Eco-friendly Carpet Cleaners

Bi-O-Kleen

• Bi-O-Kleen has been producing and selling eco-friendly cleaning products for more than 13 years. The company's products have no harsh fumes, artificial colors or fragrances and are chlorine and phosphate-free. The Fiber Glow Powder and Liquid Concentrate works on natural and synthetic carpets and upholstery and removes tough carpet stains. The fast-drying product can be purchased as a liquid in 1-gallon or 5-gallon pails or as powder available in 7 or 50-lb. boxes.

Simple Green

• This company has a long history with producing environmentally friendly products. It got its start more than 30 years ago by developing a safer household and industrial cleaner. Simple Green carpet cleaner deodorizes as it deep-cleans. The cleaner safely removes stains from grease, coffee, wine, chocolate and most other stains from your carpet. It is biodegradable, nonallergenic and brightens your carpet without bleach. One added bonus of this product is its concentrated formula, which can be diluted for use in hot water steam carpet machines.

Xerion EncapSolution® Clean Pak

• This eco-friendly carpet cleaner has no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), is biodegradable and is suitable for both residential and commercial applications. Its crystals are formulated to remove dirt, grease, and grime from all types of carpets. It is designed to leave no residue on your carpet. The cleaner is available in buckets that contain 30 1-gallon clean paks. For spot cleaning, Xerion carries a product called Nock-It-Out, which is available in ready-to-use quarts or in gallon concentrate. Nock-It-Out removes stubborn spots without having to clean the entire carpet.

Natural Homemade Products

• For dirt, coffee stains or light-colored stains, mix equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture directly on the stain and let it remain on the stain for a few minutes. Soak a brush or sponge in a bowl of warm, soapy water and gently brush the stain back and forth. For cleaning entire carpet, add the vinegar mixture to the water in your steam carpet machine and apply to your carpet. For stubborn grease spots, sprinkle some cornstarch onto the stain. Wait for about half an hour and vacuum the spot.