Health Hazards of Steam Cleaning.
Steam Cleaning Carpets & Mold Growth
SafeAir Environmental, Inc, is a leading air quality inspection service, located in Toronto, CA. Their mission is to detect, evaluate, and investigate situations that would compromise air quality and endanger the health and safety of our living environments – in both residential and industrial settings. In their article dated July 25th, 2019, SafeAir contends that most steam cleaners are only able to recapture 50 – 70 % of the dirty water, that they originally put into the carpet to clean it. Given that one room can require as much as 50 gallons of water infused, that’s a truly shocking number! The remaining soiling will actually act as food for mold which might form in as little as 24 hours. Here’s a link to the full article. Really important that you read this!
When it all started
When I first started cleaning carpets years ago, I was new and quite naive. All I had was lots of classroom training and no actual experience. However, I had an expensive truck mounted steam cleaning van, and all kinds of steam cleaning machines, etc. In the beginning my machines mostly did all the work for me. I just had to follow along with what I was taught in school/training. But I remember being uncomfortable. For all its expense, i’d find that the vacuums on the powerful truck mount, simply couldn’t possibly pick up all the water that it had itself put in to my client’s carpets.
Carbon + Moisture + Darkness = Mold
It’s a well known fact that very dark, very moist, and very warm areas are susceptible to mold infestation, especially when there is carbon present. Follow me here, our carpets shade out all light, and they tend to retain heat. Additionally, practically all carpets lie on wood, be it a finished wood floor, or a plywood subfloor. Wood is Carbon! Although oftentimes padding is installed between your carpets and wood floor, this only adds an extra layer of heat and darkness, and worst of all, the padding beneath your carpets, are almost as water absorbent as a sponge. When steam cleaners leave excess water, gallons upon gallons of water are soaked into your carpet, and absorbed by your carpet’s padding. Consequently, mold can, and often will begin to form and spore in as little as 24 hours, and hence, the perfect storm has been created. This is not merely an issue of convenience, there are significant health concerns spawning from mold infestations. Not the least of health problems that result from mold infestation are allergies, congestion, and even asthma in children and adults, but allergies are just the start of the list of health issues resulting from mold.
I did my best
In my first year or two of cleaning carpets, I began to note the stories my new clients would relay to me of former carpet cleanings. Reports of sopping wet carpets and problems with drying began to mount. They were trying a new carpet cleaner (me), precisely because they were very unhappy with past cleanings. Knowing the dangers and concerns, I worked furiously to remove all the water at every job, fearing that I might leave gallons upon gallons of water in my client’s carpets. Fortunately, I was successful as one could be, and I was able to remove sufficient (but not all) water. It took enormous amounts of time and effort on my part, to remove acceptable amounts of water, but I am a professional and I was not about to leave anyone’s carpets any wetter than they had to be. Nevertheless, I’m convinced that the amounts of water I was able to remove, with all my efforts, was simply not enought. I think it’s safe to say that most steam cleaning company employees will not go to the lengths that I went to to pull out as much water as possible, but will opt to leave carpets wet – too wet!
Finally I discovered Low Moisture Cleaning.
After a number of years of struggling, I found a group of cleaners who were cleaning using new and updated methods, that resulted in better cleanings, with far less water usage – the difference: technology. So I decided to give their methods a try. At first, I slowly incorporated new methods, and machines into my cleaning arsenal, and over time, I noticed I was getting referrals and positive reviews, and they just kept coming. Carpets were indeed dry in hours not days, and the carpets were looking cleaner, and fresher. I was a happy camper. Not too long thereafter, I eventually completely ceased all steam cleaning services, preferring to offer only the healthier and faster drying low moisture alternatives. Meanwhile, I was gaining years of experience and expertise in handling stains, pets issues, bio-hazards like blood, and etc.
Choose the Healthier Option
Take it from a carpet cleaner whose used all methods of cleaning. Don’t put yourself or your family’s health at risk; especially when it’s not even necessary. There’s a better way. We now shampoo with 90 percent less water, using all kinds of low water methods, and we do as good, and most times a better job than steam cleaning can. I’ve been a first hand witness to the stunning cleaning results of low moisture cleaning. And I’m also the recipient of (undeserved praise) for leaving my clients with a clean, re-refreshed, and DRY carpet – in only two hours. The health and safety risks of steam cleaning are alone enough of a reason to try something newer, more advanced, and higher tech. I’d urge everyone interested in health to give Low Moisture Cleaning a try. What have you got to lose? and more importantly, What have you go to gain?
How to find a Low Moisture Cleaner near you.
Here’s some keywords to look for in seeking out a low moisture cleaner near you, but always be sure to ask your carpet cleaner what methods he/she uses before your next cleaning. Low moisture cleaning terms: “Encapsulation”, “Bonnet Cleaning”, “Foam Cleaning”. Try it for yourself, do it for a safer cleaner home, and do it for your family. You’re welcome!