COUR D’ALENE, IDAHO—Two cleaning agents recently introduced by U.S. Products as part of their new Professional Series line of cleaning chemicals for carpet, upholstery, and hard-surface floors have been green certified by multiple environmental eco-labeling programs.
The two products are:
• Environmental Carpet Cleaner/Rinse (ECC), for both portable- and truck-mount-extractor use, helps turn soils and residue into free-rinsing soaps for easy removal and has been certified by EcoLogo and Envirodesic.
• Environmental Heavy Duty Degreaser, a multiuse cleaner/degreaser for both portable- and truck-mount-extractor use, dissolves heavy soils for removal and has been certified by both EcoLogo and Envirodesic.
According to Nick Wiebe, marketing manager for U.S. Products, both of these products are detergent-free chemicals, which is one reason they are environmentally friendly and have been green certified.
Studies by the University of Massachusetts at Lowell report that detergent-free cleaning chemicals are safer to use, both for the user and the environment, because they have no volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Still, they have proved to be effective cleaning agents.
The university also refers to detergent-free chemicals as “a truly sustainable technology” because they are made from renewable sources. Conventional cleaning chemicals are typically not made from renewable sources and often contain surfactants as their main cleaning component. Studies indicate that surfactants may be toxic to the environment, especially to aquatic life if they enter local waterways. They can also enter the food chain, threatening the health of human beings.
“We are working to make carpet cleaning both greener and easier for carpet cleaning technicians,” Wiebe says. “Both of these products are a big step in that direction.”
Go to U.S. Products.
