Product Review: Resolve Deep Clean Powder

With the holidays just around the corner many will want to spruce up their homes with some form of carpet cleaning. As I have said on more than one occasion your carpet is often the largest piece of 'functional decoration' in your home. If your carpets look dirty, dull and dingy it will cause the rest of the home to look that same way.

Recently I saw another TV commercial with Resolve demonstrating their 'Resolve Deep Clean Powder'. By the commercial you would have thought they had invented the miracle cure of all cures for carpet cleaning. Before you buy this product let me provide you with the following information:

According to the Product Safety Data Sheet furnished by Resolve's manufacturer, Reckitt Benckiser North America, Inc., the ingredients for the product are CELLULOSE FIBERS (35-40% of the product weight), SODIUM SULFATE ANHYDROUS (5-10% of product weight), and SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (1-3% of product weight). If you do the math the maximum percentage of weight for the above listed ingredients is 53%, what about the remainder 47%? The product safety data sheet does not say but my guess would be either air or water. The pH level for this product is 7.0 - 8.0. The carpet manufacturers recommend a pH level of 9.0 when cleaning residential carpet.

I would like focus now on one particular ingredient SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE (SLS). This is an inexpensive detergent that is commonly used in cosmetic cleansers, hair shampoos, bath and shower gels, bubble baths, etc. - It is probably the most dangerous ingredient used in skin and hair care products. SLS is used in garage floor cleaners, engine degreasers, and car wash soaps.

A study at the Medical College of Georgia indicated that SLS penetrated into the eyes as well as brain, heart, liver, etc., and showed long term retention in the tissues. The study also indicated that SLS penetrated young children's eyes and prevented them from developing properly and caused cataracs to develop in young adults. It is potentially harmful to skin and hair. Cleans by corrosion. Dries skin by stripping the protective lipids from the surface so it can't effectively regulate moisture. Is this something you want to clean your carpets with? I hope not.

No matter how well you follow the instructions you are going to leave behind a residue of this chemical in your carpets, air, and home. Repeat uses will mean a gradual build up of this residue increasing your risk to the potential side effects. As you may have already guessed we CAN NOT recommend the use of this product.

Until Next Time,

Michael Hull

Bissell Multi Allergen Removal Formula with Scotchgard

Like you I watch TV on a regular basis and like you I see more commercials than I care to remember. When I see a cleaning commercial I like to investigate the product(s) being pitched to see if we are getting the real deal or a 'snow job'.

Bissell is a well known name in the cleaning industry. They make vacuums, carpet cleaners, and all types of cleaning chemicals including the Bissell Multi Allergen Removal Formula w/Scotchgard. I formerly owned a Bissell steam cleaner and use to buy their 'Anti-Allergen' formula all the time (notice the name change). Because I have severe allergies I was looking for the silver bullet to my allergic diseases. As a side note I never personally saw any improvement to my allergies. But what about this Multi Allergen Removal Formula?

According to Bissell's own Consumer Safety Data Sheet this formula consists of the following chemicals: Surfactants, Acrylate Copolymer, Chelant, Fragrance, and Water. What this report does not demonstrate is how much of each chemical is found in the gallon jug that they sell. I would estimate that WATER makes up 80-90% of the jug. Here is a breakdown of the listed chemicals:

1). Surfactants: This is a wetting agent that lowers the surface tension of a liquid allowing for easier spreading. Surfactants are also found in make-ups, furniture polishes, etc.;

2). Acrylate Copolymer: This is Scotchgard or what is commonly known as carpet protectant;

3). Chelant: A chemical used to attract heavy metals such as iron, copper, calcium and manganese;

4). Fragrance: Another word for perfume not to be confused with carpet deoderizers;

5). Water

Can you guess which one is the cleaning agent? If you aren't sure then email me for the correct answer.

There is no mention on the product label, the Consumer Data Safety Sheet, or their website that demonstrates how this product is some how an 'anti-allergen' formula. Their website does discuss that the primary causes of allergies is pet dander, dust mites, and dust mite feces and they are correct, but there is no information as to how this product is going to reduce your allergies. They do state that regular cleaning reduces the amount of allergens in your home, but what about the product. As a side note dust mite feces is the number one 'trigger' for allergic diseases and 60% of all dust mites and their feces are found in your mattress. Sense you spend 1/3rd of your life in bed doesn't it make sense to clean your mattress too?

Sorry Bissell but I have to rate this one a Snow Job!