The carpets in your home are subject to stains and spills from food, kids, pets and everyday foot traffic. To remove stains and clean your carpets without harming the environment, switch to green cleaning products made from natural ingredients. Green cleaning supplies not only keep dangerous chemicals away from your family, but also avoid damage to plant and animal life by keeping chemicals out of local waterways.
Green Stain Removal
Natural stain removal products limit the amount of harsh chemicals in your home, and are unlikely to damage most types of carpet. Eartheasy suggests mixing equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spraying this solution of carpet stains and spots. Allow this mixture to sit on the stain for a few minutes, then scrub it away with dish detergent or a gentle cleaner.
Sprinkle grease or tar with cornstarch then vacuum the carpet. The cornstarch will absorb the stain and make it easier to lift the grease off of your rug.
Deep Cleaning
Eartheasy recommends an eco-friendly paste for deep set stains. Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax and 1/4 cup vinegar, then apply this paste to deep stains or heavily soiled sections of carpet. Allow the paste to sit on the carpet for several hours until it dries completely, then vacuum it away.
For an affordable and green alternative to professional carpet cleaning services, rent a steam cleaner from a local home improvement store. Add a green cleaning product or stick with hot water. You'll remove much more dirt than you would with a vacuum or spot cleaning, and leave your carpets looking their best.
Choose Green Cleaning Supplies
The Carpet and Rug Institute, or CRI, certifies carpet cleaning products based on effectiveness, but also includes criteria on how each product will affect the environment. Any cleaning product with the CRI seal is guaranteed to be green. It contains no harsh chemicals and will not impact local soil or water supplies. These products won't release toxic fumes, and don't contribute to poor indoor air quality. Many of the CRI environmental standards were developed in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency to embrace all aspects of green testing and eco-safety.
Dispose of Wastewater Responsibly
When you hire a professional to clean your carpets, ask that they dispose of all waste products in an eco-friendly manner. After cleaning, most carpet cleaning machines are filled with wastewater that contains harsh chemicals, carpet residue and dirt or grease that was lifted from your carpet. According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, this waste should never be disposed of in a storm drain or waterway, and should never be dumped on the ground outside. Ask your cleaning professional to haul the waste water off-site for safe disposal. An even greener alternative is to choose carpet cleaning crews that use only environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Most green cleaning supplies and associated waste water can be safely disposed of in standard sewage systems.
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