When it comes to managing our households, we’re all vigilant about checking the expiry date of the food in our fridge and pantries. Still, very few of us pay similar attention to our cleaning cupboards – including the liquid in our carpet cleaners.
Carpet cleaners can lose effectiveness over time due to the breakdown of active ingredients, commonly within two to three years. This degradation is often accelerated by improper storage, like in fluctuating temperatures or direct sunlight. For best results, store in a cool, dark place and consider replacing cleaners that are over three years old or show signs of spoilage.
One factor that can contribute to a carpet cleaner’s reduced efficacy is improper storage. If a carpet cleaner is stored in an area with extreme temperatures, like a garage or a shed, the heat or cold can alter the chemical composition of the cleaning solution. To prevent this, store your carpet cleaner in a stable, temperate environment, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes.
Another aspect to consider is the type of carpet cleaner. Some organic or eco-friendly cleaners may have a shorter shelf life compared to traditional chemical-based cleaners. These natural cleaners often lack the preservatives that extend the shelf life of conventional cleaners. If you’re using an eco-friendly carpet cleaner, check the manufacturer’s recommendations for shelf life and storage guidelines, as these products may need to be replaced more frequently to maintain their cleaning effectiveness.
It may seem like a small matter, but when you consider that dirty carpets can be a hotbed for germs, pests, and allergens, taking some time to understand your carpet cleaner is important!
To learn more about how to use the different types of carpet cleaners correctly, read on.
Types of Carpet Cleaners
When considering when your carpet cleaner will expire, it’s helpful to understand the different kinds of carpet cleaners that are available.
The most common ways to clean a carpet are:
- Vacuuming. Moving a vacuum or hoover over your carpet is likely something you do very often. However, vacuums alone are not enough to lift all the dirt and germs from the carpet.
- Carpet shampooing. When carpet shampooing, you use a special machine that mixes water with carpet shampoo solution and use it to scrub your carpet.
- Dry carpet cleaning. There are special dry carpet cleaning powders that need to be sunk into the bottom of the carpet using a special brush. These powders absorb dirt and can be lifted out of the carpet when they’re done, leaving it cleaner and fresher than before.
- Bonnet cleaning. When bonnet cleaning your carpet, you use a machine with a spinning pad that has been dipped in a cleaning solution. This method lifts the initial dirt that sits at the surface of the carpet. However, it does not result in a thorough cleaning.
- Foam encapsulation. Cleaning foams are sprayed onto the carpet. Then, through a chemical process, they transform into powder, which absorbs the dirt that is deeply embedded in the carpet.
Each style of carpet cleaning has its advantages and disadvantages.
While vacuuming and bonnet cleaning allow the carpet to dry faster and be quickly usable again, they don’t provide a thorough cleaning.
Meanwhile, carpet shampooing and foam encapsulation can result in the carpet being wet for a few days. This is not practical if you need to use the carpet immediately.
Whatever method you choose, it’s important to consider when your carpet cleaner will expire.
An expired carpet cleaner will not help you get closer to a fresher, cleaner carpet. In fact, using expired carpet cleaners may end up damaging your carpet by changing its color or damaging its threads.
When do Carpet Cleaners Expire?
The best way of finding out when your carpet will expire is to look at the expiry date, which is typically found on the container or box.
However, sometimes, the bleach in cleaning products can cause the writing on the bottle to fade. Or you may have lost the box that had the expiration date on it.
Whatever the case, there’s another way you can find out when your cleaning product may expire – by looking at its composition.
Liquid cleaners
Once they’re opened, liquid-based carpet cleaners have a shelf life of between six months to a year. If possible, check what chemicals your liquid based carpet cleaner contains. If they contain oxidizers, then they will typically last for a year. Similarly, if they are bleach-based, they can also last a year when stored correctly.
Powder-based cleaners
Powders can last for much longer than liquid-based cleaners. With proper storage, you can keep them for about a year and a half. However, if the powders come into contact with moisture, they will lose their effectiveness and should be discarded.
Cleaning machines
While cleaning machines don’t ‘expire,’ they should be regularly maintained and replaced when they reach the end of their life cycle.
Commercial vacuum cleaners can function effectively for about three years, after which they lose some of their power. Machines that are used for bonnet cleaning can last for up to seven years, but you should consider replacing their plates every few years.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 25, 2020.
How Can I Make My Carpet Cleaner Last Longer?
While the expiry date gives you a general idea of how long you can use your carpet cleaner, you should make sure that you are storing your cleaner correctly.
Proper storage will allow you to use it for a few weeks after its ‘official’ expiry and ensure that it doesn’t lose its potency.
Here are a few tips on how to store your carpet cleaner correctly:
- Keep it in a cool, dry place. When cleaning products are stored in areas that are too hot, the chemicals in them are broken down, which reduces their effectiveness.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight. Similarly, direct sunlight can reduce the potency of the chemicals in your cleaning product – which is why so many cleaning products come in darker or opaque bottles.
- Seal your containers properly. This is the case with any cleaning product – or any product in a container. When you seal the container, it prevents chemicals and solutions from evaporating and changing the composition of the product.
What Happens if You Use a Carpet Cleaner Past its Expiry Date?
Nothing drastic will happen to your carpet if you use a carpet cleaner a few months after its expiry date. However, if it reaches six months or a year after expiry, it’s best to discard it and head out to buy a new one.
A carpet cleaner that is past its expiry date loses its effectiveness to clean, and all the effort you put into vacuuming, scrubbing, and brushing will lead to nothing.
And when chemicals are stored past their use-by dates, they can start to deteriorate. In extreme cases, they can even become toxic.
An expired carpet cleaner may also cause your carpet to fade or the fibers in it to come apart. The carpet may even absorb and hold the toxic chemicals, adversely impacting the air quality in the room.
Carpets that have been cleaned with expired chemicals can be especially bad for pets and children. Kids, dogs, and cats tend to spend a lot of time sitting on the floor, which makes it easier for them to breathe in the toxic fumes.
How Can you Dispose of Carpet Cleaners?
If you find you have to discard some of your cleaning products, make sure you’re doing so safely.
Products that can be mixed with water can be diluted with water and poured down your drain.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 25, 2020.
However, if you need to dispose of insoluble products, look at the container for the manufacturer’s instructions on disposing of them.
Mindfully disposing of your cleaning products will make sure your household is protected from toxic chemicals and that you’re acting in an environmentally responsible manner.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’re equipped with a better understanding of your carpet cleaner, it’s a great time to head to your cleaning cupboard and perform a comprehensive audit. Check for any cleaners that are expired and dispose of them properly.
Paying attention to the expiry dates and recommendations of your carpet cleaners will make sure your carpets – and your home – are looking their very best. And more importantly, it will ensure you and your family are safe from the harmful effects of expired carpet cleaners.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 25, 2020.