Carpet cleaning is an expense most new homeowners are not prepared for. As comfortable, luxurious, and eye-catching as it may be, wall-to-wall carpeting inevitably gets dirty. Carpets are also magnets for mold and germs, which means that they can be a health hazard.

Because professional carpet cleaning can be expensive, most folks try to care for their own carpets to start. They purchase pricey cleaners and scrub away their weekends. In time, however, they discover that there is no substitute for a professional cleaning service. These experts have the equipment and the training that is needed to thoroughly clean almost any rug. In fact, professional services actually end up saving homeowners money on cleaners and replacement rugs over time.

Of course, not all cleaners are created equal. Some professionals still use dangerous chemicals that can harm pets, humans, and the environment. It is for this reason that the industry is moving toward eco-friendly or “green” Miami carpet cleaning solutions and practices. Is traditional carpet-cleaning really that bad?

In a word, yes. Old-school Miami carpet cleaning companies use commercial cleaning products that include dyes, bleaches, disinfectants, alkalines, and powerful enzymes that can be harmful, even toxic to living creatures.

One popular method of traditional dry carpet cleaning uses a chemical called butyloxy ethanol, also called buytl cellosolve. Studies have shown that this chemical can damage the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system in humans. Many traditional Miami carpet cleaning companies also use a chemical called percholorethylene, which has been shown to cause nausea, dizziness and fatigue in humans and in pets.

More often than not, it is pets and small children that manifest symptoms of toxic poisoning first. Because they typically spend more time on the carpets either crawling or sleeping, they have increased exposure to these potentially inimical chemicals.

What is “green” carpet cleaning?

A growing percentage of new carpet cleaning companies are embracing eco-friendly cleaning agents and techniques. Because they use only bio-based ingredients, these cleaners are far safer than the old, harsh chemicals. These products must be biodegradable and must have limited toxicity for living organisms. Not to mention the fact that they must clean as well as traditional products. Miami tile cleaning has come a long way in recent years.

Many homeowners make the mistake of assuming that “green” carpet or Miami tile cleaning is much more expensive than traditional cleaning. That is simply not the case.  Eco-friendly products are competitively prices and there is often no need for additional equipment. With that said, consumers should be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true. These companies typically have inexperienced cleaners or they use products that are not entirely eco-friendly. Look for a service provider that offers dry carpet cleaning and deep shampoo cleaning. Ask them if their cleaning agents are organic or all natural. If they give you the run around that may mean they are hiding something. Many Miami tile cleaning companies claim to be “green” when they are not. Always check customer reviews online before you agree to anything.