Earth Friendly Carpet Cleaning Tips

Posted on: 15 April 2015

When your carpet needs cleaning, you are faced with several options to to choose from. You may want to consider an environmentally friendly method for cleaning your carpet. Your carpet is something you, your children and pets come in close contact with on a daily basis, so this can be a large area of concern. Some cleaning products have been shown to be toxic, but you do have more earth friendly options available, for both do-it-yourself and professional cleanings.

Many spot treatments and carpet shampoos, whether from a professional company or store-bought, pose serious health hazards. One dangerous ingredient to look for is perchloroethylene (perc), which can be toxic to your health. This dry cleaning chemical has been linked to liver and kidney damage, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The other bad chemical to watch out for is naphthalene, which the EPA has labeled a possible human carcinogen. What's more, these toxic substances could end up in the groundwater, since the dirty, contaminated water goes right down your drain.

You can delay the expense and inconvenience of a whole house carpet cleaning job by being vigilant about vacuuming and spot cleaning. There are some non-toxic recipes for carpet spot cleaning and other cleaning solutions using natural and inexpensive household ingredients such as vinegar, corn starch, borax and salt. Instead of "fresheners" that are loaded with chemicals, just sprinkle baking soda over your carpet, let it sit for about 30 minutes, sweep up as much as you can, then vacuum the rest of it up.

For bigger jobs, steam cleaners work by shooting hot, pressurized water down into your carpets, and are amazingly effective without the use of harsh cleaning chemicals. Again, vinegar is an inexpensive household product that can be used with the steam cleaner if more cleaning is necessary. Steam cleaners have become more affordable for purchase, but you can rent them for the day if you wish.

If you do decide to go with a professional carpet cleaning service, the good news is that there are several ways to protect yourself from dangerous cleaning chemicals. Many carpet cleaning companies and major chains are now addressing consumers' concerns about carpet cleaning chemicals. Some now use safe, plant-based cleaning solutions. There are also companies that are using a carbonation infused solution, which bubbles the dirt out of the carpet. Make sure to ask questions about the the cleaning solution and ask for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), which every commercial carpet cleaning service is required to provide and will detail the exact chemicals being used.

Whichever method you choose, you can keep your carpets both clean and safe for your family. Use the tips above for a clean and earth-friendly home. If you're looking for a professional carpet cleaning service, visit KC Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners.

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