[oliver collins]

Hi Guys

Looking for some pearls of wisdom as too how to remove denim dye off a cream drylon suite.

Custoemer not paying so price is not the ploblem as the shop who sold the jeans is paying

She is very luckly the suite was brand new in feb of this year

Have a few products in mind

Any tips would be useful havent told she it would come out

Regards Oliver Collins Rise & Shine Cleaning

[idealrob]

My main concern is not the denim stain, but the shop paying, it depends who the shop is, eg small independent or large chain, and what happens if stain doesnt come out.
I dont know what type of machines you have, but I presume HWE, but I would let others on here with more
experience for HWE and removing stain.
I have cleaned hundres of draylon suites over the years, but use a dry foam type system, but never had problem, my only bit would be to pre spray with microsplitter first, leave a few minutes, then clean as normal, but please wait for the real experts

idealrob

[Jim_77]

Hi Oliver,

Rob has highlighted a very good point.  If it doesn't come out, will they still be willing to pay for your time and effort?  I would be looking to submit a quote to the shop and get it signed and returned before doing any work.

Have you told the customer that unless they stop sitting on the upholstery wearing deeply coloured denim that the problem will just keep happening?  It's not really a fault with the upholstery fabric, it's the unstable dye in the clothing.  If anything (in my opinion) the manufacturer of the clothing should be footing the bill!  A lot of labels on jeans now do state that colours may transfer.

Besides all the liability issues, to clean these sorts of problems I find that a pre-spray and dwell with my normal upholstery cleaning solution is a good start.  Then after 10 minutes or so, I will add some of solutions heavy duty microsplitter at about 1:15.  That's a lot stronger than using it on its own, but you already have the water there from the other pre-spray, you don't want to over-wet it but get plenty of product on there.

I'll also add another booster, it's an alcohol-based citrus booster sort of product (NOT a d'limonene based product, this is likely to delaminate the fabric!).  Then I will give the area a really good agitation using a minitex with tampico attachment.  Agitating by hand will still be OK but you must be very thorough, spend at least 2 mins per side of a cushion using small gentle circular actions without trying to scrub it to death!

I find a hot rinse works well, but careful because too high a temperature will heat-set the dralon pile!  With a portable machine I used to use ultimate master in the tank, but now with a truckmount I use liquid high heat.

Get a clean white terry towel and towel the surface, inspect the towel and if you still see transfer put a little more of the boosters on, agitate and rinse again.  Repeat until no transfer.

It's a good idea to blow-dry areas like this so you can see the final result, and also because you've got them wetter than normal.

Have fun

[davep]

Removed denim dye with this -

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/CC001/SubProducts/CC001-0009

[derek west]

Removed denim dye with this -

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/CC001/SubProducts/CC001-0009

that stuff is the dogs dangly bits.

been using it a while and theres not much it don't get out. ordered 10 litres today as i'm getting a bit low.

[idealrob]

Not trying to knock those more experienced than myself over the last 10 years, but the above restoremate you would think was for oiled based stains, and most denim dye is water based, thats why when you wash them they fade. I used to clean upto 8 suites a day 20 years ago, but now run a dry cleaners(like Johnsons) and probably know more about denim.
the other post was excellent, and again not moaning, but if you did use a hair dryer to dry it out, I would only use it on the coolest heat, as dralon is very,very sensative to heat. Mind thats the 1980`s draylon, if the new one has viscose in it, it wont be so sensative

idealrob

[stevehinnis]

I cleaned a cream suite last week.Fabric restorer pespray and fibre and fabric to extract.It came up really well except for 2 cushions.In the end I sprayed some ultrapac renovate on still no joy.Then custy tells me thats where me and hubby sit,and its transfer from their jeans.I never use solvents on upholstery,as it tends to leave lighter spots.Transfer from jeans is virtually impossible to completely remove from a cream suite.Just explain it to them and decline the job.
Steve

[derek west]

try a M/S steve, you may change your mind.

[markpowell]

Not trying to knock those more experienced than myself over the last 10 years, but the above restoremate you would think was for oiled based stains, and most denim dye is water based, thats why when you wash them they fade. I used to clean upto 8 suites a day 20 years ago, but now run a dry cleaners(like Johnsons) and probably know more about denim.
the other post was excellent, and again not moaning, but if you did use a hair dryer to dry it out, I would only use it on the coolest heat, as dralon is very,very sensative to heat. Mind thats the 1980`s draylon, if the new one has viscose in it, it wont be so sensative

idealrob

8 suites per day or do you mean per week

[derek west]

thought the same mark but i'm trying my best not to upset anyone, its the new me

[markpowell]

 

[clinton]

8 suites a day

Derek a new you no dont do it mate 

[nevil]

8 in one day. Wow you must be really good at it and quick too. Although sometimes it can be more profitable as well as a darn site easier to slow down a lot. I used PB on denim dye a while ago and it worked but it was tough going.

[stevehinnis]

I haven’t used ms yet, time to start I think.
Steve.

[idealrob]

Yes 8 a day, on a 9 am start and allways finished before 5 pm. We used at that  time  a George Holloway dry foam rotary hand held machine, I think its called SPRINT. Loads of draylon, velour suites. Apsolute useless on cotton prints, and businees moved into massive office cleaning contract overnight, at the time so stopped. did the odd one in between.
I see people cleaning suites with HWE and taking 3 or even 4 hours. Used to vacuum suite, then use dry foam machine, I think quickest one ever was 20 minutes for 3 piece suite. Thats why I liked the dry fusion new Cristal machine and want to get back into it. Used to be 9 stone in weight with all the work, and now sadly double that, so hoping getting back into it will help 3 or 4 stone. We used to get loads or repeat work  and went to customers for many years , and many times . Very happy with job and still think its the best method, and with the 20 years development with detergents etc. We used to use a Reckits detergent, dry foam, it was blue in colour and smelt beautifull. I did my last suite before Xmas with the above machine, 3 piece suite , bit of aches and pains both during and after, but cleaned the lot in under 1 hour.
Its not a load of bull, could honestly do it, and hope to get upto speed again , if I buy dry fusion cristal machine, or Airtex.
I know prices vary from £15 to £30 per seat for cleaning, but what would you charge with the ability to clean say 4 a day now 20 years older
When first started helping out as a teenager in late 70`s, we charged £25 a 3 piece suite, in Margaret Thatchers early 80`s put offer of £18, because of recession and dole people charging a fiver, with a cheap hydromist. Got loads of work and was usually fully booked for xmas 10 weeks before

idealrob

i

[Jim_77]

This is ground breaking news, think I might sell my 40k truckmount rig and get a sponge and a bicycle.....

[adimarsh]

£18 for a three piece Not sure but that would be around £40 now. Don't even put the key in the van for less than £50 for any job and £150ish for a three piece.

On the subject of dye removal, I suggest a blotting action rather than scrubbing; less chance of spreading the stain.

[idealrob]

£18 back in 1984/85 would be about 4 times now, going to charge about £75, but a we are business people, as it worked then and allways did about 6 a day, and hope for 4 a day  now, equates to £300 a day. Currently own & operate a dry cleaning factory, we own the factory, rates are stupidly cheap, but shop cost, staffing, utility bill, £100k of machinery, you dont get the same return on investment like that.
I remember then people still thought we would stay all day for £18, with then some people have no business sense, and still today. For me its not just about making money, because I love the dry cleaning business and the challenge, I would get better return else where, but stick with it because of love, customers still coming after 30 odd years and hope to be still here in another 30.

idealrob

[adimarsh]

I take your word for it idealrob but, with the exception of the odd draylon suite, I've yet to come across a suite I could clean properly in that time frame. Not doubting your ability or "business sense" or technique but why kill yourself doing six (or four) a day at £75 when you could do two at £150? Earn the same and still lose weight

[idealrob]

I take your word for it idealrob but, with the exception of the odd draylon suite, I've yet to come across a suite I could clean properly in that time frame. Not doubting your ability or "business sense" or technique but why kill yourself doing six (or four) a day at £75 when you could do two at £150? Earn the same and still lose weight

Yes great point, I think on Teesside in upholstery, most people are £35 or £150, with little in between, so would go for that market or have to websites offering different prices.
As for killing myself, never did then and wont now. I think its a bit like the bonnet cleaning on carpets, a lot of the HWE lads thought it was a quick brush up, but with quality detergents it a great method & gets great results, and is an easier job than hwe. Its the same with cleaning a suite this way, with a quality detergents.
when i get setup will put youtube video of cleaning my 2 large sofas and love chair with all loose covers, will film in realtime and the job will take no longer than an hour, and be as good as any other method imo.

Like the carpet side of the forum as a bit more non confrontational than the window cleaning forum, and like the advice and friendly banter on here.
I will soon find out if I do better at £75 or £150, and think it more business sense, the trouble is things at the minute are rough on Teesside as major Steel works has closed down, used to employ 30, 000
and chemical industry ICI has all left Teesside which again employed 40,000 , now only about 5,000 left
so see how it goes, and thanks for the help

idealrob