T Monahan
Supportive Member
Please consider that in our industry we face the issue of Cognitive Dissonance.
"People tend to seek consistency in their beliefs and perceptions. So what happens when one of our beliefs conflicts with another previously held belief? The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the feeling of discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs. When there is a discrepancy between beliefs and behaviors, something must change in order to eliminate or reduce the dissonance."
Reference: http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/dissonance.htm
Let's talk washing wool in a rug plant. Among other things, please realize that some chlorinated products are used for a specific purpose and in a specific context safely everyday as they have been used for decades of time. However, some have openly and dogmatically said it is absolutely wrong without considering the facts. Let's establish some truisms as simple as we can and develop this thread along the way with arguments in an effort to allow truth to emerge.
First, what is Wool?
Can we agree as one dictionary put it simply, "The dense, soft, often curly hair forming the coat of sheep and certain other mammals, such as the goat and alpaca, consisting of cylindrical fibers of keratin covered by minute overlapping scales and much valued as a textile fabric."
The medulla is the inner core of the wool fiber. Encasing that is the cortex. This keeps all the fiber together.
The outer layer is the cuticle. It looks like a fish scale.
The only job the cuticle does is protect the fiber. Alkaline pH will cause the scales to open. With the scales open, detergents can enter and flush out the fiber. But if the rug is left in a pH base state, the wool will feel rough and dry because the scales are still open. Once the alkaline has been neutralized, the acid will close the scales, leaving the fibers feeling soft and clean.
Can we agree with the following two points?
1. All acids below 3 can dissolve wool.
2. All bases above 11 can do the same.
In this thread, I will provide observations on how some rug washers are keeping the water economically sanitized while washing rugs. There are real challenges faced in washing dirty rugs. There are some safe remedies utilized by some operators that are using it in a Centrum Force Wash Tub environment to assist in the rug care process. Some of these techniques will involve Di-Chlor. Since it does, I believe its time to enhance understanding what Di-Chlor does at a specifically controlled dilution and what can be accomplish effectively and safely.
Please be aware that I do not sell Di-Chlor and I do not have stock in any company that manufactures the product or sells it. The intent I have for starting this thread should be apparent. It is to give better clarity on the technique of using it safely and without measurable harm to the wool textile entrusted into the care of a professional rug washer.
What it is and how it is used has everything to do within the context of causing no harm as operators. Rug washers are in the business of hauling out dirt, removing organic grime, and getting unhealthy bio debris out of a rug. Most of those I know are passionate about doing the best job they can and returning the rug to the client in good health.
Before I get on my soap box, is this a worthwhile thread for me to continue?
"People tend to seek consistency in their beliefs and perceptions. So what happens when one of our beliefs conflicts with another previously held belief? The term cognitive dissonance is used to describe the feeling of discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs. When there is a discrepancy between beliefs and behaviors, something must change in order to eliminate or reduce the dissonance."
Reference: http://psychology.about.com/od/cognitivepsychology/f/dissonance.htm
Let's talk washing wool in a rug plant. Among other things, please realize that some chlorinated products are used for a specific purpose and in a specific context safely everyday as they have been used for decades of time. However, some have openly and dogmatically said it is absolutely wrong without considering the facts. Let's establish some truisms as simple as we can and develop this thread along the way with arguments in an effort to allow truth to emerge.
First, what is Wool?
Can we agree as one dictionary put it simply, "The dense, soft, often curly hair forming the coat of sheep and certain other mammals, such as the goat and alpaca, consisting of cylindrical fibers of keratin covered by minute overlapping scales and much valued as a textile fabric."
The medulla is the inner core of the wool fiber. Encasing that is the cortex. This keeps all the fiber together.
The outer layer is the cuticle. It looks like a fish scale.
The only job the cuticle does is protect the fiber. Alkaline pH will cause the scales to open. With the scales open, detergents can enter and flush out the fiber. But if the rug is left in a pH base state, the wool will feel rough and dry because the scales are still open. Once the alkaline has been neutralized, the acid will close the scales, leaving the fibers feeling soft and clean.
Can we agree with the following two points?
1. All acids below 3 can dissolve wool.
2. All bases above 11 can do the same.
In this thread, I will provide observations on how some rug washers are keeping the water economically sanitized while washing rugs. There are real challenges faced in washing dirty rugs. There are some safe remedies utilized by some operators that are using it in a Centrum Force Wash Tub environment to assist in the rug care process. Some of these techniques will involve Di-Chlor. Since it does, I believe its time to enhance understanding what Di-Chlor does at a specifically controlled dilution and what can be accomplish effectively and safely.
Please be aware that I do not sell Di-Chlor and I do not have stock in any company that manufactures the product or sells it. The intent I have for starting this thread should be apparent. It is to give better clarity on the technique of using it safely and without measurable harm to the wool textile entrusted into the care of a professional rug washer.
What it is and how it is used has everything to do within the context of causing no harm as operators. Rug washers are in the business of hauling out dirt, removing organic grime, and getting unhealthy bio debris out of a rug. Most of those I know are passionate about doing the best job they can and returning the rug to the client in good health.
Before I get on my soap box, is this a worthwhile thread for me to continue?
