A wide variety of different solutions are used to clean carpets and upholstery, frequently with little regard for the risks to the user, the occupants of the cleaned building and those affected by the waste materials accumulating in the drains and waterways leading, ultimately, back to our drinking water sources.

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.   One company that has made great efforts and consider-able progress in the develop-ment and supply of safe yet effective cleaning agents is Chemspec.  After nearly 40 years of leading the way with innovative fabric cleaning solutions, Chemspec is putting increasing emphasis on creating a detergent free range of products that will clean thoroughly without harmful side effects that leave further health and environmental problems in their wake.

For many years the main approach to carpet cleaning has been to pre-spray with a powerful cleaning agent and then extract the soiling, and the pre-spray, with an extraction solution, some residues of which, inevitably, are left in the fibres. Surfactants have typically been included in such cleaning products, as they appear to make cleaning easier by allowing deeper penetration of surfaces by cleaning agents. The reality is that surfactants can actually make the cleaning task harder as, over time, surfactant residues often build up on the surface, can be very difficult to remove and can cause re-soiling and discoloration.

Recent research has shown that surfactant residues actually assist the growth of bacteria on surfaces and create serious air quality problems for hypersensitive individuals.
Chemspec’s Detergent Free range includes DFC 210 Powdered Pre-Spray, the unique formulation of which turns soils and surfactant residues into free rinsing soaps and is ideal for use on all natural and synthetic carpets and upholstery that is suitable for wet cleaning. Subsequent extraction rinsing with DFC 105 Carpet Cleaner/Rinse continues with this neutralisation of both alkali and acid residues and leaves carpets and upholstery clean.

DFC Carpet/Cleaner Rinse 105 may be used in low moisture cleaning systems, portable, self-contained and truck mount extraction equipment, and as a pre-spray where the greater cleaning power of a specific pre-spray is not needed. This Detergent Free Cleaning technology uses ingredients that are listed by the US FDA as ‘fit for human consumption’.  It uses blends of ingredients that the human body consumes and produces every day with no synthetic additives whatsoever.  Not only does the DFC range introduce no new toxins but also it actually begins the process of removing those toxin residues left by other cleaning products.

Chemspec Europe has DFC products for a wide range of cleaning tasks. Full accreditation, training and documentation are all available to assist the responsible user to make our world a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for us all.