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