Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 06:08:04 pm

Title: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 06:08:04 pm
Hi all,

Today I have had a "Bad day at the office" Done the mansion I mention a few days ago, this is the fourth time I have done it 100% Wool, the big lounge area has small spots and stains all over it I managed to remove 99.9% of them as usual. But the carpet is now showing signs of black sock dye and Fibre damage, its about 6 yrs old. It also has some red stains on the stairs which custy didnt know what it was, I tried red rx, stain pro and even citrus gel, no good! Going back to the greying areas, I pre-vaced, agitated, pre-spray gold, rinsed fib-fab. Custy said it looks worse, funny that because all the stains are gone, (But I agree on the sock dye areas, still a bit grey) so I agitated again, pre sprayed, agitated and rinsed, slight improvement. Is there anything else I could have done? He also said everytime I have been he has not been happy with results and stains return, I explained about wick back, I also said "If you dont call me, I cant do anything about it" Still, as I said I have been going for several years? When I first went there several years ago I Said "You really need to get this carpet protected, it wont last long if you dont" Which I reminded him of! I'm a bit gutted to be honest, but not sure what else I could have done? If anyone has any info on maintanence of a 1000% carpet that I could send to them I would be gratful. I think if you have this carpet, you have some dity to take care of it on a saily basis. I look forward to your comments!

Cheers!

Justin
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 06:10:46 pm
Sorry about spelling, I'm knackered! I meant Duty  and daily!
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: neil55 on December 09, 2009, 06:28:06 pm
I reckon u have made a good job of a v badly soiled carpet! Sounds like a nighmare - or at least a mare.

What did cushty expect - did you pre-condition him to the likely outcome?

Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 06:33:18 pm
I always say, I cant promise you that it will be as good as new, but I can promise I'll do my best"

Its the sock damage (and tiny black bits of fluff) that are bothering me most.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Steve Chapman on December 09, 2009, 06:42:29 pm
have you tried going over those areas with a stiff deck scrubbing brush, its normally the only thing that will bring out the black fluff, obviously be careful if its a wool carpet,

As last resort i might try some sticky duck tape to pull up the black bits and then re clean, worth a try, dont think cleaning alone will make that much difference

regards
steve
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 07:04:18 pm
I did use a carpet rake to try and loosen it up, and it did, but you know how it is the more you look, the more it jumps out on you, especoally on a white 100% wool carpet! I told him to vacuum for an hour once it is dry, that should help a bit.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Neil Williams on December 09, 2009, 07:06:22 pm
Black sock fibres are the world's biggest pain as each single fibre matts itself into the carpet fibres. Enough black fibres make the carpet look grey.
What I do: Rotary with the least amount of moisture as the pad will drag a load out and clump together some other bits. You then get your vacuum cleaner end piece and with your own face flush to the carpet you can see the protruding black bits that need sucking up, yes this is time consuming but works.
White or pale carpet will change colour slightly over time through sunlight, wear and polutants. I get the impression this guys thinks you are some sort of magician.
Jason, I'm in Church Crookham on Friday if you want me to have a look if it's anywhere near there, oh and I'll happily explain to him limitations of fabric cleaning ;D
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 07:12:14 pm
Hi Neil,

Cheers for that. I am going against my own rules and I am going to call/text tomorrow to see how it is drying out. If he is still not happy I would very much appreciate the back up! I'll keep you posted.

Cheers


Justin
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Colin Day on December 09, 2009, 07:12:49 pm
Have you maybe tried gently using a cat/dog slicker comb? We use one on our carpet for dog hairs.....
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: clinton on December 09, 2009, 07:13:25 pm
Same as neil would  have a go with a rotary machine with some pads..

Sounds a hard client to please justin if am honest..

You might have to think do you want to keep doing the work or maybe if your busy give it up.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Carpet Dawg on December 09, 2009, 07:14:22 pm
Yeah i hate those little bits of sock fabric!! soo annoying!!  >:( grrr very common in bedrooms, near the beds. (at the sides)

I usualy go to town with it with a stiff hand brush like Steve said.

Wonder if a rotary type machine would help?
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 07:16:20 pm
He is very, very difficult to please! He said he wants it like new, the 6 (ish) year old carpet that has had a hard life! Said, sorry no can do! But I am bloody annoyed that he hasnt called me before to say he wasnt happy!
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Neil Williams on December 09, 2009, 07:21:21 pm
But I am bloody annoyed that he hasnt called me before to say he wasnt happy!

That's just bollox of an excuse. Would you use someone year after year if you hadn't been happy each time, I wouldn't.
This sounds like he is just trying to get it done for free and using this as an excuse to try and get it.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: MAX Carpets on December 09, 2009, 07:32:40 pm
Me thinks your right! If I said his name you would say typical!, that explains it!
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Dave_Lee on December 09, 2009, 08:01:33 pm
Sock dust isnt worth the effort, trying to get it all out, because you cant. Just tell him its clean and that the discolouration is down to sock dust. Ive always informed the customer of this and found that it is an accepted explanation.
Dave.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Stu.Clem on December 09, 2009, 08:51:33 pm
What I do is tell em carpet IS  / WILL be clean and that i can prove it (damp white towel test) and that the "sock juice" is not dirt but in fact miniscule fibres that have worked into the carpet face - and to remove them either means shearing them from their anchor which could in turn damage the carpet -  main thing is spotting it first and pre warning custy - carpet WILL be clean but sock fibres WILL remain - you are NOT a magician and a 6yr old carpet is exactly that - if he wants a new one tell him to go buy one or learn to hovver - end of.

If you really really feel the need  to be the blue eyed boy then have heard that a gentle rotary buffing can alleviate problem to some degree - proceed with caution and charge em for the extra service.

Best wishes

Stu

ps have had the same prob on chenile type suites espesh with ladies who wear dark mohair /  fine wolloen cardies  and that ....  ::)
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Doctor Carpet (Ret'd) on December 09, 2009, 09:20:39 pm
Buy him a pair of slippers :o




On a more serious note I would agree with most of the comments. Try some form of brush/rotary abrasion to see if anything is loose but mainly educate them that if he is going to insist on walking around in socks then he has to expect this level of degradation.

Oh, and walking around in bare feet isn't good for the carpet either.
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: jasonl on December 09, 2009, 09:35:31 pm
See us dirt swirlers do have our uses,,, comes out every time with a brown pad
Title: Re: What else can be done?
Post by: Daria Taylor on December 10, 2009, 12:47:23 pm
Buy him a pair of slippers :o



Quote
I was going to suggest same, tell him to get some slippers and he must be wearing dodgy socks if the falling apart and sticking to carpet that much. We once had a customer, massive house too etc and one room was full of hairs, there was that many hairs you could hardly see the carpet, so we worked very hard to get it back to a fairly normal condition and still even then not all of them come out no matter how hard we tried as hairs was permenantly stuck into the carpet fibres, carpet was also 100% wool.but customer was happy with the result. so looks like he doesnt want to pay for the job thats why his looking for something to pick on. I would do this job and forget about him, if he is treating you like this after many years of doing work for him he is not worth bothering with.

dash t