[Chris R]

Hello,
I attended my NCCA 2 day training course about 5 or 6 years ago. The course was run by Paul Pearce and Derek Boulton. It was an excellent course and I passed !

At that time the method that was being taught by the NCCA was to pre spray the carpet or fabric with a pre spray ( any strength) and to rinse with an Acid Rinse ( prochem fibre and fabric rinse was mentioned).

Is this still the method that is recommended on the course?

I only ask because chemicals have changed a lot over the last 5 years, and a fresh water rinse is now quite commonly recommended.

regards

Chris

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Don't know about the training but I like to still have an acid rinse in the tank as it seams to aid in penetration and also keeps the ph down for when protecting.

Shaun

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi Chris

Like Shaun, I would also use an acidic rinse at some stage when rinsing away alkaline pre-sprays.

But the NCCA also advocates that you read the manufacturers labels! There are now quite a few pre-sprays that only require a freshwater rinse. These can be detergents, "traditional" micro-splitters or new generation micro-splitters.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[Chris R]

Thanks for that lads 

But,,,,,,,,,

is that how the NCCA still teach today?

Alkaline Pre spray - acidic Rinse ?

thanks
Chris

PS

ken

did you see my posting about making your PC run faster when using this site? http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=27167.0
I know you have had problems in the past, it worked well for me 

[Derek]

Chris

I endorse what young Ken has said..

For those working with conventional chemicals then neutralisation is still a key element of the process.

Since the emergence of Microsplitting chemicals some of these may be rinsed using a plain water rinse but you should still take into consideration the pH value of the chemical being used in relation to the item being cleaned. This is perhaps more relevant when cleaning certain upholstery fabrics

Rinsing will also help in removing any residues..

Those who have been on the NCCA training course will have all the information at their disposal..the rest is down to plain old common sense.

Have fun...safely

[Ian Gourlay]

What about the SELF neutralizing cleaning solution's such as Fibre Safe Gold and Ultimate Master

Would you use an Acid Rinse with them.

Personally I use an Acid Spray rather than a rinse when using stronger products than the above.

I very rarely use just a PreSpray.

[fibresafe]

I always use a rinse agent, even with micro splitters I use Fibre and Fabric rinse. I think you get better results, it's a safer pH and it smells nicer while it dries.

Plus, I've found that if I use a solvent spotter, it rinses out better and quicker with a rinse agent than with just water.

[Nick Johnston]

My feeling is that if you use a chemical based detergent/rinse agent to follow a microsplitter pre-spray, you are defeating the object. Generally speaking, microsplitters and the new generation of natural products don't require an acid rinse, unless you are concerned about dye bleed.

If the customer requires a synthetic smell, you may as well use chemicals for the whole process, rather than mixing and matching natural and chemical products.

Nick

P.S. I love the smell of Fibre and Fabric Rinse!

[Derek]

Ian

I personally would rinse out the 'self neutralising' chemicals which I would use as a prespray...the rinse agent would still help remove any residual deposits from those chemicals.... but then I always play ultra-safe anyway

[Chris R]

Does using an acid rinse REALLY remove residue from the carpet ?

Or does an acid rinse leave its OWN residue behind ?

This residue can then still be "sticky",  and so attract dirt back onto the carpet or upholstery?

Its easy to check if an acid rinse managed to lower the PH of the item, but residue is a different matter.

  :

regards

Chris

[steve cardy]

I belive less chemical is best , akaline or acid.
Do many people do a ph test before cleaning commences? I wouldnt have thought many people do.

[Derek]

Rinse agents will leave their own residue but surely this is better than those contained within cleaning chemical blends...plus the carpets feel softer too.

Since I became a 'born again carpet cleaner' and decided to use Micro-splitters  I now only use a plain water rinse...then again I only use a woolsafe approved micro-splitter as a pre spray anyway.

[fibresafe]

If the customer requires a synthetic smell, you may as well use chemicals for the whole process, rather than mixing and matching natural and chemical products.

What are microsplitters if they're not chemicals  : ? For years we've been sold phosphate-based microsplitters on the basis that they're detergent-free i.e. don't contain surfactants. Now we're being sold phosphate-free microsplitters that are made almost completey from surfactants - it's all just marketing!

I use microsplitters when I can because it's easy, and I use Fibre and Fabric rinse because I believe it reduces the risk of dye migration and because it smells nice.

If customers don't want a nice smell, then why do practically all household cleaners contain a perfume, and why is the market for air fresheners so huge. Ask yourself this: Does the smell of damp wool make customer think 'mmm, what a lovely clean carpet', or do they think, 'mmm I hope that goes away soon'?