[sherco]

I have been cleaning carpets for a few months now, and i still find it difficult identifying carpets. I did the Prochem course, and do it how they showed me, burn test ect. Could any of you guys give me any advice on this subject as want to learn how to do it properly. Thanks guys

[Gerry Styles]

I did the prochem course. all info is in the manual. I also went to my local carpet shop and got a load of samples which are ideal to practice with

[Ken Wainwright]

Sherco

The burn test will only help you to identify the fibre. It does nothing to help identify the carpet type.

You need to do the same as Gerry.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Russell Morgan]

open up the pile to see what backing it is, if its fibre glass its ok to wet clean, if its woven, then check to see what the fibres are made from, if they are polyprop then dont overwet or dry compound as can cause shrinkage on the odd occasion

[sherco]

Thanks guys.

[davep]

Just dont overwet anything and play it safe 

[Mike Osbourne]

Visit carpet shops regular and note how they look, feel, backing etc then check label. Ask for some samples so you can do tests at your liesure knowing what they are.

Key is BW, defo need to know one of these. After that it's more for how hard you can hit something pre spray wise.

[Dave_Lee]

Russell,
Fibre Glass? I think you mean Polypropolene.
Dave.

[Russell Morgan]

no Dave, polypropelene is the fibre, the backing can be fibreglass with a glued and hessian structure, look through the pile, you will see the white glass

[mitch2810]

Most of the time you just need to know whether its natural or synthetic. the burn test will tell you this.If you need to find out the construction pull back the carpet and check the backing.
When you have done this you should have all the information you need to clean it.

[Jon Tabbener]

am i right in thinking that if it is a BW polyprop - do not wet clean   but BW which is wool or wool mix should be ok as long as you do not over wet

Hi sherco by the way - i was on the same course back in Jan - Jon from Cardiff

[mitch2810]

Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean

[Jon Tabbener]

got you - Thanks Mitch

[Russell Morgan]

it helps if you understand why it matters that the fibres cause a difference, and also helps you sell your product easier if you show knowledge

[ollie]

Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean

Ive seen a wool wilton shrink, easily done if you over wet it.

[Russell Morgan]

any woven back carpet can shrink if water gets to the backing, even rugs!!

[mitch2810]

Tabs, a BW is polyprop, not wool. If it is a Wilton it will be wool and therefore perfectly safe to wetclean

Ollie, when I say perfectly safe to wet clean I mean safe if the correct cleaning procedures are followed and not safe if you soak it!
Phil
Ive seen a wool wilton shrink, easily done if you over wet it.

[Dave_Lee]

Russel,
Ive never heard of fibre glass in carpet construction. Ive only been in this business for nearly 30 years. I also fit carpets. Have a diploma from Kidderminster Textile College. That shiny white in the primary backing of a tufted carpet is Polyprop, regardless of the pile fibre.
Dave.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Second that Dave - been supplying and fitting carpets for 27 years.

The white primary backing is made of polypropelene, not fibre glass.

Steve

[Ken Wainwright]

I'm with Steve and Dave. It's a flat ribbon polypropylene that's used in most tufted and woven carpet backings.

The only carpet I'm aware of that has fibre glass in the backing is Flotex.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken