Written by Leslie Rivera, Author for Mats and Rugs
If you want to keep your home clean and sparkling, carpet cleaning is one of those tasks that you should do regularly. It’s an excellent opportunity to introduce eco-friendly, all-natural products to your cleaning routine.
How to Find the Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Products
Unfortunately, companies that manufacture cleaning products in the United States are not obligated to disclose the components in their products by law. And this is a significant concern, especially given that many traditional cleaning chemicals can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Greenwashing is a common practice when a company says that its products are environmentally friendly, but they are not. Large companies that make degradable and all-natural cleaning solutions are often to blame. To avoid greenwashing, you should research and keep a list of unaccepted ingredients.
How do you know if the cleaning product is really green or greenwashed? Good news: specific certifications created by the environmental agencies will help you with this task.
EPA Certified Products
The most commonly known is the EPA certification. The Safer Choice program, managed by the EPA, certifies products that include safer components for human health and the environment, making it easier for buyers to select greener cleaning products.
Along with the Safer Choice label, the EPA provides “Design for the Environment (DfE)” for antimicrobial goods like sanitizers. There are very strict rules and high standards that must be met for a product to be certified. To be on the safe side, you can use search tools on the EPA’s website to find Safer Choice and DfE-approved products.
ECOLOGO Certified Products
Products and services certified by ECOLOGO have a less environmental impact. ECOLOGO label certifications are voluntary and show that a product has been thoroughly tested and audited and meets strict, third-party ecological standards.
These standards provide measurements for a broad range of criteria in the following areas: materials, energy, product performance, production, operations, health, environment, usage, and waste minimization.
If you shop for sustainable products on Amazon, you can search and order ECOLOGO Certified “Climate Pledge Friendly” products on that platform.
Main Features of Sustainable Eco-friendly Carpet Cleaning Products
- Readily biodegradable
It’s critical to consider biodegradability when it comes to carpet cleaning products. Since these products end up in our waterways, you have to ensure that they break down quickly and do not remain in the environment for decades. When it comes to biodegradable cleaners, it implies that the ingredients in the cleaner will degrade quickly and organically.
What you really need to look for is the “readily biodegradable” product. An item is considered “readily biodegradable” if it can break down quickly and completely in 28 days. Products that degrade quickly are safer from an environmental standpoint. Waste reduction is essential for a healthier world.
- Low VOC content
Some people may experience health issues as a result of long-term exposure to VOCs. People who have asthma and other chemical sensitivities might also find that exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) worsens their symptoms. VOCs that are commonly found in cleaning products include ethylene glycol, benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
- Low potentially harmful chemicals
Potentially harmful substances include a very long list of chemicals. It includes but is not limited to corrosive substances, substances identified as known or probable human carcinogens or reproductive toxins, toxic Release Inventory (TRI) substances that cause substantial adverse health consequences, ozone-depleting substances, hazardous waste, and hazardous air pollutants.
DIY Sustainable Carpet Cleaning
With DIY eco-friendly carpet cleaning, you can keep your carpets clean and immaculate. Eco-friendly cleaning procedures are incomparable to commercial cleaning solutions because they do not contain hazardous chemicals. You can prepare products using non-toxic and widely-available ingredients that will remove stains, odors, and other types of damage.
You can create homemade non-toxic carpet spot cleaners using many ingredients like vegetable soap, baking soda, white vinegar, water, and essential oils (for the fresh smell). Vinegar-based cleaning mixes are especially good in removing stains left by wine and coffee. Oil-based stains, such as lipstick, grease, and food stains, are easily removed using vegetable soap solutions.
When it comes to cleaning spills on the carpet, the mix of baking soda and vinegar is the safest option. Baking soda and vinegar are an excellent mix for spot-treating most carpet types and keeping them fresh for a long time.
Due to the chemical composition and reactivity of baking soda and vinegar, they make a great cleaning combo. Alkaline baking soda mixes with acidic vinegar, producing a harmless, oxygenated gas. The foam and the gas help you remove the stains from the carpet.
You will need 2 cups of warm water, 2 cups of white vinegar, and 4 tbsp. baking soda.
- Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the baking soda is dissolved and the contents are thoroughly blended. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and spray on the carpet. Leave it on the carpet for at least 30 min.
- Blot the area with a soft cloth to absorb any excess liquid.
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly.
How to Make Carpet Cleaning Routine More Sustainable
In addition to using eco-friendly cleaning solutions, there is a lot you can do to make your whole cleaning routine more sustainable. Using eco-friendly cleaning approaches will improve indoor air quality, leave less chemical waste after the cleaning, and minimize the carbon footprint.
Here is what you can do to keep your carpets clean in a more sustainable way.
Remove Spots as Soon as You Notice Them
When the spill happens, act right away while the dirt is still on the surface. The more time you let it stay on the carpet, the more difficult it will be to get it off. Stains penetrate deeper into carpet fibers and will attract even more dirt. As a result, the stain will be difficult to remove. You will have to use more cleaning solutions and probably even more aggressive ones (for example, if mold removal is required).
As mentioned above, baking soda and vinegar mixture will help you remove many stains as long as they are fresh.
Regular Cleaning Helps to Postpone the Deep Cleaning
Vacuuming the carpets on a regular basis (at least once a week) has many benefits. If you do so, you will only have to deal with the dust that accumulates on a daily basis.
By cleaning your carpets regularly, you will extend the carpet’s lifespan. A well-cared-for carpet won’t require professional deep cleaning for up to a year. Plus, regular cleaning will remove dangerous pollutants from the air. People with asthma and allergy should pay special attention to this.
In addition to preventing the growth of germs, mold, and allergies, regular cleaning also eliminates dust mites and bedbugs. Clean your carpets regularly with mild and eco-friendly cleaning products and energy-effective vacuum cleaners.
Opt for Easy-to-Clean Carpet Materials
Installing the carpets that are easy to clean, you’ll reduce the number of cleaning chemicals needed to keep them immaculate. It will also save costs. As a result, choosing materials that are easy to maintain contributes to long-term sustainability. Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the easiest to keep clean.
Green Carpet Cleaning
Traditional cleaning products are often made up of harsh and sometimes dangerous compounds. Instead of using harmful chemicals, many carpet cleaning companies offer green carpet cleaning. These cleaning methods make use of environmentally friendly, non-toxic alternatives. Because water-based cleansers are fully biodegradable and safe for the environment, you don’t have to worry about any negative effects. This type of cleaning relies on innovative technology to clean and refresh the carpets.
Green carpet cleaning detergents are plant-based and work by breaking down stains and smells using enzymes in a natural and gentle way. Moreover, in comparison to standard cleaning, green carpet cleaning uses 80% less water and ecologically friendly ingredients. As a result, less water is wasted during the cleaning process, and your carpet dries faster.