[carpet_bright]

With all the different chemicals and manufacturers that are now available, what are your preferred products that you use for HWE carpet cleaning.  

I mostly use Prochem multipro then extraction pro for mine ( with added odour fresh for that lovely fragrance!)
I am interested in trying other products and would love to hear what's hot and what's not  

Paul

[*paul_moss]

Paul
I also use prochem products and have found them good.However reading some of the links on micro splitting chemicals I think I might give them a try out as they sound better and more cost affective.

Paul

[Appleton_Cleaning]

Micro-splitting chemicals?  wossat then?

[Mike_Boxall]

Hi Bill

Micro-splitting chemicals are getting more and more popular with professional carpet cleaners mainly becuase they contain no detergents which can cause resoiling (depending who you talk to ). They are also simple to use because you just prespray the carpet with them and use a freshwater rinse. They cut down the number of chemicals you need to use although there are still products you need to consider from the likes of Prochem.

The 2 main brands are One-Step and Solution UK who both have representatives who contribute to this forum. I'm sure one of them will volunteer more technical info for you.

Steve.....Nick........

[Mr._One_Step]

The term "Micro-splitting" was developed by Ed Crawford the inventor of One Step products to describe how his unique product works.

One Step ‘Microsplitting’! Unlike detergents and enzymatic products that are designed to penetrate and emulsify soil in order to suspend it for removal, One Step shatters the bond that holds soils to fibres at a micro-molecular level. Once this bond has been broken the remaining soil particles can easily be removed with your chosen carpet or upholstery cleaning system. It even removes the thick black protein based soiling that’s found on pub, restaurant and nightclub carpeting. It also removes residues from detergent based cleaning chemicals.

One Step is suitable for use with all carpet, upholstery, ceiling, wall & floor cleaning systems including dry compound, bonnet, rotary, oscillating pad machines, hot water extraction either with portables or truck mounted carpet cleaning systems. It is clear, odourless, non-foaming, non re-soiling and doesn’t contain potentially harmful detergents, bacteria, oxidising/reducing agents, enzymes or optical colour brighteners.

Its an environmentally sound cleaning range that is highly effective and safe for you, your customers and the environment. So safe in fact that it is hypoallergenic  as it is made from natural food based derivatives  It was introduced into the European market after successful trials and promptly won an innovative new product award at the Europropre Tradeshow, Paris in March 1997.

Its available from Amtech UK and their selected distributors.

Regards

Steve

[Bob Allen]

Did you copy that Steve or did it just roll straight off your tongue?

[Mr._One_Step]

Hi Bob,

You know me better than that!!!

Regards

Steve

[stevegunn]

Give Solution (Nick) a ring 08701123691 their product is great.I have used Solution no 2 on carpets that in the past i would have walked away from they were that bad but came up like new.Also tried their stainless steel cleaner,laminate floor cleaner and the tile cleaner its outstanding.

http://www.solution-uk.com/

[Len Gribble]

Being an ardent user of Prochem/Chemspec products one now has to look, at cost savings, within our industry, what dose the same job at a lower cost to you!!

I’m not in to the tech stuff that’s for the scientists and the reps (and their BS) trying it is the only way.

Having only used one step yesterday (been on the shelf for 3 months) I was impressed with the result, dwell time I left it a bit longer then normal, perhaps that me, (a new agent being cautious) I will be trying this out tomorrow at less a dwell time against Prochem/Chemspec products, will let you know.

Len

[Mr._One_Step]

Hi Len,

One Step works in an entirely different way than detergent based products. When you use a detergent and apply your traffic lane cleaner or pre-conditioner to the carpet you will see the carpet become visually cleaner. This is the detergent breaking down the bond and emulsifying and lifting soil. Agitation further increases this action and finally you rinse until the carpet is clean.

The ‘Micro-Splitting’ process works on contact dispersing dirt. This is because the soil bond has been shattered. If you apply One Step through your pressure sprayer and place the spray nozzle a few centimetres above the carpet and spray you will see the soil move and the carpet become clean. Now as its not practical to clean in this way or cost effective so we recommend using One Step as follows:
                 
How to use One Step products:

1.      Pre-test the fibres or fabric for colourfastness with One Step diluted as per the container instructions to ensure suitability for use.
2.      Vacuum the carpet or upholstery with a commercial grade vacuum upright such as the Sebo BS36/BS46 or a suitable carpet pile lifter vacuum.
3.      Dilute One Step concentrates with either hot or cold water from between 1:5 to 1:16 depending on soil conditions.
4.      Apply by either a hand pump-up sprayer or electric sprayer fitted with an ‘8002’ T-Jet fan type spray nozzle for carpet application and ‘6501’ T-Jet fan type nozzle for upholstery application. An in-line sprayer can also be used with truck mounts. In this case change the standard ‘6505’ T-Jet nozzle to a ‘8003’ T-Jet nozzle and calibrate the 5 quart draw container to apply from between 1:5 or 1:16 Contact Amtech UK for further details.
5.      Use One Step Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (pH 9.4) for synthetic fibres and One Step ‘Fineline’ (pH 6.5) for wool or natural fibres.
6.      Apply a fine mist approximately 12” from the surface at walking pace in both directions overlapping to ensure even product coverage.
7.      Agitate by hand with a pile brush or mechanically with a low speed rotary, OP machine or preferably a contra-rotating brush machine for carpets. Use sponges, terry towelling, or natural and synthetic hand brushes for upholstery.
8.      Using an extraction machine rinse with plain fresh hot water only. It is not necessary to add detergents or acid rinses* to your solution tank. One Step is free rinsing with water. (*Unless dye stability issues are a problem and it can be corrected with the use of a suitable acid rinse).
9.      Post treat any difficult to remove spots and stains that may remain with either of our concentrates mixed at 1:2 or our Zip-IT and Zap-IT spotters.

Zap-IT contains a small amount of solvent to speed up the removal of diverse spots and stains such as gum, tape residue, grease, oil, tar, asphalt, wax, crayon, latex paints, lipstick, mascara, shoe polish etc. Please note that this is the only product within the One Step range that is required by law to have a hazard-warning label displayed.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Steve

[cleaning]

Steve,

If One Step contains no detergents, is it OK to tip the contents of the recovery tank into the storm drain.

[Les]

I tried a product called Easi-Step instead of the Prochem range as a test for a local supplier. I a) didn't find the results to be as good and b) It worked out to be much more expensive.
That said I'm keen to hear more about the products mentioned above, 'open mind' an all that.
Can someone please mail me some info and prices?

[nick.solution]

Hi All

Steves Instructions for use of micro spliiters Book brill

nice one Steve

Chapter 2!!  microsplitting chemical usage, less is best don't overwet the surface to be cleaned, agitation will speed up the soil particle break down.

Nice short chapter for busy carpet cleaners

Interestingly Solution won First Prize at Europre inovation awards 2003 and was the first micro splitting chemical to be Woolsafe registered both products were demonstrated by Guenter Gloeckner.


Cheers Nick

[Len Gribble]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the info, unfortunately unable test the product today police closed the road and access, but doing a wool black and white rug tomorrow (at home clearing up back log on rugs), which has urine on it a year old (bitches) any recommendations with this product also what it like on pub carpet which are heavily soiled?

What do you pay of One Step? I think my Jan supplier was a bit dear £18 4lt.

Len

[Appleton_Cleaning]

Cheers muchly Mike, Steve & co.will certainly be giving Nick a ring as we are a bit tree-huggish here and always happy to hear about eco-friendly solutions

[Mr._One_Step]

Hi Len,

Rather than feed you BS I would like to explain that up until 3 years ago I too was sceptical of the claims of the ‘Micro-Splitting’ cleaning solutions until I tried them. Like you I had used Prochems products (since 1989) and then Chemspec products from 1992. When One Step was first introduced into the UK in 1997 like many others I dismissed its claims and ignored it as a viable cleaning product. What a mistake to make!!!

It is the closest product I have ever used that does all!!!

I even had a demonstration of the product and was still not impressed. However I was supplied a usable sample and allowed to experiment. Using standard cleaning practices laid down by the NCCA, IICRC, and the WoolSafe organisation I began to experiment with One Step and replaced the traffic lane cleaners and detergent and acid rinses with One Step and fresh water rinsing. The results have been out standing and I would not go back to cleaning with detergents even if they were free. Soil removal is superior, most spots and stains respond to treatment with either of the concentrates diluted accordingly or with the specific spotters. Customers are now aware of the issues of hazardous cleaning products that are in daily use and love the results that are achievable with One Step and the fact that its totally safe to use.

This is a point I raised with Paul Bakker of the WoolSafe Organisation when One Step ‘Fineline’ was given its Woolsafe approval in 2001. All products are tested and have to be safe for use on wool without causing damage to the wool fibre. Whilst this may be the case many WoolSafe products contain potentially harmful compounds that are considered by international regulatory agencies to be detrimental to your health and harmful to the environment. This is an area, which I feel needs more support and research by trade associations, testing houses and government bodies to satisfy the concerns of cleaners and consumers.

Moving back to your question Len I clean Oriental and Persian rugs using One Step ‘Fineline’ a WoolSafe approved carpet and upholstery cleaner (pH 6.5) and recommend cleaning as follows:

Test the rug for suitability for cleaning i.e. colourfastness, tuft & dimensional stability, damage etc. If it will withstand the use of a pile lifter vacuum and wet cleaning then place the rug face down on an oversized plastic sheet that will encompass the fringe as well. Vacuum the back with the pile lifter or commercial upright vacuum with cylindrical brush agitation to release dust then lift the rug back and vacuum or sweep the dust away and repeat. Then place the rug on its back and vacuum.

Mix One Step 'Fineline' at 1:5 with water and mist onto the rug (testing for colour migration first) via a pump up pressure sprayer fitted with an 8001 T-Jet nozzle. Apply lightly north to south, east to west and agitate with a contra rotating brush machine or by hand. Rinse the carpet with an upholstery hand tool using 1-2 rinse passes, this should be sufficient to remove even the heaviest of soiling. If dye stability issues are a problem and it can be corrected with the use of a suitable acid rinse then add it to your solution tank. If this is still a problem then clean with a dry compound cleaner such as One Step ‘Express’.

For the fringe One Step 'Fineline' can be mixed from 1:1 depending on soiling and staining. Spray onto the fringe and brush away from the rug, finally rinse and make additional drying passes until most of the moisture has been extracted. If the fringe has stains or has browned then post spray with a 5% solution of acetic acid (white vinegar) and dry extract-this will remove browning and lighten the fringe without causing damage. Finally speed dry the rug using air movers.

You mentioned a urine problem on the rug. If it is wool it will have caused permanent damage to the fibre and also colour loss. You should bring this to your customer’s attention. Treat the odour problem with a specific urine odour treatment and clean both the face fibres and backing in the area affected.

Another question raised was whether wastewater containing One Step residues could be disposed of down a storm drain. Although One Step is an environmentally sound cleaning solution and biodegradable the answer is No. All wastewater must be flushed down the toilet.

There are about 4 other “Micro-splitting” cleaning solutions (and more on the way) currently available in the UK allegedly based on One Step. These are sold with varying pricing structures, some directly and some through distributors as with One Step products.

Its different but it works!!!

Regards

Steve

[Ivar_Haglund]

D2o

I have gone nuclear

IVAR

[Len Gribble]

Hi Steve

Thanks again very informative

Len

[ALEXDH]

hi gents

Am i right in thinking alot of you chaps are moving away from ultimate master, i was under the impression a lot of you chaps used this.

I also use chemspec one clean traffic lane cleaner and powder diluted in the tank. of my ninja.

Am i out of date already.

I have to admit i do use my powerbrush more than i thought i would nowdays.

[ALEXDH]

ps, i use the one clean on wools.

i understand ultimate master is not woolsafe. :-/