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

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! 

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. 

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!