Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Neil Grainger on May 13, 2008, 05:13:15 pm

Title: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: Neil Grainger on May 13, 2008, 05:13:15 pm

Hi Gents

Been to quote for a Job today and customers upholstery is called Buffalo, Whats is the best way to clean it as I have not cleaned it before. Manufacturer is called contour Upholstery and it was sold by Vale furnishings.

Thanks in advance

Neil

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: gwrightson on May 13, 2008, 05:59:17 pm

Neil,

these seem to be quite popular,
what I have noticed when surveying is that an effect similar to bubbling is quite often prevalant, this can increase with a wet clean but I have found that is does dry back to its  original status

I do stress to the custy the effect already showing and the appearance of the fabric before it is dry.

I mist with m/s aggitate with micro fibre cloth and hwe , bearing in mind not to use to high a temp, cold should suffice. towel dry and straight into the turbo driers.Cleaning does give good results
geoff.

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: Doug Holloway on May 13, 2008, 06:34:20 pm

Hi Guys

It is a laminate so the bubbling is cauused when the backing delaminates from the top layer.

This can be made worse by high temps or the use of solvents.

Geoff's method is spot on.

Cheers

Doug

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stevegunn on May 13, 2008, 06:40:04 pm

I tend to do these by hand using chemspecs fast drying shampoo had some excellent results even on the most filthy suites.

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stuart_clark on May 13, 2008, 08:15:50 pm

I saw one of these suites in whickham at the end of last year, chemdry had cleaned it the year before and it had delaminated very badly
i thought it might get worse after a second clean so i walked away!

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: carpet guy on May 13, 2008, 08:45:09 pm

Agree with Steve, been cleaning one of these for about 5 years twice yearly ( three king charles spaniels )

Tried several methods and got best result ( and quickest clean ) using chrystalising foam and little hand bonnets.

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: *paul_moss on May 13, 2008, 08:53:45 pm

Also known as faux suede or micro fibre. They are as Doug says a bonded fibre with the surface fibre being synthetic fibre mixes ( nylon/acrlic/poly).
They can delaminate with heavy aggitation or high  heat or using solvents.
I find they clean great using microsplitters and hwe, then towel off. The heavier flocks can wick back big time, and sometimes need a good vac first.
Look horrible wet, ( look like wet buffalo skin, thats why it gts the nick name buffalo leather/skin) but looks great again once dry. They dry quite fast too. ;)

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: lands on May 13, 2008, 09:03:42 pm

Micro Fibre? Thats news to me, I clean loads of them and did'nt know they were also called buffalo. I do know that its very common in the states

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: *paul_moss on May 13, 2008, 09:14:28 pm

Pete, the stuff in the states is usually real buffalo leather :)

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stevegunn on May 27, 2008, 11:52:33 am

One I did this morning using craftex dry foam shampoo

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stevegunn on May 27, 2008, 11:55:10 am

Grease/oil from dog lying on suite

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: davep on May 27, 2008, 01:20:25 pm

Looks good, so did you need no rinse with that shampoo Steve?

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: mitch2810 on May 27, 2008, 01:38:42 pm

Quote from: Steve Gunn on May 27, 2008, 11:52:33 am

One I did this morning using craftex dry foam shampoo

Steve. It looks like you have also taken the varnish off the floor

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: *paul_moss on May 27, 2008, 03:55:26 pm

 ;D

And repainted the wall   ;)

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: carpet_care on May 27, 2008, 06:58:00 pm

And changed the colour of the footstool from gold and black to silver and blue . ;D ;D ;)

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: Paul Redden Countryfresh on May 27, 2008, 07:05:38 pm

Steve what water based degreaser did you use to get oil/grease off?
I always thought these were in the flock family as they have the same white mesh backing.  I lost one quote cos she washed it in the w.machine with success I might add. ::)

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stevegunn on May 27, 2008, 07:08:43 pm

Just used pure clean as a pre-spray

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: davep on May 27, 2008, 08:03:00 pm

No rinse?

Title: Re: Cleaning Buffalo
Post by: stevegunn on May 27, 2008, 08:09:29 pm

The foam shampoo was brushed in then towelled off which acts as a rinse