Environmental Protection Agency - Carpet Cleaning Frequency Guidelines

Dr Michael Berry, a knowledgeable indoor environment researcher, has helped the EPA to understand what happens in your home and believes that there are HUGE benefits in cleaning. Some of his comments are listed below.

Click here to download an updated copy of the EPA Frequency Guidelines

Carpet cleanliness can improve indoor air quality which is often 10 to 100 times worse than outdoor air. Indoor air quality, a growing government and customer concern, is forcing contract cleaners to focus on health as well as appearance. When properly maintained, carpet can improve indoor air quality, acting as a filter to hold soil, debris and other contaminants, and preventing them from becoming airborne. Routine carpet maintenance includes controlling the spread of dirt with entry mats, vacuuming with proper filtration and micro filter bags, and immediate spot removal. Regular vacuuming helps keep indoor air cleaner and extends carpet life. Vacuums have improved via stronger and better suction and use of filters that trap dirt down to 0.3 micron (a micron is one-millionth of a meter). It is equally important to regularly clean or replace vacuum filters to ensure efficiency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recognizes the effect of regular carpet cleaning on indoor air. Cleaning includes regularly scheduled wet cleaning or extraction for total soil removal. Truck Mount Extraction cleaning is the most effective way to remove soil. The accompanying chart lists EPA recommendations on carpet cleaning frequency based on environmental conditions. Hawaii is notorious for dust mites and mold spores. Remember, carpet is a filter, clean your carpet - clean your air. *

Dr. Michael Berry of the EPA has this to say about carpet cleaning. . .

"I have reached the conclusion that carpeting and fabrics not cleaned and properly maintained have the potential to cause a variety of health problems inside the building environment."

". . .every time carpets and fabrics are emptied of their pollution build-up through professional cleaning methods, there is a health benefit."

"We are also finding that typical vacuuming does not reduce fine particle levels indoors. Fine particles of less than 7 microns pass on through vacuum cleaning bags. These particles tend to build up over time and have the greatest potential to cause harm as they penetrate deep into the human lung." (This is why we recommend sub-micron bags or HEPA filters on your vac.)

"From a public health perspective I would find it impossible to justify the installation of carpets indoors without the existence of effective cleaning methods using environmentally-sound cleaning technology by individuals properly trained in the application of those methods and technology."

"Until such time as the fibers are cleaned the potential for human exposure and health risk remains high."

". . .the benefit of extracting is the overall reduction of respirable particles which cause most health effects, reduced cases of biologically induced illnesses, reduced lifetime cancer risks, and reduced complaints and liability for building owners and managers."

* Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(From "Focus on Contracting," Tom Bach, Cleaning & Maintenance Management, June 1997.)