The next VDTA/SDTA Convention & Show will be in
New Orleans, LA
February 27 - 29, 2012
at the Ernest Morial Convention Center

Good Morning America promotes Green Carpet Cleaning . . . BUT!
Show gets it wrong when it comes to ingredients in dry carpet cleaning

“The truth is that the leading carpet cleaning systems do not contain perchloroethylene (perc),” said Lew Migliore a noted carpet performance troubleshooter based in Dalton, GA.

Migliore’s clarification was in reaction to industry concerns arising from the May 19, 2008, segment, on Good Morning America, in which viewers were encouraged to look for carpet cleaning products that are green. The reporter touted green products as a means for people to protect themselves from potentially dangerous cleaning chemicals, including perchloroethylene (perc), a chlorinated hydrocarbon, that can be found in some carpet cleaning products. 

“It is fantastic to see media profile and promote the benefits of carpet and of course that of clean carpet to consumers,” said Fritz Rench, CEO of Racine Industries. “What was troubling to us though was that the lead into the story inferred that dry carpet cleaning systems contain harmful chemicals. Simply put, they do not contain any harmful chemicals.”

Dry Extraction & Steam Extraction Systems Make Green Claims
The host of the morning show recommended that individuals avoid the risk of exposure to perc via using hot water extraction (“steam”) to clean carpets. However, he excluded the option of using a green-certified dry carpet cleaner such as HOST® Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaner, made by Racine Industries, Inc. The other leading brand of dry carpet cleaner is Capture®, manufactured by Millicare a unit of Milliken & Company, Spartanburg, SC, a major carpet producer. While the program segment suggested avoiding potentially dangerous chemicals by cleaning carpets with “steam,” Racine Industries, Inc. offers an even greener alternative: non-toxic dry carpet cleaning that also conserves water.

Green AND Effective
“Since 1956, Racine Industries has been manufacturing the innovative HOST Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System, which is used by professionals and consumers in commercial, institutional and residential carpet cleaning in 60 countries,” said Rench. “From the very beginnings of this 50-year enterprise, we have made, and continue to make it a priority to create and offer carpet cleaning products and services that are organic and completely safe for both the environment and the user, without the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as perc.”

HOST Dry Carpet Cleaner is both Green Seal® Certified and tested as biobased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also carries WoolSafe Approval, and HOST contributes to fulfilling credits in the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®.

Immediately Put Carpet Back to Work
Because they are low-moisture carpet cleaning methods, the HOST and Capture systems allow carpets to be used immediately after cleaning -- no drying time is necessary. They have been shown to prolong carpet life and are safe for all carpets, including stain resistant and wool carpeting.

In addition, using products such as HOST can save the environment. Dry carpet cleaning means exactly what it says -- there is little “wetness” in the process. In fact, if just 10 average homeowners used a dry extraction system of carpet cleaning such as HOST (which controls the moisture) instead of the typical hot water extraction cleaner (“steam”) to clean their carpet, 500 gallons of water could be saved, 50 gallons per household. Further, the HOST System offers an example of a carpet cleaner that is environmentally preferred for a number of other reasons. There’s no need for HOST users to be concerned about the use and disposal of this natural product.

In addition to being non-toxic, the HOST System has the following green benefits:

• Conserves water
• Reduces mold and mildew growth
• Made from renewable resources
• Reduces allergens such as cat dander and dust mites
• Can be composted
• Does not burden water treatment facilities with wastewater

For more information about the HOST System or safety about the product, call Deborah Lema, green team leader, Racine Industries, 1-800-558-9439 or visit www.hostdry.com.

Founded in 1935, as the Rench Manufacturing Company, Racine Industries Inc. is known for its innovative dry extraction carpet cleaning system, which is used in commercial, institutional and residential carpet cleaning in 60 countries worldwide. Racine Industries is headquartered in Racine, WI. v

About Lew Migliore

For over 37 years Migliore, LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services, has been the expert in all aspects of floor covering. He can be reached at 1-706-370-5888 or lgmtcs@optilink.us.

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, August 2008