How Long Can Bacteria Live On Carpet?

How long can bacteria live on carpet? Why you should get your carpet cleaned regularly? Bacteria love carpets. You walk on them with filthy shoes, sweat on them when you get home from a long day, and then leave without cleaning up after yourself. Carpets provide a perfect environment for bacteria to proliferate.

Here is how long bacteria can live in the carpet fibers and what effect carpet has on illness transmission rates. Read on – How Long Can Bacteria Live On Carpet?

How long does it take for bacteria to grow?

Many different types of bacteria survive in the dark, moist conditions found on carpet fibers. One type called “Streptococcus” is most commonly found in moist environments such as carpets or kitchens with lots of moisture. The other type of bacteria commonly found on carpets is called “Staphylococcus”.

The bacteria thrive in moist and warm locations, especially if they are disturbed. The average carpets have anywhere from 10% to 100% moisture content with the highest being on soft curly fibers.

How long will it continue to grow?

The general rule is that all bacteria will stop growing or die when the conditions become too dry or too cold. In general, you can expect that your carpets will hold a certain level of bacteria for approximately 2 months before the bacteria will die off from the dry conditions. The bacteria will slowly die off over months or years depending upon the conditions, but it generally takes about 2 months for it to settle out.

What is the effect on illness transmission?

The general rule is that carpets can provide an environment for illnesses like tuberculosis. It may be carried from home to home, to survive and multiply. The best way to protect yourself from illness and the spread of disease is by keeping the floors clean regularly.

Why you should get your carpet cleaned regularly

1. Odor removal

Did that old sofa smell like cigarettes? Spilled some juice on the floor? Did the dog decide to do its business on the carpet? Do you have pets that always use the same bathroom spot?

If they are not removed once in a while, they become permanent odor sources that continue to stink up your home. Their best solution is to make sure the carpet is always cleaned at least once every 6-12 months.

2. Mold removal

You thought mold was only in the kitchen, but it can also grow in your carpet. The warm, moist environment of a home is a great place for mold to propagate. If you have pets or small children, the problem’s even worse. A professional carpet cleaner will come equipped with an all-purpose cleaner and anti-mold solutions that get to work on any leftover mold. Make sure that the cleaner you hire has anti-mold solutions before you commit!

3. Cleaning makes your furniture look new again

Just like your clothes need regular cleaning to stay looking fresh and new, so does your furniture. This is especially true if you have pets that keep dragging their fur onto the furniture throughout the year. A professional cleaner will also give your furniture a thorough cleaning, removing all dust and stains from the fabric and leaving it smelling fresh.

4. Eliminate pet hair

If you have pets, then you know that pet hair can make your life miserable. No matter what you do, the hair always seems to get everywhere. And the worst thing is that it is usually long and thick, making it hard to remove naturally. Professional cleaners get rid of pet hair effortlessly, leaving your home looking and smelling clean again.

5. Stain removal

You might have thought you could just leave those old stains on the carpet – they’re not bothering anyone anyway, right? Wrong! Those stains are like little bacteria-breeding factories, and they’re only getting worse with time. The best way to avoid having to replace your carpet one day is by removing the stains before they become permanent discolorations on your carpet.

6. Money savings

Any professional carpet cleaner will tell you that once your carpets are clean, they last longer and look nicer. When it comes to being a money saver, carpet cleaning is like investing in yourself. If you’re able to save on carpet cleaning every 6-12 months, you will see a return on your investment the next time the girls call you up for their spring clean!

7. Quality of life

Everyone knows that cleaning is usually a stress-filled activity, but there’s no reason for this to be the case with your carpet. A professional will give your carpets an all-over clean removing dirt and dust from deep within its fibers. Regular cleaning prevents any health problems such as allergies or asthma. And besides, you can’t blame the girls for wanting to call you up this time around!

8. You will avoid damaging your carpets

Carpets are designed using various fibers, and materials and have varied thicknesses, qualities, and textures and you cannot employ the same method to clean every carpet. For instance, if you own a natural fiber carpet, it can be a bad idea to use a brush to clean it. That is why it is recommended to hire a professional carpet cleaner who knows the ideal technique and method for cleaning your home carpet.

A professional cleaner will use the right amount of soap and will not soak your carpeting. It is important to know how much soap you should use so that you do not ruin it with water stains or residue. If you use too much soap, then you will end up with a clean carpet but one that does not smell good or feels soft anymore. The wrong amount of soap can also strip away fibers from the rug and cause serious damage over time.

How Long Can Bacteria Live On Carpet? – Conclusion

Whether you are a homeowner or a business owner, having to get your carpets cleaned just isn’t something you enjoy doing. Since it is hard work and takes up time, which can often be in short supply for many busy people and companies, hiring an expert is the best thing that can be done. The advantages of hiring professional carpet cleaners are so many they’re nearly impossible to list—it is sure to save you money in the long run as well as give you peace of mind.