Studies have found that around 20 million Brits suffer from allergies. If you’re one of them, you’ll know just how uncomfortable symptoms can be. Common household allergens include dust mites, pet hairs, pet dander and mould, all of which can be found in the average carpet. Regular carpet cleaning for allergy sufferers is vital to reduce exposure to allergens and keep symptoms at bay, and one of the most effective methods to achieve this is by steam cleaning a carpet. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is steam cleaning?

Steam cleaning is a popular method for deep cleaning carpets used by many professionals. It works by heating water up in a tank to over boiling point, to create steam, which is released onto the carpet in controlled bursts. The machine operates at high pressure, so the steam is forced deep into the carpet, where it dislodges dirt and debris, helps to break down stains and destroys allergens and pathogens.

It’s a gentle yet highly effective method for deep cleaning a carpet, and because it doesn’t rely on using any strong chemicals, bleaches or detergents, it’s safe for both the carpet and those who come in contact with the carpet.

How steam cleaning prevents allergies

For anyone with an allergy, carpet cleaning using a steam cleaning machine is a really effective way to combat allergens, in a natural, safe way, without using any cleaning products that might contain allergy-triggering chemicals.

The very high temperature of the steam that gets applied to the carpet can kill off and remove allergens like dust, dander, pollen and mould, which can help to reduce symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy skin, red eyes, a sore throat and a runny nose, for example.

Studies have shown that steam cleaning is, in fact, the best method for removing allergens from a carpet compared to other methods like dry cleaning. Moreover, because steam is applied at high pressure, it’s able to reach all parts of the carpet, so it’s not just surface-level allergens that get removed, but those from deep inside the carpet pile. In particular, mould spores can often be found at the bottom of a carpet by the backing, so steam cleaning can reach all the way down to the carpet’s core to remove these.

Use a trusted professional

Not all steam cleaning machines are created equally. If you want the maximum amount of allergens removed from your carpets, as well as enjoying the cleanest, freshest and most hygienic carpets possible, it’s a good idea to research your options before getting your carpets steam cleaned.

Choose a reputable, professional cleaning company, such as our steam carpet cleaning London business, which operates the most up-to-date, advanced steam cleaners, for achieving the best results.

Check out a cleaning company’s reviews and get in touch with them to find out what allergy carpet cleaning methods they use, and how effective their results are.

Avoid DIY steam cleaners

If you’re considering hiring a steam cleaner to remove allergens from your carpets yourself, it’s worth knowing that this won’t be as effective as using the services of a professional carpet cleaning company.

Many of the steam cleaners available for hire don’t have the same level of power and performance capabilities as those used by professionals, so not all of the allergens in a carpet might end up getting removed.

What’s more, because hired machines might not have rinsing and flushing systems that are as powerful as what professionals use, moisture and cleaning residues could end up remaining in the carpet at the end of the cleaning process.

Cleaning residues can often create a sticky feel to a carpet, which can attract new dirt to accumulate. Allergens could quickly build up again in the carpet as they stick to the cleaning residues, sending you back to square one again.

Keeping carpets dry

Crucially, if a cheap steam cleaner doesn’t expel the moisture from the carpet after cleaning, this can leave a carpet damp, encouraging allergens like mould to grow in the carpet.

It’s reassuring to know, however, that when you choose our steam carpet cleaning London company, we operate cutting-edge steam cleaners with low-moisture demands, so we never get your carpets really wet in the first place. What’s more, the powerful flushing and rinsing systems of our machine draw out very high levels of the moisture content from a carpet, so it dries really quickly, preventing mould or mildew from developing.

Furthermore, we don’t use any cleaning solutions that leave sticky residues in carpets, so allergens won’t have a chance to rapidly repopulate again after our cleaning is completed.

How often should you get your carpets steam cleaned?

Whilst allergens like pollen are more prevalent in spring and summer, this shouldn’t be the only time you get your carpets steam cleaned. Allergens can be an all-year-round problem, including the colder months when not having the windows open as much can stagnate the inside air and increase dust levels.

As a general guideline, you should consider getting your carpets steam cleaned once or twice each year depending on the frequency of your allergy symptoms and the use of your carpets. If you also have pets, and are affected by allergens like pet dander and pet hairs, more regular cleaning may be required.

It’s not just your carpets that you should get steam cleaned, either, because allergens can also live in rugs, sofas, chairs, mattresses and curtains.

Other essential tips

When it comes to carpet cleaning for allergy sufferers, it’s not just steam cleaning that you should focus on. Regular vacuuming of your carpets is also vital. Choose a machine that has a HEPA filter, and keep the filter clean and the machine in good working order to ensure maximum allergen retrieval.

Another good reason to get your carpets professionally cleaned is that our experts will also vacuum your carpets before steam cleaning them. We use a machine that has a much more powerful filter than the average household vacuum cleaner, so even more particles of dust, hairs, dander and pollen can be removed.

Whilst allergens can get trapped in all types of carpets, it’s easier to clean and remove allergens from a short pile carpet than a long one, so if you’re thinking about getting a new carpet, choose a low pile, hypoallergenic option made from fabrics such as nylon or wool.

For the best allergy carpet cleaning solutions, choose Carpet Bright UK.