You may have noticed that your carpet can get pretty smelly. To help combat this, people often add deodorizers to their carpets to freshen the air in their homes and remove the offensive odors. This can seem like a quick and easy fix, but these deodorizers often contain chemicals that can damage your carpet in several ways.
Components of powdered carpet deodorizers
There are several components used in powdered carpet deodorizers that can damage your carpet if not properly cleaned up. The most common ingredients include sodium perborate, ammonium nitrate, sodium borate, and silica aerogel. How each of these components affects your carpet depends on how much moisture is added to the formula when applied to your carpet; however, all can damage your carpeting if left on too long or without proper cleaning. (Ammonia-based products contain ammonia as well.) In some cases, they can also burn and discolour your carpet fibers. For example, sodium perborate will react with excess water under high heat (like during drying) to form hydrogen peroxide.
Although small amounts of hydrogen peroxide won’t harm the fibers of your carpet immediately, over time, it can oxidize existing stain molecules deeper into the fibers where a more powerful cleaner will be needed to restore them to their original colour. Most traditional professional cleaners have safe chemicals for removing both surface stains and other types of fugitive material deep down within your carpets’ fiber structure – but you’ll want to check with your cleaner before proceeding with any DIY experimentations!
Effects of Deodorizers on carpet
Some odor eliminators contain chlorine-containing chemicals that can leave a residue on your carpet. The residue is porous and difficult to remove, and it attracts more dirt. This leaves your carpet looking dull, dingy, or even stained. It may also attract dirt to your carpet due to its chemical odor. Most deodorizers are alcohol-based and cause some degree of discolouration as well, depending on how long they are left in contact with your carpet’s fibers.
Harmful effects of the deodorizers on human
The human body isn’t a fan of these deodorizing chemicals, so it makes sense that they can cause some problems. Since we aren’t sure what kind of residue is left behind on carpets after you clean with an odor remover, there’s potential for respiratory issues down the road. It also poses a problem if someone in your home has chemical sensitivities or asthma, as well as harmful effects for children and pets. Finally, these products are designed to kill bacteria—which means they’re effectively killing good bacteria. In doing so, they’re allowing mold and mildew to grow unchecked while creating an environment that encourages dust mites to survive and reproduce, creating a perfect storm of allergy-inducing substances in your carpeting.
Using aerosols
Many people use aerosol deodorizers to scent a room, but these products can damage carpets if they aren’t applied correctly. To ensure they don’t leave stains on your carpet, keep them away from furnishings and give carpets time to dry completely before sitting or walking on them.
Use non-abrasive deodorizers
While baking soda and similar products can be beneficial in your home, they also damage your carpeting. If you want to freshen up a room or get rid of some odors, switch over to an all-natural deodorizer that contains ingredients like baking powder and essential oils. When these substances come into contact with liquids, they produce odor-fighting gases—but because these gases don’t have any abrasive properties, they won’t wear down your carpet.
Keep your carpets feeling soft, smelling fresh and looking brand new by calling Lakeshore Cleaning & Restoration today at (905) 465-2337
Lakeshore also offers Commercial Carpet Cleaning for businesses and home offices.
