ITCH Institute for Total Carpet Hygiene

Did You Know?

A neglected carpet can contain up to four times its own weight in dirt. The Institute for Total Carpet Hygiene (ITCH).

An unwashed carpet is an unhealthy carpet - if you haven't washed your carpet in the last twelve months you can be sure that lurking deep in the carpet fibres will be bacteria, fungus, chemicals, dead skin, dust, food particles, germs, pollen, grease, grit and dust mites.

Over 90% of dirt and grime comes into the house on the soles of shoes. Pollen, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes and hundreds of other toxins in the outside air are also easily trapped on your hair, skin and clothing and can easily be transferred into your carpet.

If neglected, these particles will work their way deeper into the carpet and may contribute to health problems including allergies, asthma and emphysema.

Vacuuming removes the top layer of dirt, but over time the lower grit, dirt and grease get trodden deeper and deeper, cutting the pile, making it dull and loosening the fibres. This is also an ideal breeding ground for dust mites, which live off dead flakes of skin and thrive in warm, humid environments and are present all year round.

It is a common myth that washing carpets, especially woollen ones, is bad for them and can cause them to shrink. This couldn't be further from the truth - the only way to fully eradicate the dirt, toxins and pollutants is by washing your carpets regularly.

Washing your carpet will brighten colours, remove trapped odours and germs and prolong the life of your carpet.

Keeping Your Carpets Free of Dirt and Germs

Independent studies prove that washing carpets leaves them significantly cleaner than dry vacuuming alone. Vacuuming removes the top layer of dirt, but over time a build up of grit, dirt and grease gets trodden in deeper and deeper into the carpet fibres leaving carpets looking dull, tired and flat.

More importantly carpets are a breeding ground for dust mites, which can leave unhygienic residues deep in the pile and give rise to asthma and other allergens. The only way to effectively remove these residues – and other dirt and bacteria - is by regular carpet washing with a carpet cleaner.

It is a common myth that washing carpets, especially woollen ones, can cause them to shrink or leave them wet for days, but this couldn't be further from the truth. A good carpet cleaner will clean the fibres of the carpet without wetting the backing, leaving it bright, fresh, clean and dry enough to walk on within a couple of hours. They are quicker and easier to use than you might think and by loosening and removing the trapped dirt and grit which can cut into the pile and damage the fibres, can also help prolong the life of your carpet.

The Institute for Total Carpet Hygiene (ITCH).