Are Carpet Cleaning Chemicals Safe to Use?
Keeping your carpets clean is important not just for maintaining the carpets and keeping them in good condition, but also for maintaining a healthy home. This is especially true in the winter, when we’re often cooped up inside and unable to open windows. Dirt, pet dander, dust and other debris will build up in carpets, and even if you stay on top of your vacuuming, that’s not going to be enough to keep the carpets truly clean.
Of course, you should also be careful about the kinds of products you use to clean your carpets. This is a little easier if you clean your carpets yourself, but if you work with a professional carpet cleaning company, it’s worth your while to ask what kind of chemicals and products they use in their cleaning processes. Most carpet cleaning companies will try to use mild cleaning chemicals to prevent any damage to your carpet fibers, but there are some that will still use chemicals that could potentially be hazardous to the health of you, your children and your pets.
So, are some of the most common carpet cleaning chemicals in South Amboy, NJ safe? Think again! Here are a few examples of some of the types of cleaning chemicals still occasionally used in the world of carpet cleaning that can be dangerous:
- Napthalene: This cleaning solution is designed to quickly dissolve dirt. It is made from coal tar, and is also used in other products as a pesticide that kills off small insects and moths. Exposure to the product can be problematic, as it can cause nausea, vomiting, confusion and liver damage.
- Perchloroethylene: This chemical is frequently used in dry cleaning processes, and exposure can result in dizziness, nausea and fatigue. Studies have also shown it can cause kidney and liver damage.
- Butyloxy ethanol: This chemical is dangerous because it can get into your body both by coming into direct contact with your skin and by inhalation. It has been connected with liver and kidney damage, among other potentially troublesome symptoms.
When you choose a carpet cleaning company to work with, you should make sure you ask if any of these chemicals will be used. If so, look elsewhere for assistance.
Otherwise, if you’re cleaning your own carpets, it’s important you know what to look for in your carpet cleaning product. The most important thing to look for is a label that specifies the product is certified green and non-toxic. There’s a big difference between “mild” and “non-toxic,” and if you want to get the best cleaning solution that will preserve your family’s health, it’s important for you to not compromise.
You should also look for products that have shorter drying times. If the product remains damp for too long, it becomes easy for bacteria, mold and mildew to set in and spread. This is also why you never want to work with a carpet cleaner who’s going to leave your carpets soaking wet.
To learn more about safe carpet cleaning chemicals you can use and how to select a carpet cleaning company in South Amboy, NJ, we encourage you to contact the team at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today.