| A visit to any supermarket will show you | | | | potentially problematic ingredients are |
| shelves of varied products available for | | | | compounds that produce lots of fumes (like |
| carpet cleaning. Some of these products are | | | | formaldehyde), acids, pesticides, |
| meant for general carpet cleaning and some | | | | disinfectants, lye (sodium hydroxide), |
| are specifically meant for certain types of | | | | fragrances and many others. The effect of |
| cleaning. Shampoos and spot cleaners are the | | | | such fumes on the human system is not known |
| two commonly found carpet cleaning products. | | | | and may go on to have negative effects in the |
| Some of these products are spray and leave | | | | long run. |
| on, while with some products you are required | | | | |
| to follow up with a water wash. | | | | One range of carpet maintenance products is a |
| | | | stain repellent. These products may contain |
| Rotary bonnet cleaners and carpet shampoos | | | | plastics and other potentially dangerous |
| are the most commonly used carpet cleaning | | | | ingredients. The key ingredients in such |
| products. Misuse or over-application of these | | | | repellents are perfluoro-octane sulfonate. |
| maintenance cleaners happens all too | | | | This chemical was once considered chemically |
| frequently. In the event of improper use, it | | | | inert, but recent research shows otherwise. |
| is necessary to do hot water extraction more | | | | |
| often or more extensively. | | | | The use of carpet cleaning products exposes |
| | | | us to several chemicals during application |
| One should read the product label carefully, | | | | and while drying. These chemicals evaporate |
| as some carpet cleaners -- especially spot | | | | and may concentrate in the air, causing |
| removers ? can prove to be quite dangerous. | | | | indoor air pollution. Long-term exposure to |
| Several of these products contain chemical | | | | such pollutants can increase the risk for |
| solvents. Solvents dissolve dirt without soap | | | | chronic diseases, such as heart disease and |
| and water, but give off strong odors which | | | | cancer. |
| can be inhaled and cause illness. Other | | | | |