[Steve Weatherley]

Those of you who are still using detergents to clean upholstery, what do you use in the tank of your machine.
When not using m/s with just water in the tank, I still occasionally go with the old Ashbys method of Ashbys fabric safe (PH8.5) in the machine then misting with finish after the clean. I do wonder how effective this misting method is and have added the finish into the tank with the past but this surely takes the PH level down thus reducing the effectiveness of the cleaning. Thoughts appreciated......

[garyj]

I sometimes use Craftex Premium Cotton clean on 'quality' sofas.

What is Finish, what does it do, is it just a neutraliser and is it Ashby's?

Cheers.

[Steve Weatherley]

It's an acid rinse with peach and jasmine fragrance (Ashbys)

[Dave_Lee]

Steve,
In my opinion, with the introduction of non detergents etc. a lot of CCs in particular those starting up in recent years, also some who have been at a lot longer have gone OTT, expressing opinions about  detergents as the evil to avoid. This is of course a load of Bull. I used porties for 23 years with detergent in the tank, cleaned thousands of different suites without nuetralising and with not a single problem, and I never once turned down a clean. If you use the proper equipment, detergents, techniques and care and know what you are doing you should be okay. Problems with detergents AND other solutions occur through misuse, typically - too hot, overwetting, uneveness, wrong pH etc.
Why not try a detergent that self neutralises, you then dont have to bother with a separate misting. Alltecs, Ulltimate Master is the one I prefer for outstanding results and maximum retention of cleaning.
Dave.

[Doug Holloway]

Dave,

I 100% agree with your sentiments and have had very similar experiences.

Cheers,

Doug

[Steve Weatherley]

Thanks Dave for the great advice - I will try out Utimate Master