Carpet is often deemed one of the unhealthier choices in terms of floor surfaces as it tends to hold onto dust and household allergens. These elements can pollute indoor air quality and aggravate asthma and allergies. Additionally, some carpets can emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for weeks after installation. These gases are often referred to as "new carpet smell" and can be extremely harmful to people as well as the environment.

If your carpets are not as "green" as you would like them to be, it's not too late. You can make them more environmentally friendly by maintaining them on a routine basis by way of green cleaning methods. These include using a vacuum that has an HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and can help remove up to 99.97% of all airborne particles. This means less allergens in the air, and consequently, less sniffling and sneezing on your end.

If your carpet is need of a deep cleaning and a vacuum just won't suffice, you may need to hire a professional to clean your carpets. While carpet shampooers can be rented from local stores, they are not generally recommended as they can leave behind a soapy residue that can aggravate allergies. In addition, some cleaning solutions that are used with carpet shampooers contain toxic chemicals that can pollute indoor and outdoor air.

Your best bet is to have your carpets steam cleaned by a local flooring professional. Although you may need to reach deeper into your pockets, you can rest easy knowing that your floors are cleaned the right way the first time. You can find a professional in your area by using the search tool located at the top of FindAnyFloor.com's homepage.