The carpet cleaning chemical or chemicals professionals use aren't the only choices. It’s important for you to knowthe options and to choose the least damaging chemical for you and your family.
Avoid Harmful Chemicals
First, you need to be aware of chemicals that you should avoid. It’s okay to ask carpet cleaning professionals what their cleaners contain. If any of these following chemicals are mentioned, do not schedule the appointment. Find a company that does not use these or other harmful chemicals in their products.
The chemicals you should always avoid are:
- Hydrofluoric Acid
- Nitrilotriacetate Acid
- Perchloroethylene and Tributyl Tin
- Butane
- Isobutane or Propane
- Glycol Ethers
- Quaternary Ammonium Chloride
- Sodium Bisulfate
- Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Hydroxide
These chemicals are not safe to breathe in or to come into contact with your skin.
Avoiding these chemicals will help keep your family safe and will protect them from toxins that can be harmful, particularly for small children and pets who are usually close to the floor.
Carpet Cleaning Chemical Alternatives
Whether you use a professional carpet cleaning service or decide to do the job yourself, there are alternatives to the harsh chemicals that can make your family sick. As stated, ask questions of any professionals that you decide to hire to make sure the products they are using are not toxic.
If you decide to rent a carpet cleaner or use an over-the-counter product to do the job yourself, be vigilant about reading any labels. It is up to you to be aware of what your family is exposed to. You really want to avoid any synthetic ingredients.
The Best Nontoxic Options for Carpet Cleaning
If you want to make sure you know exactly what your family is exposed to, the very best option is to make the carpet cleaner yourself. There are many safe ways to avoid harmful carpet cleaning chemicals.
Some ingredients you can include in a do-it-yourself carpet cleaner that are safe are:
- vinegar
- white wine
- hydrogen peroxide
- milk
- club soda
- isopropyl alcohol
- borax
- carbonated water
- baking soda
Most of these things can be used in combination with blotting and warm water and will be just as effective for cleaning carpets.
An example is using club soda to clean up a spill of red wine. Another common example is to use baking soda for smelly or oily messes.
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Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted to our
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