Alternative Cleaning Services: Services to Try without Chemical Solutions

Professional cleaning services don't just use harsh chemicals to clean your carpets. Many have alternative solutions you can ask for if you have allergies or if there are pets or small children in the home. 

Why Should You Choose Alternative Cleaning Solutions?

If you struggle with allergies, have small children, have pets in the home, or are sensitive to cleaning solutions, it may be best to look for a green carpet-cleaning service. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown that perchloroethylene, a chemical found in many professional carpet cleaners, is actually known to cause nausea, fatigue, or dizziness if ingested or inhaled. Perc, as it's nicknamed, can also be linked to liver and kidney damage. If you're exposed to perc, you may also notice that your skin becomes irritated from the chemical. 

Another chemical that has been linked to illness is naphthalene, which is a solvent. It is toxic to the central nervous system and may lead to cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has researched it extensively in an attempt to find a link between its toxicity and cancer rates among those exposed. 

What Kinds of Cleaning Solutions Do Green Carpet Cleaners Use?

Green solutions can be anything from baking soda–based formulas to those that use only materials from nature. For instance, The Natural cleaner is a product that is both non-toxic and FDA approved on the Generally Recognized as Safe list (G.R.A.S.)

The typical list of ingredients NOT used by these companies include:

• Soaps
• Chemicals
• Detergents
• Phosphates

Don't Carpet Cleaners Need to Use Soaps?

It's long been known that not all cleaners need to use soap. Things like vinegar and carbonating bubbles can lift dirt right out of the carpet while leaving no chemical scent behind.

In fact, many professional cleaners can use a mix of baking sodas and vinegar to create bubbling solutions that can then be steam cleaned right out of the carpet. Not much residue is left behind, but if it is, the residue is safe for children and pets, so you don't have to worry about it getting on clothing or impacting your breathing. 

Will Natural Cleaners Smell Grassy or Like Vinegar?

Fragrances can be left out of the solution altogether or be introduced from natural sources like flowers or essential oils. 

If you're ready to be green in your home, give this option a try. Whether you have your carpets steam cleaned or use a green cleaner, this is a safer alternative for your health.