Squeeky clean yet green
June 1st 2006

The demand is growing for cleaning chemicals that are free from toxic ingredients and really do clean effectively. A new approach to Detergent Free Cleaning has made squeaky-clean carpets a reality without leaving harmful residues or polluting the environment. Chemspec Europe explains For years, chemists have been developing a variety of cleaning products with the emphasis on achieving a better clean. On carpets, a good result has been seen as a clean, bright appearance with stains having disappeared and the fibres feeling soft to the touch. Typically this has involved a mixture of inorganic compounds, solvents and surfactants, usually relying on high alkalinity to achieve the cleaning effect. A subsequent acid rinsing stage if often used to neutralise the alkalinity reducing the potential for colour changes and harsh fibres.

This type of cleaning traditionally involves emulsifying soils by using surfactants to break down surface tension and suspend the released soiling in solution for extraction. Inevitably some of the suspended soils and the surfactant are deposited back as residues in the cleaned carpet often encouraging re-soiling and building up over time to cause a chemical reaction to the surface of some fibres.

In recent years, chemicals have been developed that claim a good result without the use of surfactants but, in fact, rely heavily on phosphates or other harmful ingredients to achieve a clean appearance. These so called microsplitters are still popular in parts of our industry.

Today, environmentalists and growing numbers of customers are expressing real concern about the harmful effects of detergents on the environment. The wastewater from the cleaning process carries these harmful chemicals through the drains or the ground to water treatment plants. There is, however, firm evidence that, despite best efforts with modern filtration systems, residues still find their way to our waterways and hence, to aquatic life. Many cleaning chemicals also contain perfumes that can have an adverse effect on asthmatics and other sensitive individuals.

A strong case exists for the availability and widespread use of detergent free cleaners that perform as well as existing products, are cost effective and are quick and easy to use. This demand has now been satisfied with a Detergent Free Cleaner which enhances the cleaning power of water without the need of surfactants, builders, emulsifiers or solvents. A combination of natural minerals and hot water releases the soils from the carpet leaving only harmless residues that are vacuumed away once the carpet has dried.

Some of these minerals soften hard water making the cleaning process faster and easier. Another natural ingredient saponafies organic soils into permanent organic soaps that are free rinsing in water and yet another dissolves mineral deposits and soap scum. The end result is a squeaky clean carpet with no tendency to re-soiling.

The naturally dry mineral residues are easily vacuumed away and all ingredients are sustainable food additives, which are totally safe to the environment, aquatic and human life.

A variety of application methods may be used including portable and selfcontained extractors, truckmounts and a choice of rotary bonnet or pad and cylindrical brush machines.

The chemical technology protects and keeps equipment clean and free from scale without the need for corrosive acids and the ingredients revert back to their harmless mineral state upon drying.

Trials of Detergent Free Cleaner have generated very favourable feedback from professional carpet cleaners who have used the various application methods and been surprised by the effectiveness of the processes. Converting soiling into free rinsing soaps is effective even in low moisture systems such as bonnet or pad cleaning. The soaps produced are nothing like traditional soap made from animal fats and oils needing copious amounts of water to rinse them from the surface.

The timing for Detergent Free Cleaning could not be better as, increasingly, clients are questioning the nature of chemicals being used in their premises. More information and the supply of this revolutionary new approach to carpet cleaning is available from Chemspec Europe or its network of distribution partners throughout UK and most of Geographic Europe.

Use the reader enquiry service, or visit www.cleaningmatters.co.uk/enquiry and enter the number below and your request for information will be emailed instantly to Chemspec Europe.

More articles from Chemspec Europe Ltd: