes to smaller rugs, they should be taken outside and given a shake before they are vacuumed, for optimum cleaning.
In addition, the flooring beneath where the rugs are usually placed should be cleaned, to ensure any dirt trapped beneath is removed.
Carpets and rugs should be cleaned regularly, according experts, who have warned that the fibres are prone to trapping debris and bacteria (stock image)
According to cleaning experts from Gtech, people who have furry companion animals should be even more vigilant when it comes to cleaning their carpets and rugs. This is because cats and dogs shed fur, leaving lots of pet hair lying around, which can work its way into fibres – including curtains as well as carpeting.
Gtech experts also point out that those with pets who have hardwood (or other smooth) flooring should ensure they vacuum often, to make sure they are keeping on top of removing as much animal fur as possible.
When it comes to pets, stray animal hairs are not the only thing to be conscious of: experts at Gtech note that some very young or very old pets may have accidents inside, or can tramp dirt through the home if they have dirty paws.
The Gtech experts said: ‘From muddy paw prints to puppy pee puddles, stains are a common enemy for pet owners, especially those with either very young or elderly animals. Acting fast is essential when removing pet stains, and you should start cleaning as soon as you spot them.’
When it comes to liquid stains (including urine) it’s best to spray the stain with cold water, before then using a paper towel or cloth to absorb the liquid.
Then the area should be sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda, which should be left for an hour, before it is then vacuumed. This may have to be repeated several times, until the smell and visible stain have disappeared.
Companion animals like dogs and cats shed their coats, and their fur can become embedded in the fabric – as well as bringing in dirt on their paws (stock image)
When it comes to mud from dirty paws, it should be left to dry, before as much as possible is vacuumed. A blunt knife can be used to scrape away any excess mud. Once it’s removed, the same cycle of using bicarbonate of soda should be used to spot clean the area.
The experts added: ‘For particularly tough stains, consider using cleaning agents, such as white vinegar or a carpet cleaner for serious stains. Just ensure that you use an agent that is suitable for your carpet, based on its instructions or maintenance guide.’
Meanwhile, cleaning influencer Mrs Hinch previously shared a simple hack for dirty carpets – and it only costs 99p. Mrs Hinch, whose real name is Sophie Hinchliffe, recommends using a squeegee – commonly used to wipe car, bathroom or window glass – for getting the floor coverings clean.
Demonstrating the technique in a video, the Essex-based influencer gently scraped the dry ‘squeegee’ over the carpet to lift away hair, dust and lint, then held up the shocking amount of debris that the squeegee picked up – a ball of hair and dust.
Squeegees can be bought for as little as 99p, making it an extraordinary cost-effective purchase.
