Cleaning your carpets is an essential home task. It doesn’t just keep them looking nice but keeps dust and microorganisms out of reach of your family. This guide will review eco-friendly carpet cleaning solutions you can use to keep your carpets in great shape without harming your health or the environment.
Prevention and Regular Maintenance
One of the keys to keeping your carpets looking brand new is regular maintenance. You should vacuum at least twice a week so that pet hair, dust and other unwanted substances aren’t accumulating on your carpet. If you spill anything on your carpet or your pets have an accident, addressing the issue in a timely manner also decreases the risk of long-lasting damage.
Bacteria and other microorganisms live in your carpet, so using a steam cleaner can improve your overall health at home. You don’t need to use any cleaning products to disinfect your carpets. Simple water will do unless you’re trying to remove stains or restore your carpet’s appearance.
Other preventative measures include putting door mats at your entrances and asking your family and guests to remove their shoes so they don’t bring mud and dirt onto your carpets.
Natural Carpet Cleaning Solutions
Carpet cleaners often contain harmful chemicals that could make you, your children or your pets sick if they have adverse reactions. Many of the cleaning products you may find at the store aren’t eco-friendly and are produced using methods that add waste and emissions to the environment. One way to go green is to use your own eco-friendly cleaning solution whenever possible.
Here are a few cleaning solutions you can create yourself:
- A vinegar and water solution cleans and disinfects, and adding salt helps it bind to particles in stains for more effective cleaning. Use two parts of water per one part vinegar and a teaspoon of salt with every cup of water.
- If you want to get a stain out of your carpet, sprinkle baking soda on it before pouring some vinegar. The chemical reaction can break the stain up. Add some water before patting the area down and using a steamer to remove it.
- Baking soda, borax, cornstarch and cornmeal can be combined to make a dry carpet cleaner. This type of cleaner is great for removing dust mites and microorganisms but isn’t ideal if you own pets.
Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Products
You can now find many eco-friendly carpet cleaners online or in the store, but you should ensure all the ingredients are natural and organic. An eco-friendly carpet cleaning option will include plant-based detergents and essential oils for fragrance instead of chemical cleaners or scents. Many plant-based products use a combination of citrus oils, baking soda, vinegar or essential oils.
Avoid products that contain solvents, acids or corrosive chemicals. Examples of ingredients to avoid include:
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Glycol ethers
- Phenol
- Formaldehyde
- Any kind of phthalate.
Another way to avoid products deceptively marketed as green or eco-friendly is to look for a certification from a reputable organization supporting the product’s claims.
Professional Carpet Cleaning
Despite perceptions to the contrary, it’s possible to have your carpets cleaned professionally while still protecting the environment. For example, many professional carpet cleaning services can use equipment that reduces the amount of water and detergent used during the process. Using less water and producing less waste helps the environment.
Contact us today at Top Hat Home Comfort Services to learn about our eco-friendly carpet cleaning options. Whether you’re trying to remove difficult stains or just want to restore your carpet to its original appearance, we can help.
