Carpet cleaners
Mobile carpet cleaners have either truck-mounted cleaning machines or smaller portable cleaning machines. Carpet cleaning involves the spot treatment of stains and dirt patches, followed by washing dirt from the carpet with a specially designed nozzle. The nozzle circulates water though the carpet fibres and then sucks it back into the machine, leaving the carpet damp but not sodden. An issue of particular concern is the disposal of wastewater generated from the cleaning process.
Wastewater should be retained in tanks for later disposal, or into the sewer in areas where a reticulated sewage system exists. Wastewater should never be disposed into septic tanks or into gutters or stormwater drains. All wastewater should be passed through a filter (minimum size of 20 microns) before disposal.
Be a market leader and save!
Carpet cleaning businesses who take up the environmental challenge can expect to avoid stormwater pollution, reduce waste and wastewater, recover resources through recycling, reusing and composting and become more efficient.
In all areas of business, quality counts. In a competitive industry like carpet cleaning, it is important to do a good job to ensure your customers use your business again and recommend you to others. This brochure outlines recent changes in the carpet cleaning industry that could potentially save you thousands of dollars, and ensure your business remains a market leader.
Adopting new cleaning techniques, ensuring your equipment is well maintained, and investing in new technology and equipment helps to keep your business competitive. The greater efficiency of newer equipment quickly repays the outlay.
Adopting newer cleaning practices that minimise waste, and save energy and time is not only good for your pocket, but also provides your business with a greener, cleaner image within the community.
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Cleaner production
Cleaner production is the catchphrase for these new practices. Across Australia, large and small businesses are adopting cleaner production techniques as they make financial sense, and reduce the impact of your business on the environment.
It's worth it! Stormwater systems drain directly into the river and the sea. By doing the right thing and not polluting the stormwater, you and your family are rewarded every weekend with clean water at the beach to surf and swim in and plenty of healthy fish to catch.
Be Carpet Smart for your business and your family.
Be Carpet Smart - for operators
Save money and reduce pollution from your carpet cleaning operations
- Wastewater and cleaning residues from carpet cleaning must not be disposed of down the stormwater drain
- In sewered areas always empty wastewater down the sink or toilet, so that it goes into the sewer
- In non-sewered areas wastewater should be stored in a collection tank until it can be disposed of correctly
- Floors treated with pesticides should not be cleaned for at least 4 weeks
- Ensure that your carpet cleaning machine uses a filter of not greater than 20 microns, in accordance with Sydney Water regulations
- Always rinse equipment and filters into a sink or onto grass, where water can soak in
- Recycle detergent and chemical containers with the recycling symbols 1 and 2 and return other containers to the supplier or manufacturer
- Rinse out detergent containers into your cleaning machine to use the very last of the detergent
- For top quality cleaning, always use the recommended type and quantity of detergent
- Remember you can be fined if you allow anything other than clean water to go into stormwater drains
Did you know the stormwater system drains directly into our rivers and the sea without treatment?
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Be Carpet Smart - for hirers of carpet cleaning machines
Follow the Carpet Smart guide for hired carpet cleaning machines, for a clean carpet without bubble trouble.
- Always empty cleaning water down the sink or toilet, so that it goes into the sewer
- In non-sewered areas empty your cleaning water on the ground where it can soak in
- For a top quality cleaning job always use the recommended type and quantity of detergent
- Floors that have been treated with pesticides should not be cleaned for at least 4 weeks
- Wastewater and cleaning residues must not be disposed of down the stormwater drain - you can be fined if you pollute the stormwater drain or gutters
- Rinse out your equipment and filters over grass or in a sink
- Recycle detergent and chemical containers with the recycling symbols 1 and 2
Did you know the stormwater system drains directly into our rivers and the sea without treatment?
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Meeting today's standards
Be aware of legal responsibilities
Although mobile businesses do not work from fixed premises, they do have to comply with a range of legislation. Review the Environmental legislation and compliance overview for further information.
On-the-spot fines of $1500 for companies and $750 for individuals could be issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) if you put anything other than clean water down the stormwater drain. This includes 'biodegradable' products.
Use a filter not a licence
Sydney Water has revised its regulations for the disposal of carpet cleaning wastewater. There will be no trade wastewater fees or charges for mobile carpet cleaners.
You no longer require a licence to empty wastewater into the sewer, but it must be passed through a filter of 20 microns or less. For the latest information on trade wastewater fees and charges contact Sydney Water.
To ensure you are not at risk of a fine:
- Empty filtered wastewater down a sink or toilet which empties into the sewer
- Wash filters over grass or a sink
- Wash equipment in a wash bay or on the ground where the wash water can soak in
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Cleaning in non-sewered areas
In areas that are not sewered, wastewater and residues should be stored in a collection tank and transported to an authorised sewage discharge point for proper disposal. Alternatively water may be released on to land where it can soak in. This must be at least 50 metres from any rivers, streams, watercourses, channels and wetlands, including dry watercourses.
Beware of pesticides
Floors that have been treated with pesticides should not be cleaned for at least four weeks.
Carpet cleaning standards
The Australian Standard for textile floor coverings outlines the minimum standard of work that all operators should adhere to. Contact Standards Australia for more information.
Further information
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
