In February 1993, John W. Maunder, Ph.D., Director of the Medical Entomology Center at the University Cambridge, UK, published a paper entitled "Carpets, House Dust Mites and Asthma" in which he states, "There is no longer room for serious doubt about the dominant role of the use dust mite in both the initial induction of asthma and in the subssequent triggering of wheezy attacks." He went on to say: "Although dust mites are found in some carpets, there is no direct link between the number of mites present in them and either the incidence of severity of asthma. the majority airborne mite allergen derives from bedding and upholstery, not from carpets."

Asthmatics are not allergic to living mites but to the air-borne feces of mites and, to much lesseer extent, to dead mites. Dr. Maunder states the although living mites are difficult to remove from carpet, their feces are readily removed from carpet by proper cleaning. "A carpet regularly cleaned will not and cannot contain enough allergen to affect people. the proper maintenance of the carpet completely prevents trouble from that source."

As you can see, regular cleanings are important...mainly for hygienic reasons. There are contaminants in your carpet that need to be removed on a regular basis. Waiting until your carpet looks dirty is waiting too long!