[Chris Liversage]

Hi all
I'm just starting out carpet cleaning part time around my current job with a hope of going full time and quiting my full time job. Currently locked down in North Wales and waiting to book onto a carpet cleaning course. I've cleaned my own and family carpets that were lightly / medium soiled and have been tasked with cleaning my mates unbelievably dirty carpet as a test before he buys a new carpet. Carpet is heavily soiled, lots of stains and heavy traffic marks. Was thinking of starting with prochem stain Pro on the worst stains then prochem traffic clean as a pre-spray, agitate then prochem contract extraction cleaner. Would the prochem be strong enough or will I have to look at more powerful chemicals? Used kiam carpet cleaning powder up to now gave good results but did not dissolve that well and do not want to block machine up so looking at using solutions going forward. My current start up machine is a kiam aquarius contractor which I will upgrade next year and keep as a backup if I get enough work, hopefully!! Any dirt busting advice greatly received as I've never seen such a bad carpet!!

[Andy Gordon]

Good luck, I am in the same position as you in regards to quitting my job of 21 years before i have a heart attack due to the mounting workload and pressures. Hopefully the lads on here can give some advice and support for the future ahead.

[Chris Liversage]

Good luck, I am in the same position as you in regards to quitting my job of 21 years before i have a heart attack due to the mounting workload and pressures. Hopefully the lads on here can give some advice and support for the future ahead.

Thank you, fed up of my day job so looking to change hopefully for the better. Best of luck to yourself also, this forum seems great for tips learnt so much already!

[Mike Halliday]

You need a good scrubbing machine rather just stronger chemicals, I would suggest a slow speed rotary.

A good vac then prespray with traffic lane cleaner, give it a good scrub, leave it 10-15minutes then extract with any good quality  powder.

I like to see all the stain  dissolved and disappear with the scrubbing before I start extracting. The scrubbing alone should make it look like the carpets been cleaned.

[Chris Liversage]

You need a good scrubbing machine rather just stronger chemicals, I would suggest a slow speed rotary.

A good vac then prespray with traffic lane cleaner, give it a good scrub, leave it 10-15minutes then extract with any good quality  powder.

I like to see all the stain  dissolved and disappear with the scrubbing before I start extracting. The scrubbing alone should make it look like the carpets been cleaned.

Thanks Mike I've got a sebo duo on order which keeps being delayed, hopefully this will do the trick. Thank you for the advice, very much appreciated.

[Mike Halliday]

I’d still keep your eye on Ebay for a rotary, they really useful, especially later on when you want to start ‘dry’ cleaning carpets (eg bonnet cleaning)

[Chris Liversage]

Great, I will do thank you👍

[Nicky Hughes]

We’re in north wales are you?
get yourself on the clean smart on line course £100i think. The cub is the machine you want.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Imo you’ll always struggle with a Kiam Aquarius it’s a toy the amount of soil you get out is I nowhere near the amount of soil you’re leaving in and the depth of clean is just not there opening you up to a call of bad workmanship when the stains come back I a few days also not to mention the wetness of the carpet. Btw I used to have one for doing small spots and tbh Iended up throwing it in the bin!

[Chris Liversage]

We’re in north wales are you?
get yourself on the clean smart on line course £100i think. The cub is the machine you want.

Hi I'm just outside Buckley, thanks will have a look at the online course👍

[Chris Liversage]

Imo you’ll always struggle with a Kiam Aquarius it’s a toy the amount of soil you get out is I nowhere near the amount of soil you’re leaving in and the depth of clean is just not there opening you up to a call of bad workmanship when the stains come back I a few days also not to mention the wetness of the carpet. Btw I used to have one for doing small spots and tbh Iended up throwing it in the bin!

Hi its the contractor I have not the small aquarius , double the pump power and extraction power of the spotting machine you are on about. The carpet is nearly dry after a pass and takes about 3 hours to dry completely. At 116psi and 2400w suction it's not as powerful as the expensive machine but I've done OK with it so far. Hopefully get another more powerful machine next year when funds allow.

[Cleanevangelist]

Hi Chris

Much of the dirt in a carpet is dry so just vacuuming for a very very long time can remove much of this dry dirt.

Prespray is your next best friend along with time for it to work.

Now comes the extraction. Knowing when to stop is key with low power machines you don’t want to over wet. It’s far better to stop let carpet dry and repeat.

What carpet cleaners don’t like admitting too is that thousands of carpets just like your mates are cleaned every day with small machines by people that know nothing about carpet cleaning. And they are very happy with the results. Sure many will be wet for days but they really don’t care about that once they are dry.

I like to think it’s possible for a professional to clean any carpet with any machine. It’s not going to be super fast but with the knowledge of emulsification, surfactants, and sinners circle it can be done.

Having choice in methods is far more flexible than trying to find one machine and product for every situation.

My advice is get yourself on a prochem  course it’s the best and they will teach you about the three classifications and methods and match the products to go with the method.

Good luck

Ian Harper

[Chris Liversage]

Hi Chris

Much of the dirt in a carpet is dry so just vacuuming for a very very long time can remove much of this dry dirt.

Prespray is your next best friend along with time for it to work.

Now comes the extraction. Knowing when to stop is key with low power machines you don’t want to over wet. It’s far better to stop let carpet dry and repeat.

What carpet cleaners don’t like admitting too is that thousands of carpets just like your mates are cleaned every day with small machines by people that know nothing about carpet cleaning. And they are very happy with the results. Sure many will be wet for days but they really don’t care about that once they are dry.

I like to think it’s possible for a professional to clean any carpet with any machine. It’s not going to be super fast but with the knowledge of emulsification, surfactants, and sinners circle it can be done.

Having choice in methods is far more flexible than trying to find one machine and product for every situation.

My advice is get yourself on a prochem  course it’s the best and they will teach you about the three classifications and methods and match the products to go with the method.

Good luck

Ian Harper

Thank you for the advice, very much appreciated. I am looking into various courses at the moment but will try these stages. I am aware that in the long run I will need a better machine but funds are limited at the moment. As I stated this is more of a test but also a good way for me to try out a bad carpet as he is buying a new one anyway so nothing to lose really, but I would like to get that wow what a difference comment and in a good way!! Thanks again.