A few of the points brought up by recent contributors need some clarification, I feel:
1. When we first started working with carpet cleaning chemical suppliers in the late-1980s there were a number of popular DIY products (1001 Carpet Cleaner, now long discontinued, being one example) that cleaned very well but had a number of seriously bad side effects. Sticky residues causing rapid re-soiling being the main problem. In effect they were little better than dishwashing liquids. As soon as we showed the suppliers what grief their products caused they started reformulating them. Today, most DIY carpet cleaning chemicals produced in this country are OK. Look for the WOOLSAFE Mark! As are those produced in Germany and Australia, and those in the US from the big suppliers. WOOLSAFE certification (which started in 1991) contributed to this improvement in a significant way. However, there are many small (mainly US) suppliers over which no-one has any control.
There were also problems with chemicals imported into this country being too aggressive on wool (blend) carpets, mainly caused by high alkalinity. This problem affected professional carpet cleaners more than householders. Here again, WOOLSAFE testing and certification helped by highlighting those products that should really not be used on delicate fibres. Wool and advanced generation nylon, which are dyed with the same dyestuffs, are both safeguarded by the WOOLSAFE programme.
2. WOOLSAFE was started by specialists from the carpet industry, not the chemical industry. We work closely with carpet suppliers and the chemical companies for the best possible maintenance, thus ensuring happy carpet owners, repeat business for carpet suppliers and as few problems as possible for the cleaners.
3. Believe me: money is not the issue here. If you compare what we charge the chemical manufacturers for the service we supply with what they would have to fork out if they launched a poor product, they get a real bargain from us!
4. The WOOLSAFE criteria for approving or rejecting chemicals were set by carpet experts. They were primarily designed to safeguard carpets and their owners, but as it happens they also protect the chemical suppliers. They are endorsed by leading carpet mills. Some, like Mohawk and Shaw, the two largest carpet mills in the world even have their own WOOLSAFE Approved products to sell to their customers!
All WOOLSAFE tests are based on internationally recognised test methods and standards, and they are both wide-ranging and strict. We don’t want any complaints either!
Something else to think about:
- we work with more than 50 of the world’s leading carpet cleaning chemical manufacturers, many of which have been WOOLSAFE licensees for over 10 years;
- we have tested more than 700 of their maintenance products over the past 17 years;
- there are more than 250 WOOLSAFE approved products on the market worldwide;
- all certified products are checked at least once a year for continued compliance with the WOOLSAFE standards (more frequently in case of a re-formulation).
Check these facts on our website –
www.woolsafe.org.
5. Instructions for Use: we look at these too before we approve a product. We try to ensure they are clear, complete and promote safety in use. But at the end of the day it’s up to the user to read them and follow the advice given.
If you want to debate, dispute, confirm or question any of the points made above, I’d be happy to talk to you!
Paul Bakker