Many of us have started paying more attention to indoor air quality (IAQ) during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic since the disease primarily transmits through the air in enclosed spaces. That said, the air that surrounds us has a larger impact on our overall well-being than we might realize. Dust particles, mold spores, and other unseen particles can linger in the air and on surfaces inside your building, triggering allergies and reducing health outcomes for all occupants.

Here at The Budd Group, we’ve established our BreatheWell Program to monitor, adjust, and improve IAQ within our clients’ facilities. This program provides IAQ equipment and best practices that monitor and remove harmful airborne substances and odors, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perfumes, tobacco smoke, and more. At the heart of the BreatheWell program are high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, which capture ~99.7% of particles of 0.3 microns in size or bigger, vastly improving IAQ.

Of course, the installation of modern air purifiers and monitors is only part of the equation regarding long-term IAQ improvement. While our BreatheWell Program is primarily concerned with these measures, we at The Budd Group provide a range of building maintenance services that serve to further improve IAQ. When performed in concert with high-quality air monitoring and purification methods, these services maximize health and safety outcomes in our clients’ facilities. Ongoing carpet care is one such task that has a major impact on IAQ.

Here are three reasons carpet care is vital for better overall health in tandem with our BreatheWell Program.

Three Reasons Carpet Care Is Vital for Better Overall Health

1. Remove Allergy-Causing Dust and Dirt

It might seem counterintuitive, but carpeting can actually result in better overall IAQ when compared with hard flooring alternatives, all else being equal. Consider that soft, porous flooring captures a greater amount of particles than hard, non-porous flooring. As a result, carpeted spaces tend to minimize the amount of dust and dirt in the air (much of this material winds up stuck to carpet fibers instead). This carpet capturing mechanism has its downsides, however. Because soft floors absorb a greater amount of contaminants, significant bursts of these materials can be released back into the air unless they’re actively removed on a regular basis. The state-of-the-art air purifiers used in our BreatheWell Program are designed to trap and remove most of these particles before they even reach the floor, but some of them will find a way. And when they do, they can take a toll on the well-being of your workers, customers, and guests.

Keeping up with commercial carpet care is crucial for picking up any excess dirt and dust that gets cozy with your carpets. Regular vacuuming makes up the largest portion of this effort. However, even the most powerful vacuum cleaning won’t be able to pick up every unwanted particle hiding in your floors. This is why it’s also important to invest in periodic deep carpet cleaning, which includes tasks such as treating, shampooing, and steam cleaning. When performed properly and consistently, this carpet care regimen will vastly reduce the amount of dirt and dust plaguing your interiors.

2. Fight Back Against Bacteria, Viruses, and Other Germs

Allergy-inducing dust and dirt aren’t the only health concerns associated with neglected carpeting. Indeed, other small particles, including bacteria, viruses, and other germs, can also make their way into the fibers of your floors and fly into the air at intervals. It’s no secret that these pathogens pose a major health risk for every occupant in your building – COVID-19 is one of the most recent and severe examples of this, but seasonal flu, common colds, and other highly transmissible diseases can also take a major blow to your facility’s operations. Our BreatheWell Program plays a crucial role in keeping these harmful germs at bay, and additional carpet cleaning efforts serve to further eliminate their presence so everyone can breathe easier in your facility.

3. Prevent Mold and Mildew

Last but certainly not least, every facility manager must do their best to prevent the formation and spread of mold and mildew both inside and outside their properties. These tiny organisms are all over the place, and while they’re a necessary component of the larger ecosystem, they can become a major nuisance and health hazard in large numbers, especially within an enclosed space. Those exposed to mold spores on a regular basis may experience allergic symptoms, including runny nose, itching, wheezing, headache, fatigue, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, and more.

Over time, these reactions can increase in intensity and frequency, greatly hindering one’s mood and performance. Some molds (e.g., Stachybotrys and Aspergillus) can even produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins, which can lead to even more severe negative health outcomes.

Mold spores, like pollen, can travel through the air quite easily, so it’s crucial to catch them before they get inside your facility. Should these spores land on your carpeting, they must be quickly removed before they spread and reduce your facility’s IAQ. As such, commercial carpet care is an essential part of building maintenance, stopping mold and mildew in their tracks. When combined with the purifying power of our BreatheWell Program, mold and mildew hardly stand a chance in your facility.

Cleaner Carpets, Cleaner Air

Improving your building’s interior air quality requires a multi-faceted effort. Adopting our BreatheWell Program is a great start, preventing harmful contaminants from lingering inside your facilities. The Budd Group also offers comprehensive floor care services, utilizing AI-powered commercial floor cleaning machines to aid with regular and periodic deep cleaning in even the largest, most complex spaces. Let us help you cultivate a better, more breathable environment for all your people. To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!