After an extensive twelve month trial, [Sparkle Carpet Cleaners](http://www.sparklecarpetcleaners.co.uk) have moved over to exclusively to detergent free, green cleaning solutions. Sparkle, based in Coleshill, Warwickshire, have been providing professional carpet, upholstery and soft furnishing cleaning since 1989.
The company said A few years ago, cleaning solution chemistry was not only basic but quite frightening. Many products had harsh, even dangerous additives and were prone to damaging carpet and upholstery fibres. There was a danger to health over time to not only customers but more so to staff regularly using these products.
Increased environmental awareness has made far sighted companies develop more green type products. In the past, green products were often less effective than traditional ones. Many people still preferred strong chemicals as they gave a quicker result, despite the health risks.
The last few years have seen a large swing towards green cleaning technology. Research and development has produced products that are far more effective than their predecessors. Results that in the past, could only be achieved by using strong chemicals are now commonplace using mild solutions.
The latest technology involves the use of nanoparticles (not to be confused with the tiny plastic beads that are causing pollution issues). Although fairly new, they were discovered in the early 1800s and their origins can be traced back to ceramic technology in 4th Century Rome.
These nanoparticles are contained in a water solution that is sprayed on to the carpets or upholstery. The nano particles in the carpet and upholstery solution measure about a millionth of a metre across.
Held in solution, they are magnetically charged (all the same polarity) so repel each other. This is called colloidal action. Imagine millions of particles bouncing around breaking down dirt, grease and bacteria as it touches them. They also break down shampoo from previous carpet cleaning work.
After a few minutes of contact, the broken down dirt , bacteria etc. is ready to be flushed out with just fresh water. This prevents one of the major perceived carpet cleaning problems, namely getting dirty quickly after cleaning. That is caused by a sticky residue of cleaning chemicals being left in the carpet attracting dirt like an upturned flypaper. Fresh water flushing removes all of this residue. Carpets and upholstery cleaned with these new green products appear to stay clean for much longer.
