It’s unfortunate that this article has to be written, but during the covid 19 pandemic, many people are asking how to sanitize their carpet properly. The problem with sanitizing your carpet is not the process itself, but the products being used to sanitize. At the end of the day, sanitizing your carpet incorrectly, can do more damage than good. So taking the time to properly learn the process is important!
To begin, the first mistake is thinking that aersol deodorizers are your friend when it comes to sanitizing your carpet. To be honest, aersol deodorizers are the last thing you want to use! Aersol deodorizers are great for counters, bathroom surfaces and trash cans, but will do nothing but contaminate your carpet with awful fragrances and chemical by-products. Spray disinfectants are released in an atomized pattern, which is best used to sanitize the air…not carpet! Your carpet, through time, attracts just about everything from dust debris, to bacteria from pets and shoes. In order for your carpet to be sanitized, it must be flushed from the fiber down to the backing and then extracted, along with the contaminants. This is the only way to clean and sanitize carpet correctly and achieve results that actually work.
Your best option is to have your carpet professionally cleaned or rent a carpet cleaner from a local store. If you choose to rent a carpet cleaning machine, be sure to do your research on the machine being used. Second, choosing the correct producs is key to good results. Here’s what to look for…
1. Detergent free is important, as your trying to sanitize your carpet, stain removal is not a concern if sanitizing is your goal.
2. Solvent based products are a terrible option, as this will contaminate your carpet even further with toxic chemicals that release VOC’s into the air.
3. Oxygenated or Oxy products with fancy fragrances will do nothing, so please don’t waste your time!
4. Organic products containing digestive properties is what your looking for. Digestors contain good bacteria that essentially eats and destroys bad bacteria. These types of products can be purchased at janitorial supply stores.
My next statement is pretty generic, but very true, as reading the instruction label is super important. Any product sold to sanitize and destroy bacterial issues, should be used with care. If not, as mentioned above, you will do more harm thann good!
In closing, my personal recommendation is to have your carpet professionally cleaned, as your end result will be better, saving you time and money. If DIY projects are your thing, pay attention to everything mentioned above. Rental carpet cleaning machines can be difficult to use, so be sure you understand the proper functions of the machine and know how to mix your product properly.