Does carpet cleaning kill fleas, bed bugs and bacteria in your carpet?

You look at your recently hoovered carpet and think that it’s as clean as it could be. What you don’t know, perhaps, is that inside the carpet there can be bugs, fleas and bacteria.

This is a problem because they can carry diseases, trigger allergies and cause skin irritations. So, the challenge is how to get rid of them to have a truly clean carpet and, ultimately, a home which is free of these pests.

In this article, we will explore the different types of pests that might be living in your carpet and how to get rid of them.

1)Fleas

Fleas are usually found in pets but don’t be mistaken, they can also be in the fibres of your carpet. Because they’re really small, they can hide anywhere and it’s very difficult to spot them. On the other hand, they bite and leave a red, itching circle on the spot, making it easier to identify if your carpet has fleas.

To avoid a flea infestation, frequent vacuuming is helpful. You should throw away the vacuum bag to avoid reinfestation. However, in some cases, the flea eggs survive the vacuuming and it’s only a matter of time until the issue is back. In this case, a more thorough cleaning is needed. That’s where professional cleaning companies come in. They can help with steam cleaning and the use of appropriate pesticides, which are proven to be an effective method to kill pests.

2)Bed bugs

They are small, brown insects that can be seen around your home, not only on carpets but also on bed linen, curtains and even clothes. They can bite and leave small red spots that are both itchy and painful. Because bed bugs also carry diseases, they need to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Believe it or not, they are harder to deal with than fleas. The first step is to vacuum all carpet and upholstery. Then, professional cleaners can help with steam carpet cleaning. The hot steam will kill the bed bugs from the carpet. Another method is to use a white powder, called Diatomaceous earth that works by dehydrating bed bugs and then vacuuming after one hour. Because bed bugs are likely to be in more places in your home, it is also recommended that you wash curtains, bed linens and clothing.

3)Bacteria and viruses

As well as fleas and bed bugs, bacteria and viruses can also be living in our home, brought in by dirty soles of shoes or in the droplets of sneezes and coughs. They can survive in the fibres of the carpet for weeks and they represent a risk to your health. Take for example the Norovirus, responsible for stomach flu, which can be found living in carpets. Professional cleaning can remove up to 99% of bacteria from your carpet using the hot water extraction method. Ideally, a professional carpet clean should be arranged every six months. To maintain your carpet health in the meantime, make sure to vacuum it regularly.

If you need help with professional carpet cleaning, get in touch today.