How to keep your carpets clean and germ-free

Although it's not particularly pleasant to think about, there could be potentially millions of germs hiding within the fibres of your carpets - so what are the best ways to keep your carpets clean and free from allergy-inducing bacteria?

Carpets will always harbour dirt, germs and bacteria because of their role within the home. If they are well maintained and cleaned regularly, then this will keep the levels of bacteria at a lower level, reducing the risk of making you or your family ill. Left untreated, the carpet fibres can become a breeding ground for some nasty bugs that can quickly spread throughout your entire home.

The germs in a carpet can vary significantly from home to home. They can range from naturally-occurring pollen and dust mites right through to bacteria and human skin cells. When combined, some of these microorganisms can become a hazard for allergy or asthma suffers as they can irritate the respiratory system or the skin.

The best way to keep on top of these germs is regular vacuuming and cleaning. Although most household vacuum cleaners aren't particularly powerful, they can help to reduce the numbers of bacteria within the carpet. The most important thing to remember is that your carpet will need to be professionally cleaned at least once a year to ensure the carpet fibres are thoroughly disinfected - maybe more frequently if you have pets or young children.

There will always be germs in the home, especially in places like the kitchen or bathroom, but the difference with these areas is that they can usually be wiped clean with anti-bacterial cleaning products. Carpets and rugs can prove more challenging to keep on top of, but with regular hoovering and the occasional professional deep clean, you can keep your carpets hygienic at all times.