Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: cannon on March 10, 2011, 04:55:22 pm
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Ive got this suite to do next week and its not a one ive come accross, ive done similar but think ive getting a little scared with the owner stressing how expensive it was.
She hasnt had it cleaned before for fear of it being ruined but was pleased with the superb job i did on her leather suite ;D ;D so wants me to clean it.
I was going to carry out normal checks and and if ok HWE.
Any additional advice?
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Fibre is most important so check it. If it has more than 30% or so of rayon/viscose be wary with WHE. Any more than 40% do not do it or you will end up with crushed velvet.
Colour - deep rich colours like blues, reds etc should be tested for fastness and appropriate solutions used.
Whatever it is, if in doubt, use a Woolsafe Approved solution or avoid high alkalines and solvents. Try to keep the moisture down too.
If it is an older Laura Ashley in their "raspberry" red walk away.
You could also ditch the HWE for the job and use a low moisture method with a fibre shampoo and a bucket - very low tech and your client may not like it.
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need a description gary bristowclean
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Pic attached Gary.
Siloch, Ive allready told her i may use a foam on it think i probably will, its brown in colour with no real visible soiling. She just wants it cleaning/sanitising smelling nice.
I would just test and clean as i normally do but with her stressing how expensive it was and she is really fond of it and there should be more work coming from her i thought id post a pic just incase someone had come accross a suite the same and there was something lurking that could cause me problems.
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Hi if your not sure walk away from job
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p in a circle is dry clean in percloetheline , the A symbol is quite rare but its means in can be dry cleaned in all solvents ,im talking dry cleaning shops, use a mild pre spray and cool extraction on a section on the back see how it responds or wet a small area and press with your finger for 30 secs if it does not flatten you will know to carry on with a water system.
it does look like a dralon,velour,cheap velvet. i would buff up the base and take the covers to a dry cleaners
gary bristowclean
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You could always spray with something like M Power, agitate, leave and then Terry Towel.
Very little risk with this method and dry very quickly.
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if i was doing that suite and there was no visible signs of dirt i would do it as Paolo suggest, but i would set up the truckmount and use it to give it a good pre-vac( inc a stiff dry brushing)
I might even use rolled dampened cloths as well instead of applying the pre-spray directly onto the fabric
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Fibre is most important so check it. If it has more than 30% or so of rayon/viscose be wary with WHE. Any more than 40% do not do it or you will end up with crushed velvet.
Colour - deep rich colours like blues, reds etc should be tested for fastness and appropriate solutions used.
Whatever it is, if in doubt, use a Woolsafe Approved solution or avoid high alkalines and solvents. Try to keep the moisture down too.
If it is an older Laura Ashley in their "raspberry" red walk away.
You could also ditch the HWE for the job and use a low moisture method with a fibre shampoo and a bucket - very low tech and your client may not like it.
Sorry if i sound dense but how do you ascertain the percentages of different fibres as you described
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you would have to find a label.
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James,
Good question. Look at the label if there is one. A burn test is not going to be helpful.
Just a point about labels: some are very helpful, most are correct with fibre content but some are way off with the advice they give such as "dry clean only" or "use a damp cloth with household detergent". I think the reason for this is the use of generic labels which go on all their range of uphostery. I even saw a "dry clean only" label on leather.
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Give it a solvent clean......risk free. If you haven't got a solvent machine. pre - vac and spray with solvent agitate then wipe with towels.
She wants it freshened not a deep clean so take the risk free route.
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Some excellent advise, if it turns out to be non wet cleanable ive got a couple more options now.
Im back next week for the carpets so ill assess the suite properly then.
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If the fabric is flocked it may disintegrate if dry cleaning fluid is used or indeed any type of solvent. Flocked fabrics are often labled as such with a warning not to dry clean (but not always).
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alright lads a free tip here.
If you ever come across a sofa cover or any fabric which has the the circle P label (without the underscore) it means its dry cleanable in perchloroethylene solvent (PERC). However, the british standard also says that is can be spotted using cold water.
So the theory goes that anything with a circle P should be treatable with cold water. I wouldnt overwet it but a fine mist / spray using cold water - no detergents and wipe should be ok.
however any viscose / rayon, cotton or silk pile fabrics are allergic to any water whatsoever as it causes pile crushing which results in shading.
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Try and clean a small part of the suite were it caint be seen ie the back of the zipper of the cushion when you do decide what chemical to use on it..
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Dry - Wet - Dry clean.
Its an old school technique these days but will work if it is natural fibre & heavily soiled.
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Sorry should have updated.
Was back at property other day for carpets so had time to properly assess suite (see attached pic). this is after wetting and dryed.
Wouldnt even use foam on this so ive purchased some dry clean solution, back tommorow. Never used this before apart from on my own suite the other night so ill be proceding with caution.
What are your views on the dry clean route? i know it has its limitations and luckily this suite just needs a freshen up.
I have had some tips and advice on how to get the most from this method but anymore input is as always greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
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I'm with Mike H on this, a flippin good vac with a stiff brush being used at the same time. I know there are a few on here who don't believe in pre vac-ing but this is one job I would restrict to just vac-ing then M/F cloth and minimal moisture.
You'd be surprised how good you can bring up a suite with just a good vac and brush, I did one today that had loads of hair spray build up on it. By the time I'd brushed and vacuumed there really wasn't a need for wet clean afterwards.
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By the sheen on it I would say its either cotton velvet or def has rayon or viscose in it. Solvent such as dri-pro won't affect texture or shrinkage it doesn't look like a flock but check the backing to make sure it is'nt white qauze.
If it is flock as mentioned best not to use solvent.
So good pre vac, ( this is very important) check any tools for rough edges. fine mist with solvent, lightly brush in, terry towel off, post vac to finish off. GROOM nap.
Stand back and admire the sheen and 'handle' of the pile and how dry it is. Job done 8)
PS pre-test on zip end for any texture change or dye run
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What were the results of your fibre ID?
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Looks like a dralon to me.If its velvet she will know,and it would of cost a fortune.,They always say,It was expensive.viscose rayon is risky.Do a test on the back, with some prochem fabric restore.Leave it a couple of days.If the test is good. No wet cat syndrome wet clean it.After cleaning gently brush it to remove tool lines.If you are unsure you can clean using a solvent extraction machine, but make sure exhaust pipe is vented outside.Avoid painted surfaces but if solvent touches it leave it to dry natually
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If it's a natural fibre and heavily soil dry cleaning won't work particularly well as this will only really remove the oil based soil. Even with a detergent additive if it's a minger.
Dry/Wet/Dry will give the best of both worlds reducing the amount of OMS required. If it is moisture sensitive.
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What were the results of your fibre ID?
Only wetted, from this concluded viscose or cotton velour. No swatches attached for burn test but i believe both these fibres would react the same when burned. Although some of you more experienced may be able to tell the difference.
Pete, its a soggy rat alright :) no solvent machine so will be doing it by hand, testing of course and with caution.
Another suggestion i was given was using a safe for wool m/s, misted on, agitated, towelled off.
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No ash with viscose.
Use your machine to vac off then towel. Customer will get the machine clean most desire and you could use the low moisture technique.
First thing I would be doing is opening a cushion to trim a bit from seem inside or using tweezers to pluck a bit and doing a test to see if synthetic.
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An old boy walked in on Friday asking if we could clean his cushions.
Normally we would forward this on to one of our customers.
Instead I decided to use some of the methods above and video the results.
You can see the vid here :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY6eJPa_S7I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY6eJPa_S7I)
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Looks the the one from the TV prog The Royale Family ;D
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(http://www.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300/r/royle_family_christmas_2010.jpg)
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thats an old one ;D
The fringing was always coming off :D
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HI How did you get on with the suite?
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Cleaned it using craftex fabric dry cleaner, not something id like to use everyday but pleased ive had experience of using it and being able to offer a dry clean option now when needed.
Which reminds me im going to source some fabric and have a bit practise to hone my skills ;D and try some other methods.