NEED HELP WITH UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

[jaydubois]

I need help leaning how to spot and clean correctly. I live in the Baltimore area and would be willing to travel up to a few hours away and work for the experience. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rex Tyus]

That is a pretty vague question. We would love to help but we need more information to help you.

 

[jaydubois]

I just started a new business outside Baltimore and have done a few jobs buy I'm afraid that I may ruin a customers furniture. I took the IICRC class but it really didnt give any hands on training. I would be happy to ride with someone and work for free just to get a bit of experience under my belt.

 

[Rex Tyus]

The class should have at least let you know how to identify the fabrics you should NOT clean. You have the right idea wanting to ride with someone. Maybe someone in your area will see this and respond. Most fabric is pretty easy to clean. Knowing the ones that are not is the tricky part. We can't cover cleaning furniture from beginning to end on the boards but if you have or run across a specific question someone on here will more than likely be able to help. Many here are pretty bright.

 

[jaydubois]

you would think so but the class was vague. John Olsen from Utah said this might be a good place to try. Maybe I should repost asking to ride with someone?

 

[Jim Pemberton]

If you'd like to come up to Pittsburgh, I'm teaching a free upholstery cleaning class on Friday, April 3rd

The morning will cover some of the stuff you learned in the certification class (I teach those too), but instead of covering all of the different fibers and styles, I just focus on the problem fabrics, and what you need to do to clean them safely and effectively.

Then you'll have a chance for hands on cleaning after lunch time for as long as you want to stick around. I have bleeders, raw cotton, silk, and microfiber cushions to clean.

This free class is usually just for customers, but if you want to join us, let me know and I'll get you an invitation.

There will be no pressure for you to buy anything there, or even to become a customer.

 

[John Olson]

Hey guys Jay spoke with me earlier and I am swamped with the RRT at the moment so I sent him here (like sending the lamb to slaughter ) Serious though I couldn't think of a better place for Jay to come and learn. He has a thirst for knowledge and he doesn't want to be a HACK or a BDCC so lets help him out.

 

[Rex Tyus]

I am not recommending you do this, BUT when I started cleaning furniture I was a straight up hack. PCA 5 and a brown out sour on EVERYTHING. I did do a colorfast test and I even paid attention to the care tag on the cushions. If it is synthetic and colorfast 90% of the time a rug rat attachment to vacuum,a moderate enzyme prespray, a horse hair brush for agitation and a good fiber rinse will make you famous. You just have to know when to say when. Until you are comfortable avoid natural fibers particularly with floral print.

No doubt some furniture guru's will be along to chime in sooner or later. But it is really not that hard. We like to complicate things on here. It makes us feel beter about our career choice. :wink:

You should defineately take Jim up on his offer if at all possible. He da man. 8)

 

[John Olson]

Jay Take Jim up on his offer. Serious.

 

[jaydubois]

I'm going to. I never been to Pitt. but it doesnt seem that far and I really want to make sure I'm doing the right thing for my customers. Thanks John for letting me know about the site!

 

[lancehollister]

With little experiance under your belt then a class would be to soon. It would be so overwhelming to learn anything. Did u know that in order to open a Dominos Pizza Company they require 1 yr as a manger first.

If u do the best work every on a customers sofa they ever saw then they may tell 3 or 4 people. Do a lousy job and they will tell 3 times as many not to call u . This business is all about referrals and word of mouth. U need to walk the walk and talk the talk.

If your serious about owning a carpet Co. then getting in with a good out fitt for at least 1 yr.

If what i said falls under , Not gunna happen , then at least visit a few furniture stores and get to know your fabrics and cleaning methods would be a great start.

 

[GeneMiller]

Jay,

I'll tell you a very easy and free way to learn to clean upholstery. WHen I first started I went out on bulk pick up day (garbage day for large items) and pulled cushions off whatever people were throwing away. I could easily get four or five cushions in a night. At one time I had over 50 in my garage. You now have all the samples you need to build and learn about fabrics. You can do all sorts of experiments to see just how far you can push a fabric. One more trick. I kept track of where I got the cushions. If it turned out great, I returned it to the owner with a little note and my card. It was a great way to learn and get new customers. To this day I still do it. Hope this helps

Gene

 

[dealtimeman]

wow gene that is an innovative way of marketing, a bit wierd , but very innovative.

 

[Guest]

I would be kinda pissed if you brought back something I was throwing out,furniture is hard to get rid of.I think giving it to the GoodWill would serve a better purpose.

 

[steve r]

I would be kinda pissed if you brought back something I was throwing out,furniture is hard to get rid of.I think giving it to the GoodWill would serve a better purpose.

you obviously dont live in michigan.

its hard to keep people out of the dumpsters around here.

 

[Scott S.]

I have taken Jim Pembertons free upholstery class, and it is top of the line. he shows you alot of things. what to and not to clean. and what to look for when you come across fabrics your not sure about, He also lets you see the differant fabrics that cause trouble. He also lets you clean "hands on" in the afternoon.

This is a great class to take. its not boring. its quite informational. and you can ask questions as he goes threw the differant fabrics. Jim knows his stuff when it comes to this industry. he has helped me out alot over the past year.

Hope you take him up on his offer, its really a good class to take.

 

[The Magician]

You need to take Jims 3 day uph. class and be a expert. I might see you on Free Friday class. Check out pembertons.com for a good reading education.

 

[Greenie]

well worth the tank of gas and the subway sandwich, get goin'

 

[ChuckR]

If you want a ride along give me a call. I have a job Saturday the 4th about 40 min from you right off I95 north. It is two rooms of carpet a sofa, recliner and chaise.


Chuck
443-553-4856

 

[Wayne Miller]

I was terrified of upholstery until I took a class with Jim. It was years ago, I think they called it a One Day Upholstery Power Cleaning class or something like that. He boiled it down to the basics and took all of the mystery out of it.

 

[Chris A]

well worth the tank of gas and the subway sandwich, get goin'

Hell Jim will even pay for the lunch! Go up there, Jim is the original Sofa King, taught me everything I know about uph.

 

[susansmith]

Argosheen Aerosol is a very good spot remover.