It's a long magical ride for carpets, which may have originated in Central Asia in the 3rd millennium, traveled all the way to Europe and found prominence in many stately interiors, until it found its way to almost every American and European homes, today.



Cleaning Carpets is the least-liked household chore of most women for three counts: first, it covers a wide expanse of space, second, it requires a certain degree of skill and care, and 3rd, it should not be a woman's chore! Period.

The ?odds? however are far outweighed by the benefits of unrolling this felted cloth on the floor. Here are some of them:

- Aesthetics. Carpets have a comfortable look ( and feel) on them; they can easily transform a dull room into an attractive and cozy place; carpets also lend a certain degree of class in the interiors of any house or office.

- Energy saving. Homes with carpeted flooring cut back on energy costs since carpets are heat insulators.

- Safer. Fewer slip and fall accidents are attributed to carpets than wood or laminated surfaces.

- Practical. Cleaning carpets, though it entails cleaning a whole lot of space, is easier to do than other surfaces. It eliminates the stripping of old wax and application of a new coat for one; cleaning can be scheduled less frequently than cleaning wood and laminates.

- Other Plus points. Carpets reduce noise as it absorbs it; air pollutants that enter the household are trapped as well.

But just like in anything doing well, there are always ?spoilers?.

Molds and mildew can grow at a faster rate under carpets because of the textile's tendency to hold in moisture. Let alone, molds and mildew can chew up your carpet easy?slowly but surely.

Best carpet cleaners, also referred to as ?the carpet authority? can recommend products in the market that can provide instant solution to the problem, but would advise you not to throw caution to the wind. Read the labels carefully; check the manufacturer's warnings.

It's easier to grab from store shelves, molds and mildew removal solution than replacing a damaged carpet altogether, which is far expensive, too! Don't believe on the first product advertisement you hear. If unsure, you can have a ?dab test? on a less conspicuous part of the carpet, to make sure that the color of your carpet does not bleed with the molds and mildew solution.

Homemade solutions against molds and mildew may prove useful too, according to some carpet dry cleaning experts: try dusting off carpets with your kitchen's baking soda. When done regularly, this can eliminate the proliferation of molds and mildew on your carpet. Don't forget to vacuum after a few hours.

?Prevention is better than cure?. That's the other golden rule. Molds and mildew grow in damp areas. To avoid persistent problems with molds, there are housekeeping ?ups? that can tilt the balance in your favor:

- Brighten up! A well-lit household has a lower incidence of growing molds and mildew because these can't thrive under the light. Replace dimly-lit bulbs with bright ones in areas or rooms that pose a higher risk to grow molds and mildew. It's cheaper to invest in well-lit bulbs than replacing carpets;

- Clean up. The real antidote to all housekeeping woes is to keep all areas in your house clean. Simple.

- Dry up. Your carpets hold in moisture as it circulates in the air. Molds and mildew thrive on beneath your carpets for the same reason ? they need moisture to survive. To minimize growth of molds and mildew, you should lessen the amount of moisture that circulates in the air and sinks into the carpet. Wipe everything dry as you go ? shower rooms, where bathroom mold starts to form should be maintained clean and dry; kitchen sinks, too. Hang damp clothes, instead of letting them stay in the laundry bin, until the next washing day. Molds and mildew destroy fabric, too.

You may opt for Carpet dry cleaning, which is usually done by a professional. Carpet dry cleaning professionals operate their business legally; this is premium service guarantee.

There are other ?un-homemade? solutions like buying a dehumidifier, which lowers the humidity level indoors, and purposely eliminate the growth of molds and mildew. You can try this one out, if you have cash to spare. Fans and air conditioning units have proven helpful, too.

In the overall, carpets remain as one of your wise investments for the home. The soft feel and welcoming effect of carpets, makes coming home each day, not a drab routine but a renewing experience.