Can carpet cleaning cause allergies? Yes, carpet cleaning can cause allergies. Many people, especially children, are allergic to household dust particles. This common condition is known as allergy or “dust mite” asthma. Dust mites are microscopic arachnids in carpets, bedding, and furniture. They feed on dead skin cells and dander accumulating on carpets and other surfaces.

Some people may experience worsening asthma symptoms like wheezing and coughing when carpet cleaning is performed at home or work spaces with mechanized carpet cleaning equipment.

The good news is that lack of exposure to allergens doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe for those with allergies to be close by during the cleaning process (though some people still choose to do so). The better news is that many of today’s carpet cleaning companies employ non-mechanized and low-impact cleaning solutions, including hot water extraction.

How carpet cleaning can cause allergies

Dust Mites Are Among the Most Common Allergens

Dust mites can cause allergies during carpet cleaning because they live everywhere. They can find a home inside your carpeting where they lay eggs, and then their hatchlings feed on the dead skin, pollen, and debris that gets into your carpeting. This can lead to worsening allergies for many people with asthma or allergies, especially if you or someone else in the house has recently suffered from a respiratory illness.

Pollen Is Commonly an Allergic Trigger

Pollen is a common allergen during carpet cleaning because plants produce it, and you have plants inside your home — whether they’re living or dried flowers. The pollen may be trapped in your carpeting, where it’s shed every time you walk on the carpet. Plus, pollen can also become airborne when you vacuum your carpets during the year (primarily if you use an old vacuum that has been broken for a long time). So be aware of this issue and make sure you use allergy-friendly cleaners.

Pet Hair and Dander Can Trigger Allergies

Pet hair and dander are common allergens during carpet cleaning because you can’t see or clean them off quickly. Even though you may not be allergic to your pets (and many people aren’t — including my wife, who is most definitely allergic to my cats), the dander from pet hair can cause allergies in anyone, even if the person isn’t allergic to the fur itself. This is because dander is released from skin cells when pets groom themselves with their teeth, flaking onto carpets and upholstery.

Antifreeze Can Be Dangerous During Carpet Cleaning

Antifreeze can be dangerous during carpet cleaning because it contains ethylene glycol — a highly toxic chemical that can cause harmful things in the body, including respiratory illnesses. Plus, many people are allergic to substances that contain ethylene glycol (like some household cleaners), so they should be cautious if this substance ends up in their carpets during carpet cleaning.

Allergens Are Commonly Found in the Carpeting of New Homes

Allergies are common during carpet cleaning because all allergens can become trapped inside carpets. For example, new carpets often contain particles like sawdust, glue, resin, and other parts of the manufacturing process — which can quickly become airborne as soon as you start walking on the carpeting.

There’s also a chance that your home was exposed to radon or other dangerous chemicals, so it’s always a good idea to ask your carpet cleaner about their qualifications and certifications for handling radon and other harmful toxins — as well as if they’re familiar with EPA standards for new homes and construction.

Carpet Cleaning Companies May Use Dangerous Chemicals

Many people have no idea what’s inside a carpet cleaning chemical, but many types of chemicals can be dangerous to your health during carpet cleaning. For example, you might see the phrase “synthetic” listed on the label, which tells you that the chemical is not naturally-occurring and, therefore, can cause harmful effects on your body.

Plus, many carpet cleaners use ammonia in their solutions, which can harm asthmatics and people with respiratory issues. Could you be sure to ask your carpet cleaner what chemicals they use during your carpet cleaning and whether they will use them in your home?

Ways of preventing Allergies when cleaning your Carpet

1) Use a vacuum cleaner with an allergy filter or vacuum with a hand brush attachment

A vacuum cleaner sucks up dust particles and allergens like pet hair. (Although, some vacuum cleaners release pet hair into the air). But since carpets trap dust, you need to use a powerful vacuum cleaner. If you can afford it, get a vacuum cleaner with an allergy filter for better cleaning results.

2) Vacuum and vacuum

Vacuuming and washing regularly are the best methods to clean your carpets of allergens if you live in high-rise buildings. Also, if you want to use a hand brush attachment or an allergy filter on your vacuum cleaner, remember that these attachments need to be cleaned regularly.

3) Brush up your pets

Now and then, groom your pets by taking their hair off. You can do it with a slicker or brush, or comb. You can also get special flea shampoos that kill all the fleas and their eggs in one go.

4) Scrubbing

Some may think scrubbing is an excellent way to clean your carpets. Yes, it’s correct if you scrub a little. However, remember that regular scrubbing can damage the carpet’s fibers. Washing when there is a layer of dirt is a better way to keep carpets clean.

5) Washing

Sometimes, even washing alone doesn’t do the trick, so a cleaning solution is also an option. You should also clean your carpets with different kinds of methods. For example, you can use detergent to wash your carpets, but you should not use a standard eco-friendly detergent as it won’t thoroughly clean the carpet. You can also try using a vacuum cleaner with an allergy filter.

6) Wax

Many brands develop special waxes for their carpets to eliminate allergens and pet hair. However, remember that these waxes do not provide any protection against stains.

Can Carpet Cleaning Cause Allergies? – Conclusion

Allergies are common during carpet cleaning because many people have allergies to chemicals commonly found in residential carpets, such as synthetic dyes and other unnatural agents in carpet cleaning solutions. This can cause allergic reactions that’ll last for weeks following the service.

For example, a recent study of carpet cleaning companies found that all vacuum cleaners used by the carpet cleaning industry were contaminated with allergens and other dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

Carpet cleaners who use old carpets may also spread allergens to new carpets when they move them during carpet cleaning — due to regular exposure to dirt, dust, and other substances in your carpets.