What do Shirley and Burwood households usually need?
A clean that deals with everyday family wear. In established suburbs like these, the jobs I see most are:
- Grey traffic lanes from the back door to the kitchen and down the hallway.
- Food and drink spills in the lounge, often from years ago.
- Pet accidents, especially in a spare room or behind a couch.
- A tired couch or a rug that would suit the same visit.
I tell you honestly at the walk-through which marks should come out and which may only lighten.
My house was repaired after the quakes. Does that change anything?
The north-east of Christchurch was hit hard by the earthquakes, and many homes here had repairs, new flooring or a full rebuild. If your carpet was replaced as part of that work, it’s probably a synthetic or wool-blend product, and most of these clean well with hot water extraction.
If you’re not sure what the carpet is, I’ll check it on the day. Wool and wool blends get wool-safe products and care not to over-wet them. See wool carpet cleaning if you think yours is wool.
How do you deal with pet accidents in a family home?
I start with a UV torch, because urine often spreads wider under the surface than the visible mark. The area is pre-sprayed and rinsed with hot water extraction first, which also clears out residue from any products you may have tried.
Then I apply a urine treatment matched to your carpet, rinse again and repeat if needed. A deodoriser and antimicrobial treatment are part of every urine job. Where underlay has been soaked again and again, replacing that patch is sometimes the honest answer. More on my pet urine and odour treatment page and in the pet urine carpet guide.
Can the couch be done on the same visit?
Yes. Fabric couches in family homes collect a lot of food and grime. I look at the fabric and test a hidden spot before cleaning. See upholstery cleaning.
What access do I need?
Most homes here are on flat sections with a driveway, which makes things easy. I need to park near the front or back door, since the hoses reach roughly 45 m from the van, and use an outside tap.
Nearby suburbs I also cover: St Albans, Papanui, New Brighton, Linwood and Woolston, plus Dallington, Mairehau, Parklands and Avondale.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to keep the kids and pets out while you work?
It helps. Hoses run through the house and there are air movers going, so keeping small children and pets in another room or outside keeps everyone safe. My products are safe around children and pets.
Our carpet was replaced in the quake repairs. Can it be hot water extracted?
In most cases, yes. Most modern synthetic and wool-blend carpets suit hot water extraction. I check the fibre on the day and adjust the products to suit.
Can you find pet urine I can’t see?
Usually. A UV torch shows most old urine spots, so I can treat the whole affected area rather than only the patch you can see.
Can you do the kids’ mattresses as well?
Yes. Mattresses can be added to the same visit as the carpet. Send a photo of any marks so I can tell you honestly what to expect.
How often should a busy family home be cleaned?
It depends on how many people and pets you have. The how often to clean carpets guide gives general advice, and I’m happy to suggest timing after I’ve seen your carpet.
About the author
Jin quotes and cleans every job himself, using a Hydramaster Boxxer 318 truck-mount hot water extraction system and wool-safe products that are safe around children and pets. J.S. Carpet Cleaning covers Christchurch, Rolleston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, West Melton, Kaiapoi and Rangiora, and carries $1M public liability insurance.
Need a carpet clean in Shirley or Burwood?
Text 027 612 2522 with your address and number of rooms. Add photos of any stains, pet spots or a couch you’d like done.