To clean a carpet portably is a common practice to many residents of Christchurch, as they usually spend the weekend visiting the local Mitre 10 or Bunnings to rent a carpet cleaning machine. It appears to be a rational, Kiwi DIY, method to cut down on some amount of money and cross one thing off the list. But, considering the distinct environmental issues of the Canterbury area, starting with the fine silt of the Pegasus Bay coastline, to the soot of the log burners in the older suburbs, such as Sydenham, we begin to ask ourselves: Is a DIY clean actually cleaning or is it a cosmetic cure?
The Science of “Clean”
In order to know the reason why professional cleaning is always better than the DIY techniques we have to consider the three pillars of soil removal that are Heat, Pressure, and Extraction.
Lukewarm tap water is the most commonly used in most of the rental machines. Conversely, Business All Aces Carpet Cleaning does not employ the industrial level equipment because it heats water to more than 90 o C. This is an essential high temperature as it is a catalyst, as it dislodges the molecular bonds of oils and greases that hold dirt onto your carpet fibers. There will be no point in you trying to put greasy dishes in cold water, you will be merely shifting the dirt around but you will not get it off without that heat.
More so, the suction or extraction capability of a professional-rental unit is not even a tenth of a professional truck mounted system. In cases where a DIY machine does not remove all the water, it will only leave your carpet backing wet in 24 to 48 hours. This is a disaster in the frequently wet Christchurch climate, which may result in a so-called wicking (when the stains are observed as the carpet dries) or, even more seriously, the development of the mold and mildew in the underlay.
The Residue Problem
Chemical residue might be the most significant unknown threat of DIY cleaning. CHW-Rental machines usually wash in high foaming detergents that cannot be easily washed. After the carpet has been dried, that remaining soap is stored in the fibers. Your carpet is really a magnet to the dust which is blown in by our vile Nor’westers, as this soap is meant to attract dirt.
A professional service works in a multi-step process, applying a specified pre-spray to make the dirt easy to move, and then high-pressure steam spraying to leave the fibers in a state of being neutral. At Business Sun we leave no rug behind but plush carpet. This will ensure that your house remains cleaner over a few months longer than it would have been after a DIY attempt.
Geolocation: The Christchurch Factor.
The city of our city bears a special geologic imprint. After the earthquakes, there are still more than average amounts of fine silt and dust that plague many areas. This mud is exceedingly scratchy; it is just like having glass particles the size of a microscope at the bottom of your carpet.
When you operate a DIY machine you will not necessarily have the lift necessary to draw this silt right at the base of the pile. In fact, the wiggling brushes of a rental machine can in fact scratch that silt up and down the fibers permanently leaving permanent shading or wear patterns. Professional Hot Water Extraction (HWE) develops vortex of water and air which brings those heavy particles up and does not harm the fragile twist of the wool.
Although a amateur machine can be used to clean a small area of spilt Pinot Noir, it cannot be compared to the healing powers of a professional deep-clean. To Christchurch homeowners who may be keen to secure their investment and to have truly hygienic environment to live in the professional path is not only more effective, but is the only avenue that will guarantee the long term health of your flooring.