Is Carpet Cleaning Toxic: The Chemicals in Carpet Cleaners
The feeling of a newly cleaned carpet, with the softness of the carpet fibers between your toes, is one you can’t beat. Whether you clean your own carpets or hire a professional carpet cleaner, a clean carpet is essential to the health and safety of the people in your home or office. The CDC recommends regular carpet cleaning in health care facilities to remove bacteria and fungi that build up over time. The build up creates an environment perfect for diseases to take hold. The same thing happens in any carpet. When you get your carpet cleaned, you don’t want to think about the potential chemicals that the carpet cleaner has and how it will affect you and your family. Let’s simplify the main chemicals and what you should avoid.
Chemicals in carpet cleaning
Most methods of carpet cleaning use chemicals to freshen up or remove bacteria and debris from the carpet fibers. Depending on the type of carpet cleaning, you may come across various chemicals that can affect your health if precautions are not taken. The most common chemicals in carpet cleaners are regulated, but you should still be aware of them.
Fragrances: Carpet cleaners with fragrances contain irritants that can cause skin problems and small respiratory issues with excess exposure.
Disinfectants: Disinfectants are beneficial for getting rid of bacteria, but with prolonged exposure, it can become an irritant to skin and lungs. However, disinfectants are regulated and used to benefit your home or office.
Surfaceants: This is the main ingredient to loosen the dirt and debris that is stuck on your carpet fibers. It also lifts the water-soluble oils off the carpets to soften the carpets and give a more thorough clean than with just a vacuum. You will find different types of surfaceants in all kinds of cleaning products, including laundry detergents, dishwasher soaps, and other soaps. Surfaceants are not toxic unless ingested.
Solvents: A deeper clean is usually achieved with solvents. It can get to and dissolve the water-insoluble stains, oils, and grease that cling to the carpet fibers. While they are common in carpet cleaning, some can be harmful to people and animals if handled poorly. If used correctly, they pose no threat, but only experienced professional carpet cleaners should handle them.
pH balancers: The pH level is essential to cleaners to regulate the acidity levels in the cleaner. Depending on the type of carpet, you will want different pH levels to keep the carpet intact and give it the deepest clean. The levels are also regulated for safety and are safe to people and animals.
Enzymes: Enzymes are added to break down organic material from stains and spills. They are generally safe for people and animals.
Some of the other chemicals you may find include bleaching agents, encapsulating/crystalizing agents, and alkaline builders. They are irritants but are safe with proper care.
Chemicals to avoid
If you saw our previous article on chemicals to avoid, you already know to avoid butoxyethanol, naphthalene, and perchloroethylene. You’ll also know that while pH levels are regulated for specific types of carpet, there is a safe range between 7 and 8 that you’ll want to stay around in your cleaners.
Precautions you can take
Both before and after you clean or your carpet cleaners clean your carpets, you’ll want to vacuum. Vacuuming before helps clear up large particles that can clog up the deep cleaning equipment and make the clean more effective. After the carpet cleaning, vacuuming afterwards helps catch anything left behind. For those looking to diy their carpet cleaning, be sure to have the proper safety equipment, like gloves and masks, and ventilate the room.
Our professional carpet cleaners have the process down to a science and take the guesswork out of what you need to keep your home or office clean and safe. Contact us to get a quote.