When cleaning your carpet you certainly don’t want to add any chemicals that could make things worse. For many people, fragrance (especially artificial fragrance) and some harsh ingredients could make things worse than before you cleaned your carpet.
The list covers products with the most simple and effective ingredients that you can use on home machines or professional machines. One product is even soap-free and uses ionized water to clean the carpet.
Always follow the instructions given by the company that sells the carpet, especially when it comes to wool carpet, as most products are not wool-safe apart from some spot-cleaning products. For a full clean of wool carpet, professional cleaning is required.
This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
1. AFM Safechoice Carpet Shampoo
AFM SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo is a non-toxic, fragrance-free, rug and carpet shampoo that acts as both a strong cleaner and odor remover for new or existing synthetic carpets. It can even remove topical treatments that have been added by the manufacturer.
You can use SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo alone or as part of AFM’s Comprehensive 3-Part Carpet Shampoo and Sealing System, to seal in VOCs.
It’s generally safe for everyone, including the chemically sensitive. This is the top pick for chemically sensitive folks (though you do have to test it for your own tolerance).
Ingredients: Water, Non-ionic plant surfactant, Water softener, White oleic acid, Monoethanolamine, and Sodium percarbonate. It is O-VOC and biodegradable.
It contains no harmful chemicals like ammonia, butyl ethers, alcohols, phosphates, caustics, or acids; and it won’t irritate hands or skin.
Alert: This product is not recommended for wool carpet. Always spot-test first on your synthetic carpet or rug.
Application: Prior to application, vacuum the carpet thoroughly. Apply it using a hand-held pump sprayer. Using the applicable dilution rate specified in their instructions, spray the carpet evenly, saturating the surface. Allow the shampoo ten minutes to fully penetrate. Then extract the shampoo with very clean, very hot water. By extracting with only clean, hot water the carpet is not only cleaned more effectively but the removal of residue from prior cleanings is accomplished. While the foregoing procedure yields the best results, SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo can also be added to any shampooing or carpet cleaning machine.
Where to buy: Green Design Center or Amazon
2. Biokleen Natural Carpet & Rug Shampoo
Biokleen Natural Carpet & Rug Shampoo is a concentrate that uses plant-derived cleaning agents to break up stains and eliminate odors on carpets, rugs, and fabrics.
The Carpet & Rug Shampoo is safe for use around pets. It eliminates dog or cat stains and stubborn odors like urine. It’s Safe on all washable fibers. They say it’s safe for wool carpets and rugs. Test all textiles for color fastness.
I’ve used their dishwashing soap which is fantastic and I know many chemically sensitive folks who like this brand.
Ingredients: Water (filtered), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (plant-based surfactant), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (plant-based surfactant), Lauramine Oxide (plant-based surfactant), Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Glycerin (vegetable), Sodium Chloride, C10-16 Alkyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Sodium Carboxymethyl Inulin (plant-based chelant), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, C10-16 Alcohols (plant-based).
It’s not fragrance-free, it has a citrus scent. It’s biodegradable.
They use no phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, brighteners, or artificial colors and fragrances.
Application: You can use it in home, rental, or professional carpet cleaners. With home rental machines: Vacuum the affected area and pre-treat tougher stains (you can also consider using Bac-Out Stain and Odor Remover for a little extra help). Add 2-4 full caps of solution to each gallon of water. Clean according to the machine’s user guide. With commercial extractors: Vacuum the affected area and pre-treat tougher stains. Add 2-4 full cups of solution for every 5-gallon stock tank. Dilute at 100 gallons through the wand. With Commercial Portables: Vacuum the affected area and pre-treat tougher stains. Use 2 full caps of solution for every 5 gallons of water. Neutral PH. No Rinse is needed.
Where to buy: Amazon
3. Earthworn Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
This is a leave-on enzyme-based cleaner that works on carpets, curtains, pillows & pillow cases, mattresses, and most colorfast materials.
Earthworm Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner uses a naturally occurring process to break down organic materials. It penetrates upholstery fabric and carpet fibers to loosen and break down embedded dirt, food stains, pet waste, and most other organic materials.
I’ve used their pet odor spray for quite a while and I have been very happy with it.
They say it can be used on wool carpet.
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Caprylyl Sulfonate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Active Microbe Cultures, C9-11 Pareth-6, Citric Acid, Sodium Sulfate, Dipropylene Glycol.
It’s fragrance-free and dye-free.
Application: Shake well before using. Always test any carpet or fabric for color fastness. Vacuum area to be cleaned and remove any loose dirt. Spray the area until damp. Allow 5 to 8 minutes for the enzyme to work. Blot the area with clean, absorbent cloth or sponge to remove stain. Remaining enzymes will continue to work well after initial application.
Where to buy: Amazon
4. Zerorez No Soap Carpet Cleaner
Another interesting product that may be of interest to the chemically sensitive is the Zerorez chemical-free carpet cleaner. This is a professional service that just uses ionized water as the main product to clean carpet.
I’ve heard from clients who are happy with it. There is an optional pre-treatment spray that you may want to ask about and test out first if you are chemically sensitive.
5. Spot Cleaner for Wool
If you want to do a full clean of your wool carpets you will need a professional cleaner and make sure they are using a cleaner designed for wool.
If you need to remove a stain, check with the company that makes your wool carpet for a list of household products that can be used on each type of stain.
Nature’s Carpet (one of the best wool carpets you can read about here) recommends this Carpet Details Spot Cleaner for their wool carpets.
It’s comprised of all-natural minerals, there are no dyes, no ammonia, no solvents, and no fragrances. It works instantly on all spots and stains (except some set in man-made red dye). It’s 100% odorless, VOC-free, and non-toxic.
I
Application: Mix the powder into water in the spray bottle. Pour the solution directly on the spot, or spray on with a sprayer. Agitate with your fingertips or another method. Let stand for about 1 minute. Wipe, or blot off with a clean towel.
Repeat if necessary.
Where to buy: Green Design Center
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Join the top Substack on healing from MCS and mold!
Nayeli
I’ve been trying to switch all my cleaning products to chemical-free options.
Jen
Hi Corinne!
We have an old carpet (approx 25 years ) which is in a house that has been moldy.
However, This carpet is in an upstairs area, mostly closed off from the other parts of the house. And it is also a bit away from the parts of the house that have been affected by moisture and water. However, It does share the HVAC, so I know there has been contamination.
I have tested the carpet and dust with microbalance testing plates, and it surprisingly comes back as low-ish/low-medium levels. So I’m hoping a good steam clean can help this carpet out for the time being since removing it at this time is difficult and we are hoping to move w/in a year.
In general, Are there any concerns around carpet cleaning / steam cleaning and it leaving too much moisture and not drying completely and causing more or new mold issues? This is a very low pile/ basic/cheap carpet , no plush.
I recall having a carpet cleaned one time many years ago, and the machine must not have soaked up enough moisture and/or people didn’t air out the place enough and it left the carpet moist for what seemed like a long time. This was before I was aware of my severe mold sensitivity and all the issues with mold and moisture that can happen so easily.
We are currently in FL so we have to be extra careful that things dry fully and quickly. The last thing I want is cause a new mold issue since it seems this is one area that has not been AS affected by the mold in the house. (We are remediating and doing all kids of things elsewhere).
Would you suggest it’s ideal to have a professional, reputable company do the cleaning using their machines and I can ask them to use my suggested natural products? I’m thinking maybe those commercial machines are more effective at sucking up the water/moisture so it dries quicker? I found an “eco-friendly” steam cleaning service, but have not inquired yet.
Or is this no different than us renting a commercial machine from Home Depot and doing it ourselves. ? I’m terrified to cause any additional mold issues in this house, however, I know it would be helpful for my health if this carpet was cleaned of allergens and if some of the mold could be reduced, as this is my only safe place, for now.
It’s still not too hot yet so we can open windows and run the AC w/ dehumidifier to dry it out as quickly as possible.
Any of these products you mentioned above that you think might be ideal for these purposes?
Thank you so very much!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t know the official mold remediation guidelines as I am not a mold remediation specialist but in general the carpet and padding needs to dry in 24 hours to be safe. You would also need the RH to be below 80% at 24 hours.
Jen
Thank you!!
Yannick
I am trying to get carpet in a new rental cleaned.
I have contacted carpet cleaning companies. They agree to use a fragrance-free carpet cleaner. But fragranced carpet shampoo has been used in the machine on previous jobs.
Renting a carpet cleaning machine has the same issue (previous users used fragranced products).
The fragranced products leave residue inside the machines…which cannot be removed.
How does one deal with this?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes depends on how sensitive you are to that, might have to buy a new one.
Sarah
Hello, Corrinne! (I moved this question from a fb comment- over here- as I saw your request to ask questions below the related blog post.) A few months ago, my elderly dad moved into an apartment. We requested that the carpet not be replaced and that it be steam cleaned without chemical additives or fragrance. Well, they didn’t replace it (yay!), but now it wreaks of fragrance and the odor has not subsided one bit- even with good air flow and baking soda application that we let sit for days, then vacuumed up. I can’t visit him as I immediately get ill and I know that the off gassing is affecting his recovery from a recent health event as well. Would the AFM SafeCoat Carpet Shampoo- from this blog- be the next best move to help pull out the toxic chemicals and fragrance from the recent cleaning? Gratefully, Sarah
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes that would be the next step, also see the article called how to offgas new carpet. with fragrance and synthetic fibers it’s possible you don’t remove it completely.
Sarah
Thanks so much for your reply, Corrine! In the other blog post you recommended (“How to Get Rid of New Carpet Smell/ Off-gassing”), you shared the following…
For Fragrance:
“If the problem is one of fragrance and not new carpet, you can use the EnviroKlenze Everyday Odor Eliminator instead. Directly apply the product to the carpet, then use the carpet cleaning machine to extract it from the carpet. This allows for better and longer contact time between the fragrance and the product compared to adding it to the carpet cleaning machine.”
It looks like EnviroKlenze no longer carries the product you mentioned, but they have a product called “Carpet Deodorizer.” Do you or any of your clients have experience with this product or do you still recommend working with the AFM Safecoat Carpet Shampoo as the first step to get the fragrance from the February carpet cleaning out?
Gratefully, Sarah
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Yeah I would shampoo first, i havent used the powder carpet deoderizer, the other product was a liquid. Though it is made of the same ingredients so may work just as well. the problems i have had with enviroklenze is that the smell can come back.
Sarah
Thank you for your reply & for sharing your experience with EnviroKlenze!