Are you toying with the idea of throwing away your carpets and putting down hard floors?
Before you do, just stop for a moment and think about all the benefits your carpets actually provide. You will be very surprised, as hardly any of these are purely cosmetic and all of which are taken entirely for granted.
Imagine for a second, several pairs of schoolboy feet running up your staircase… does a herd of elephants spring to mind? Well, without your stair carpet, it would sound just like that. But when was the last time you thought… ‘I’m so thankful for my stair carpet absorbing the sound?’ Yet this is one of the aspects of your carpet that you never pay a second thought to and is vital for a stress free life.
Also imagine 50% more dusting. That would be the case if you didn’t have carpet. It’s a fact that thanks to your carpets’ dust trapping properties, it can reduce your housework – a definite benefit. Not only do you have less dusting but also the environment in which you live is more hygienic because of it.
Let me explain…
Carpet fibres draw in dust particles like water going down a plughole until it is vacuumed. If you vacuum regularly you will get rid of those nasty germs that travel around on dust particles causing all sorts of health problems, reducing the risk to family members who suffer from allergies like asthma and hay fever.
In fact carpeting acts as a filter for airborne pollutants whereas a hard floor doesn’t. Sweeping a hard floor surface can cause dust mite faeces to remain in the air for 10 minutes or more, creating serious problems for asthma sufferers.
Another point to bear in mind is your carpet’s insulating properties. In other words, keeping you warm. Not only does your carpet act as a visual comforter it also acts as a thermal insulator, retaining heat within its dense pile and backing. It is proven that you will feel at least 2 degrees centigrade warmer with a carpet fitted.
If that’s not enough then consider this… a carpet has orthopaedic benefits too and can actually do you good. Fitting a soft resilient carpet is gentle on the joints and if you walk on them barefoot, it is, according to prominent orthopaedic specialists, equivalent to the effects of natural reflex massage treatment. The rule that applies is obvious, the deeper the carpet pile the more effective it is.
If you are still edging towards the hard floor option, maybe it’s because of the maintenance of a carpet. Certainly, your carpet does need regular maintenance to keep it looking good. You should vacuum on a regular basis with an efficient vacuum cleaner (preferably an upright with a beater bar), which extracts dirt from the depths of the pile and also contributes toward the attractive appearance. A simple rule is to never let dust or dirt settle on the carpet.
And now and again, when your carpet is looking a bit tired and worn, give it a treat by having it deep steam cleaned.
You are now better educated in the battle of carpets vs hard floors.