By Nick Wiebe
Just a few years ago, many experts predicted that only about 20% of end users would request green cleaning chemicals. They underestimated. Today it appears the majority of end users request environmentally preferable cleaning chemicals and accept traditional chemicals only when there is not a green equivalent.

And green cleaning is also broadening its reach. Instead of it being just for standard hard surfaces, more and more floor covering surfaces, including carpet are being green cleaned.

Some people might wonder how carpet can be cleaned in an environmentally responsible manner. It all comes down to the three key components needed for any green cleaning job: the chemicals used, the equipment used and the preventive measures that are in place.

Let’s take a look at all three of these elements more closely:

Chemicals
One reason some experts believed green cleaning chemicals would attract only a small following is because the original products introduced tended to be pricey and did not always perform that well.

Within the past few years this has changed. Green cleaning chemicals may still be a bit more expensive, but they are so highly concentrated that many users find they last longer, making them cost effective.

“[And] the chemistry today has improved considerably,” says Dave Howard, director of sales and marketing for JonDon, a national distributor of janitorial products, tools and equipment. “Many of these products are just as effective as conventional cleaning supplies.”

He noted the way a product is applied in the carpet cleaning process also makes it more environmentally responsible. At one time cleaning chemicals were mixed with water in the extractor’s tank. Often too much was used, which could impact indoor air quality (IAQ). And, if not properly extracted, cause the carpets to rapidly re-soil.

“Today, most technicians pre-spray the carpet before extracting,” he said. “Less chemical is used, which helps protect IAQ, helps prevent chemical residue from occurring, and is also more cost effective.”

Equipment
Many carpet extractors use from one-and-a-half, to two or more gallons of water per minute. However, they are slowly being edged out by a new generation of low-moisture carpet cleaners.

The definition of a low-moisture carpet extractor varies depending on whom you speak to. However, according to the nonprofit Low Moisture Carpet Cleaning Association, when a low-moisture extractor is employed, the carpet should dry in about two hours. This compares with 24 to 48 hours for a conventional machine.

So how is this green? When too much moisture is applied to a carpet and not effectively removed, mold, mildew and fungi can develop and mar IAQ with negative health repercussions. Further, a low-moisture machine uses not only less water, but less chemicals. This reduces cleaning’s impact on the environment, which is what green cleaning ultimately is all about.

Prevention
Another key component of green cleaning is using preventive measures to reduce cleaning frequencies.

Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist with the University of Arizona, gave 10 people a pair of new shoes to wear for two weeks. At the end of this period, he tested the bottoms of the shoes looking for contaminants. This is what he discovered:

• Approximately 421,000 units of bacteria were discovered on the outside of the new shoes, and more than 2,880 were on the inside;
• Coliform, a form of bacteria, was detected on 96% of the shoes;
• E. coli found its way onto 27% of the shoes;
• Worrisome amounts of Klebsiella pneumoniae, a common cause of bloodstream in fections, and Serratia ficaria, which can cause respiratory infections, were also found.

In addition, Gerba found these contaminants can easily be spread from one surface to another through foot traffic— such as from the bottoms of shoes to carpets. Preventing this not only helps protect health, it reduces carpet cleaning cycles.

The only way to effectively stop the spread of contaminants from entering a facility is through an effective matting system. “This is often referred to as ‘pollution prevention’ or source control strategies,” said Christopher Tricozzi, vice president of sales and marketing for Crown Mats and Matting.

He explained an effective pollution prevention matting system is composed of three 5-footlong matting systems placed outside and inside key building entries. “The first matting system removes larger debris and moisture, the second continues the job, and the third finishes the job.”

When this system is properly installed and regularly cleaned, it can capture as much as 80% of the contaminants and moisture on foot bottoms, “keeping buildings cleaner, healthier and greener,” Tricozzi added.

In addition to these key components of a green carpet cleaning system, cleaning technicians must be thoroughly trained on green carpet cleaning procedures. “Green carpet cleaning is a systems approach,” explains JonDon’s Howard. “All components must be in place for the entire system to work properly.”

Nick Wiebe is marketing manager for U.S. Products, a maker of professional carpet cleaning extractors and other tools and equipment. He may be reached at 800.257.7982 or via email at nickw@usproducts.com.