Everyone owning carpeting loves the feel of it under their feet, the sound insulating properties and the warmth it can bring to a room. But for those conveniences, cleaning will be an eventuality, and for many, a regular form of maintenance. Floor traffic, pet dander, periodic spills and dust settlement cannot be fully removing via vacuuming or sweeping.
The best carpet protector cannot completely shield carpet fibers from dirt, stains or grime. A regular cleaning is necessary to take away these things, remove odors and keeping the carpet fresh and free of airborne irritants. But carpet cleaning itself often came at a cost.
Most shampoos for purchase and the solutions used by many professional carpet cleaners contain harsh chemicals to remove dirt and lift stains. Many of these chemicals, however, can present their own problems, such as a noxious smell, skin rash or irritation of the lungs when inhaled.
For example, perchloroethylene is a common chemical employed by professional carpet cleaners, as well as in the dry cleaning industry. It has also been found by the Environmental Protection Agency to cause lung and eye irritation when inhaled. In acute cases of exposure, it can cause dizziness, mood swings and kidney dysfunction.
Another common chemical utilized is naphthalene, the same chemical used in moth balls. Acute exposure can cause headache, nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause liver damage.
Some of the better carpet cleaning companies are responding to their customer’s requests and have “gone green”. Rather than relying on toxic chemicals for cleaning, many have switched to using organic substances exclusively. The cleaning ingredients used are no longer noxious and are biodegradable.
Hot water extraction is used in place of harsh chemicals for most cleaning methods. But before hot water is applied, a pretreatment is used on heavily soiled areas and stains. The pretreatment allows stains and dirt to be softened and therefore, easier to remove during the cleaning process.
This does not mean green carpet cleaning leaves the customer with a wet carpet on completion. Quality carpet professionals employ special high suction machines to extract as much of the hot water as possible. Afterward, high speed fans are brought in to finish the drying method, leaving the carpet clean, smelling fresh and without a risk of mold or mildew. When the time comes to for carpets to be cleaned in the Manhattan area, the customer should give consideration to a green carpet cleaning New York company for their cleaning needs.
Sara Zielinski says
Great ideas for cleaning the carpets in a safe way.