LadyBug Carpet Care

The HOST© system was the only carpet cleaning system that received the USDA Biobased Certification because it requires no special disposal and can be composted in a garden. Bio-based products are beneficial because they are renewable resources in place of petroleum-based products.

"What is a Bio-based product? Bio-based industrial products are produced from renewable plant and animal sources and are generally presumed to be more environmentally friendly than their petroleum based counterparts. They are usually biodegradable and can be returned to the earth at the end of their useful life or recycled and used again. Basically, being made from a bio-based resource means that the resource is renewable. A nonrenewable resource is one that when used up, is gone and that's it. A renewable resource is one that can be replenished and, therefore is a better environmental choice. Bio-based products are generally better for the environment to produce and use.

The USDA was required by the Farm Bill to designate items made from Bio-based products for our government's procurement preference. This designation program is called the Federal Biobased Preferred Procurement Program (FB4P). In order to fit into the FB4P program, a product must:

* Be commercially available at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time.

* Have performance data and MSDA supplied.

* Be tested for Biobased content by the USDA or a recognized third party using the same test method.

* Meet minimum Bio-based content requirements as defined by the designated item/category description.

* Have determined its environmental and public health benefits and life cycle costs.

Environmental scores summarize cradle to grave performance with respect to global warming, acidification, eutrophication, fossil fuel depletion, indoor air quality, habitat alteration, ozone depletion, smog, human toxicity, ecological toxicity; criteria air pollutants and water intake. Economic performance scores summarize performance with respect to fist costs and discounted future costs. These scores, determined by the analysis, help differentiate products in purchasing decisions.

As part of the USDA's efforts to expand its Bio-based Item categories and include carpet cleaning products, HOST© has completed all the necessary testing and prerequisites-requisites. When 'carpet' cleaners are officially admitted to the Federal Register as an Item, HOST© will be on the list that federal purchasers must, by law, consider in preference to other products." Geoff Greeley. Racine Industries. Bulletin, August, 2006.

Using Host© saves water, The HOST© system deep cleans carpets with 97% less water than typical water extractors (steam cleaning) and actual water saving in any building using HOST© is 100%.

Ex. In wet (steam) extractor cleaning a 15,000 sq. ft. building, the amount of water used is 750 gallons.

Another example, if 10 homeowners, with a medium size carpet cleaning job, used the dry extraction system they would save approximately 500 gallons of water, and using the dry cleaning system does not burden water treatment facilities with waste-water.

"Many environmental organizations recognize that it takes quite a bit of energy to heat water extraction methods. In an effort to lower costs and energy use, such organizations are supporting cleaning systems that do not use water".

With Host© there is:

NO water to heat

NO need for air conditioners to dry carpet

NO need to use blowers

NO need for dehumidifiers to remove moisture

The HOST© system does not leave carpets wet with waste-water that can leave a breeding environment for molds, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and odors. Host removes dander, mold spores, mite allergens while cleaning.

DID You Know? Products or equipment that advertise they remove dust mites and mold from the environment are under the jurisdiction of the EPA and must be made in an EPA registered facility. HOST© machines are manufactured in an EPA registered facility, EPA Establishment Number 074202-WI-001

HOST© does not contribute to mold in carpet. Here's why: "Biological organisms like mold, fungi, mildew, and dust mites, require two things to grow. One is an organic food source and the second is moisture. Water content in the food source is essential, and it has to be present in considerable amounts. The few HOST© SPONGES that remain in a carpet after HOST© cleaning are too dry to support biological growth. Mold spores cannot use HOST© Sponges for food because the dry HOST© SPONGES have so little moisture. They are as dry as crackers, which have less than 5% moisture content. Bread will mold because it has a high moisture content. Crackers do not grow mold, because they are too dry.

All organic material, and this includes most building materials, such as wallboard, ceiling tiles, furnishing and wall coverings, can be a potential food source for mold spores or other biological organisms. However, no mold will grow on any of these materials unless they have become wet. Mold spores require a food to have 85% moisture. In fact, the great majority of mold outbreaks inside buildings occur where porous, cellulose-type materials have been kept wet by liquid water, or sustained condensation. Bacteria require a food material to have over 90% moisture. Most bacteria growth is found in standing water, such as that found in humidifiers, air-conditioners, or water storage tanks. Even if humidity in a building is over 85%, dry Host Sponges will remain dry. This is because the sponges are porous, have many open cavities, and humidity is quickly evaporated from these surfaces.

What about dust mites? These tiny critters cannot use dry Host sponges for food. That is because dust mites can eat only animal dander, which is protein, and Host sponges are not a protein." Judy Bates, Chief Chemists; Lecturer in Chemistry, Department of Natural Sciences, Milwaukee Technical College

Cleaning and proper maintenance (including vacuuming regularly) of carpet can keep carpeting looking fresh, clean, and presentable past its life expectancy also benefits our environment. Did you know that discarded carpet remnants, that are dumped into the American landfills add up to 10 million pounds per day? Paul Hawken, Lovins and Lovins, Natural Capitalism, 1999.

As of 1999, 95% of carpeting was petrochemical-based which out-gases in homes/businesses. When dumped into the landfill, the carpet rots, out-gases and is toxic to the environment for years. As the carpet industry moves toward responsible environmental consciousness, consumers can help to slow down the largest amount of trash (carpet) in the landfills by proper cleaning and maintenance.

The HOST® System of applying HOST© Dry Extraction Cleaner to the carpet, brushing it through the carpet and then vacuuming up the HOST© Dry Extraction Cleaner removes dirt and reduces allergens. Research studies have shown that one cleaning with the HOST© System using HOST© Machines reduces Dust mites by 78%, Dust Mite Allergen by 75%, Cat Allergen by 85%, and Mold Spores by 85%.

Additional tests with the HOST© Liberator & HOST© Freestyle extractorVAC machines used with the HOST© Dry Extraction Cleaner show even greater allergen extraction from the carpet with one cleaning: Mold Spores by 97% & Dust Mite Allergen by 89%

For Host chemical makeup: In accordance with Consumer Products Safety Commission and Federal Hazardous Substances Act regulations, HOST© is not an eye irritant nor a primary skin irritant and is nontoxic by oral ingestion or by inhalation. HOST© is not a WHMIS Control Product. Host leaves no dyes, contains no heavy metals, does not become airborne and has low VOC's.

The US Green Building Council's LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System "is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings."The HOST© system may contribute to earning:

Energy and Atmosphere credits (up to 2 credits) by optimizing energy performance and by sustaining building operations and maintenance through proper staff education.

Materials and Resources credits (up to 4 credits) by optimizing the use of IAQ compliant products and by implementing the use of sustainable cleaning products and materials.

Indoor Environmental Quality credits (up to 3 credits) by optimizing practices that prevent the development of IEQ problems, by including green cleaning of entryways and by the use of cleaning products with a low environmental impact.

"Host Dry Carpet Cleaner is also approved by the Florida School Plant Managers Association (FSPMA) for carpet cleaning products based on performance, safety, and environmental criteria."

"The WoolSafe Organization is an international certifying body focused on carpet cleaning and maintenance products for wool and wool blend carpets. Its purpose is to indicate that products have been tested and approved as being suitable for these carpets. Products are tested on a range of characteristics in two categories, defensive tests, and performance tests. WoolSafe Approved means that the product is effective, has low re-soiling characteristics, is low in alkalinity, has no bleaching agents, no optical brighteners, is nonflammable, nonhazardous, environmentally responsible and has clear and concise use of directions".

Among the inevitable things in life is the fact that all carpets will get dirty over time. Carpets and rugs, of course, take a lot of abuse from rambunctious children and pets, dinner guests who spill, people who refuse to wipe their feet before entering, and fine dust, dander, mites filters down below the carpeting due to poorly functioning vacuums–the list goes on and on. So it is also inevitable that carpets have to be cleaned somehow, at some point. Like other cleaners, carpet cleaners may contain toxic ingredients, some of which are not listed on labels because they are considered "proprietary" or "trade secrets".

Some carpet cleaners (especially spot removers) can be particularly dangerous, because they contain chemical solvents similar to those used by dry cleaners. These chemicals dissolve dirt without soap and water, but give off strong odors. Other potentially problematic ingredients in carpet cleaners include other compounds that produce lots of fumes (like formaldehyde), acids, pesticides, disinfectants, lye (sodium hydroxide), fragrances and many others.

Fabric and carpet stain repellents or "guards" may contain plastics and other potentially dangerous ingredients. The key ingredient in 3M’s popular Scotchguard® line of products, perfluoro-octane sulfonate (PFOS), was once portrayed as chemically inert, but recent research shows that it is a persistent organic pollutant (POP). PFOS, a suspected hormone disrupter, accumulates in the environment and the tissue of animals and humans. Despite sample evidence of PFOS's persistence, 3M kept it on the market for 40 years. In spring 2000, 3M announced it would phase out PFOS products by the year 2002. The safety of another perfluorinated compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the main ingredient in Teflon®, which is used to coat non-stick pans and in fabric protectors, is currently under investigation. We do not recommended or use protectants.

During application and while drying, the chemicals in carpet cleaners and protectors evaporate and may concentrate in the air, causing indoor air pollution. (Because homes are built more tightly to save energy, polluted air is trapped in homes making it unhealthier. Heavier chemical molecules will settle down where children, pets, and sleeping areas are.) This is more likely if the room is not well ventilated, the weather is hot and humid or the room is damp. Indoor air pollution can cause headaches, irritation to eyes, nose and lungs, asthma attacks, congestion, sneezing, coughing, fatigue, nausea and other symptoms.

Long-term exposures to chemicals may increase the risks for chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, depending on the chemicals involved. See the tragic news about John Travolta's son's experience and possible link to carpet cleaning. (See more info below.) Shampoos usually leave a sticky residue on carpet fibers. The residue is usually hard to see or feel, though it can make carpets feel rougher and you may be able to smell it. Not only does the residue attract and latch onto dirt, but children or pets, who crawl and play on carpets, can inhale these residues and/or get them on their hands or pads.

Carpet Dry shampoos, powders and foams may also linger on carpet fibers. These products generally contain solvents and detergents that must be applied for a specific period of time, then vacuumed to remove the cleaning product. A residue may be left behind or the product may sink deep enough into carpets to avoid being pulled out by the vacuum cleaner. Powders or dusts are easily inhaled and may irritate airways and cause asthma attacks-- especially with infants, small children and pets. In fact, anti-dust-mite carpet treatments sometimes contain tannic acid or benzyl benzoate, both of which are skin, eye and respiratory irritants. Deodorizing powders often contain fragrances that irritate asthmatic lungs as well. Our green certifide Host method does not contain any solvents or detergents that are toxic to infants or animals; as well as, Host does not become airborne as other shampoos, powders and foams do when they are dry.

Dangerous Chemicals Found in Some Carpet Cleaners

Solvents

Butoxyethanol and other glycol ethers

Tetrachloroethylene

Perchloroethylene

Acids and Corrosive Chemicals

Hydroxyacetic acid

Hydrofluoric acid

Nitrilotriacetic acid

Sodium hydroxide

Sodium carbonate

Mildewcides and Disinfectants

Tributyl tin

Formaldehyde

Phenol

Other Chemicals

Butane, propane and isobutanes (aerosol propellants)

Dibutyl phthalate

Nonylphenol ethoxylate (surfactant)

Octylphenol ethoxylate (surfactant)

You can find out if a carpet cleaning product you use or are considering contains any of these ingredients on the Household Products Database (LINK), produced by the National Institutes of Health. You can also search by ingredient.

Another issue related to carpet cleaning is the potential for mold growth in carpets that do not dry quickly enough. Steam cleaning carpets can thoroughly dampen the carpet AND the pad underneath. In humid or poorly ventilated spaces, a steam-cleaned carpet is an invitation for mold spores to sprout. Once mold begins to grow in a carpet or its pad, it's impossible to remove adequately. The spores and particles will be embedded and will thwart any removal process unfortunately. Even when mold is not actively growing, mold particles and spores can cause health problems, such as fatigue, headaches, allergy symptoms, asthma attacks and other breathing problems.

Is Kawasaki disease a possible link to carpet cleaning chemicals???

Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston died of seizure. The media links his illness to Kawasaki Disease and carpet cleaning. KD causes are still unknown, but chemicals are one of the main suspects. In some cases, it was found that carpets in the home of a sick child had been fairly recently spotted or cleaned (usually by the home owner). Other research has shown NO correlation between carpet cleaning and KD. For instance, in Japan, where the disease was first named and where the majority of cases have been, the cases involved homes with no carpeting. Homes that did have carpet were also studied, and again showed no correlation; so at this time the is no cause-and-effect relationship that has been determined between carpet cleaning and KD.

Current theories about what causes KD include:

KD may be caused by a unique bacterial toxin

KD may have a water-borne component, as cases have been associated with not just carpet cleaning, but with using humidifiers, flooding, and being located near bodies of water.

KD may be associated with dust mites

KD may be triggered in individuals who have a genetic predisposition to it, possibly relating to an immune system disorder.

Some people, especially those with young children, may hesitate to get their carpets cleaned; however, it is also important to keep a healthy indoor environment.