Fastest most effective approach to upholstery cleaning?

[icleancarpetz]

there a few factors to consider such as material, delicateness of fabric, soil load, size, material, etc etc.

Sofa size being 7ft, 5ft and chair.

All things considered, My approach is cushions, arms front skirts back cushions, backing.

I don't particularly like cleaning upholstery, but it pays for the doughnuts.

Is there a better approach?

 

[Mikey P]

Foam.

 

[Russ T.]

I need to go to school I think. Pemberton's has my name on it.

Upholstery seems like so much work compared to carpet. A small 4 " tool takes a while to cover that amount of surface area.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I alway start on the inside back. If working from the front I clean the deck first, just so any driping don't leave a water ring.

After the back the inside arms, then outside and the outside back. Then front and last is the cushions. I might depending on colorfastness, prespray and agitate during the base cleaning allowing extra dwell time.

 

[icleancarpetz]

Foam.

Yes I hear you. I like the shampoos vs spray especially in finer homes it's a must.
I hear some guys foam it, wipe it and vac it…done.

 

[Mikey P]

Vac, foam, towle..

Maybe rinse the arms.


Methods for the uberich

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Low moisture techniques, with upholstery shampoo or encap formulas can be faster, and in some cases safer as well.

Just recognize that soft pile fabrics, such as natural fiber velvet and chenille, will dry with a harsh hand, which your customer won't like.

Also, in most every case, your fabric protector won't work as you promised.

If the fabric is made of an oil loving synthetic fiber, it's difficult to break oil bonds with low moisture methods.

Know the fiber, the fabric, the soil, and the customer first.

 

[Papa John]

Man You spoiled Kids have it so easy today when it comes to Upholstery cleaning.
The SS upholstery tool or similar has already made the task easier and faster.
Rushing upholstery cleaning any further could mean sub par work or problems once it dries.
If you don't like the task- then charge more until you do like it- and do a thorough job.-- otherwise your doomed to buy some furniture.

 

[dekeil]

Vapor steam system takes the work of cleaning upholstry

 

[Papa John]

Vapor steam system takes the work of cleaning upholstry

yeah I don't think that extracts anything-- so good luck with that.

 

[Mikey P]

If the key word is Effective and not so much Fast, than yes, using a tool like the SSPro properly is king


My routine..
Pre vac with Hoover PortaPower
Pre spray with the IPS
Aggitative with Tuway mit
Rinse and dry stroke well with SS
Tent cushions on plastic

 

[Desk Jockey]

Sea sponge and or horsehair brush can work quickly on lightly soiled or delicate fabrics. Terry towel dry or buff off with orbital pads. The piece would need to be qualified to be able to be cleaned this way.

John is right, the old days had some nice tools, the Kleenrite, the Prochem. But the evolution from the dry tools from the Drymaster to the Sapphire have made upholstery cleaning so much easier and safer.

 

[jwfoulk12]

I need to go to school I think. Pemberton's has my name on it.

Upholstery seems like so much work compared to carpet. A small 4 " tool takes a while to cover that amount of surface area.

Come join me in June!

 

[Russ T.]

Come join me in June!

Maybe I will, what's the date?

 

[jwfoulk12]

Maybe I will, what's the date?

June 29th and 30th. You definitely should!

 

[dekeil]

Vapor steam does not extract?
May be my towel is lying to me.

Maybe pads on carpet do not extract?
Maybe my washing machine is lying to me

Maybe it just works for me?

Closed minds are great for staying put in your box.


You all have great day!

 

[Mikey P]

Is it just me or are low moisture fellas a bit edgy?

 

[Shorty]

Is it just me or are low moisture fellas a bit edgy?

Not all of us.

But then again, I'm ambidextrous.

I like to do it both ways.

& more.

 

[dekeil]

I use hot water also.
Been cleaning about two decades and still learning.

I was pointing out their is more than one way to skin cat.
If you are not open to alternative clean what is this board For?
If offer a different method why say it does work.
Have you had experience with alternative methods and have not worked for you. Just maybe they have worked for others.
Just respect others who maybe using a different methods.
Do not just say (they do not extract, good luck with that.)

Thanks
I am to old to stay in the box.
Have a great one.

 

[Nate The Great]

Not all of us.

But then again, I'm ambidextrous.

I like to do it both ways.

& more.

Yikes, don't let my earrings fool you, I don't swing that way.... I can't pitch for the same team if you know what I mean........

 

[Mikey P]

I use hot water also.
Been cleaning about two decades and still learning.

I was pointing out their is more than one way to skin cat.
If you are not open to alternative clean what is this board For?
If offer a different method why say it does work.
Have you had experience with alternative methods and have not worked for you. Just maybe they have worked for others.
Just respect others who maybe using a different methods.
Do not just say (they do not extract, good luck with that.)

Thanks
I am to old to stay in the box.
Have a great one.

I'm open to all methods, most here know that.

 

[dekeil]

Thanks
Doug

 

[Old Coastie]

Doug, vapor works for some things quite well. For others, it is a guaranteed disaster; microfiber for instance.

What are some of your experiences with vapor?

 

[dekeil]

I have used on micro upholstery and not had a bad experience.

I have used it on drapery with great results

You use a towel and low setting on your vapor steamer and go up from their. Trick is not to get towel to wet change your towel often.

You do not want to soak the upholstry.

Mist your pre-spray very lite .

Sometimes I just mist the towel it really lift the body grease from upholstery

Have good one

 

[Desk Jockey]

Doug isn't it slower? I would think it would be a much slower process. We've used steam and towel to accelerate spot removal but never for overall cleaning. The nice part is you would get a good kill on most bacteria or viruses.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Fastest
Most Effective:

2 drywall saw- horses on paved driveway. Put couch on it. Prespray with HF. At 400 psi rinse with pressure wash wand and 40 deg. tip until black and brown runoff water turns clear.

Towel off and return to dorm or rat hole when dry.

 

[Papa John]

Interesting --OK you have a audience now-- so tell us:
I have a garment steamer will that work as well?
Is the towel in the other hand or on the tool?
Do u have to dilute the pre spray more then usual- do u apply it to the towel or fabric-- or no pre spray?
When should This method Not be used?
I would think your method is much better on drapes then OMS-- but what about shrinkage?

 

[Nate The Great]

I remember Tony Wheelwright telling me he used a steamer to activate the pre-spray when cleaning upholstery... His pictures were pretty impressive...

 

[Mikey P]

Fastest
Most Effective:

2 drywall saw- horses on paved driveway. Put couch on it. Prespray with HF. At 400 psi rinse with pressure wash wand and 40 deg. tip until black and brown runoff water turns clear.

Towel off and return to dorm or rat hole when dry.

I actually did that once to a mud flood victim.

It was kind of fun.