Is Carpet Stain Protection Dangerous?

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Dave and my niece. Keep her PFAS-free!

Many carpet cleaners offer stain protection as an add-on service after carpet cleaning. We don’t. Research has raised concerns about the negative health and environmental impacts of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals, which are or were commonly used in stain protection products including Scotchgard, Gore-Tex and Teflon. Even though some manufacturers have stopped using PFAS chemicals, many replacement chemicals are suspected to also be harmful.

PFAS chemicals are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a variety of consumer products, including carpet cleaning products, because of their ability to repel water and stains. However, they are also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time.

Research has linked PFAS exposure to a range of negative health effects, including cancer, reproductive and developmental issues, and immune system problems. PFAS chemicals have also been found to be harmful to wildlife and the environment.

PFAS chemicals? It's not worth the risks

PFAS are nasty. They virtually never break down in the environment and are found in people, fish, and wildlife all over the world, with no realistic solution in sight. Dr. Joseph Allen, Director of the Healthy Buildings Program at the Harvard University School of Public Health dubbed them “forever chemicals,” “a group of toxic chemicals that may be associated with testicular cancer, kidney cancer, high cholesterol and suppression of vaccine effectiveness in children.” They are released by our consumer products, including carpets, bit by bit, through ordinary wear and tear. They make their way into our bodies and household dust. They are washed down the drain, contaminating wastewater and related biosolids used as compost. They are released to surface water and groundwater from the industrial facilities that manufacture and use them. 

Which Carpet is the Healthiest? Busting the Myth on Carpet Claims, Bill Walsh, Healthy Building Network, March 2019 Newsletter (link below)

Given these concerns, Advanced Dry Carpet Care has made the decision to not use only PFAS-free cleaning products. That means we use no stain protection or other PFAS chemicals. We believe that it is important to prioritize the health and safety of our customers, our cleaning techs and the environment.

We use only eco-friendly cleaning products that are effective at removing stains and dirt without the use of harmful chemicals. These products are made with natural, biodegradable ingredients that are safe for use around children and pets, and do not have the same negative environmental impacts as PFAS chemicals.

To summarize, the use of stain protection and other PFAS chemicals in carpet cleaning products has the potential to cause negative health and environmental impacts. We have chosen to prioritize the well-being of our customers and the environment by using eco-friendly cleaning products that are free of these harmful chemicals.

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