Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: M.Acorn on February 25, 2009, 04:25:33 pm

Title: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: M.Acorn on February 25, 2009, 04:25:33 pm
Did do a search but not much help,Suite has been wet cleaned before by service master,so will be doing a test prior to starting job.and drying it off with a h/dryer.
What i have gathered so far is possible pile reversal,using to much heat is bad as fibres can burst,Have cleaned velour without probs before,but this custy was asking a lot of questions,so want to be prepared for another barrage when i get there tomorrow to clean it.
Off to get some propper fabric prespray,usually use pre spray gold ,but fancy trying something different  ;D
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: derek west on February 25, 2009, 04:30:27 pm
i think if a customer asked far too many questions i might get suspicious, be careful on this one marc, my spidey senses are tingling.
derek
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: clinton on February 25, 2009, 04:54:27 pm
Mark

I would get some before picies mate for a start.

Trouble is the reversal is sometimes worse on the seats and arms due to wear.

Do you want this job mate ???
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: murky on February 25, 2009, 05:07:13 pm
Velour is the type of pile as in dralon ie; it looks different from differnt angles and has a pile or nap.

But is it viscose velour? Then if you wet clean it you are probably heading for trouble.

Test it in a small area, put a teaspoon of water on it and if it absorbes the water and goes flat, similar to a wet cat, then it is viscose and should only be dry cleaned. You can do it wet to a certain extent but you have to know what you are doing.

Murky
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: 1 man band on February 25, 2009, 05:14:47 pm
TEST NOTHING, DO NO MORE ,WALK MY FRIEND, THERES TROUBLE A COMEING, BECAUSE I ASKED HIM, AND HE TOLD ME TO TELL YA.
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: Ken Wainwright on February 25, 2009, 07:28:48 pm
Most velours are easy peasy. My suspicion, Mark, is that you are lacking in confidence.

Use your knowledge gained from training. Do a proper and full inspection.

Is it a woven fabric or flocked?

If woven, is the face fibre cotton, acrylic (eg Dralon), polyester or viscose.  If it's viscose (typically but not always patterned) then dry clean only or walk. If cotton, could be demanding, if synthetic should be OK.

If it's flocked, you'll have cleaned these before. Usual checks for pile shedding and delamination, warm water and no presprays such as Prochem's Fabric Restorer as solvent content causes shedding/delam problems. BUT if label or instructions says Dry Clean Only, then do not clean with water.

Safe and happy cleaning :)
Ken
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: M.Acorn on February 25, 2009, 08:01:51 pm
Cheers for the input, not lacking in confidence,cleaned many suites ,all w/out prob.But after doing a search on here and reading some of the comments it did worry me a little !
It has been wet cleaned before, i am charging her £120 for 3 seat sofa and 2 chairs,assume serv master must have been more?
Will be doing through pre clean check,and also will test a small patch and dry with the hair dryer .Before i do anything  ;D
Will also do a burn test to see if it is synthetic,which i hope it is
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: Doug Holloway on February 25, 2009, 09:06:29 pm
Hi Mark

I cleaned many cotton viscose but there is little of this left nowdays.

You will be able to tell how it wets out whether there may be a drying problem.

If it really absorbs moisture make sure you lay the pile down with a towel or microfibre cloth.

Cheers

Doug
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: M.Acorn on February 26, 2009, 11:38:43 am
Well i got to my job this morning,had a look at the suite,custy informed me it was getting on for being 30+ years old,alarm bells started ringing,then she told me it cost them getting on for 3 grand,bells started sounding !
Did some pre testing,got a heavy transfer of colour from the brown over a cream background,morre alarm bells,said it`s a job for a solvent cleaner,to which she replied like last time then ! where they put foam on and suck it back up once they have aggitated it in !
Said sorry i am not prepared to clean it using my system.First job i have walked away from,could have done with the £120,but rather walk than bugger it up  :( ,she understood and was happy
.Was a very big exclusive house,sort of pllace an ex boxer would live,mentioned that i could clean her carpets ,as the one in the room with the sofa was a bit grim,No point she said getting them all replaced next week !
Oh well worth a try
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: clinton on February 26, 2009, 01:46:51 pm
Always best to walk then mate :)
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: 1 man band on February 26, 2009, 10:51:53 pm
30 YEAR OLD SUITE,  TO CLEAN BUT GETTING NEW CARPETS SOMETHING NOT RIGHT !!!!!! AND A BIG HOUSE?SO LOTS OF MONEY, 
Title: Re: Velour to clean risks ?
Post by: Ken Wainwright on March 01, 2009, 04:03:48 pm
Good call Mark

It just goes to show the benefits of proper inspection and testing.

SAFE and happy cleaning :)
Ken