ABC MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

 GREEN CLEANING OPTIONS

Is it really possible to clean with green cleaning options and still get results that equal or surpass cleaning with today's commercial cleaners?

Yes, it is most definitely possible to clean with green cleaning options and still get excellent results!

Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, phosphates, sulfuric acid, etc. which can be found in those bottles of commercial cleaners are not healthy. 

The fumes emitted from these cleaners not only affect those cleaning but are also released into the area being cleaned, impacting the health of the rest of the occupants.

You Can Stop Using Toxic Chemicals to Clean!

At ABC, we use biodegradable, non-toxic solutions to clean the rugs that come into our plant or the carpets we clean in homes and businesses. Our equipment is very powerful and more aggressive chemicals are not usually needed. 

If more aggressive cleaning is required, we always choose the least toxic method and make sure our rinsing process removes any and all residues.

How can ABC Help with Household Cleaning?

Because we are committed to green cleaning whenever possible, we feel a responsibility to help our customers with cleaning solutions that extend even beyond rug cleaning. 

We have researched information on easy recipes for cleaning solutions for everyday household items. These solutions contain inexpensive ingredients you may already have on hand.  

Please click here for some cleaning solutions you may wish to try. For more in-depth recipes, especially using vinegar and baking soda, please click here.

WHAT'S IN YOUR 
GREEN CLEANING ARSENAL?

If you build your own 'Green Cleaning Arsenal' with certain combinations of everyday ingredients (and use proper techniques), you may be able to conquer that famous Murphy's Law for carpet and rug cleaning:  

  "As soon as you get your carpets and rugs cleaned, something will get spilled on them!" 

What should you do? Call in the cleaners again or attempt to do it yourself? 

If you load your Green Cleaning Arsenal with the spotting solutions listed below, it is possible to attempt to 'do-it-yourself' and you may be able to successfully treat those spots and spills with one or more of those solutions.

SPOTTING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR 
GREEN CLEANING ARSENAL 

AMMONIA:

Mix 1 tablespoon of clear household ammonia with ½ cup of water.

BLEACH: 

Use Hydrogen Peroxide or Sodium Perborate (ex. Clorox II). DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH!

DETERGENT:

Mix 1 drop of Liquid Joy dish washing soap in a cup of lukewarm water. (This product will not cause excess soap suds that would be difficult to remove from the soiled area. Soap residue will attract more soil very quickly.)

DRY CLEANING SOLVENT:  

Use a volatile (fast-evaporating) dry spotter or commercial dry spotter such as Carbona or K2R.  Use in small amounts because dry cleaning solvents can be harmful to sizing backings or stuffing materials. DO NOT use gasoline lighter fluid or tetrachloride.

ENZYME:  

Mix a solution of powdered enzyme detergent following the directions on the box label.  Examples of powdered enzyme detergents are ERA or BIZ. The box will state specifically that it is an 'enzyme detergent.' Be careful not to soak or overwet.  Only allow the solution to remain on the stain for the recommended length of time before removing it. 

POG:  

This is Paint, Oil, & Grease remover, available in hardware stores.

VINEGAR:

Mix 1/3 cup of white household vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.

CAUTION:  NEVER MIX 
AMMONIA and BLEACH 
DURING ANY CLEANING OPERATION!  

Bleach should also never be mixed with acids or rubbing alcohol.

Find out how to use the solutions in your Green Cleaning Arsenal successfully by clicking here. 

BLEACH AND OTHER NATURAL CLEANERS-
HEALTH HAZARDS OF MIXING WITH SOME OTHER COMMON HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS 

At ABC, we offer suggestions for in-home cleaning with common 'natural' cleaners vs. commercial cleaners which may contain toxic chemicals. However, it is important to remember that certain of those 'natural' cleaners should NEVER be used together or dire health consequences could occur. 

For example, chlorine bleach, which contains the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite, is one of the most important and probably one of the most widely used common cleaning products in the home.

READ LABELS FIRST!

It is of utmost importance to understand that many other household cleaning products may contain 'natural cleaners' such as bleach or ammonia, an example of 2 chemicals that must never be mixed together. Thus it is extremely important to read the labels of all products before using.

MIXING  CHLORINE BLEACH 
WITH AMMONIA OR ACIDS-NEVER!

Bleach should never be used with AMMONIA or ACIDS or any product containing either of these.

PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN AMMONIA:

• Various glass and window cleaners
• Urine such as in diapers pails and cat litter boxes
• Some interior and exterior paints

PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN ACIDS:

• Vinegar
• Various glass and window cleaners
• Certain automatic dishwasher detergents and rinses
• Some toilet bowl cleaners
• Some drain cleaners (NEVER USE 2 DRAIN CLEANERS TOGETHER or ONE DRAIN CLEANER AFTER THE OTHER!)
• Some lime, calcium, and rust removal products
• Some brick and concrete cleaners

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS  THAT MAY CAUSE REACTIONS:

Continue reading here.

"The Cleanest Clean You've Ever Seen."

by

ABC Oriental Rug & Carpet Cleaning Co.
130 Cecil Malone Drive Ithaca, NY 14850

607-272-1566

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