Cleaning Your Home Carpets

Cleaning Your Own Carpets

If you clean your own carpets, rugs or upholstery, follow the following steps:

1. Remove the wastewater collection container from the carpet cleaner following the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Separate the liquid wastewater from the solid waste particles in the wastewater using a strainer. Solid waste particles, such as hair, can clog drains. Use a bucket to collect the liquid as it goes through the strainer.
3. Dispose of the wastewater collected in the bucket in the toilet, sink or a floor drain. These drains lead to the wastewater treatment plant, which filters the wastewater to remove the chemicals.
4. Rinse the bucket, strainer and wastewater collection container using clean water. Dispose of this water in the same manner you disposed of the wastewater.

Disposal

If you have leftover water that contains carpet cleaning chemicals, you must dispose of it in the same manner as you dispose of wastewater. Never dispose of carpet cleaning water by pouring it on the ground or into a storm drain. If you throw the water away using one of those methods, the chemicals in the water will eventually drain off into the delicate ecosystem.

If you have your carpets, rugs or upholstery cleaned by a carpet cleaning business, please make sure your carpet cleaner both knows and follows appropriate practices. Ask your cleaner how he or she intends to dispose of waste.