Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ag on August 29, 2007, 12:58:03 pm

Title: wool sofa
Post by: ag on August 29, 2007, 12:58:03 pm

Hi There

Got a wool sofa to clean. checked out the NCCA  handbook, but all it says is - Long drying times, will cause problems.
Whats the best way to approach? Dry clean or low moisture?
Cheers

Title: Re: wool sofa
Post by: lands on August 29, 2007, 03:04:18 pm

Ag,

Can you provide a bit more detail on the construction of the fibre?

Pete

Title: Re: wool sofa
Post by: ag on August 30, 2007, 06:03:09 pm

Hi Pete
unfortunatly not, as I was told over the phone that it was wool, and I am going to have a look at it tmrw. I kindof wanted to know what would ahead of me though, and the results expected?
What should I be looking for?I take it that shrinkage is the main concern.
Regards
Agnes

Title: Re: wool sofa
Post by: Ken Wainwright on August 30, 2007, 06:50:01 pm

Hi Agnes

If you intend to HWE, just follow Best Practice techniques and procedures and you should be OK. Pay special attention to drying strokes and post clean towelling. Don't be too physically agressive or you could cause pilling. Use Woolsafe solutions. Vac VERY well. Make sure it isn't stuffed with horsehair as this could be problematic, as with any suite.

Water would not normally create any significant shrinkage problems. In the case of garments, it's the agitation that causes shrinkage when fibres facing opposite directions lock the cuticles, They can slide in one direction but not the other. Think of it like two fishes facing one another, they can slide past each other, but the scales lock if they try to go backwards.  It's vegetable fibres such as cotton and jute that swell in water, causing the fabric to shrink. That's why a woven carpet may shrink from cleaning, not the wool.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken

Title: Re: wool sofa
Post by: ag on August 30, 2007, 07:01:23 pm

Thanks very much. Thats good to know.fore armed is fore warned as they say.

Title: Re: wool sofa
Post by: lands on August 30, 2007, 07:53:39 pm

Just to add Kens thoughts Agnes, the over wetting (or not drying quick enough) can also cause browning from the inner lining. If you are using HWE make sure water is quite hot 40-50c as this will dry quicker and as Ken says lots of dry passes but keep an eye on vac power (might be too high so adjust via hand tool or machine (ie. use one vac). Presumably you have an internal jet on your hand tool, if so you'll find that there will be very little moisture left behind anyway. Do you have an air mover? If so use it.

Good luck and let us know how you go

Pete