[dave]

Hi to everyone, hope you can help.

I've completed my NCCA course and tapping into my domestic cleaning clients for work before I challenge the rest of the world.

The problem is they seem to all have light coloured , wool carpets, heavily stained.

I use a HWE using Prochem woolsafe cleaning solution.
Can someone advise me the basic steps from start to finish to get a good result for this type of carpet and the best way to eradicate  dog vomit, animal pee, coffee stains as these seem to be the most common and also draught lines.

Hope you can help!

Regards Dave H

[paulchambers]

morning dave

i am new to this game also, sounds like your off to a good start i would use the various spotters on the relevant stains, coffee is probably the worst i had a coffee stain 3 years old i never got it out

[Mark Betts]

Dave

Didnt they give you this info when you completed the NCCA course ??      

Go to www.another forum.co.uk and have  alook at the stain removal section.

Mark

[Dynafoam]

Hi Dave,

Paul is correct in that these stains need to be pre-treated prior to the general clean. Many may be heat-set if not treated prior to blasting them with hot water.

Your quesions' scope is too far-ranging to receive a full answer here, as stain treatment is a more complex subject than general carpet washing.

You have already had good basic training from the NCCA, now try to find a specialist stain removal course.

John.

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi Dave

Even after almost 25 years in the industry, there are still occasions when I will refer to my manuals for re-assurance. The manual you received on the NCCA course is quite comprehensive so I would suggest you re-fresh your memory regarding the standard procedures.

With all systems the procedure will be the same, regardless of fibre type. For HWE the cleaning procedure will be vac/inspect, pre-treat, agitate, rinse/extract and groom. For spots, spills and stains you will treat as and when required.

The NCCA training and manual will be generic, not mentioning any brand names. For example it will say something like: pre-treat with an appropriate traffic lane cleaner. My own preference is to use micro-splitting formulae. I find that these will safely work on a wider spectrum of soiling types than most detergent based solutions. You will find in your NCCA manual an extensive section on stain removal, with quite a comprehensive stain removal chart. In my elderly manual it is section 7 and covers 9 pages.

Do not underestimate the benefits of agitation. Even on most wool carpets, you can agitate for long periods without causing damage as long as a suitable medium is used. This morning I cleaned an 80/20 woolblend bedroom carpet and agitated with my host machine with the softest gold brushes. Agitation time 15 minutes, all visible soil broken down. Rinse time 5 minutes.

If you wanted to learn more about cleaning wool, then you could enrol on the excellent Woolsafe Course run by Chemspec and maybe others too.

safe and happy cleaning:)
Ken

[woodman]

Next Chemspec Woolsafe course is the 7th July being held in Welwyn Garden City.

I'm hoping to be on it

[dave]

Hi to you all, thanks for the advice.

I have been looking at my NCCA manual, but I think it is a little down to self confidence and the worry about shrinking and dye running.

It seems that I am doing the method correctly, albeit slow but sure.

The NCCA was a very good course, but a lot to take in over a two day period and then to be let loose on the outside world.

Many thanks Dave

[Derek]

Dave

Don't forget there is always technical backup available from the NCCA... just give 'em a call

Regards
Derek

[Len Gribble]

Dave

You let yourself loose on the world no one else!

By the way a no member of the NCCA yet!

Len

[dave]

Hi Len,

No not a member of the NCCA as yet. I'm just getting myself sorted out financiallly and in the process of getting a vehicle and finalising a marketing plan, then I know I'll be ready.

Regards Dave

[mark_roberts]

For my experience, touch wood, it would be pretty hard to shrink your average wool carpet using proper technique unless Wilton or similar and heavy soiling.  Colour run has never been a problem on carpets.  Not many multi coloured wool carpets about these days.

Cleaned a wool mix carpet this morning in a rented house.  Lots of spots etc and traffic lanes.  Cleaned with solutions. Traffic lanes still looked grey.  Happen to have poly break (high ph) in another sprayer so used it.  Still no difference.  Cant clean wear and traffic lane grey.

Customer happy though.

thanks
Mark

PS. for the puritans who read this.  I dont normally use poly break to clean wool carpets and would not promote it, unless, it got it clean!!