Since 1992 the Carpet and Rug Institute has pioneered setting limits on carpet’s emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to establish a higher standard for indoor air quality. The Carpet and Rug Institutes explains how this program developed on its blog:

The Green Label program developed out of consumer and governmental concerns about carpet’s effect on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The original standard, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, measured four compounds against an established criterion, as well as total volatile organic compounds, or TVOC.

The CRI is proud to report that as of January 1,2010 all carpet manufacturers have now conformed to these standards and so the Green Label Program has successfully reached its end. Wow, pretty impressive. What now?

Good Bye Green Label, Hello Green Label Plus

The CRI is pressing ahead to establish the highest standard yet for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by reducing even further the VOCs of carpet and adhesives. Green Label has been replaced with the stronger and more comprehensive Green Label Plus standard.

Green Label Plus, Sets Higher Standard for Indoor Air Quality

According to the CRI Green Label Plus Fact Sheet:

Green Label Plus, a voluntary industry testing program for carpet and adhesive products, establishes the highest standard for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) ever set by the carpet industry. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) created Green Label Plus to identify carpets and adhesives that are tested by an independent, certified laboratory and meet stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

There is a growing demand to make indoor environments as healthy and “green-friendly” as possible. Choosing the right materials is a critical step. To assist in the process, CRI has created the Green Label Plus program.

Green Label ensures customers they are purchasing among the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market.

Green Label Plus is designed for architects, builders, specifiers and facility managers who want assurances that carpet and adhesive products meet the most stringent criteria for low chemical emissions.

Searching For Carpeting That Emit Low VOCs For Your Home?

Now it even easier than ever. All carpet currently manufactured by CRI member companies are low-emitting according to the standards of the now defunct Green Label standard. However, if your looking for carpet that meets the very highest IAQ standards then look for the Green Label Plus mark. This newer standard represents the fourth time the carpet industry has voluntarily enhanced the IAQ standard for its products.

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning, your Calgary Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) expert, recommends visiting Kensington Carpet One Floor and Home in Calgary for more information on carpet that meets the Green Label Plus standard.

Thanks to the work of the CRI and their member companies, carpet IS a low-emitting floor covering.

The Carpet and Rug Institute recently conducted a Survey of Asthma & Allergy Doctors. The CRI reported:

“While many doctors are still recommending carpet removal to their allergy and asthma patients, they were very open to information about proper carpet care and maintenance as a viable alternative to taking carpet out.”

So before you rip out all the carpet in your home you might want to read the latest (May 19, 2008) and most comprehensive report on the subject that backs up the CRI’s position on carpet and asthma.

Toxicologist Dr. Mitchell W. Sauerhoff, Ph.D., DABT has submitted to the International E-Journal of Flooring Sciences a very interesting and comprehensive study that is exploring the controversy surrounding carpet and allergies. The report is found here:  Carpet, Asthma and Allergy – Myth or Reality?

If you don’t feel like reading all 15 pages right away then I will share with you the ending:

“In conclusion, a weight of evidence approach to evaluating existing medical and scientific studies is quite clear. Carpet does not cause asthma. VOC emissions from new carpet do not act as triggers for asthma or allergies. Carpet does not increase the incidence or severity of asthma or allergies in children and adults. From the standpoint of asthma and allergies, well maintained carpet is safe.”

Well maintained carpet requires good vacuuming and proper cleaning.  For an earlier article about good vacuuming and proper cleaning, please go to Successful Vacuuming and also Carpet Cleaning Explained.

What Asthma and Allergy Sufferers Should Avoid When Cleaning Their Carpets?

Asthma and allergy suffers also need to be sure that the indoor air quality is not adversely impacted during the cleaning process. This means avoiding portable cleaning systems that recycle the contaminated air back into your home and cannot deliver the heat necessary to eliminate dust mites which cause allergies. Low moisture systems that do not actually remove soil at the time of cleaning should also be avoided.

Asthma, Allergies and Carpet Cleaning Chemicals

In addition, the cleaning products used must be fragrance free, hypoallergenic and create no VOCs (Volatile Organic Gases). If the carpet cleaning products have a fragrance or strong odor then that is a indicator that the products can negatively impact the indoor air quality of your home. Products that are Envirodesic Approved or Indoor Air Quality Approved are highly recommended.

D-limonene Carpet Cleaning Chemicals and Health Concerns

Many carpet cleaners use D-limonene based cleaners which are strong solvent based cleaners that have a very strong orange smell. Although it is chemically produced from a natural source (orange peel) and is biodegradable, due to its low flash point, it must be treated as hazardous waste for disposal.  D-limonene is a skin and respiratory irritant and is very difficult to rinse completely from the carpet. It can cause serve skin rashes and can also trigger asthmatic attacks.

Natural, Organic and Green has Nothing to do with Indoor Air Quality or Health Safety

This leads to a very important fact: ‘natural’, ‘organic’ or ‘green’ does not mean it is safe for people or pets and has absolutely nothing to do with indoor air quality and VOCs. For an earlier article about indoor air quality please go to An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality. Asthma, allergies and carpet can get along after all. Educated consumers can also now choose professional carpet cleaning that does not negatively impact the indoor air environment of their home.

For additional information please feel free to contact me at Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning in Calgary.

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning meets the high standards of the WoolSafe® Organization to become the only WoolSafe® Approved Service Provider in Calgary and all of Western Canada.

WoolSafe® Approved Service Providers Mark

WoolSafe® Approved Service Providers are a network of professional carpet cleaners trained and accredited by the WoolSafe® Organization.

These companies stand out for:

1. being proficient in cleaning wool carpets and rugs
2. having been a carpet & upholstery cleaner for at least 5 years
3. being members of a recognised professional or trade association related to the cleaning industry
4. having attended a WoolSafe® training course and meet other requirements relating to their business and professional associations
5. using WoolSafe® Approved products whenever they clean or maintain wool or wool-rich carpeting
6. ensuring the highest standards in carpet and upholstery cleaning

Only these companies are entitled to use this mark to promote their services.

To find a WoolSafe® Certified Operator near you click here or contact the WoolSafe® Organization.

The WoolSafe® Approved and Green WoolSafe® Approved Marks

These marks can be seen on the packaging and on the information and advertising material of certain carpet maintenance chemicals. Whether it is a product for professionals or for domestic use, it is a sign of excellence. It means that the product had been independently tested against stringent international criteria and found to be safe and effective to use on wool carpets and rugs. Used according to the manufacturers’ instructions, these products will not cause damage to the fibres or colours and will not promote rapid resoiling.

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning uses the most appropriate WoolSafe® approved products for your particular carpet and rug cleaning needs.

The Green WoolSafe® Mark is for environmentally responsible cleaning products. They have to be WoolSafe® approved and also have to meet the requirements of Green Seal or Environmental Choice/EcoLogo for their environmental impact.

All approved products are subject to annual re-evaluation testing to ensure they continue to meet the WoolSafe® requirements.

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning uses products awarded the Green WoolSafe® Mark in its regular cleaning of all wool carpeting. These products are also Indoor Air Quality Approved (IAQ) Certified or Envirodesic Certified to not negatively impact the Indoor Air Quality of your home environment.

In addition, Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning has earned the Certified Firm designation of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the only Calgary company to bear the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval.

Image Courtesy of Mohawk

A couple of months ago I wrote an article about why Mohawk SmartStrand is Smart Choice.

Today, an exciting development was announced that will have a huge impact on the residential carpet industry and gives Dupont and Mohawk well deserved bragging rights.

In a very rare decision by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (whose role is to protect America’s consumers) Mohawk and DuPont have been successful in changing the classification of PTT fiber (DuPont’s Sorona polymer which is used to make Mohawk SmartStrand) as Triexta instead of Polyester.

This means the FTC believes what DuPont and Mohawk have been saying for the past 41/2 years regarding the superior performance of this product. The FTC confirmed today in a unanimous decision that the performance aspects of PTT fibers is so much superior to PET (traditional polyester) that it deserves an entirely new classification.

Remember, the PET polymer is classified as Polyester. The new PTT polymer (also referred to by the proprietary term 3GT as designated by DuPont) is now classified as Triexta.

Welcome Triexta. Why is this important to you the home owner?

Image Courtesy of Mohawk

You will be hearing a lot about this new fiber in coming months and years and so should you. In fact, this is the biggest big news in the textile industry since 1959 when Nylon was classified as a fiber.

Tom Tape, Mohawk’s Residential Flooring Business President talked about the FTC decision in a 15 minute audio interview with Kemp Harr of the Floor Daily and summarized the following benefits of SmartStrand:

1. Fantastic softness. Mohawk constantly hears stories from retailers such as how a customer after feeling how soft the product sample is, puts it under their arm and carries it around the store!
2. Enhanced durability. It is far superior to Polyesters. In some cases, it is even comparable in performance to higher priced Nylon.
3. Permanent stain resistance. (That is why Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning has recommended it in the past to customers for kids and pets.)
4. Sustainability. 37% of the content of SmartStrand is derived from Corn. (Note: Not all Triexta has this bio component – Only Dupont’s Sorona which is used in Mohawk’s SmartStrand.)

Tom concludes by saying: “We are getting closer to finding the ideal fiber for carpets” and “since SmartStrand has been on the the market for almost 5 years, Mohawk feels it has stood the test of time.”

If you live in Calgary and are looking for new carpet options, Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning invites you to drop by Kensington Carpet One Floor & Home and “feel” the softness for yourself.

Teragren Signature Naturals

Bamboo is extremely strong, long-lasting and just plain exotic. Not only gorgeous to look at, it’s also one of the most green and environmentally friendly flooring products on the market today. If that isn’t enough, it also compares favorably to hardwood flooring in price.

Bamboo – the renewable resource

Because it is a natural, renewable resource, bamboo flooring is considered by many to be the logical flooring choice of the future. Categorized as a grass and not a tree, bamboo just might be the world’s most sustainable resource. It is the fastest growing grass and can you can actually watch it grow. Bamboo reaches maturity quickly and is ready for harvesting in about 4 t0 5 years. Bamboo does not need to be replanted after harvesting because its vast root system continually sprouts new shoots. Bamboo accomplishes all of this on it’s own, without the need for machinery, pesticides and fertilizers. Bamboo is also used to control soil erosion and control rain run off. It’s hard to think of anything negative things to say about this remarkable resource.

Processing bamboo for flooring

Though there are over a thousand different kinds of bamboo, not all are suitable for use in flooring. The Moso variety is a common choice for flooring. Once the Moso poles reach about a year in age (40–50 ft high), their main growth stops and they begin to mature. In years two and three, the bamboo hardens. Then, at year 4 to 5 the bamboo is ready to be harvested.

After harvesting, it is boiled in a processing solution to remove any sugars. The bamboo strips are then kiln dried to a specified moisture content,and then glued with low emission glues. After hardening it is ready to be sliced into planks and milled like hardwood flooring. Natural bamboo has a natural blond colour which brings out the bamboo’s beautiful light tones and colour variations. The darker toned carbonized bamboo is achieved by pressure cooking the bamboo which highlights the warm honey-like tones.  The benefit of course is that unlike a wood stain, the colour is present throughout  the entire bamboo plank.

Installing bamboo flooring

Bamboo flooring is installed just like hardwood tongue-and-groove flooring, either glued together or nailed down. It typically comes in 3-foot or 6-foot lengths.

Teragren Synergy Java

It is also available with or without the distinctive bamboo nodes visible in the grain. There are many options available depending on the manufacturer.

Most wood products are compared with oak and maple in terms of stability and durability. Northern red oak is usually the standard against which other hardwood floors are measured for stability. Stability refers to the natural contraction and expansion of a wood in different climates over time. Bamboo is 50% more stable than red oak.

Maintaining your new bamboo floor

Maintaining your new bamboo floor is easy. Keep bamboo free of dirt and dust by using a broom, dry mop or a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Use minimal water when cleaning and never use abrasive cleaners. Always follow the directions from the manufacturer of your bamboo flooring. Most non-abrasive hardwood cleaners are suitable for your bamboo floors, but again it always good to check with where your purchased the flooring.

Residential: Private residence, hallway. Flooring: Signature Colors Charcoal. ©2009 Teragren. All rights reserved.

Where to purchase bamboo flooring in Calgary

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning recommends Kensington Carpet One Floor & Home in Calgary for their beutiful selection of quality bamboo flooring by Teragren.

Not all bamboo flooring is alike. Unlike many bamboo suppliers, Teragren develops and manufactures all their own bamboo products. They directly control manufacturing—and product quality—from one source from harvest to distribution, guaranteed since 1994.

As posted on their website the Teragren difference includes:

• 11 manufacturing and quality-control checkpoints
• Advanced, state-of-the-art equipment that fortifies durability
• ISO 9001:2000 and 14001 certified factories
• Ability to install our flooring over radiant heat

For those concerned about Volatile Organic Gases (VOCs), please read about manufacturing adhesives on Teagren’s Website regarding different forms of formaldehyde found in adhesives and the  widely accepted benchmark  LEED® Green Building Rating System™ IEQ Credit 4.4: Low-Emitting Materials.

So when shopping for bamboo flooring in Calgary, Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning recommends you visit Kensington Carpet One Floor & Home and let one of their knowledgable consultants guide you through the various options for your home.

Mohawk Smartstrand Blanco

Looking for new carpet? I recommend you put SmartStrand on your short list for many reasons.

Mohawk SmartStrand was released in 2005 and is made with DuPont Sorona polymer.  You can find it at Kensington Carpet One Floor & Home.

Now technically speaking this is a polyester fiber. What? Polyester you say, have you last your mind? No, this not the same type of builder grade polyester that we have learned to hate which easily mats, crushes and scratches.

The polymer is made by DuPont in pellet and the fiber and carpets are produced by Mohawk. DuPont’s trademark for the chemical type is 3GT, but the structure is chemically identical to PTT polymer. Shell/PTT PolyCanada also manufactures PTT which Mohawk uses as well.

DuPont has been making polymers for decades. Think Kevlar and Stainmaster which have become household names. We now have them to thank for Sorona which is naturally stain resistant. That means the protection will never wash off or wear-off. You will never have to reapply carpet protector after cleaning. The Achilles heel of nylon carpets is that the chemical stain resist proprieties will diminish over time and with recommended cleanings. SmartStrand with Sorona does not have this problem. Mohawk and Dupont are so convinced that PTT is superior to PET that they have made an application to the American Trade Commision (FTC) to re-classify it under a new name.

OK, that’s fine but what about the poor floor performance of your typical polyester? Here is the great news; the performance of the PTT polymer so far has proved very good with superior resilience. It may even be as good as nylon in similar carpet construction. If this holds true, than say goodbye to the issues of traffic resilience of the PET polyester.

What about sustainability? PET polyesters are made from recycled pop bottles (and sometimes with new polymers) as so were considered environmentally responsible. DuPont have developed a process by which 37% of their Sorona polymer is made from corn sugar a renewable resource. That is why Dupont is refers to their Sorona polymer as 3GT instead of PTT.

It is also certified Green Label Plus by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for low VOCs and has no added topical chemicals.

Nylon has been the standard for durability for years – until the PTT and 3GT polymers which are significantly lower in price than nylon and Stainmaster nylon.

Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning Calgary feels that that SmartStrand is lives up to its name and is a smart choice for your home. Visit Kensington Carpet One Floor & Home in Calgary and see if its right for your home.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) explains:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

EPA’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.  Additional TEAM studies indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.

So now you know why Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning in Calgary has gone to great lengths to source out primary carpet cleaning products that are not only hypoallergenic but also contain NO VOCs. These products are IAQ Approved and Envirodesic Certified. Using IAQ Approved products is important in carpet cleaning, as the pre-spray or conditioner is atomized during application as well as during the cleaning extraction process. This has the potential to significantly and adversely affect the indoor air quality of you home or business.

Allow me to relate a brief experience I had to set the stage for this article:

A previous client of the business I used to work for, found me after I started Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning in Calgary. She gets her carpets cleaned once a year and since they are white, they require allot of work to get them looking good again. I explained the benefits of the safe, green and residue free cleaning that I offer. She replied that she couldn’t care less about all that, as long as the carpets are clean!

Well, after I finished, she was thrilled to see the carpets actually looked better than before when I cleaned them a year prior with harsher chemicals! She commented that she was glad her carpets were left in a safe natural state, with no residue as her grand children come over there to play. She appreciates the benefits of safe and green cleaning, but… it also needed to be clean.

Many people share her sentiments. They would like or even prefer safe and green carpet cleaning, but in the end, the carpet still has to be clean, period. Many people ask me, does green really clean?

Green Cleans, but…

The answer is yes, but…

Green cleans, but… it depends on the person doing the cleaning. Instead of letting powerful chemicals to do the work, a green carpet cleaner needs to understand the fundamentals of soil suspension and removal. He needs to know why and how the cleaning solutions in his arsenal work. He needs to understand the chemistry of carpet spots and stains to successfully remove them. At times a PH reading will be needed in order to determine the best remedy.

No Magic Bullet

Find the right products can also be a challenge. there is no magic bullet. Many companies that produce green carpet cleaning solutions are jumping on the green bandwagon by offering green alternatives, but sadly most do not meet my expectations. After testing a staggering amount of carpet cleaning solutions for my business, I found most to be lacking and a only few that work extremely well. However, the good news is, that there are some that can actually achieve better results than the non-green and lesser safe chemicals when used properly.

Buyer Beware

My conclusion is that we have reached a point where you don’t have to compromise by using safe and environmentally friendly cleaning alternatives, but you will have to search for them and find out for yourself what works for you. Ask around, try several, adjust your technique if necessary (many green options require extra dwell or waiting time to work effectively) and find what products work for you. Also, don’t assume green or eco-friendly means human safe or pet safe. Those are two different things. Buyer beware.