You can find a green solution for just about any need these days. But many of these methods do not measure up to the more old fashioned version of doing things, such as when it comes to household cleaning. This makes you wonder whether you can trust eco-friendly carpet cleaning for your Raleigh, North Carolina home or office. Will the safe method of cleaning work for your carpets? What is this option and is it really better for the environment?
Traditional Carpet Cleaning Can Be Hard on the Environment
For most people, it is no mystery that traditional carpet cleaning solutions interact negatively with the environment. This is true for many household cleaning products and services. For centuries, no one paid attention to how such solutions affected the world around us. We only wanted everything in our Raleigh area homes and workplaces as clean and new-looking as possible.
Times have changed. Today’s carpet cleaning customers still want effective stain removal and freshening of their floors. As always, we want our Triangle Area homes to appear clean and well-maintained. But most of us have a conscience for what we are doing to the environment. This eco-friendly carpet cleaning desire is in direct conflict with the powerful chemicals and additives used on carpets in the past.
No more is carpet cleaning just about chemically breaking down dirt, pet accidents and spills on carpets. It is more about loosening and lifting those stains without an affect on our health or environment. But for this eco-friendly carpet cleaning, do we sacrifice great-looking and fresh smelling carpets? To fully understand the answer to this question, let’s look at the methods used to clean carpets in the past century.
Dry Cleaning Chemicals Used on Carpets
Dry carpet cleaning products have traditionally contained a chemical called perchloroethylene. Also called “perc,” this chemical can lead to dizziness, nausea and fatigue when inhaled. Of course, swallowing this chemical is extremely dangerous. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have noted perc leads to nerve and kidney damage.
An alternative to perc is another dangerous chemical called naphthalene. This compound comes from coal tar. If you inhale it in large amounts, it can also damage your nervous system.
Both perc and naphthalene provide excellent results for carpet cleaning. But they are clearly the opposite of eco-friendly carpet cleaning, according to the health risks and environmental damage they cause.
DIY Carpet Cleaner
For eco-friendly carpet cleaning, many homeowners try DIY options. These fall into two categories, including those you make at home for a full DIY experience. Your alternative is a store-bought green carpet cleaning product selection. These make many claims about how they do a great job, just like traditional carpet cleaning chemicals.
Homemade eco-friendly carpet cleaning mixtures include a solution of white vinegar with water. You spray this mixture on your carpet stains and use warm soapy water to remove it. Obviously, this is only effective for spot cleaning and not the overall beauty and cleanliness of your carpeting.
Tougher stains typically call for a stronger solution combining vinegar, salt and borax. You use these ingredients to make a paste. For stains, spread the paste on the affected area and leave it overnight. Then you must vacuum it up in the morning. Again, this DIY solution is not effective for cleaning a full room of carpeting. It only works to remove spots and stains.
Baking soda works in the same manner as the above two solutions. You can spot clean using this white powder. Pour it directly onto an organic stain and rub the soda into the carpet. After it dries, vacuum it up. This method works because the baking soda absorbs the staining material.
If you prefer store-bought eco-friendly carpet cleaning supplies, there are multiple brands available on the market today. These include Biokleen, Simple Green, Seventh Generation and NatureClean. While they limit impact on the environment, these products are generally meant for spot cleaning as need arises. Many people struggle with the harsh plant smells the cleaners leave behind. Others remark that it takes multiple applications to see the results they want.
Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning by the Professionals
Expert eco-friendly carpet cleaning certainly provides the best results in the green category. Many professional carpet cleaners offer green options along with traditional methods. Using these services provides complete carpet cleaning with little to no environmental impact, instead of just spot cleaning. Even better, you can expect the same level of results as when they use traditional carpet cleaning chemicals.
To know if your professional carpet cleaner provides eco-friendly methods, simply ask. Talk to them about the chemicals they use or the specific brand of products used by their cleaners. Your best bet is to go with a company that clearly explains their eco-friendly carpet cleaning options on their website. You can do a little research before calling them and then ask questions to ensure they align with your desire for green service.
Benefits of professional eco-friendly carpet cleaning include:
- Non-toxic cleaning products
- Use 80% less water on your floors
- Lower risk of mold and mildew growth
- Allergen and bacteria elimination
- Carpets dry faster
Talk to ProGreen Carpet about Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning in Raleigh, NC
ProGreen Carpet in Durham has long served Raleigh area customers. We offer a range of services, including:
- Eco-friendly carpet cleaning
- Carpet cleaning
- Pet stain and odor removal
- Upholstery cleaning
- Rug cleaning
- Carpet stain protection
- Tile and grout cleaning
- Carpet repair
- Carpet stretching
- Floor squeak removal
- Pressure washing
- Concrete and deck cleaning
Call Progreen Carpet today to talk to us about our eco-friendly carpet cleaning and other environmentally safe services. We help you maintain your Raleigh, NC area home with peace of mind, ensuring the best health of your family, visitors and pets. Call 919-332-3039 for a free quote.
