Are Carpet Deodorizers Safe? What You Need to Know
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Carpet deodorizers have long been a popular way for Louisville homeowners to mask unpleasant odors emanating from their carpets. They're affordable, easy to use, relatively effective and - on the surface anyway - seem to be safe. But are they? To answer that question, the carpet cleaning experts at Steve's will look at the potential risks associated with carpet deodorizers and explore possible alternatives.
Potential Dangers Associated with Carpet Deodorizers
Carpet deodorizers are available in a variety of forms and fragrances. While they are generally considered safe, some health experts have raised concerns about these products that typically focus on the following issues:
Potential respiratory distress
Many carpet deodorizers contain a variety of chemicals, including synthetic fragrances that may cause respiratory distress. An otherwise healthy person may experience coughing and wheezing. In addition, those with asthma may find their symptoms to be more intense, and it may take longer for people with bronchitis or pneumonia to recuperate.
Risk of rashes or skin allergies
The chemicals in carpet deodorizers may cause allergic reactions in some people. Skin irritation, swelling and redness, and unexplained rashes have all been reported by people who use carpet deodorizers. These conditions tend to appear in people, including young children, with sensitive skin who have had direct contact with a deodorized carpet. If you see your pets scratching, they too may be having a reaction to the carpet deodorizer.
VOCs
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals that are contained in many products, including carpet deodorizers, and which evaporate into the air where they are breathed in, creating health problems. The more often a carpet deodorizer is used, the more VOCs are released into the air and the greater the chance someone in the home will experience headaches, throat irritation, dizziness or other symptoms.
Dangers to pets
While pets are often one of the causes of carpet odors, dogs and cats who come in contact with carpet deodorizers and then lick their paws or fur to clean themselves may end up ingesting a dangerous stew of chemicals. If you use a carpet deodorizer and notice your pet scratching more than usual, becoming listless, vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, it may be from exposure to the deodorizer.
What Do Carpet Deodorizers Really Do?
In most cases, carpet deodorizers do not actually eliminate the unpleasant odor emanating from the rugs or carpeting. Instead, they simply mask it. Once the fragrance from the deodorizer wears off, the unwanted odor will reemerge, possibly worse than before, since the source has had time to fester. The only way to really get rid of carpet or rug odors is to go after the root cause. Here are some effective ways to do that:
Having your carpets professionally cleaned by Steve's Carpet Care
Without a doubt, the most effective way to eliminate odors from your carpeting is to have them cleaned by the experts at Steve's Carpet Care. The team at Steve's don't just shampoo your carpets (which could leave them damp and actually make odor issues worse in the long-run), they employ a truck mounted steam cleaning machine that scours the carpet right down to the pile killing and removing odor-causing mold, mildew, bacteria, pet urine and more and leaving your carpets in a like-new state. This is carpet cleaning and rug cleaning on an entirely different level and will enable you to free your home from the grip of nasty carpet odors.
Baking soda
While not as effective as steam cleaning, baking soda is a cost-effective and generally reliable way to neutralize carpet and rug odors, although the overall effect can sometimes be short-lived. The baking soda odor remedy is simple. You start by sprinkling a thin layer of baking soda onto the carpet. Let it sit for around 30 minutes and then vacuum thoroughly. If you are dealing with stubborn odors, consider sprinkling the baking soda on before going to bed and vacuuming it the next morning.
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal has long been known to absorb all types of odors. Rather than addressing carpet odors at their root, however, activated charcoal acts more like an air freshener. Bowls of activated charcoal are placed around the room where the odors are originating and capture odors from the air that passes over or near them. If you have pets or young children, you need to be careful with this carpet odor solution since they could easily knock the bowls over or accidentally ingest some of the black, powdery substance.
Combination of vinegar and baking soda
If baking soda by itself does not do a satisfactory job, consider using baking soda and vinegar in combination with one another. You won't be creating a paste in this case. Instead, you will sprinkle the baking soda onto the carpet and then, using a bottle that creates a fine spray, spray the vinegar (diluted with water) onto the baking soda. The combination should start to fizz and when it's done, blot the carpet and vacuum.
Enzyme-based cleaners
If the source of your carpet odors is pet urine or vomit, consider using an enzyme-based cleaner. There are many brands available that can be found with a simple internet search. The enzymes in the cleaner break down the organic material in urine and vomit at the molecular level, eliminating the odor instead of just masking it.
Frequent vacuuming and regular carpet maintenance
The best defense against carpet odors is often a good offense. That means vacuuming your carpets once a week and having the team from Steve's perform a thorough cleaning every 6 to 12 months. By staying on top of carpet maintenance, you'll help ensure that the root causes of most odors do not have an opportunity to take root.
Conclusion
Carpet deodorizers have been popular for decades. In recent years, however, concerns have arisen over the potential dangers they pose to humans and pets. Those potential hazards include allergic reactions, rashes, respiratory distress, and more. If you are in search of alternatives that will also eliminate odors rather than just masking them, the best method by far is to have your carpets cleaned by the team at Steve's Carpet Care.
Don't keep masking unpleasant odors with potentially dangerous carpet deodorizers. Instead, have your carpets cleaned by the team at Steve's. We're the gold standard of carpet cleaning companies. And if you are in need of carpet repair, don't forget to ask us about it. We're easy to reach either by using our contact form, by emailing us at contact@stevescarpetcare.net or by calling us at one of the phone numbers on our Contact page.
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