Carpet cleaning chemicals should not be inhaled directly, but are generally safe with minimal exposure. You can rest assured that carpet cleaning is not a process you should worry about. Generally speaking, carpet cleaning chemicals are very safe when you entrust your cleaning to an established, reputable carpet cleaning company. That said, there are some carpet cleaners that will sacrifice safety to save a few dollars; not all cleaning products are eco-friendly and non-toxic.
If you're in doubt, be sure to ask your carpet cleaner what you're using on your carpet. OSHA requires chemical manufacturers to produce a safety data sheet for each cleaning product they manufacture, and an accredited cleaner will have an SDS for every cleaning product they have. In short, a safety data sheet or SDS will refer to the composition of the chemical, the hazards it presents, and how to administer first aid, if necessary. Dry shampoos, powders, and foams can also remain in the carpet fibers. These products generally contain solvents and detergents that must be applied for a specific period of time and then vacuumed to remove the cleaning product.
Residues may remain or the product may sink deep enough into the carpets to prevent the vacuum from removing it. Dusts or powders are easily inhaled and can irritate the respiratory tract and cause asthma attacks. In fact, anti-mite treatments for carpets sometimes contain tannic acid or benzyl benzoate, both irritants to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. Deodorizing powders often contain fragrances that also irritate asthmatic lungs. Children and pets are especially vulnerable because they are much closer to the carpet and often turn around and lie down with their faces buried in the pile.
Not only do they inhale the dust and fibers of the carpet, but also the vapors of the latest cleaning products used on the carpet. In addition, their lungs are smaller and have a faster metabolism, so they can be much more affected than adults. To better understand why chemicals are used in the carpet cleaning process, it is helpful to know the process of cleaning carpets with hot water extraction (steam cleaning). Stain repellents or “protectors” for fabrics and carpets can contain plastics and other potentially hazardous ingredients. Other potentially problematic ingredients in carpet cleaners include other compounds that produce a lot of fumes (such as formaldehyde), acids, pesticides, disinfectants, bleach (sodium hydroxide), fragrances, and many others.
Frequent vacuuming will not only reduce dust mites, but it will also help remove dirt from the surface of carpets before it hardens. Some carpet cleaners agitate the chemical to clean carpets and convert it to the fiber, either with a machine or a rake to provide better coverage. If you've been in charge of cleaning your carpet and rugs, you may be left with toxic carpet cleaner and other carpet conditioning products that you need to discard. I finished cleaning the carpet because it never occurred to me that the cleaning solution was what was making me sick. During application and during drying, the chemicals in carpet cleaners and protectors evaporate and can concentrate in the air, causing indoor air pollution. The residue is often hard to see or feel, although it can make carpets feel rougher and you may be able to smell them.
Making sure you use only safe, non-toxic products to clean your carpet will give you peace of mind that you're not endangering your child's health or your own. A second thing to consider when thinking about the safety of carpet cleaning chemicals is that they are usually eliminated during the cleaning process. Like other cleaning products, carpet cleaners can contain toxic ingredients, some of which are not listed on labels because they are considered “property secrets” or “trade secrets”.Even a small amount of dry carpet cleaner on the skin can cause a rash, eczema, or some type of itching. Vacuum the dry carpet with a HEPA filter and, if still necessary, get a portable air purifier big enough to take up your space.
Keep windows open and air circulating while cleaning carpets, then turn on fans to speed up drying.
