8 Dirty Secrets Your Carpet May Be Keeping from You

The joys of carpeting are many: It’s undeniably the softest, most comfortable type of flooring, it muffles sound, and it helps insulate rooms from temperature swings. But that plush pile is hiding a dark side. The very thing that makes carpeting so wonderful—all those thick twists of yarn—is also what makes it the perfect home and hiding spot for a scary array of gross organisms and debris you’d rather not think about, but really should. Here are 8 nasties that may be hiding right underneath your feet.

9 Things You’re Doing to Make Your Home Dustier

When you think about what dust really is—a conglomeration of dead skin particles, insect parts, mold spores, ash, pollen, and more—you become more determined than ever to make sure your home is attracting as little of it as possible. The good news is, there are a few simple steps you can take to keep the fine, floaty debris from settling down in your space. Bust dust by sidestepping these 9 common mistakes that can make your home less hygienic.