Does obfuscation exist in our cleaning industry?

[T Monahan]

Tom, going back to your initial claim.
When I clean rugs in home, I tell my clients exactly what they are getting, both the advantages (price & convenience) and disadvantages (topical cleaning only, not as deep a rinse, no immersion or full rinse, nor adequate removal of particulate matter etc.) When I'm done, they know exactly what they are getting.

Do you inform your clients that the use of Di-Chlor on their rugs, has the potential to shorten the life of the wool, decrease resiliency and reppelency, or do you just make that decision for them without their knowledge or consent?

Good question! Here is my direct response:

What you assert about Di-Chlor is not correct. When and if I use Di-Chlor in the wash tub process, it fluctuates from 6 parts per million to less. It helps in keeping the water safe for our operators use and has proven to be very effective in preventing cross contamination. There is no evidence of its damaging effects to wool at usage levels I have described. I also rinse and flush rugs out while spinning in my centrifuge with city water that is already chlorinated for human consumption.

Note: Additionally, I do not discuss using the city's chlorinated water that I use in their home for carpet and furniture cleaning either.

 

[Desk Jockey]

There is no evidence of its damaging effects to wool at usage levels I have described. I also rinse and flush rugs out while spinning in my centrifuge with city water that is already chlorinated for human consumption.

Is this evidence scientific or are you just saying no one has lived long enough yet to verify felting or other damage to the fiber cuticle?

We had a conservator from the Chicago museum speak to us at a Water Loss Specialist class I attended and they methods of cleaning and concern for what was used was far different from what I'd suspect most rug cleaners use.

 

[T Monahan]

Is this evidence scientific or are you just saying no one has lived long enough yet to verify felting or other damage to the fiber cuticle?

We had a conservator from the Chicago museum speak to us at a Water Loss Specialist class I attended and they methods of cleaning and concern for what was used was far different from what I'd suspect most rug cleaners use.

Conservators have described protocol for items under their custodial care. These standards described in their protocol are to be followed if you are doing that sort of work.

I already posted a video clip from our last Rug Summit on this board forum. It shows two tests that resemble a level of science analysis that was done on wool fibers when submitted to Di-Chlor use in wash tub operations in two different locations, by two different operators. (reference: http://mikeysboard.com/forum/showth...o-clips-Pettyjohn-Gabel-Peacock-and-Beardslee)

 

[ruff]

Ouch! Ofer why so rough on a weekend? You need to ease in to a question like that.

Say something like "Do you think its a fair trade off to clean the rug more thoroughly but use products that may shorten the life, color, texture of the rug?"

Yea!
What Richard says

Sorry, didn't have my coffee yet. Besides, I wanted to initiate Tom, he seems to have led a charmed life so far. It's a balancing act.
Thus Tom will grow to be tough and righteous.
Not too righteous though, Tom.