Hemp

[ruff]

How dirty is it?

The easy answer is to clean it like other cellulose fibers, but color loss is an issue. Avoid "Haitian Cotton/Natural Cotton" cleaners that contain reducing agents, and surely avoid oxidizers as cleaners or boosters.

A neutral detergent and lukewarm rinse is best, then dry it quick.

Can you clean it at your location? Absorbent powder (the spotting stuff, not the carpet cleaning stuff) can do wonders for you.

Thank you Jim. One can always rely on help from you.

The client did not yet want it cleaned. I was there cleaning something else and they just wanted to know if Hemp can be cleaned as they were told that it will loose the color.

"My location" is their home.
Would a neutral detergent and lukewarm water rinse not cause any dye loss.
What absorbent powder (link please), and how do you apply?

 

[Jim Pemberton]

If it hasn't yet gotten to be soiled, protect it now.

I've done extensive tests with both water based and solvent based protectors made for upholstery, and what I've learned is that once a fabric is properly protected, it can be cleaned with more safety AND better results than if not protected.

These results are measurable, but not as readily noticed in synthetic fiber carpet. In the case of delicate natural fibers, though, the differences are impressive.

Dyes will be more stable, because you won't need to use nearly as strong of a cleaning agent to get them clean. They also will be more stable because you will be cleaning the soil and the "outer edges" of the yarns. Your cleaning agent will not penetrate more deeply and begin to cause bleeding or fading.

Browning becomes just as unlikely, for the same reasons.

I've cleaned protected natural fiber fabrics with cool water and a microfiber cloth. This will render better results than dry solvent cleaning and is as safe, if not safer.

If they don't accept your offer to "vacuum and protect" this sensitive fabric now, they are foolish. The use of the cleaning method I recommended might be helpful, could be safe, and will have some soil removal, but the results will not be nearly as satisfactory as they would be (nor as safe), if you protect it now.

If you find hemp that hasn't been protected, or if these people have no sense of responsibility for their belongings (I know I sound harsh here, but if you present these benefits and they won't do it in light of what you're offering, they are both foolish and irresponsible), then you can try the cleaning method I recommended.

The use of absorbent powder in the customers home and allowing it to work over night without you there is probably not a good idea, but if you find the need to do it, you can purchase diamtomaceous earth from most garden supply or pool supply places. Its used for filtration and pest control. I've seen it at Home Depot.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Great idea! Protection never crossed my mind.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Love threads like this!

 

[ruff]

............. If they don't accept your offer to "vacuum and protect" this sensitive fabric now, they are foolish.

If you find hemp that hasn't been protected, or if these people have no sense of responsibility for their belongings (I know I sound harsh here, but if you present these benefits and they won't do it in light of what you're offering, they are both foolish and irresponsible), then you can try the cleaning method I recommended.

Thank you Jim. Love it.
Assertive, honest and to the point. And has a little Ladwig in it to boot

With your permission, I'll forward it to the foolish irresponsible client, pronto.
I think this place may have finally ruined St. Jim forever. Welcome buddy.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

LOL....Jimmy Ladwig is wiser than many know.

My choice of words in this case are a measure of my firmness of conviction on the subject...passion in fact, if you will.

Industry suppliers and trainers (yes, that includes me as both) have spent so much time talking about the money that can be made by applying protector that we've forgotten to make clear just how important these products are to your customers.

Cleaners will spend twice as much on a truck mount to get extra CFM and heat and water flow to do a better job. They will invest in water softeners not just to protect their equipment but also to rinse the carpet better, and to leave less residue in the carpet.

In the end, many spend more on these things than the cost of an average monthly order of protector

To me, if a cleaner cares that much about his customer and their needs, the cost of the protector isn't just secondary, its way down the list.

Any cost to the client and profit to the cleaner is incidental to the true value of the application.

......like I said Ofer:

Its conviction and passion that makes me choose those words...

 

[ruff]

Amen.