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Better vacuum or deep cleaning?

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Posted 11/19/2014 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I hope everyone is doing alright today :) I was wondering if getting my carpet (wall to wall) deep cleaned will be helpful for allergies (especially dust mites and cat dander)? or shall I save my money and buy a better vacuum?
Any tips?
Posted 11/19/2014 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Ideally, you should remove the carpeting completely and replace it with a hard floor - tile, vinyl, laminate, hardwood. It's impossible to rid carpet of allergens, or even to reduce them to a reasonable amount. If that isn't possible, I'd invest in a really good HEPA filtered vacuum. "Deep" cleaning is good, but the allergens will immediately begin returning, so a daily vacuuming is much better.

If you do get hard flooring, cleaning it with a mop dampened slightly with water or a recommended cleaning product is best. Using a vacuum or dust mop puts a lot of the dust into the air.
Posted 11/20/2014 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I wish I could, I rent an apartment and they said no to removing carpet. They offered us free deep cleaning, so I will go with that and save for a vacuum, any recommendations?
Posted 11/20/2014 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Toussa, here is a website that rated vacuums: www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20516762,00.html

There are other organizations and websites that rate them, too, so search for something like: best HEPA vacuums. You'll be able to find a vacuum in your price range. Once you find one, make sure you pay attention to the model of the brand because not all models of vacuums work as well as others. Then, you can Google where you can buy the vacuum. Stores like Home Depot, Target, Walmart, etc. can even ship them to you or you can buy them online and pick them up at the store.

Good luck!
Posted 11/20/2014 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you LanieG, I am definitely going to check that out!
Posted 11/20/2014 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
you could trying laying the hardwood floor OVER the carpet - that way, you wouldn't be breaking the official renters code of ethnics ;-)

just make sure when you do have it cleaned, that if they use any amount of moisture, air the place out and make sure the carpet is bone dry - you don't need any mold mucking up your air supply -
Posted 11/25/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Let them do the deep cleaning if they'll do it free!

Do you have central heat? They might allow you to put in a 4 inch filter box instead of the inadequate 1 inch one - if you pay for it. It shouldn't be too expensive. When your furnace gets its annual inspection you could ask the furnace guy about it. I have the 4" ones and they cut down my dusting to once a month and really little dust.

I have a cat and carpet in most of the house.

I also have a special brush for my vac that gets cat hair off the chairs and couch. It's like velcro. I use it with my shop vac, which I like for my hard floors because it's more powerful.

Lots of new, cheaper vacs are just fine. Get one that will go under beds and chairs! No big bulge in the front. I have a canister vac that works for that. It's hard for me to pull around with my chronic pain, but it's worth it to get ALL the dust and more powerful than cheap vacs.

Do you have drapes? I don't, just blinds between the glass. You have to clean drapes often!
I don't let the cat on the bed, not ever! She has a soft chair in my bedroom and a soft sheet over it that I wash often. I don't let cats on countertops either! That's disgusting!

Alternative is to move. Sorry.
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