Carpet cleaner upset

[Nikki360]

I have diagnosed ocd and health anxiety, my usual carpet guy came out to clean done paint spills on my stairs and landing carpet. I wasn’t in my husband was. When I came home the smell was overpowering I immediately panicked and since then I’ve been in a spiral of ocd. Can’t eat can’t sleep. Absolutely terrified I’ve poisoned my daughter and I know it sounds irrational but ocd is. Can anyone out my mind at rest anyone knkw people who do this job ? I need some reassurance in in a terrible place

Itll be the white spirit etc they use, nobodies poisoned its just harsher chemicals as paint is horrific to get out of carpet.

I think you need a doctors appointment more than advice on MN. You know this is not a normal rational reaction.

You employed a professional who would have used a specialised solution to get the paint out without damaging the quality or colour of the carpet - it would have been non-toxic, but it would smell differently to the products that your cleaner uses when you just have it refreshed. You have trusted them in the past and I imagine they have done a good job, so there's no reason why it is the not the same this time around - it's just a slightly more intensive job. You probably need to air out the house a bit more than usual too. I do hope you get some help with your diagnosis as it sounds very debilitating.

Thankyou yes I do need to get over this just gets a hold of me and very hard to shake. The thought of me harming my daughter by letting someone in with harmful chemicals is terrifying me it’s so irrational I know

This is probably one of those life lessons OP. Be more careful doing the original job (tarp or dust sheets) covering the carpet to prevent spillages so you don't have to use anything special to clean up afterwards, or clean up immediately whilst it's still wet so you use less chemicals. It sounds obvious now but many people just shrug their shoulders and say it's a tomorrows problem. Unfortunately that can mean an even worse problem such as the one you are experiencing now - which sounds absolutely awful btw, sorry you are going through this. Plenty of fresh air and perhaps some bicarb of soda in bowls dotted around should help absorb the odour.

I’ve been over and over and over that in my mind for a week I thought it was eggshell which would have came out easier but it was a different type of eggshell. I will never do it again. You don’t think I should be worried though do you ?

You don’t think I should be worried though do you ?
No, absolutely not. If it was that dangerous the poor carpet cleaner man would have keeled over and be in hospital by now as he would have been exposed more. Although I would keep DD away until the smell clears if she was a toddler/crawler which you would be doing anyway since it's the stairs, otherwise ventilate well.

I just think she’s going to get cancer or something because I exposed her to it. He used to much I’m sure he did. He said it was a full bottle as it was hard to come out but then said only a wee bit x

Have you made a doctor’s appointment yet

That sounds really overwhelming for you. Carpet cleaners use products that are safe once the area has dried, but if you’re feeling this anxious it might help to ring the company and ask what they used just for peace of mind. You’re not alone, OCD can make things feel so much bigger than they are..

What help have you had? I'm sorry to sound brutal but your level of anxiety will affect your DD much more than any carpet cleaner.

I got one yesterday Doctor upped my medication from 40mg fluoxetine daily to 60mg. I’ve asked to be referred for more cbt xx

Thankyou I have probably annoyed him he was just matter of fact and said he’s used it loads and it’s fine. OCD is honestly horrific I get the irrational side of what I’m panicking about but feel so terrified and can’t get it out my head. Thankyou xx

I’ve had cbt many times over years one to one and groups sessions. I take medication to try to help with it but it helps but not completely. When it flares up it’s awful. You don’t sound brutal at all. I agree with you completely xx

Maybe you need proper counselling, not just CBT?

I think so yes I don’t think cbt works for me well obviously it hasn’t x