Consumer Alert

Carpet and Rug Institute’s Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing Program

DALTON, GA. When it’s time to vacuum, nothing is more discouraging than realizing dirt is simply being moved around or thrown back into the air rather than removed. Vacuum cleaner manufacturers are doing their part to make cleaning easier and more effective by joining The Carpet and Rug Institute’s Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Testing Program.

Under the voluntary testing program, vacuum cleaners can be approved by The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) as models that have efficient soil removal, keep dust in the machine and out of the air, and keep carpet looking good. Vacuum cleaners, both residential and commercial, are included in the program because they are extremely important for maintaining the indoor environment and carpet.

Consumers and professional cleaners should look for the bright green IAQ program labels on the vacuum cleaner packaging and merchandise displays when selecting a model.

To ensure the carpet industry standard, vacuum cleaners are tested following a procedure developed by industry manufacturers and peer-reviewed by scientists with expertise in maintenance and indoor air quality. Vacuum cleaners earn the Green Label designation after passing the CRI test criteria for soil removal, dust containment, and carpet appearance retention. These vacuum cleaners are graded by:

  • Soil Removal - must remove a satisfactory quantity of soil in four passes.
  • Dust Containment - evaluation of the amount of dust particles released into the air by the action of the brush rolls, through the filtration bag, and any air leaks from the cleaner system.
  • Carpet Appearance Retention - should keep the carpet looking good.

The CRI strives to assist consumers and professionals with vacuum cleaner buying decisions and help keep the indoor environment - surfaces and the indoor air - cleaner.

For a full listing of approved vacuum cleaners, visit the Carpet and Rug Institute Web Site or call (800) 882-8846.


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