The kitchen is one of the places in the home where bacteria and microbes proliferate most. Between food residues, splashes of water or oil, and the remains of culinary preparations, the kitchen floor is constantly exposed to dirt. Whether for decorative or hygienic reasons, many people have installed a carpet in their kitchen. While this may seem like a good idea, for example to avoid splashing water near the sink, it’s actually quite the opposite!
This practice raises major hygiene issues. Unlike tiles or parquet, a carpet absorbs liquids and traps crumbs, making it an ideal nest for bacteria, fungi and mould. Adding carpet to this environment increases the risk of contamination.
To take things a step further, Ruggable, a carpet specialist, has carried out a test to analyse the bacteria present on kitchen carpets. The results are alarming and reveal the presence of six different types of bacteria: Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and faecal streptococci. Some of these bacteria can cause serious health problems such as food poisoning, skin infections and respiratory tract infections, as well as more serious conditions such as pneumonia.
According to Liza Garrison, Ruggable’s Product Director, ‘These results are revealing. While it’s normal for some bacteria to be present in our living spaces, the different bacteria found in this sample suggest that many people may not be cleaning their carpets and rugs as often as they should.’
She also points out that there is no need to worry. Simple actions can prevent you from ending up in this situation. ‘It’s important to remember that good cleaning can greatly reduce the presence of bacteria. Regular vacuuming, attention to stains and regular professional cleaning will keep your carpets beautiful and clean’.
In the kitchen, it’s important to choose a carpet that can be machine washed, but also to vacuum the carpet regularly. Liza Garrison even suggests ‘investing in a steam cleaner for regular maintenance. The steam generated by the heat can penetrate the fibres and eliminate dirt, bacteria and other allergens that the hoover alone cannot remove’. But the simplest solution is simply not to put a carpet in the room. Cleaning tiles is much easier than washing a carpet…