Did you know that sustainable cleaning products are growing at over double the rate of all cleaning products? Thus reports the new study, The Future of Sustainable Cleaning Products to 2026—a report that clearly shows consumers’ interest in keeping their homes clean while also contributing to the battle against climate change. One of the biggest tasks most of us face is our carpets when it comes to cleaning. How can you keep yours clean, fresh, and fragrant while keeping your air quality optimal and relying on environmentally friendly techniques?
Steam Cleaning to Keep Germs to a Minimum
Steam vacuums can be a small investment in your home, but they are definitely worthwhile if green cleaning is on your mind. This is because they require nothing else but water to kill germs and keep various surfaces (including floors, bedding, curtains, and even appliances) sparkling clean. Some companies offer green cleaning solutions that contain 100% natural, gentle ingredients. These can be added to your steam vacuum’s water tank and lend your home a pleasant fragrance without containing toxic chemicals.
Extending the Life of Your Carpet
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends having your carpet professionally deep-cleaned every 12-to-18 months. Doing so will enable your carpet to last longer, thus helping you stick to the sustainable ‘design for life’ concept. The latter involves buying quality items and maintaining them well to reduce frequent buying and wastage. When choosing a professional carpet cleaner, ensure that the products they use are eco-friendly. There are a plethora of green cleaning products available, so asking for this service should not be difficult at all. A good cleaning surface should clean your carpet in various steps—including pile lifting, pre-treating carpets, shampooing, extraction rinsing, and applying a carpet protector. Between deep cleans, use a product like Matt by Eco-Me. The latter is a green product that is sprinkled on carpets and left overnight to combat odours, remove stains, and kill bacteria. It can be vacuumed off the next day.
Making a DIY Carpet Cleaner
You don’t need to break the bank buying green products of all kinds (though having a few of these is a boon because they have a pleasant smell and do a great job of removing dirt). If you are on a budget, you can alternate between commercial and DIY cleaners. Organic Authority recommends using vinegar and warm water with a few drops of your favourite essential oil. For more stubborn stains, they recommend using a higher ratio of vinegar to water or pre-treating stains with a mixture of laundry soap and baking soda. If you use a pre-treatment, allow it to act for a few minutes before cleaning it with a vinegar-and-water solution in a steam cleaner.
Keeping carpets in pristine condition with green cleaning techniques is easy if you have carpets at home. Start by investing in a powerful steam vacuum, which will clean your carpets and floors and keep them spotless with no need for additional cleaning products. It would be best to have a deep clean approximately once a year. Finally, experiment with making your DIY carpet cleaner for stubborn stains. All you need is a tiny list of ingredients that includes vinegar, water, and an essential oil like lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus or lemongrass.
