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I’m Siel, an environmental writer and activist who lives in West Hollywood, Calif. I’m BlogHer's Green Section Editor, and I write green LA girl. a p...
 
 
 
 

Carpet cleaning, eco-DIY style

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To reuse is better than to recycle, which is why I decided to deep clean my existing carpet over buying new eco-friendly carpet -- though I put off that decision, aka actually cleaning the carpet, for longer than I'd like to admit....

But over the long weekend, I finally got to it!

Step 1. Get SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo by AFM Safecoat for $11.80 at Livingreen in Culver City. This non-toxic biodegradable cleaner is free of ammonia, phosphates, and dyes.

Step 2. Rent a carpet cleaner at Home Depot. A full-day rental cost me $24, though you can save a few more bucks by renting it for as little as 4 hours. The guy who signed it out to me gave me very detailed instructions on how to use it properly too.

I brought both home and got to work. While the process took some time and energy, it was kind of cool -- and kind of gross -- seeing how much dirt the carpet cleaner pulled up! Both the shampoo and the cleaner worked amazingly. And because the eco-shampoo's odorless, I didn't have to deal with any noxious fumes or worry about giving the carpet lots of time to air out.

A good chunk of my Sunday was spent just admiring my nice clean carpet. I've even instituted a no-shoes policy, though that's unlikely to last....

Related links:
>> Don't have the energy to eco-clean your carpet yourself? Hire a green cleaner to do it for you:
-- Here's my roundup of green carpet cleaners in L.A.
-- wildcatsthree at Live Well -- Naturally recommends Las Vegas House Cleaners.

>> At Blissfully Domestic, retrohousewife points out that taking off the shoes will "keep a lot of dirt, bacteria and allergens out of your home."

Bottom photo via homedepotrents.com
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BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.

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randi5001 5 pts

its always important to keep your house clean specially the carpets and there are many newer techniques by Austin carpet cleaning which helps keep your family safe with a cleaner home http://www.austintxcarpetcleaning.net

citizengoat 5 pts

Hi, Green LA Girl. Thanks so much for this post. I've been looking for an alternative to the toxic cleaners you can get at Safeway or have come to your house. I want to clean my carpets myself for less and without the yucky chemicals. You showed me the way!

Sarah

On a Ledge (http://wprogressivekid.wordpress.com)

ProgressiveKid (http://progressivekid.com)

greenlagirl 5 pts

Thanks for weighing in, BMcKenzie. I did want to just point out one exception to the reuse rule: old energy suckers, i.e. refrigerators more than 10 years old -- or that standard lightbulb. In those cases, getting a new, energy-efficient alternative is better for the planet :)

green LA girl ( http://greenlagirl.com )

BMcKenzie 5 pts

Thank you so much for inserting reuse into the discussion regarding eco-consciousness. For so many of us, green tends to still include buying new. And, as you say, reuse almost always trumps recycling. For instance, a new desktop computer requires over 100 tons of raw materials in its manufacture. 100 tons! To reuse your computer even one year is equivalent to taking a car off the road for six months. 

So--everyone have a wonderful holiday time--and reuse, share, build, craft, discover what already exists, whenever possible