Purpose

• The purpose of allergy-free carpet cleaning is to remove as much of the allergens from the carpet as possible to relieve allergy symptoms. Because the cleaning itself can increase allergy symptoms, allergy-free cleaning needs to be done in a way that doesn't stir up dust mites and pet dander.
  
  

Types of Cleaning Products

• There are many hypoallergenic products that help keep your carpet free of allergens. Some of these types include powders, which are rubbed into the carpet and left on to kill dust mites. After an amount of time, the powder is vacuumed up. There are also allergen-eliminating products that are mixed with water to create a spray that's applied to the carpet. It's left there to deactivate the allergen and can be applied daily. There are also sprays that kill dust mites on contact.
  
  

Vacuuming

• Vacuuming carpets in the household is key to keeping a carpet allergy-free. However, low-quality vacuums can aggravate allergies by stirring them up and making them airborne. Using a vacuum that has allergy-free vacuum bags and containers reduces the amount of allergens. Vacuums with HEPA filter are a better choice because these filter out any air that the vacuum releases and also reduces airborne allergens. Using a dry carpet cleaner is more beneficial than using a wet cleaner. This is because using a carpet cleaner that uses water can encourage mold and mildew growth, adding more allergens and increasing allergy symptoms.
  
  

Considerations

• Wear a face mask when cleaning the carpet, especially when vacuuming. This significantly reduces the amount of allergens that can be inhaled when stirred up by cleaning. Look at products that are all-natural or hypoallergenic. Fumes from chemicals contained in cleaners can also aggravate allergies and asthma.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Companies that sell allergy-free carpet-cleaning products recommend that, along with frequent carpet cleaning, an air purifier should be used as well. Because some ways of cleaning can stir up allergens, it may take a while before those allergens land on a surface to be cleaned up or disinfected. An air purifier can help eliminate pet dander and dust mites that get left behind.