Can Old Carpets Cause Health Problems?

Can old Carpets cause health problems? Many of us believe that carpets make our houses beautiful and, in most cases, add to the interior décor. It has become a standard thing to do to have carpets in our homes. Some people will have a carpet for every single room in their house. This arrangement doesn’t mean that all carpets will be new, though. Many carpets stay for years and have become old.

Even the new carpets become old with time. Don’t forget that carpets take a long to dry and so we don’t wash them often. What this means, we will encounter several health issues originating from our carpets but not know it.

My personal experience with old carpets

I keep the smaller mats for the doors and the bathroom. These mats will be easy to wash and dry any day. I had to do away with my carpets completely and stored them.

When I gave birth to my twins, we were on and off to the hospital due to colds and flu. In one case, the babies had a very bad infection. I wondered what was causing these sickness episodes for a long time until my husband mentioned that the children spent so much on the carpet.

On a serious thought, I realized that they were breathing in tiny dust particles, and the carpet could easily get contaminated. So, I decided to remove my carpets, have them washed and stored. To my surprise, we reduced the hospital visits. Although carpets add to the warmth and beauty of the home, the dangers will surprise you.

Could you be experiencing a similar situation to mine? Read through this article and let’s learn about the facts on old carpets and our health.

Could your old carpet be causing you health troubles?

Depending on its location, any carpet will attract and hold dust particles, food droppings, spillages, and many more things. In most cases, our typical daily cleaning gets rid of the large and visible particles. What we mostly don’t know, the carpet sieves the finer particles, which it releases slowly.

If someone has an infection, spillages from their utensils or a sneeze and cough drop on surfaces, including the carpets. The old carpets will hold these substances for longer, and once we get in contact with the contaminations, we fall sick too.

So, yes, your old carpet may cause you health problems. Let’s discuss some health issues associated with an old carpet.

What diseases get associated with the presence of an old carpet?

• Respiratory issues

Most respiratory diseases or conditions result from exposure to triggers. These triggers include dust particles, dirt, hairs, and fur from pets or exposure to viruses that cause flu and colds.

When we clean carpets by vacuuming or walk on them, these particles get freed into the atmosphere. These particles serve as airborne triggers and toxins and will affect a person with Asthma. In some cases, some people may develop an asthmatic condition due to an allergy to particles like pet fur.

These particles may cause Rhinitis and strike an allergic rhinitis attack on those already suffering from it. Dust particles, hair, and fur serve as major triggers for people who suffer from Rhinitis.

In the case of flu and colds, if a person sneezes or coughs and the droplets land on the carpet, then infections occur. Once we touch or walk on the carpet and get into contact with the virus, we suffer cold or flu as well.

An old carpet will contribute to these respiratory illnesses, and your carpet will cause you a health problem. The American College of Asthma and other respiratory immunology ascertains that dust from carpets may be dangerous.

• Allergies

If you wake up often with flu-like symptoms and seem to be allergic to your home, it gets scary what you might fail to know. The freed particles cause allergic-like symptoms. A few minutes after vacuuming an old carpet, you may develop teary eyes and nasal congestion. Then the runny nose sets in.

You may start wondering why this happens after you clean the carpet. The particles from the carpet irritate your respiratory system and cause you an allergic reaction. Removing your carpet will do you a great favor.

• Skin irritation

Just like your respiratory system, your skin gets irritated by particles and substances from your old carpet. I once encountered a person who developed very bad skin irritation from their carpet. They were constantly scratching. Dust mites love invading our carpets and may thrive even after you vacuum your carpet.

Dust mites cause not only itchy skin but also rashes and eczema. Most people who suffer these conditions may not know that their carpets cause their suffering. A carpet will be free from these dangers only through thorough washing, which isn’t easy to achieve. If you can afford to wash your carpet twice a week, you might avoid these carpet health issues.

• Stomach infections

Have you ever heard of the Norovirus? This virus causes symptoms typical to food poisoning once infected. The virus gets to survive in your carpet for weeks. Once you vacuum or walk through your carpet, it becomes airborne. That stomach flu you have had might be due to your carpet.

The above diseases include the most common health problems that result from our carpets. You will need to wash and completely dry your carpet to enjoy a healthy life in a carpeted house. Vacuuming does not always clean your carpet effectively. It ends up posing more heath threats. If you need to vacuum your carpet, wear a face mask the open all the windows to let out floating particles.

What are some of the components present in old carpet dirt?

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Pet dander
• Fungi

All these components will serve as allergens that cause you health issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can old carpets cause allergies?

Yes, Old carpets will cause a variety of allergies, including allergic Rhinitis.

• Will old carpets cause Asthma?

An old carpet may host triggers like animal fur and dust or hair particles. These triggers will spike an Asthma attack in asthmatic people.

• Can an old carpet cause breathing problems?

Many respiratory diseases that cause breathing problems get triggered by the dust of carpet dirt. So, an old carpet will cause breathing problems once these particles start respiratory issues like asthmatic attacks.

How will I clean my carpet to avoid health problems?

To effectively clean your carpet, you may try to;

• Regularly wash your carpet
• Open your windows for ventilation while vacuuming
• Wear a face mask while vacuuming
• Let your carpet dry completely after washing
• Keep your pets away from your carpet
• Remove your shoes before stepping on the carpet

Can Old Carpets Cause Health Problems? – Conclusion

Since your carpet may cause you various health problems, practicing better hygiene will prevent these troubles. Washing your carpet and completely drying it serves as the perfect way to clean your carpet. You may consider removing your old carpet altogether. This way, you will enjoy better days in good health.