Are cleaning chemicals safe?

Currently, there are tests performed by the Carpet and Rug Institute, EPA, Green Seal and other certification programs, so the vast majority of chemicals involved in carpet cleaning are manufactured to be safe, both for people and for the environment.

However, it is always necessary to pay attention to the product label, both to verify that it is safe, and to verify that it is ideal for use on your carpet, since the efficiency of cleaning products used on carpets vary according to the materials and fiber types of it.

It is necessary to be aware of the presence of dangerous and harmful chemical detergents such as:

• Butoxyethanol, which can damage the kidneys and liver
• Naphthalene can cause nausea, confusion, liver damage and even vomiting.
• Perchlorethylene can cause dizziness, nausea, fatigue, liiver and kidney damage

Steam Cleaning Explained

To understand the chemicals involved in carpet cleaning, you need to understand the cleaning process itself. In this sense, step-by-step steam cleaning is performed by spraying a carpet cleaning chemical on the carpet (which helps remove accumulated dirt and oil from it. After that, the steam is pressed onto the carpet fiber, and at this point, the vacuum removes dirt, oils, cleaning chemicals and most of the steam, leaving it with a fresh, brand-new look.

Can cleaning chemicals damage the carpet?

Yes. The chemicals from cleaning products can damage your carpet, if you use the wrong product for your carpet type, or if you leave residue of cleaning chemicals on it. Therefore, it is important to avoid buying the wrong product or leaving persistent traces of residue on it.

Information about cleaning product chemicals

Chemical cleaning products are not all the same

It is important to know that chemical cleaning products are not all the same. Each type of carpet demands a specific type of chemical cleaning product in order not to damage the carpet, making it somewhat important for the average person to know the chemicals involved in carpet cleaning.

Using more doesn't mean it will clean more

Using more cleaning chemicals does not mean that the carpet will be cleaner. The excessive use of chemicals involved in carpet cleaning can damage the carpet over time, especially if the product has a high acid or alkaline PH.

Uncertified cleaning products can cause side effects

The current trending cleaning technique is Crystallization Chemistry, which once used, dries and hardens, and is subsequently removed through traditional vacuuming. Even though some people claim this to be a viable cleaning method, most crystallizing products available on the market have not passed adequate safety and efficiency tests, and if used in some carpets, it can reduce the durability of your carpet.

How to make sure that a product is the right one for your carpet? 

Use cleaning solutions that do not contain VOC

Products with VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are released as gases in some cleaning solutions, and can cause both short and long term adverse health effects such as irritation on the eyes, throat and nose. Prolonged exposure can also cause serious damage to the nervous system.

Avoid solutions containing optical brighteners 

Optical brighteners are specific dyes to give a brighter carpet result after cleaning. However, in the long run, bleaches can have the opposite effect, causing the carpet to turn yellow.

Analyze the pH of the chemical cleaning solution 

Cleaning chemicals with a pH between 7 and 8 are ideal, as anything below 7 is considered acidic and can damage carpet dyes and fibers.

Test chemicals on small surfaces beforehand

Testing the chemicals involved in cleaning carpets on small surfaces, before actually using them on a larger scale, allows you to analyze possible results or adverse reactions, such as stains, loss of fibers, excess chemical residues. So start small, and watch out for adverse reactions on the fibers.

How can you find a professional Carpet Cleaning company?

Ideally, if the dirt on the carpet is too severe, you should look for a highly esteemed carpet cleaning company that can do the job right, on demand, and with proper specialized tools.

If you live around San Diego County, however, you have already found a company you can trust! It’s All Clean San Diego offers a variety of professional cleaning services all across San Diego. You can schedule your appointment right now by calling us or through our online booking page!