Shampoo for cleaning vacuum cleaners: an indispensable product or a storehouse of toxins?

Cleaning

Author Elena Reading time: 5 min. Published 10/25/2018

A washing vacuum cleaner, as you know, has long ceased to be a luxury in the home. Quite affordable models have entered the market. At the same time, they are just as effective and high quality. If previously a washing vacuum cleaner was considered a luxury, now it has become a necessity. However, for cleaning to bring a positive result, it is not enough just to pour water into the tank. To achieve perfect cleanliness, [...]

A washing vacuum cleaner, as you know, has long ceased to be a luxury in the home. Quite affordable models have entered the market. At the same time, they are just as effective and high quality. If previously a washing vacuum cleaner was considered a luxury, now it has become a necessity. However, for cleaning to bring a positive result, it is not enough just to pour water into the tank. To achieve perfect cleanliness, special products are used.

Common brands

Some manufacturers produce special products in two forms at once - powder and liquid. The most famous brands are:

1. Astonish. Manufacturer of cleaning products for vacuum cleaners from England. Detergent compositions have low foaming. Excellent against problems such as mold and mildew. Has the ability to suppress microorganisms that cause allergies.
2. Whirlpool. This American manufacturer was almost the first to produce washing vacuum cleaners. A little later, they began producing detergents for equipment. Initially they were produced in powder form, and then production was modernized and liquid detergents appeared on the market. Their prices are usually above average. But, despite this, the quality of the wash exceeds expectations. An additional advantage is that the products from this manufacturer are suitable for all brands of vacuum cleaners.
3. Vanish. The Australian manufacturer has long established itself in the domestic market. The composition includes oxygen, which effectively removes various contaminants. At the same time, it has a pleasant aroma, which makes it an excellent assistant in the fight against the smell of tobacco and dampness.
4. Topper. Detergents from this German brand are certainly not inferior in quality. A huge advantage is that it can be used not only for flooring. They are also suitable for upholstered furniture, window structures, and carpets. In addition, they have an antistatic and hypoallergenic effect.

Shampoo rating

Shampoos that are in demand include the following brands:

• Topper.
• TOP House.
• Magic Power.

• Thomas.
• Vanish.
• Filtero.

Organic brands are less common due to difficulty of availability and increased cost, but also have a place on the market.

Thomas ProTex M

Thomas brand shampoos were developed for vacuum cleaners, which belong to it. But they can also be combined with other washing vacuum cleaners due to their versatility.

The product is suitable for cleaning the following materials:

• Carpeting (all types).
• Soft upholstery.

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim.
• Floor coverings (parquet, laminate, tiles).

The advantages of the concentrate include environmental friendliness and economical consumption. The mild odor of the detergent makes it acceptable for allergy sufferers. The manufacturer Thomas has released a line of shampoos, each of which has its own scope of application.

Among the strengths of Thomas ProTex M, users highlight:

• Moisture resistant.
• Non-toxic composition.

• Removing dust mites.

Magic Power

The German brand produces universal low-foaming shampoos. Thanks to its composition, the shampoo copes with dirt and pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and mold. In addition to cleaning the room, the product acts on sources of unpleasant odors and neutralizes them.

The main advantage of Magic Power shampoo is the presence of a defoamer in the composition. Other detergents require additional purchase of this substance.

Buyers prefer Magic Power for the following reasons:

• Economical consumption (the product is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:8).
• Compatible with all washing vacuum cleaners.

• Fight against parasites.

TOP House

The shampoo belongs to another German manufacturer, which produces components for vacuum cleaners. Concentrates are sold in standard one-liter containers. Effectively cleans surface contamination and prevents dust from adhering due to its antistatic properties. The product is safe for adults, children and pets.

If the dosage is observed, the product does not produce a large amount of foam. Before using shampoo, it is recommended to read the composition and precautions on the label. The surfactants contained in the product do not exceed 15%.

The advantages of TOP House shampoo include:

• Refresh paint on surfaces to be cleaned.
• Neutralization of unpleasant odors.

• Gentle cleaning of upholstered furniture.

Topper

The hallmark of the Topperr brand is the absence of phosphates in its products. Universal shampoo interacts equally effectively with all surfaces. Available in liquid form and combines antistatic and anti-allergenic properties. Detergent is sold in liter containers. One package is enough for 1-2 months of constant use.

The product is suitable for vacuum cleaner and manual cleaning. It can be applied pointwise to dirty areas without using an aquafilter.

Among the advantages of Topperr are:

• The absence of chlorine, phosphates, bleaches and fragrances ensures hypoallergenicity.
• Eliminating the risk of vacuum cleaner failure during the cleaning process.

• Compatible with all washing vacuum cleaners.

Vanish

The manufacturer Vanish is well known to Russian buyers.

The composition of shampoos of this brand contains the following components:

• Surfactants of anionic and nonionic nature.
• Oxygen-based bleach.

• Aroma enhancers.
• Polycarboxylates.

Due to the last element, the water used by the vacuum cleaner is softened. This function protects the vacuum cleaner from corrosion. Polycarboxylates are not dangerous - during the cleaning process they completely decompose and do not enter the human body. Vanish products work with any brand of vacuum cleaner and are highly effective.

Vanish shampoo occupies a leading position in the market due to:

• Economical consumption.
• No phosphates in the composition.

• Neutralizes odors of dampness and tobacco.

Filtero

Shampoos from the Belgian brand Filtero belong to the budget price segment. Some are sold in half-liter containers and are consumed slowly due to their concentration. Two caps of the product are enough to dilute in five liters of water. Even with constant cleaning, one package is enough for several months of use.

The universal formula of the shampoo ensures compatibility with all brands of vacuum cleaners.

Filtero's strengths are:

• Active granules that penetrate the carpet pile and remove dirt.
• Color restoration system.

• Components that protect the coating from rapid contamination.

Organic Carpet Cleaner

The manufacturer's shampoos are designed for people with allergic diseases. This concentrate has an organic formula. The inclusion of chemicals is minimal - they are contained in the amount necessary to combat dirt. The concentrate is suitable for all types of surfaces and gently cleanses soft tissues.

The shampoo acquired dermatological soft properties due to the inclusion of alkyl polyglucosides/sugar surfactants. They are grown from raw materials on a natural basis, the base of which is glucose (starch, cane).

Organic Carpet Cleaner has the following advantages:

• Gentle on the skin.
• Air purification during cleaning.

• Compatible with all vacuum cleaners.

The best powder formulations

These products are not as popular as liquid ones. This is due, first of all, to the poor solubility of small particles. The vacuum cleaner filters become clogged and, as with

As a result, equipment often requires repair. But, nevertheless, many people prefer this type of means. The following brands are in greatest demand:

1. KARCHER. A powder product that is dissolved in water and poured into the tank. Used for various surfaces. Suitable also for carpets. The manufacturer is constantly improving its products, so these powders dissolve well and do not clog the vacuum cleaner filter.
2. Zelmer. The composition does not contain dangerous components, which makes it not dangerous for children and allergy sufferers. Also suitable for cleaning not only floor coverings, but also carpets. The downside, as it turns out, is the mandatory flushing of the tank every time after cleaning.

Fabric softener

A rather interesting idea for scenting the air is using fabric softener. This liquid is sold in different flavors. The vacuum cleaner filter needs to be soaked in air conditioner. It is strictly forbidden to put it back when it is wet, it can ruin the equipment. The filter must first be dried and then installed in the vacuum cleaner. During operation, the filter will be blown with air, spreading a pleasant aroma throughout the apartment.

The best liquid products

Manufacturers of vacuum cleaners, as a rule, recommend choosing liquid formulations.
This guarantees effective cleaning and no negative results for the equipment. These are special shampoos that dissolve in water without problems. The main disadvantage is the increased formation of foam, which reduces the quality of the equipment. The following products are in demand:

1. Thomas. Cleans all types of contaminants. Effective on carpets. When used, they do not harm the color of the coating or texture. Most are hypoallergenic and disinfectant. If you strictly follow the instructions, they are economical compared to others.
2. Topper. The manufacturer has taken care of the health of its customers and produces shampoos without phosphates and chlorine.
3. Zelmer. It is also hypoallergenic. Suitable even for surfaces such as decorative stone.

Criterias of choice

When choosing a shampoo, attention is paid to the manufacturer of the vacuum cleaner and the purposes for which it is used!
There are universal tips that will help you choose a good product:

Factors to consider when selecting a product include:

Stain removal speed

The tasks that a standard shampoo for washing vacuum cleaners undertake include:

A high-quality shampoo maintains a balance between effectiveness and aggressive action of components. There are cases in which vacuum cleaner owners manage to clean the carpet or curtains at the cost of fading color or dull spots. Such results are useless and even harmful in everyday life.

For this reason, experts advise doing “test runs” with new shampoos. A small piece of fabric (or area of ​​coating) is taken and the composition is applied to it. If the texture reacts neutrally, you can continue cleaning. The impact of the concentrate components is unpredictable, so checking is always necessary.

Compound

The compositions of household chemicals are filled with words that are incomprehensible to the buyer and discourage the desire to get acquainted with them.
Studying information about the composition of products is an important step that should not be skipped.

The top three shampoo components in terms of toxicity include:

Packages of modern detergents for vacuum cleaners are full of messages about their harmlessness. Manufacturers carry out this communication, but only partially. Surfactants (surfactants) are included in all shampoos - without them, the products would not work. Natural ingredients in the composition are a good sign. But with their help you cannot remove difficult stains.

Organic lines are still worth a look. They are marked ECO or Organic and contain the following useful elements:

Disinfectant and antibacterial properties

At first glance, the antibacterial properties of vacuum cleaner shampoos seem useless. Practice shows the opposite - surfaces are filled with bacteria and harmful microorganisms. People bring germs from the street, they enter through a window or with the help of pets. Real colonies of pathogenic microflora are found in long-pile carpets.

Foam quantity

The assumption that the more foam during the cleaning process, the better, is deeply mistaken. Excess foam not only complicates cleaning, but also damages the vacuum cleaner. To reduce the amount of foam, defoamers appear on the market. They prevent foam from “grabbing” the vacuum cleaner and contributing to the formation of mold.

There are two methods of foam exposure:

In the first case, active foaming is harmless and effective. It allows you to influence the source of dirt and quickly deal with it. If shampoo gets inside the vacuum cleaner, its foaming turns into a significant disadvantage.

Application area

Shampoos are divided into several categories based on their area of ​​specialization:

All-purpose products seem like a good choice, but universality does not always mean the same effectiveness for all types of cleaning. Products with this composition have average qualities that allow them to cope with most contaminants. They will not give excellent results when working with soft upholstery or natural carpets. But universal products are a suitable choice for everyday cleaning.

Brand and manufacturer

Companies that manufacture washing vacuum cleaners give recommendations on choosing shampoo. Some brands produce such compounds themselves, because they know the needs of their own equipment well. Moreover, there are brands that refuse warranty service to those customers who have used shampoos from a third-party manufacturer.

Branded shampoos are expensive. Therefore, many users of washing vacuum cleaners switch to other detergents over time. Choosing the right product is an individual journey that vacuum cleaner owners go through through trial and error. It is impossible to give universal recommendations on this topic.

Detergents for people with allergies

If people who are prone to allergies live in your home, then ordinary detergents are not suitable for treating the room. Often, other means are used for this, the composition of which does not provoke an allergic reaction. These include:

1. Allergy-Free. The special product is so versatile that it is suitable both for washing kitchen utensils and for washing a vacuum cleaner. You can buy it, in most cases, at a pharmacy.
2. PIP CARPET CLEANER. Reduces to a minimum the number of allergens that can cause irritation, thanks to a special probiotic in the composition.
3. PIP MULTI. It is a strong concentrate, so it must be added strictly according to the instructions.

Cinnamon

People associate the aroma of cinnamon with comfort, warmth and the New Year. Ground cinnamon can be used to scent rooms using a vacuum cleaner. To do this, you need to sew a small bag of cotton fabric. Sprinkle cinnamon inside and sew the edge. The bag should be as flat and small as possible. It should not interfere with air flow. This flavor can be used for quite a long time.

cinnamon

How can you replace detergent for washing vacuum cleaners?

Resourceful housewives, as it turns out, have long learned to save money by preparing various compositions on their own. At the same time, it must be remembered that any components that cause foam must, of course, be in minimal quantities.

Dissolve two teaspoons of ammonia in warm water. The same solution can be used to treat carpets. To make your house smell nice, add squeezed lemon juice to the tank.

Dilute 15 ml of vinegar in 1 liter of water. This product will also add shine to the floor covering.

To disinfect, add 100 ml of vodka to 1 liter of water.

If you want to add a component that consists of small particles to the tank, do not forget that it must be very thoroughly dissolved. Otherwise, microparticles will clog the filter, which will lead to damage to the vacuum cleaner.

Liquid or powder

Vacuum cleaner liquids are sold only in containers of 500 ml, 750 ml and 1 liter, while powder cleaning products can be purchased either for testing in a very small volume or purchased in stock.

The main advantage of liquids is that they do not contain insoluble particles that clog the vacuum cleaner.

Eau de Toilette

A fairly simple way to scent the air is to use your favorite perfume. To implement the idea, you need to remove the filter from the vacuum cleaner, clean and wash it. This is necessary to avoid the smell of dust. Spray perfume onto a clean and dry filter, dry it a little and install it in place. This way you can ensure a pleasant aroma for a long time while using the equipment.

Eau de Toilette