[Neil Williams]

I am an NCCA member and IICRC trained along with having done around 20 other traing courses during my 30 years as a CC. I know what the schools teach as per the book.

Thanks for clearing that up Dave.
The trouble is whilst some of us will 'bend' the rules now and again, some newbies reading this forum will take it as Gospel that it's ok to do it that way because x,y,z said so on CIU. We've seen one instance of this just lately on here with use of sod met.

Neil,
Spelling is a tangible concept occasionally achieved :

Yes I know! My two typing fingers were going quicker than the eyes could register the keys

[Dave_Lee]

Yes Neil, I see your point, but that is why I emphasised the importance of correct training, and tried to make it clear that 'bending the rules' is possible only 'When you know what you are doing', and that, that comes with experience Following good education.
I am not saying go on a course then forget what you've been taught, but use the knowledge to discover the best ways to clean on a practical level.
As you know we have to learn all the time how to clean new generation carpets and fabrics that come onto the market. We don't want to go on a course every time this happens, so we have to find out for ourselves. Someone who hasn't completed good training will struggle and may make expensive errors.
Personally I think anyone going into this business is nuts not to get themselves on a good training course before they even touch anything. Then they can follow the rules until they become confident enough to try other methods.
In the early days I would take a suite cushion away and clean one side, or even an edge and see if there were any problems, before committing to do the whole suite. All with the owners permission and risk of course, but some suites you just have try other methods than by the book, or you simply won't obtain the desired result.
Dave.