Keep your home feeling new with eco-friendly carpet cleaning

Every new construction home is pristine before move in. Indeed, that might be one of the best things about new construction. But from moving day on, the introduction of dust, dirt and dander can wreak havoc on flooring of all types, especially carpeting. And vacuuming — even with a HEPA filter — can only take you so far. To maintain that new home look and feel, a deeper clean is in order.

Hiring a carpet cleaner may be the logical next step. Of course, it’s a good idea to get a handle on the range of cleaning techniques. In days past, chemical solvents and toxic solutions were the norm. However, for eco-conscious Bay Area homeowners — especially those with allergy sufferers in the house — traditional solutions might be less than optimal.

Happily, nontoxic ecofriendly carpet-cleaning companies abound in Northern California. Most employ steam or lowmoisture processes.

Steam cleaning is said to involve no harsh chemicals. Instead, it uses the power of heated water to loosen dirt, dust and debris from carpet fibers. First, the carpet is saturated with hot water, and possibly, eco-friendly detergent. Then, a powerful extraction machine draws out the water and the dirt along with it. The carpet then needs time to dry — anywhere from 12 to 48 hours depending on temperature and humidity level. This means the room may be unusable for up to two days.

Moreover, according to industry professionals, if the moisture from this method penetrates to the carpet backing and padding, thorough drying can take even longer. The longer moisture remains at the underside of the carpet, the greater the opportunity for mold and other potential antigens to develop. Where carpeting is very soiled, any hot water and dirt that penetrate the carpet backing might not be fully extracted, leaving dirt beneath the backing as well.

Low-moisture (sometimes referred to as “dry”) carpet-cleaning methods are distinguished mostly by type of solution used and mode of extraction. In general, the practice involves distributing a low volume of solution — which may include citrus, baking soda, salt or other natural cleaning agents — over the carpeting. Some companies employ a heated or carbonated solution; others tout the soapfree and/or oil-free nature of their solvent. The solution is then worked into the fibers, commonly by way of mechanical agitation, as with a rotating brush head. For the sake of thorough coverage, some Bay Area companies work the solution in by hand.

Removing the solution typically involves using a large pad infused with a substance that draws the solution and dirt from the fibers. Some companies lay claim to an encapsulation process; others use a process of ion exchange. Dry time is typically two to four hours for low-moisture procedures.

If your household includes allergy sufferers or those with chemical sensitivities, you’ll want to be sure to obtain the ingredient list of any cleaning solutions or compounds used in a prospective contractor ›s procedure. Otherwise, you might want to base your choice of provider on length of procedure and drying time. In any case, effective and professional carpet cleaning that eschews the use of toxins can help you maintain that new home look and feel in the most wholesome way possible.