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BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 Biters use steam cleaners instead of chems for just one room, we'll avert the weight of 583 carpet-cleaning machines in potentially hazardous chems.
COCKTAIL FACT
In sauna-rich Finland, it's a not-so-eco custom to let steam rooms heat up for a while, empty, so that the saunatonttu (sauna elf) of Finnish folklore can enjoy them.
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home › tip library › Steam Cleaning for Carpets
Why are our windows all fogged up?
The Bite
Oh, that's just our steam carpet cleaner. If your carpet matches your mind - it's dirty - avoid noxious spray carpet-cleaner chems, and give a steam cleaner a whirl instead.The Benefits
- Vaporization, not contamination. You can't avoid spills, but since steam cleaning just uses hot water, you can choose to keep common cleaning chems like perchloroethylene ("perc") from ending up in groundwater.
- Family friendliness. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says perc is a "probable human carcinogen" that can cause anything from dizziness to another scary word that starts with D.
- Getting out those deep mystery stains and allergens.
Personally Speaking
Jen hired a pro steam-cleaning service, and they did a great job - but she didn't enjoy her clean carpets for long. The same week they were cleaned she discovered hardwood underneath, so she pulled out the carpets and redid her floors with eco-stain and finish.Wanna Try?
- Hoover SteamVac - heavy-duty home cleaner ($100).
- Shark Steam Mop - easy-to-control steam cleaner with reusable cleaning pads. Also: an Ultra Steam Blaster for dirtier carpets ($80-$105).
- AFM SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo - eco-alternative to cleaning liquids that up the effectiveness of your steam cleaner ($8/32 ounces).
- Zoots - green carpet-cleaning service in seven states that avoids perc and other toxic solvents.
Apr 16,2008
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A Step Up
Even better than steam cleaning your carpets? Getting rid of them altogether. It's what my parents did last year in their office and family room, replacing the decade-old off-white rugs with bamboo for a more modern look. They weren't thinking about the health benefits of doing so, but Mom has mentioned the new floors are a little easier to clean. Especially when Junior, hobbling since he tore his ACL a couple weeks ago, still spends a good amount of time chasing rabbits through the dirt in the yard, then tracking said dirt into the house.
-Toshio...off to stain a carpet...
Biter Comments...
Sorry to comment on something besides your post, but I wasn't sure where to go....Pure & Natural - just wondering, because I picked up a bottle of this at Wal-Mart the other day and scanned the ingredients, the first or second of which was Sodium Laureth Sulfate. I went no further, however, because I don't use that. Have they now changed and are not using this ingredient and the new line is just not being phased in at Wal-Mart til the old stock is depleted? If so, I shall take another look. Always looking for a pure & natural product at Wal-Mart that is actually pure and natural, but never really is. Thanks, Tricia, stuck for now in Dayton, OH =)
It is amazing how many older homes hide hardwood beneath wall to wall carpeting. Definitely warrants a peek.
Not being one to vacuum regularly we prefer our plain wood and eco-groovy linoleum (now called/branded Marmoleum). If it isn't indistructable and easy to clean I am not so interested.
Lastly, we have a smooth walled (not tile) shower that we spray with a combo of Simple Green (diluted) and white vinegar after each use. Only have to spray it then squeegee it once a week and it is sparkling (only the floor ever needs extra elbow grease. Maybe this would work on tile, too?
Not to knock on your parade, Toshio, but putting in brand new bambo flooring isn't actually better than steam cleaning old carpet. The most sustainable thing is to leave the old carpet- not buy a new replacement.
That said, if you absolutely have to remodel- bamboo is a great choice (and looks great too!).
Has anyone used the Shark Steam Mop? I have a HUGE amt of hardwood in my new condo and was thinking of getting the SSMop...but was unsure how effective it would be.
For grout cleaning, try baking soda. If Martha Stewart can use it to clean her oven ( paste of 3 parts warm water to 1 part baking soda), maybe it works on grout too. :)
thanks for the drive thru bite!! I have been telling my teenage daughter for years that drive threws should be eliminated. people need to get off their lazy butts and WALK INTO a bank, fast food, convenience, and now Rx establishments. Refresh our memories on how many people in US are overweight?! Americans are LAZY!! (Me included) I hate to cook, so I mostly eat fresh salads, sandwiches, whole grain cereals with milk. I work hard and relax when I get home.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Jorge Bermudez | April 16, 2008 at 04:29 AM