Getting a new carpet can make an indoor space look so much better and cleaner. But what happens when you learn you’re allergic to your brand new purchase? Fortunately, it’s not as dire as you might imagine. Oftentimes your allergic reaction can be traced back to a dirty or poorly maintained carpet rather than the materials themselves. That’s why it’s important to keep going back to Chem-Dry of Richmond regularly along with embracing a few crucial carpet cleaning tips. If you’re having issues with your carpet, here’s how to relieve your suffering.

Keep It Clean 

This should go without saying, but a clean carpet is a healthy carpet. If you or someone you live with already struggles with allergies, it’s not going to take a lot for your household rug to become Ground Zero for germs and allergens. That means that even a small spill can create big problems and a lot of unnecessary suffering in your home. It’s not just important to take your rug in for scheduled professional cleanings. You also have to make sure you’re airing your rug out, using a dehumidifier when possible, and keeping dirty shoes and pawprints far away from your rug if you don’t want to cause a sneezing fit.

Keep the Space Dry

Moisture is a huge enemy of home rugs. Once a moisture pocket gets trapped inside your carpet’s fibers, it’s going to be hard to get it out without professional help. It’s not only unpleasant to have a rug that’s damp and unclean just sitting around affecting the air quality, it’s downright dangerous. If you or someone in your home already has allergy issues, you might be used to keeping the windows shut to keep pollen and other irritants out. However, if you live in a moist climate, you might need to resort to other measures to make sure everything stays dry and aired out, including keeping foot traffic to a minimum and using as little cleaning solution as possible when treating a stain. Keeping a dehumidifier handy is a good start. It’s also helpful to dry your rug as quickly as possible after spot treatment, either by using fans to circulate the air inside the room or by hanging your rug out to dry in the sun.

Natural Fibers May Be Better

While you might not think that a wool rug is going to be a great choice for someone who suffers from allergies, the natural fibers of a rich material like wool or silk can actually help trap airborne allergens and keep them buried for better air quality. The trouble is, you have to be extra diligent about getting your rug professionally cleaned. While the allergens may not be in the air anymore, they’re still hiding in the base of your rug and need to be removed if you want to be truly free from pollen, dust mites, and dirt. While you might not be thrilled about having to drag your rug into the cleaners every month or so, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of suffering by doing so.