Can Carpet Cleaning Make me Sick? What happens when residue is left behind.

Have you ever had your carpets cleaned and they look gorgeous, but then weeks later they look dull and grimy again? Kind of like unwashed hair? If your carpet cleaner has done a good job, your carpet should smell CLEAN and non-fragrant and last six months to a year with proper vacuuming (Depending on your household use.)

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Two sure fire indicators of a novice carpet cleaning professional are...

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1. Using too much cleanser
2. Over rinsing using too much water.

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I frequently refer to the four main components of cleaning. This applies to all types of cleaning not just carpets and upholstery. It is Cleaning 101. See below for a diagram.

A trained professional understands how to perfectly balance these four components. When the components are in perfect harmony you will get a thorough long, lasting, effective cleaning that does not damage fibers. But, if they are unbalanced, you can have a number of issues, which in turn cause bigger issues like:

• Fiber damage due to over agitation
• Structural damage due to too much heat
• Simple inability to remove dirt
• Residue of cleanser left behind

This post addresses the last of these issues, which can compound to create further issues. We can’t speak enough about the proper balance of cleansers for all-around cleaning. Using too much actually has the opposite of the intended effect. Let me dig a little into the science of why.

Why Using too much cleanser actually has the opposite of the intended effect.

In very simple terms, carpet cleansers contain chemical agents called surfactants that are designed to attract dirt. These surfactants used with water will basically levitate soil molecules - allowing them to float and be rinsed away. When too much product is used or it is not rinsed properly, the sticky surfactant residue is left behind in the fibers. This residue then becomes a magnet for new dirt, causing the carpet to look dirty again much faster than it would if it were clean.

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This is the issue you can see with your eyes, but what you cannot see is actually worse.

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Your carpet cleaner is a bit of a whiz with chemistry. He or she knows what PH levels each of their products have out of the bottle and what the PH Level becomes when mixed with water. He or she knows what product and at what PH is needed to treat each type of soil and stain. They also know how to counter or stop a chemical reaction. This is part of spot removal and treatment!

Did you know that cleaning products can react to carpet fibers or chemicals already present in your carpet and turn it green or red? Did you know that when this happens it can be corrected if your cleaner knows what they are doing?

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PH is critical to cleaning and all products work using an acidic or alkaline base to remove dirt. No matter how non-toxic, hypoallergenic and green - they still work using PH.

Why do I bother to explain this?

Here is the damage we cannot see when cleansers are over-used or improperly rinsed...

• Fiber Damage: Harsh or highly alkaline chemicals used in excess can weaken the carpet's synthetic or natural fibers, causing them to become brittle, frayed, and more susceptible to wear and tear. For example, the fibers of natural carpets like wool can be damaged by alkaline cleaners.
• Discoloration: Strong chemicals can cause colors to fade or bleach, leaving permanent discoloration. This is a particular risk with acidic cleaners or bleach.
• Oxidized oils: Oily soils left in the carpet for too long will oxidize, forming a hard, yellow, lacquer-like film that is very difficult to remove without aggressive chemicals.

So let’s say your novice carpet cleaner overuses the cleanser and realizes the error and excessively rinses your carpet. Now you have a situation where the carpeting does not dry fast enough and it sits wet for too long. (Meaning more than 12 hours sopping wet - damp or cool to the touch is ok.)

Now we opened up this can of worms (because works like when it rains…)

• Mold and mildew growth: Excess moisture soaks through the carpet fibers and into the padding and subfloor. This creates a damp, dark environment that is an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew within 24 to 48 hours. This process is accelerated by poor ventilation and high humidity.
• Structural damage: When the carpet padding and subfloor stay wet, the adhesive holding the carpet's backing can deteriorate. This can cause the carpet to delaminate, become loose, or create ripples. A wooden subfloor can also warp or rot.
• Musty odors: The mold and mildew that grows in over-wetted carpet produces a strong, unpleasant, musty smell that is difficult to get rid of.
• Carpet shrinkage: Natural fiber carpets, such as wool, can shrink if they are over-wetted and improperly dried, causing them to tear at the seams.

To answer the initial question - yes. Done improperly by an inexperienced hand, carpet cleaning can absolutely make you sick.

Some tips to get clean carpet and stay healthy!

• Use fragrance free, green certified products whenever possible.
• Maintain your carpets by regularly vacuuming and keeping on top of spills and spots.
• Don’t go too long between cleanings to prevent excessive need for cleanser or water.
• Always choose a company to clean your home that has a solid reputation and technicians that are well trained or well supervised if new.

Happy Cleaning!!