Many people may be concerned about the smell of the carpet in their offices.
The main causes of carpet odor are the growth of bacteria and mold, as well as the accumulation of dust and dirt. In order to remove odors, it is necessary not only to remove bacteria and dust, but also to create an environment where they do not breed or accumulate.
This article will show you how to remove and prevent carpet odors. We also explain the benefits and how to choose a replacement, so please refer to it.
Causes of carpet odor
There are four possible causes of bad smells coming from your carpet:
In order to maintain cleanliness, first identify the cause of the odor.
- Propagation of bacteria
- moisture and mold
- dirt and dust
- Effect of humidity
Propagation of bacteria
If your carpet is not cleaned regularly due to daily use, bacteria will grow and cause odor. Bacteria continue to multiply by feeding on food scraps from employees' meals.
Uncleaned carpet is a great food source for bacteria. Regular cleaning is required to prevent odors caused by bacteria.
moisture and mold
If your carpet is constantly exposed to moisture, mold and mildew will easily grow and cause odors. Particularly in the summer, when the days are hot and humid, bacteria on the carpet can easily breed, so regular cleaning is necessary.
Also, among the bacteria that adhere to carpets, there are some that are resistant to dryness. Don't just be careful in the summer, be conscious of keeping it clean all year round.
dirt and dust
Dirt and dust that has built up over time can also be the cause of carpet odors. Dust is generated by the accumulation of carpet fibers, sand and dirt that enter from outside, and dirt on the soles of shoes.
Dust contains a lot of odor-causing bacteria, so if it continues to accumulate on the carpet, it can cause unpleasant odors.
Effect of humidity
If you are concerned about the smell of your carpet despite cleaning it every day, try adjusting the humidity in the entire room.
For concrete flooringCarpet tileIf you paste directly, there are cases where the adhesive deteriorates due to humidity. If this happens, it is said that there will be a ``fishy odor,'' so do not place it in a room with high humidity.Carpet tileWhen installing, it is necessary to take measures such as regular ventilation and installation of a dehumidifier.
How to remove carpet odor
A space with unpleasant smells from carpet can affect work productivity and the ease of working for employees.
If you are concerned about carpet odor, try the following methods to deal with it.
- Use a commercial vacuum cleaner
- Clean using baking soda
- Use a carpet odor spray
- Use steam cleaning
Use a commercial vacuum cleaner
Use a commercial vacuum cleaner to remove dust and food particles that cause odors. Commercial vacuum cleaners have stronger suction power than household vacuum cleaners, so they can effectively clean large areas such as offices.
Vacuum cleaners with high-performance filters can remove minute particles that are difficult to collect with household cleaners, making it easier to maintain a clean environment. There are also vacuum cleaners that are compatible with high humidity environments, so companies that are concerned about humidity in their rooms may want to choose one of these types.
Clean using baking soda
After removing visible debris such as dust and food particles, use baking soda to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. Baking soda is a slightly alkaline substance called ``sodium bicarbonate'' and is also called a natural deodorant.
Especially in spaces where we take off our shoes, such as rest areas, the sebum secreted from the soles of our feet adheres to the carpet. Sebum is acidic, so spreading baking soda on your carpet will neutralize it and make it easier to remove sebum.
Use a carpet odor spray
If you want to save the time and effort of cleaning with a commercial vacuum cleaner or baking soda, use a carpet odor removal spray. Carpet odor removal sprays have the effect of temporarily suppressing the growth of bacteria on carpets, making it easy to prevent odors.
However, it only prevents bacteria and does not eliminate them. Use it as a temporary solution, as it won't eliminate the root cause and will require more maintenance.
Use steam cleaning
If you have the budget, one option is to use steam cleaning. Steam cleaning is a method of removing dirt by lifting it with high-temperature steam of around 100℃.
Bacteria tend to be sensitive to heat, so steam cleaning can also help eliminate bacteria and mold. Since there is no need to use detergent, there is no need to worry about substances such as surfactants contained in detergent remaining on the carpet.
If you want to completely eliminate carpet odors, consider using steam cleaning.
Daily cleaning methods to prevent carpet odor
Removing the bacteria and dust that cause carpet odors is an important task to maintain a clean office. If cleaning is done on a daily basis, the cost and man-hours required for cleaning work as mentioned above will be unnecessary.
To maintain a clean office environment, perform the following two types of cleaning regularly.
clean the carpet daily
Clean your carpets every day as much as possible to remove dust and food particles that accumulate on a daily basis. If your carpet is in a small area, you can simply remove the dirt from the surface with an adhesive carpet cleaner.
When using a vacuum cleaner, remove any obviously large debris before doing so to prevent the filter from becoming clogged. easy to removeCarpet tileIf so, removing dirt from under the carpet from time to time will lead to a cleaner environment.
dry the carpet regularly
If your carpet is in a humid environment, dry it regularly. Even if you remove bacteria and mold from your carpet through daily cleaning, if you return it to a place where moisture remains, bacteria and mold will quickly grow.
Drying in the shade is recommended as a drying method. It is best to dry it in the shade for 2 to 3 hours when the weather is sunny. However, avoid exposing it to direct sunlight as it may cause discoloration or fading.
Time to replace carpet
If the smell still persists despite regular cleaning and drying, consider replacing the carpet itself.
Here we will explain when to replace your carpet.
After 5 to 6 years of use
If it's been 5-6 years since you installed your carpet, it's time to consider replacing it. After a certain period of time, even if you thoroughly clean your carpet on a daily basis, it will start to look bad and accumulate dirt that is difficult to remove.
Since there are concerns about the health effects of long-term invisible stains, it is ideal to replace the upholstery after 5 to 6 years.
Odors and dirt become difficult to remove
It is also time to consider replacing your carpet when you feel that the smell and stains are becoming difficult to remove. To some extent, carpet odors and stains can be removed with daily care or steam cleaning, but cleaning can be expensive if the area is large.
It is also time to reupholster the carpet if it is extremely dirty or the pile of the carpet is crushed.
When mold or bacteria is present
If mold and bacteria continue to grow, replacing the carpet may solve the problem. Continuing to use carpet that has mold in it also increases the risk of negative health effects.
In order to provide a clean environment for employees, we recommend replacing the carpet if you find mold.
Advantages of replacing carpet
Replacing a carpet requires a certain amount of cost, as in addition to the cost of the carpet itself, there will also be a re-upholstery fee if you hire a professional to do the reupholstery.
However, despite the cost, there are several benefits to replacing carpet. Let's check them one by one.
Change the look of your office
Replacing your carpet with new carpet will not only eliminate odors and stains, but will also give your office a new look.
Simply replacing the carpet with a carpet of the same design will give the space a cleaner look. Furthermore, if you choose a carpet with a different design or color at the time of reupholstering, you can give it a new look.
Color plays a major role in the office environment, influencing employee motivation and productivity. For example, the effects of red, green, and blue in an office and the spaces where they are suitable for incorporating them are as follows.
carpet color Effects on the office red ・Colors that bring out activity and motivation ・By incorporating it into conference rooms, you can expect to revitalize meetings. green ・Colors that reduce stress and tension ・By incorporating it into the break room, you can expect a relaxing effect. blue ・Calming colors ・By incorporating it into your office, you can expect the effect of increasing concentration.If you are changing the design or color when replacing the carpet, you can increase work productivity and create a space where employees can work comfortably by incorporating these color effects.
Improves insulation and soundproofing properties
Some carpet materials also have insulation and soundproofing properties. Carpets made of materials with excellent insulation properties act as a heat insulating layer for the floor, helping to create an office environment that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
In addition, by using carpet with excellent soundproofing properties, it is easier to absorb the impact of walking, making it possible to create a quiet office environment where it is easier to concentrate on work. In addition, you can expect that the sound will be less likely to be heard in the office on the lower floor.
Takes countermeasures against allergies
Replacing your carpet with a new one also helps prevent allergies. When a carpet has been installed for many years, it tends to accumulate dust and dust mites that cause allergies due to deterioration over time.
There is a risk of developing allergies due to the dust and dust mites that accumulate on the carpet, so if you haven't replaced it in a while, we recommend replacing it as soon as possible.
Suminoe's recommended commercial carpets
If you are looking to reupholster your commercial carpet, Suminoe's carpet is recommended. At Suminoe, we provide carpets that best suit your needs.
Here we will introduce three recommended carpets for office spaces.
ECOS®
“ECOS®” is a “recycled” product that utilizes carpet, which until now was only disposed of, as a resource.Carpet tile”.
All ECOS® products have a recycled material ratio of 70% or more, significantly exceeding the Eco Mark certification standard of 25% recycled material. Furthermore, because it uses ``undiluted colored yarn'' that incorporates pigments during the spinning stage, it has excellent light resistance, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance.
Carpet Concierge
"Carpet Concierge" is a type of carpet that achieves hotel quality.
There are 13 types in the lineup, including the highly durable "BANJUL" and "TSUBOMI" with its natural design. With a wide variety of colors available, you can choose flexibly to suit your company's needs.
Carpet Concierge is recommended for companies that want to entertain their guests with luxurious carpets similar to those used in high-end hotels.
HT FLOOR 2tec2®
"HT FLOOR 2tec2®" is a brand that achieves durability and water repellency by coating glass fiber with a layer of vinyl chloride. Since it uses "jacquard fabric" with designs woven into the fabric, it can change the atmosphere of your office to a chic look.
Furthermore, starting in August 2023, we will be introducing "Comfort Backing," which improves stepping comfort while reducing walking noise. HT FLOOR 2tec2® is recommended for companies that want to change their office environment from carpet.
Replace carpets that can't get rid of odors as soon as possible.
Carpet odors can be caused by the growth of bacteria and mold, as well as the accumulation of dust and dirt. In addition to eliminating the source of odors, such as installing doormats to prevent dirt from being carried into the office, be sure to clean your carpets regularly.
However, after a certain number of years have passed since the carpet was laid, the coat becomes worse and dirt and dirt accumulate more easily, so you should consider replacing it.
Suminoe Co., Ltd. provides carpets that best suit the needs of our customers. If you are considering replacing the carpet that suits your company, please feel free to contact us.
