New baby on the way? Why carpet and upholstery cleaning should be on your to-do list

29 May 2025

First of all, congratulations! The family-friendly Advanced Carpet Cleaning team send you our best wishes for all that is to come. Having a baby is a significant life event, usually bringing both excitement and trepidation for Christchurch families!


But among all the excitement and preparation, one crucial task often gets overlooked: giving your carpets and upholstery a thorough professional clean. Hear us out here! – while it might not seem as urgent as assembling the cot or packing your hospital bag, professional carpet cleaning should absolutely be on your pre-baby checklist.


It’s true – little ones with developing immune systems don’t need to be in a sterile bubble of protection, but a thorough clean of carpet and furniture before baby’s arrival is very sensible and here’s why.


“But the carpet looks fine”

At a glance the carpet looks fine, right? You’re not wrong, as it may look the same as you’ve always seen it. However, even the most well maintained homes harbour some dirty little secrets within carpet fibres which aren’t the best start for babies.


  • With normal household busyness, bacteria and germs accumulate in carpets over time, creating unnecessary potential health hazards for babies. 
    Spills, tracked-in dirt, illnesses, and general household activities contribute to bacterial growth that standard cleaning methods cannot eliminate. Advanced Carpet Cleaning uses industry-leading and baby-friendly products to sanitise carpets at a level that protects your family's health. 
    Additionally, we carry another range of products especially designed to be suitable for adults and children who are highly sensitive to cleaning products and odours. Chat to us about these when you call.


  • Dust mites, known to be one of the most common household allergens, thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on dead skin cells that naturally accumulate in carpets. It’s well recognised that these microscopic creatures and their waste products can be problematic in sensitive individuals. A thorough steam clean in Christchurch is the best way to knock these on the head and refresh your flooring before your little one starts being popped on the floor for brief periods.


  • Carpet hosts a surprising amount of pet dander, even in homes where pets are well-groomed and regularly bathed and carpets are vacuumed. Regular vacuums may remove visible fur but don’t effectively remove the other stuff: flecks of skin, saliva, and fur attach to carpet fibres. Professional carpet steam cleaning in Christchurch is the only way to effectively reach these allergens that regular vacuuming simply cannot reach.


The photo below is the pet dander collected by our machine filters from just one home with two cats and a very fastidious homeowner, after just one year since their last clean! 


Two balls of dust are sitting on top of a white container.

Create the healthiest environment for you and your little one

Some babies arrive with predispositions to allergies and respiratory issues that as parents we don’t know about until issues start showing up. Without going over the top, sensibly and proactively reducing potential triggers is very doable.


We all know babies spend a considerable time on the floor, whether it’s lying on a play mat and learning to roll over or when they begin crawling and exploring their world. And the truth of it is that during those early months, they'll also be breathing the air closest to your carpets and rugs.


Their developing immune systems make them particularly vulnerable to airborne irritants and allergens, and they’re completely dependent on us to provide a safe environment that doesn’t overload their little bodies. They explore their environment through touch, taste, and close contact – crawling around and picking bits up off the same floors we walk on, dump school bags and gym bags onto and where we occasionally clean up little messes the old family cat leaves for us.


With a baby in the house, professional carpet cleaning in Christchurch is really an essential health precaution rather than just a cosmetic choice. And in parenting, all things are just a phase; in time their immunity will be more robust, and their vulnerability will reduce.



A habit with benefits beyond baby's arrival

A habit of regular professional carpet and upholstery cleaning has benefits that extend well beyond your baby's first few months. With their growing independence comes a Pandora’s Box of spills – food dropped, drinks spilled, little milk vomits, big kids’ vomits, little dirty gumboots walked indoors, and the dreaded nappy leaks, play dough, kids slime, glitter….


Regular professional carpet cleaning helps keep on top of the rigors of life with a young family and prevents stains from becoming old and engrained which are so much harder to remedy. 


A newborn baby wearing a knitted hat is sleeping on a white blanket.

Beyond carpets: the importance of upholstery cleaning

Carpets typically receive the most attention, but upholstery cleaning is also important for a healthy environment for your new arrival.


Sofas and armchairs, where initially you'll spend countless hours with your little one, need regular cleaning. We wash our clothes and bedding regularly, and upholstery needs cleaning too!

You don’t need the gnawing irritation of seeing stains and grubby patches when you’re already tired and short on time. Advanced Carpet Cleaning use methods specifically designed to thoroughly clean upholstery without the need for harmful chemicals.


The professional advantage: why DIY isn't enough

While regular vacuuming and spot-cleaning are important maintenance activities, they cannot replace the deep-cleaning power that Advanced Carpet Cleaning brings.


Professional hot water extraction cleaning, in particular, uses high-temperature steam (much hotter than tap water) to release soiling, kill bacteria, dust mites, and other microorganisms while simultaneously extracting dirt and debris. This method is particularly effective because it sanitises without relying on harsh chemicals that could be harmful to babies or pregnant mothers.


Addressing any existing stains or odours that might have accumulated over time also ensures your home feels fresh and welcoming for your return home, and for the expected visitors bringing dinners and treats! 



A person is using a vacuum cleaner to clean a carpet.

When is best to get the carpets professionally cleaned?

The optimal time for professional carpet cleaning is likely to be a month or two before your due date, before time pressures and waning energy hit the household.


If you're planning other pre-baby home improvements or deep cleaning projects, schedule carpet and upholstery cleaning last after you have completed other renovation activities.


Would you like a clean but you’re not sure if your stretched budget allows?

For such a small human, a new baby’s arrival can feel expensive! If you’ve got the essentials sorted and carpet cleaning is still on your To Do List, consider whether it’s a gift you could ask for. We’re happy to work in with family or friends who might want to gift you a clean at a time that works for you. You can either choose a dollar value, or you can choose what you would like cleaned, we invoice your gifter for pre-payment, and we confirm a date and time with you – couldn’t be easier!



Make wellbeing a priority – call Advanced Carpet Cleaning today

Professional carpet and upholstery cleaning is an affordable investment, protects your Christchurch home’s costly furnishings and adds to your wellbeing and contentment at home. Advanced Carpet Cleaning use family-safe cleaning methods and products that are particularly suitable for homes with babies and young children. Contact us on 0800 566 576 today to book your appointment. 

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The word myths is written on a piece of paper in a file folder.

Busting the myth: does carpet get dirty faster after it's cleaned?

10 July 2025
Today, we're setting the record straight. If you've been hesitating to book professional carpet cleaning services because you've heard that carpets get dirty faster after being cleaned, you're not alone. This persistent myth has kept countless people living with dingy, worn-looking carpets when they could be enjoying fresh, vibrant flooring that enhances their entire living space and saves them money. So, let’s put this this common misconception to bed and reveal why quite the reverse is true. The origin of the myth The belief that carpets attract dirt more quickly after professional cleaning stems from experiences with poor cleaning services from decades past. When the carpet cleaning industry was in its infancy, basic detergents and inadequate extraction methods were quite standard. This combination resulted in soap residues being left in the carpet and carpets did indeed look dirty again faster than before. And so the myth was born, and here we are. However, modern professional carpet cleaning has evolved and innovated dramatically. Today's advanced equipment, experienced technicians, and science-lead cleaning solutions tailored to different fibre types eliminate this problem entirely, delivering results that keep your carpets cleaner and fresher for longer periods. The science behind proper carpet cleaning Understanding why the myth persists just involves comparing what happens during both proper and improper cleaning processes. Remember that cleaning agents (even hand soaps and laundry powders) are designed to attract and hold onto dirt so it can be rinsed away. When carpets are cleaned incorrectly , cleaning agents aren't fully rinsed and extracted from the fibres. These residual chemicals create a tacky surface that attracts and holds onto dirt particles, and the carpet will look dirty again soon after cleaning. You know when you peel an adhesive label off a product it can leave behind that thin film of stickiness? Before you know it, it looks like a dropped toffee apple, having collected all the dust and debris it came into contact with. Yuck! Well, cleaning solutions not removed from carpet will continue to do what they’re designed to do – attract and hold onto dirt, making the surface look grubby. However, professional carpet steam cleaning, when performed correctly, thoroughly removes both dirt and cleaning solutions from fibres ensuring your carpets stay cleaner and fresher for longer. The key really lies in the operator: · Using the right equipment in the right way · Understanding the characteristics of your carpet type · Investing in quality cleaning solutions and understanding them, and · Taking the time to clean and extract to ensure residues are not left behind. 
A man is standing in front of an advanced cleaning van.

We’re proud to look after these exceptional Christchurch businesses and their customers

10 July 2025
Good relationships are at the heart of any successful business. At Advanced Carpet Cleaning, we’re proud to work with some of Christchurch’s most well-known furniture stores, interior designers, and property managers. These relationships reflect the shared values we hold – professionalism, reliability, a commitment to care, and a penchant for quality. From upholstery care referrals to tricky carpet stain treatments, these businesses trust us to deliver results that uphold their high standards. In this blog, you’ll get a quick look at some of Canterbury’s favourite businesses and how they utilise our services. Classy Interiors When you buy a premium suite or designer rug you’re prioritising quality, and long-term style and comfort. Some of Christchurch’s most exceptional furniture retailers – like BoConcept, DA Lewis, ECC, Frobisher, McKenzie & Willis, and Trenzseater, and bespoke manufacturers such as Montreux Furniture – have us on speed-dial for: Professional Organic MicroSeal fabric protection bookings, pre- or post-delivery, giving long-term protection for easy maintenance Upholstery and area rug care referrals or bookings, including cleaning and stain treatment services, care recommendations, and insurance reports after accidental damage Comprehensive follow-up care whenever needed to ensure you get full use and enjoyment from your purchase.  The happy customers of these retailers have peace of mind knowing they’re supported by a trusted local team.