Reliable sources on indoor dust, mould and carpet care

Health and hygiene

These agencies publish general guidance. For personal advice about allergy or asthma, speak with a qualified clinician.

• CDC asthma control guidance: trigger-specific measures, including allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers, weekly bedding washing with complete drying, indoor humidity of around 30 to 50 percent and keeping pets out of bedrooms where relevant.
• CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting at home: choosing products suitable for the surface, following labels, ventilating and never mixing products.
• CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting facilities: using cleaners appropriate for soft surfaces such as carpets and rugs, and cleaning before disinfecting.

Indoor air, moisture and mould

EPA's pages explain how dust, moisture and filtration relate to one another.

• EPA on sources of indoor particulate matter: regular vacuuming, dusting with a damp cloth and the role of HEPA-equipped vacuums.
• EPA's brief guide to mould and moisture: controlling moisture and drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours after water damage to help prevent mould.
• EPA's mould course: why carpet backing and padding also need drying after water damage.
• EPA on air cleaners and filters: filtration as a supplement to source control and ventilation, not a replacement.
• EPA's List N search for disinfectants: the distinction between hard, non-porous and porous surface uses.

Carpet, rug and furniture care

Manufacturer and industry guidance applies to the products it describes. The instructions from the maker of your own carpet, rug or furniture take priority.

• Carpet and Rug Institute cleaning and maintenance guidance: prompt blotting, pretesting cleaners, general residential cleaning intervals and its lists of certified products, equipment and providers.
• Shaw's carpet care and warranty page: one manufacturer's product-specific care directions and traffic-based cleaning intervals.
• WoolSafe product testing: why cleaner chemistry and correct dilution matter for wool floor coverings.
• Ashley's care and cleaning page: an example of how upholstery cleaning codes such as W, S, WS and X are explained.
• NIST on the foot: the definition of the international foot as exactly 0.3048 metre, useful when comparing measured areas in quotes.

Judging other information

Before relying on another page about cleaning or allergies, ask a few questions.

• Who publishes it, and do they sell the service or product being discussed?
• Does it name its sources, and do those sources say what is claimed?
• Does it promise a cure, an allergen-free home, sterilisation or guaranteed drying times?
• Does it give a universal recipe or dilution regardless of material?
• Is it about your material and your situation?

Directories and link lists

A business directory, link exchange or press listing shows that a business is listed somewhere; it is not an assessment of the quality of its work. This site does not maintain a directory of cleaning businesses.

Each guide on this site lists the specific sources it relies on.