Author: Kelsey Publicover

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning

Environmentally Friendly & Green Carpet Cleaning

The benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning for homeowners negate the use of harsh, aggressive cleaning chemicals used in the past. Many carpet detergents and spotters contain chemicals that can damage or weaken carpet fibers during the cleaning process. As a result, the carpet cleaning process actually may shorten the life expectancy of your home’s carpets.

Today’s tested and/or certified eco-friendly cleaning solutions are:

  • Environmentally Friendlybenifits of eco friendly carpet cleaning
  • Safe For Kids and Adults
  • Safe for pets
  • Extends the Carpet life
  • Anti-allergenic

Eco-Friendly Testing

You would think that most cleaning products these days have been through a rigorous testing program. The fact is, that many of the products that are sold today may not be really green. They just claim to be. This is commonly referred to as “Greenwashing”. Additives that makeup some cleaning agents, like fragrances, solvents, enzymes, surfactants, and optical brighteners are not always good for you or the carpet. In many cases, even if the right combination of ingredients is blended by a manufacturer, inappropriate dilution ratios or maintenance procedures can inhibit the cleaning performance. Therefore, potentially creating a toxic environment that damages carpet fibers and their backings.

Green testing groups include associations and organizations like:

Eco-friendly carpet cleaning products typically are manufactured following sustainable production practices and use organically-derived, safe, toxic-free, and biodegradable components that will not adversely impact the ecosystem or your family’s health. Products are usually plant-based or low VOC/non-toxic cleaning solutions that are tested, approved and/or certified. In addition, carpet cleaning machines and vacuums are tested for their performance, noise levels, and sustainability qualities. Typically cleaning solutions will have a green label on the bottle designating the certifying entity.

Safe Cleaning Solutions for Kids, Adults, and Pets

Sustainable cleaning products help to ensure that cleaning sensitivities are minimized. While most people concern themselves with the carpet cleaning method, vacuuming with a quality vacuum is imperative prior to the cleaning. According to studies, this removes 79% of all the particulate in the carpet. Using certified, tested or approved carpet cleaning solutions is one of the benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning for homeowners. ECO-friendly logos help provide assurances that your pets and small children are safe.

The Best Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning method

Hot Water Extraction is the best eco-friendly type of carpet cleaning if you are cleaning only once a year. Using eco-friendly cleaning solutions will help reduce hypoallergic reactions that some people encounter during cleaning. Rinsing the carpet free from contaminates using the hot water extraction method has been proven by the Carpet and Rug Institute to be the most efficient and effective way to clean. It always makes sense to stay off the freshly cleaned carpet for a couple of hours if the carpet has been deep cleaned or restoratively cleaned. Speed drying can help dry the carpet in a few hours.

What are the benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning?

Carpet that has been properly maintained will last for a long time. With proper cleaning frequency, harsh carpet cleaning solutions are not necessary. Occasionally accidents happen and products are spilled on carpets that require the use of specialty cleaning solutions. These may not be “green” products. I would advise hiring a professional at this point. Often consumers will set spots & stains and do permanent damage to their carpet when they try everything to get them out. Carpet should be replaced if odors persist, the seams are fraying beyond repair, the backing has started to wrinkle and delaminate or the professional cleaner can not restore it to an acceptable appearance level.

Types of Commercial Carpet Fibers

Close Up of Beige Wool Carpet Fibers for Types of Commercial Carpet Fibers Blog

Types of Commercial Carpet Fibers

While there are many considerations when replacing or cleaning old commercial carpets, property manages must be aware of carpet fiber types. This is because fiber type refers to the actual material used to manufacture the carpet. The type of fiber will dictate price points, applications, maintenance needs and longevity. There are six main types of commercial carpet fibers:

  • Nylon Carpet Fibers
  • Olefin Carpet Fibers
  • Polyester Carpet Fibers
  • Wool Carpet Fibers
  • Wool Blend Carpet Fibers
  • Synthetic Blend Carpet Fibers

The various types of commercial carpet fibers have various advantages and disadvantages for commercial properties. There is no “one size fits all” solution for property managers when it comes to commercial carpets. Property managers should first understand the various types of commercial carpet fibers, then work with an IICRC Certified company when they need to clean, repair or replace their carpets.

Nylon Carpet Fibers

In general, nylon fiber carpets offer property managers the best performance of any commercial carpet fiber. A synthetic material, solution dyed nylon is both strong and extremely durable. As a result, commercial carpets with nylon fibers stand up well against abrasions and offer great texture retention. Due to their chemical makeup, nylon fiber carpets also respond very well to hot water extraction cleaning. Using this commercial carpet cleaning method will help crushed and matted nylon fibers to bounce back to their original shape. Drying the carpet can be sped up using a fan, air mover or HVAC.

While commercial nylon fiber carpets offer many advantages to property managers, they also have their drawbacks. First and foremost, nylon that is not solution dyed is prone to color loss or staining. Consequently, stain resistant treatments and dye blockers are frequently applied to nylon fiber carpets. Additionally, nylon fiber carpets are the most expensive synthetic carpets.

Olefin Fiber Carpets

Another synthetic product, Olefin fiber carpets are common in commercial properties. This is because they offer a solid combination of performance and affordability to property managers. In terms of performance, olefin fiber carpets are stain, mold and moisture resistant. They also are great for walk off mats because they attract and retain natural and synthetic oils that are tracked inside. All of these attributes are because of their chemical makeup. Olefin fiber carpets are also less expensive than nylon carpets.

Although olefin fiber carpets sound great, they have flaws. Most notably, they have a shorter lifespan than other synthetic carpets. While they are resistant to stains and liquids, they are susceptible to soiling from walk off or spilled oils. This includes oils from human skin, driveways, garages, parking lots and cooking ingredients. Olifin fibers also can be perminently damaged, with what the industry calls a carpet burn, from dragging furniture on top of it. Lastly, olefin fiber carpets require frequent cleaning to prevent soiling.

Polyester Fiber Carpets

Polyester fiber carpets fall between nylon and olefin fiber carpets in terms of price and performance. Similar to the way olefin carpets naturally repel liquids, polyester fiber carpets are inherently stain resistant. They are solid performers and typically cost half as much as nylon fiber carpets. Polyester fiber carpets also come in a wide range of colors. Lastly, they are typically much softer than nylon fiber carpets.

No different than other commercial carpet fibers, polyester fiber carpets have disadvantages. Polyester fiber carpets mat and crush quickly in high traffic areas and do not bounce back well from matting. The lifespan of a polyester carpet can be as short as 5 years. Similar to Olefin fiber carpets, it can be very challenging to remove oil based stains from polyester fiber carpets.

Wool Fiber Carpets

All in all, 100% wool fiber carpets offer the best performance to property managers. They hold their shape, naturally repel stains including oils and are incredibly comfortable. Other benefits include being fire resistant and they can even offer a degree of insulation. Lastly, because they use wool right off sheep, they are 100% all natural, organic and hypoallergenic.

While wool fiber carpets are durable, comfortable and easy to clean, they are the most expensive type of carpet. This is the major reason why many commercial properties do not use 100% wool carpets. In addition to costs, wool fiber carpets tend to fade when continually exposed to sunlight. They also naturally absorb water, making them prone to mold and mildew issues if left in damp unconditioned spaces. The final concern with wool fiber carpets is maintenance.

Since wool is a natural fiber, improper cleaning techniques can damage and sometimes effect wooven backing yarns, changing lenght or width of the wool carpets. Bleach and acids will cause color loss spots. As a result property managers should contact a professional carpet cleaner to maintain wool fiber carpets.

Wool Blend Fiber Carpets

Blended fiber carpets combine one of the three synthetic carpet fibers (nylon, olefin or polyester) with natural wool material. These materials are designed to offer some of the features of natural wool carpets at lower price points than 100% wool carpets.

Property managers must assume a blended fiber carpet will take on the attributes of the materials being used based on proportions. A carpet that is 80% wool and 20% nylon will act like nylon 20% of the time and wool 80% of the time. As a result, the strengths and weaknesses of wool blend fiber carpets is understanding the characteristics of the synthetic materials being used.

Nylon wool blends perform best in terms of durability and lifespan. They are also the most expensive of the three options. Polyester and olefin wool blends typically offers superior performance in high traffic areas .

Synthetic Blend Fiber Carpets

Finally, there are synthetic blend fiber carpets. While wool blends combine natural wool and a synthetic material, synthetic blends combine nylon, olefin and/or polyester. These also follow the 80%/20% rule mentioned above.

The most common blend used in commercial properties is a nylon polyester blend. This offers most of the durability and features of nylon, while being budget friendly. Even though it is rare, property managers would be wise to avoid nylon olefin blends at all costs. These carpets quickly appear dirty, are typically uncomfortable and have frequently crush. In general, blends of all three and polyester with olefin do not exist.

Need help with your property’s commercial carpets? Contact Eco Interior Maintenance today by phone at 410-647-2800 or fill out the form below and a member of our team will follow up!