Eco-Friendly Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning: What Are Your Options?
It's more important than ever to protect our planet, but it can be difficult to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning. The experience of trying an eco-friendly product that doesn't actually work is familiar to many, but there are effective methods that have minimal environmental impact. Here is how eco-friendly carpet cleaning works.
The benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning
The feeling of a freshly cleaned carpet does not have to bring with it a hefty environmental cost.
Choosing an eco-friendly cleaning method will reduce your environmental impact, reduce your household’s exposure to chemicals, and is often safer for children and pets to be around.
Using less water means that there is less hazardous wastewater to dispose of afterwards. The reduced amount of solvents and toxins ensures a better indoor air quality than less eco-friendly carpet cleaning methods.
Chemicals to avoid
‘Green-washing’ is where businesses claim to be eco-friendly, but then continue using practices and ingredients that harm the environment. Look out for ammonia, bleach, sodium hydroxide and phthalates in products advertised as eco-friendly, as they are harmful and it is possible to carry out an eco-friendly clean without them.
Eco-Friendly carpet cleaning methods
Always patch test any product before using it on your whole carpet.
Dry compound cleaning
By spreading an absorbent compound over the floor, dry compound cleaning makes dirt easier to vacuum away. You can choose a product using plant-based material for eco-friendly carpet cleaning. This method is suitable for carpets that cannot get wet, protecting delicate materials.
Encapsulation cleaning
This method uses very little water, and works by sealing dirt in a crystal that can be vacuumed away. Because of the reduced amount of chemicals, water and therefore wastewater, this is a greener method of carpet cleaning.
Household items
Using household items to tackle stains reduces waste, uses minimal chemicals and can be cost-effective. However, tread very carefully when using anything not created specifically for carpets. Take a look at our guides for some ideas.
Reusable tools
As convenient as it is to grab a piece of kitchen towel to wipe up stains, this waste can add up over time. Instead, you can use washable microfiber cloths, plastic-free brushes, reusable mops and carpet rakes when caring for your carpet for a more eco-friendly home.
Vacuuming
Regular vacuum cleaning prevents a build-up of dirt that would require heavy-duty cleaning later on. Not only does vacuuming not require any water or chemicals, but it is a useful prevention tool. Maintaining a vacuuming schedule increases your carpet's lifespan, reducing the need for more energy and materials to go into making a new one.
Speak to your cleaner about eco-friendly carpet cleaning
Many professional carpet cleaners can use greener methods upon request, and some even use these methods by default. Find a professional carpet cleaner using the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) directory and they will accommodate your environmental concerns. Every cleaner is experienced, accredited and insured.
Search our cleaner directory
