[andrew christopher]

Hi guys,

I have a prochem steampro powermax, sebo duo for agitation, numatic vac(back pac Vac) and an air mover. Up until now i have only done carpet cleaning in flat stair wells, done a lot of those so ok at that but cant go too wrong as carpets are synthetic, bonded latex type backing and short pile. Often in a state, i use prochem chemicals, usually traffic lane pre spray, and a strong solution of ultrapac renovate on marks,agitated by hand with brush.Also range of stain treatments such as solval,stain pro, citus gel etc but have found the ultra pac usually does the job. Carpets  HWE with fabric fibre rinse and air mover left while doing next landing. I was fortunate that my first contract paid for equipment and have done spasmodic work with the equipment since on stair wells. Due to things being a bit tighter on my commercial window cleaning i have 2 guys that have some spare time, have been on prochem 1 day course and are used to the stair well cleaning.
I also have the £2k+ of carpet cleaning equipment so....

was thinking of doing some domestic carpet cleaning, any advice regarding further training or use of chemicals would be appreciated. Obviously im not going to whack a load of high ph chemicals down on a wool carpet! Prochem training taught me that much. When dealing with my suppliers i have very much only needed advice, chemicals and methods relating to cleaning the stair well synthetic carpets. Im not planing to do upholstery, just carpets. I  have a customer base for domestic window cleaning, any guys that do both windows and carpets advice appreciated, i am also ok at web site and getting up the google rankings and using adwords. Im looking to try get a couple of jobs a week to add to our other work, im sorry if this is anoying to you guys that specialise in just carpets but times are tough and iv found every tom dick and harriet is trying to window clean!

I would like to stick to Prochem chemicals if possible or do Jangro do anything good as a business friend supplies me. I would rather not spend out too much more money at present unless really necessary on equipment or training.

Thanks Andy

[Ken Wainwright]

Hi Andy

You have a comprehensive set up for residential work. For kit I would recommend a good twin motor upright vacuum and forget the back-pack except for specialist requirements.  What about a a grooming brush to realign pile after cleaning?

As for chemistry, I would suggest you keep to "safer" products such as Woolsafe Approved for all but the most heavily soiled synthetics, and perhaps to use alcohol spotters, liquid or gel, rather than conventional solvents.

Will you be doing upholstery? If so, send your guys back to Prochem for appropriate training as the 1 day they've done is carpets only.

Ther's a zillion and one other things to take on board, but just keep it simple to start.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken

[andrew christopher]

Thanks Ken,

I do have a pile brush, clean as well!

Im not planning to do upholstery to start with.
I definately want to keep it simple. To be honest if i go to quote a carpet that has bad stains and i identify as wool i will walk away. Not sure i fancy a patterned wilton either to be on the safe side till i get bit more confidence!

Would you say that on most domestic carpets that i could use prochem pre spray gold and hwe with fibre fabric rinse, pre spotting first?

When you say alcohol spotters, do prochem do these and which would you generally recommend to have in on hand.

Many Thanks

[Ken Wainwright]

Pre-spray Gold is a good product, as is Fibre and Fabric rinse.

Citrus Gel is made with d'limonene (the distilled oil of orange peel) so should be a good general purpose spotter.

Many on this forum successfully use Prochem Pure Clean as a multi-fibre, multi-fabric, multi-system pre-spray. It's economical in use and, I believe, rinses freely with fresh water. I've never used this product but others will confirm this if you ask.

For really greasy trashed carpets, I find Prochem's Citra-Boost added to the pre-spray along with a mild detergent or Fib/Fab rinse produces excellent results.

You've done the training, so don't be frightened of wool. Do your inspection and  tests, qualify possible results with client and proceed as required.

Safe and happy cleaning
Ken