[zoe humble]

Hi Guys I have been doing a lot of reading and thinking (ouch).  had the funny conversation / post as to whether girls can clean carpets etc. So I am still thinking of approach.  I don't have a van. I have an octavia - my partner has a ford mondeo estate so he'll happily swap.  The octavia does have a hudge boot but its not a tail gate. I know it doesn't look as smart as a nice van but thats where I am.  I'll also sign up for some training as to not become a cowboy.  I can see that this work is physically demanding etc.  I am looking to add another service to cleaning or to have this as the mainstay as I believe I could make more money per hour.  I can go up to £2000 for a machine / kit to begin with. 

I've read a few posts about portys and whats the best etc whats required etc. 

My question.  I am interested to know more about these LM methods for domestic carpets.  I am guessing that the clean isn't as deep as other methods but would provide a good 'freshen' up service for my customers carpets.  (granted this isn't necessarily what you understanably want to hear)

The other thought I had was to concentrate on upholstery cleaning.  I disagreeumption is that small porty could do the job here. 

I still haven't discounted getting a regular mid range porty.

[Colin Day]

I wouldn't take any notice of the sexist comments on that other cringe worthy post :

Obviously, you're more aware than most that you're gonna need to buy the best and you might be lucky with £2k, but saving up might be the best option and holding off until you're into a better position....

LM is a great option however and if I thought I could get away with selling my HWE system and buying LM and sticking to commercial work only and be more successful, I'd consider it a no brainer....

[jasonl]

Colin , I only do LM , domestic, commercial its all good, of course you still need a little extractor for stairs /upholstery.

Zoe, you can get every thing you need to go LM for a grand brand new, less if you go used.
I used a Mondeo estate for a while, though  a van is more proffessional imo.

[Steve. Taylor]

Zoe you could always sub the carpet side out and focus on the domestic side EOT ect while doing this you could get some training and review it at a later date without splashing out to much cash.

[Colin Day]

Colin , I only do LM , domestic, commercial its all good, of course you still need a little extractor for stairs /upholstery.

Zoe, you can get every thing you need to go LM for a grand brand new, less if you go used.
I used a Mondeo estate for a while, though  a van is more proffessional imo.

I was going to suggest you to Zoe as it happens J....

Hope you're well mate

[zoe humble]

great that is helpful.  I am not at all bothered by 'the other post' - The good machines are hudge and I don't have a van so I have to think about it. 

[jasonl]

Why not sell a car and buy a van, they are very nice nowadays, you can get them with 5 seats , good on fuel too.  My 1.8 petrol cost more in fuel than my transit now does.

[robert meldrum]

Zoe

I've used a little Suzuki van for the past 4 years which is brilliant and carries an amazing amount of gear. Some hatchbacks would be fine but remember you have to lift machines in / out so you want one with lowish platform and no awkward tailgate to lift over and damage your back.
An ideal light but capable machine might be the Sabrina Maxi which splits in two making it easy to carry.
With you finding out about L/M you might be wise to have a telephone conversation with someone like Jasonl to get real info rather than second hand.

[zoe humble]

yea I need a van !!  thanks I've contacted jason

[darrenlee]

zoe

cleansmart are doing a great little porty airflex mini single vac or twin

http://www.cleansmartsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Airflex_Mini.html

have been lookin at one myself great little porty

darren

[Paul Heath]

Zoe have a look at some Prochem machines and give me a ring 

[ianharper]

Zoe

its only 50% about cleaning and 50% about marketing. image is part of marketing. with respect its not about what you use or what you drive but how good you are what you do. and not putting people stuff at risk when your cleaning them. that can cost you.

many guys use single vac machines out of estate cars and have been in the business for years. many people play at this game with no respect to cost and profit the work should always tell you when to spend. if your having issue with dirt removal then it might be your methods or training. its a step by step process. always keeping an eye on your results. if spending out will not improve that result in direct relationship to the result then its not worth the spend.

I have had two TMs and find that with good methods and my ninja i can get as good as job as spend many of thousands of pounds. given that many buy TMs on lease they end up paying at lot more for a machine that devalues every year and is wearing out.

Don't get caught up in the boys game of mines bigger than yours -)

Good luck

Respect

Ian Harper

[creighton foyle]

i was on the training course at cleansmart last week and one of the other trainees had the mini airflex and he was well happy with it, you also get the free training as well .

[darrenlee]

creighton
did he have the single vac mini or twin

[robert meldrum]

Cerainly looks good on paper

[darrenlee]

robert do you mean the airflex mini
i just cant make my mind up, driving me mad, i fancy single vac
then sway to the twin, but the in series vacs put me off, as my rhino was doing a couple vacs a year.
and like ive said before i get good results with my little maxi

but the single at £950 + vat a great deal

[jasonl]

The Kleenrite sphere , is the same spec,size  and price as the Airflex mini , only it has a built in heater which  will output 65c water constantly from cold tap water , I have had mine for 3 years now ,I only use it for stairs and upholstery , I have never had to replace a thing on it.

[creighton foyle]

darren i think it was the single vac as he said he paid £1200 all in.  he has even done a couple of kids nurseries with it and said he was having no problem getting on with it.  the nursery had booked him on a 6 monthly basis for repeat cleans so it must be okay.

[darrenlee]

cheers creighton did you the course at cleansmart

jason do you have a link to where i can get sphere

thanks darren

[jasonl]

The uk distributor   http://www.chemspec-europe.com/displayproduct.asp?UID=47334&productname=Kleenrite-Sphere-(Single)

[Dave Roberts]

Hi Zoe,

As Jason has said, it's perfectly feasible to set up and operate a carpet cleaning business, utilizing only low mositure system(s), for a lower set up cost than hot water extraction tends to be.

Contrary to what some may say, you will be able to tackle ANY carpet in any setting and in any condition with the right low moisture set up.   Your customers will love that their carpets are dry in around 1 hour.

Example;-

This rotary carpet cleaning machine (new) and included accesories:-

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/RotaryPack

These agitation bonnets:-

http://www.worldofclean.co.uk/index.php?productID=597

This as your main cleaning solution:-

http://www.worldofclean.co.uk/index.php?productID=626

A spotting kit, consisting of dry solvent and various specialist spot/stain removers.

And this water extraction spotting machine (scroll right to the bottom. It's called the CFR35 and I use it:-

http://www.machinesthatclean.com/Carpet_Cleaners.htm#Wet or Dry  An Overview

Total set up cost around £1200, all new equipment.

There is a strong bias towards hot water extraction on this forum, so many will disagree with me but the truth is out there............   

David

[creighton foyle]

daren i did the course at cleansmart last weekend derek bolton is a first class teacher.
 i am off to lecester this weekend for the ncca course hope i will be good to go then, think my machine will be here next tuesday.