Environment-friendly Carpet Cleaning And Rug Cleaning Agents

There are practical ways to reduce the amount of toxic materials used for carpet cleaning or rug cleaning. Depending on the location of the carpet or the type of treatment required for the carpet, two different carpet cleaning processes may be used.

"Dry" cleaning uses a minimal amount of liquid and a blend of compounds for restorative cleaning, regular scheduled maintenance, and emergency cleanup. This process uses a homogenized blend of solvents, including a cleaning agent, rinsing agent, and neutralizing agent, heated to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit and applied to the carpet.

Steam extraction is commonly used for restoration jobs. This truck-mounted system uses antimicrobial, urine and odor treatment chemicals. This process uses the same chemicals used in "dry" cleaning, but the rinsing agent is blended in the truck-mount, and more water is used in rinsing.

Industry standards exist for upholstery, carpet and other cleaning procedures. Carpet cleaning requires the following procedures: vacuuming, pretreatment and conditioning, extraction, nap setting, and drying. Vacuuming removes most particulate soil, pretreatment and conditioning loosen soil with a mild solvent cleaner, extraction rinses away the cleaning solvent, and nap setting and drying allow the remaining solvent to vaporize and dry. If these procedures are not followed, indoor air quality could pose a health concern both for the carpet cleaner and those at the residence or business.

Carpet Cleaners Responsibilities

Carpet cleaners are now steadily dealing with the disposal of carpet cleaning water because they are composed of toxic chemicals that can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys, and the skin. Carpet cleaners are now required to have portable containments for the water waste. Wastewater can be kept in a holding tank to be hauled off-site and properly disposed of. Wastewater should not be discharged onto the ground or into any surface water body.

It is also the responsibility of the carpet cleaning company to find a sanitary sewer where they can discharge their containers. St. Petersburg is now very strict on this policy and as a potential client of carpet cleaners, you should also be aware of this.

Your Responsibilities

You can use non-toxic carpet cleaning agents that are readily available in the grocery store or your kitchen. Common natural carpet cleaning and rug cleaning agents include non-detergent soap, vinegar, baking soda, salt, borax, ammonia, cornstarch, lemon juice or any citric fruit, steel wool, trisodium phosphate (TSP), and mineral oil. These natural carpet cleaners and rug cleaners lift off dirt and eliminate unpleasant odors (especially the lemon juice).

If your must use chemicals, opt for the green cleaning agents. Practical, nontoxic alternatives to standard carpet cleaning products are labeled as "green" cleaning agents. Some "green" carpet cleaning products do not contain butyl cellusolve. By using environmentally safe chemicals to clean carpets, the cleaner and others at the business or residence are not exposed to toxic chemicals.

If you really need to call the professional cleaners, then opt for those that use non-toxic agents for cleaning. Try CitruSolutions Carpet Cleaning. Their carpet cleaning and rug cleaning methods are founded on the natural cleaning power of citrus juices that have been proven affective cleaning and odor-control agents. Their services cover the areas of St. Petersberg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, and Gulfport.