Greener Carpet Cleaning Using Electrolyzed Water
- By Allen P. Rathey
- June 1st, 2016
Engineered water devices producing cleaning solutions
onsite using tap water, salt and electrolysis —
aka, electrochemically activated or ECA cleaners —
can provide effective carpet cleaning solutions for
pennies per gallon as part of an integrated, and potentially
time-, money- and earth-saving approach.
The dilute alkaline stream produced by some
electrolyzed water devices can be effective for
cleaning carpet when used in a complete system.
The operative word is “system”, as the Carpet
and Rug Institute (CRI) has tested and selectively
approved the use of engineered water as part of a
system embracing both process and product. Two
systems have been CRI “Platinum”-level approved).
All Systems Start with Vacuuming
Vacuuming is the single most important
measure you can take to prevent soil buildup (assuming
you have adequate entry matting) and to
remove soil prior to extracting the carpet. Look for
a vacuum cleaner certified by CRI for soil removal,
indoor-air quality protection, and carpet appearance
and longevity factors.
Why Onsite Generation of Cleaners?
Advantages of electrochemically activated
(ECA) water solutions:
- They are produced onsite from tap water,
reducing the need to manufacture, package,
ship, store, handle and dispose of many cleaning
products and their packaging; for a more
sustainable process.
- They eliminate the cost of buying many
cleaning chemicals, including general cleaners
for carpet (although they do not necessarily
replace spot-removal products).
Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Certification
of Systems Using Electrolyzed Water
Typical System Recommendations:
- Vacuum using four passes at about 1.8 feet
per second.
- Pre-spray with hot electrolyzed water cleaning
solution.
- Agitate with a carpet rake.
- Allow the solution to set for 5-10 minutes, then
- Extract with a heated CRI-approved extractor.
Using an approved system helps ensure soil is
effectively removed (90 to 100 percent soil removal
is required for CRI Platinum Certification), applied
solution pH is between 4 and 10, carpet does not
resoil due to residue, dries quickly, maintains its
appearance and no optical brighteners are used.
This article originally appeared in the June 2016 issue of School Planning & Management.
About the Author
Allen P. Rathey is an educator specializing in Healthy Facilities. He has assembled an advisory group of dozens of scientists, PhDs, facility and public health experts, who share his passion for helping people everywhere create and maintain safe, healthy, indoor environments. He is past-president of The Housekeeping Channel (HC), The Healthy House Institute (HHI), and The Healthy Facilities Institute (HFI). He is the principal of Winning Environments, LLC, promoting best practices that enhance the living environment. Call him @ 208-724-1508 or email [email protected]. Allen provides advisory and consulting support, in person, by phone, via published articles, social networks, and through seminars and webinars.