Why your bedroom carpet can be dirtier than a TOILET - and how often to vacuum

Carpets and other floorings can be neglected during a household clean Bedroom carpets are top of list of the dirtiest areas in the home, says researchExperts suggests a weekly vacuum to help keep on top of dirt building up

When you're cleaning your home, kitchen worktops and bathroom sinks may be your main focus, leaving other surfaces possibly overlooked.

Research by retailer ScS found that carpets and other floorings can be neglected during a cleaning session.

It provided some top tips on how to ensure your carpets are kept in tip top shape.

Bedroom carpets are top of list of the dirtiest areas in the home, according to findings by retailer ScS

The retailer did a swab test of different areas in the home and found various levels of aerobic bateria, yeast and mould particles.

It found that bedroom carpets and living room carpets were at the top of the list of the dirtiest areas.

This compared to other areas such as a gym floor, office carpet and even a toilet seat.

Experts suggests a weekly vacuum to help keep on top of dirt building up in your carpets

Experts suggest a weekly vacuum to help keep on top of dirt building up in your carpets.

TheY recommend using a vacuum cleaner with soft bristles and strong suction to get the best results.

Jack Ogden, of ScS, said: 'Vacuuming is a fantastic way to stop the build-up of dirt and dust which can lead to the dulling or damage of the carpet over a long period of time.

'It's best to vacuum your carpet at least once a week using soft bristles and strong suction to help extend the lifespan of the fibres.'

He went on to add: 'For any stains that are sticky for example wet mud, it's best to use dedicated carpet cleaning products to ensure you're not putting anything too strong on the surface and potentially causing more damage.

'For stains that are liquid-based - use a clean cloth to soak up as much of the spill as you can. Do not scrub the stain because it will damage the fibres and push the stain further down. Instead, dab the stain until the majority of it has disappeared.

'If you are using a specific cleaning product, remember to spray the product on your cloth and not directly on the carpet. Spraying the carpet will make the stain deeper and encourage it to spread.'

To give carpets a complete refresh, Ogden recommends a deeper clean every year.

He said: 'If you're wanting to keep your wool carpet in tip top condition and get rid of any dirt that is bedded into the fibres, it is recommended that you steam clean your carpet every 12 to 18 months.

'This can help extend your carpet's lifespan and keep it feeling soft and clean. If you steam your carpet more regularly than this, you can end up damaging the natural wool fibres.'