[bacs]

I am new to Carpet Cleaning.I have attended a 2 day course.I Cleaned my own Carpet today and got a shock.I have a Ninja with Vac Booster.I used Ashbye Chemicals..Supreme Pre Spotter,Supreme Powder and Supreme Finish.When the carpet dried i saw pale areas,on close inspection i noticed the fibres are very thin in these areas.The Carpet has always lost fibres when hoovered,it is 2 years old and was an expensive caret (£700 for a small living room).I used 60 degrees of heat.I used a 1hp drier when i finished.I colour and fibre change tested before i started.PLEASE CAN ANYONE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I DID WRONG.THANKYOU

[stevegunn]

Was the carpet not already worn in thse areas and you have just highlighted these areas since cleaning.

[bacs]

the carpet has the normal wear in the traffic lane ect,but the fading is all over but very patchy.it is dark blue

[Kev Loomes]

Steve's right. If you had quite grubby areas by doorways/main walkways etc (traffic lanes), you probably havent noticed that you are wearing the fibres (less pile) and suffering the usual colour loss from such wear, because of the soil covering it. Remember colour loss occurs also from natural sunlight which affect the whole carpet (except under furniture etc.

When you have cleaned it you then notice these effects! Dont worry its quite normal It may be an idea though to get people to leave their shoes at the door since you've cleaned it - as this is usually the problem!

Cheers

p.s. Its not usual for the hoover to always pick up fibres (unless the normal naturally loose fibres from new carpets) - are you sure you havent got a problem with it?

[calmore]

Prossibly what has happened is the now clean backing is showing through the carpet. Before, the backing would have been dirty and the same colour as the pile.

[bacs]

Thankyou for the advice everyone.You have put my mind at rest.

[calmore]

Join your local Freecycle group: www.freecycle.org

People often give away secondhand carpets and rugs..these are really good for practising on as they come ready soiled and in various different types, colours etc. If there aren't any being offered then post a "wanted" advert.

Once you have cleaned them you can put them back on Freecycle or sell them through your local classified ads!

It won't cost you a penny and you could end up with a small profit.

[martin19842]

hi there

thats the main reason why you should never clean your own carpet,
 its a bit like decoraters not wanting to paint their own homes.

only kidding, i cleaned mine last weekend, thrilled to bits.


now all the neighbours want theirs doing, i hear the sound of money   thenky you very much

martin

[John Kelly]

Your carpet may be suffering from water marking or shading. This is when sections of the pile start to lie a different way to the rest. Surprisingly it affects expensive carpets more. On close inspection it can look as though the fibres are thinner, however this is just an optical illusion as they are catching the light from a different angle. You can see details of this here: http://www.carpet-rug.com/technical_bulletins/0003_Pile_Reversal_Watermarking_Shading.pdf#search=%22watermarking%20to%20carpets%22

And here: http://www.cavbrem.co.nz/cbconsumer/home-owners/carpet-characteristics/shading/shading_home.cfm

[bacs]

Hi John.The picture is just the same as my Carpet.Thankyou for the info

                   Steve

[angela carlton]

Lot's of good advice on here and the only thing we'd add, would be, not to use the full power, full heat more chemical applications than necessary, unless it's really justified.

In most cases, you will only require a moderately applied prespray, followed by aggitation, which can come from the powerfull jetting action, of your machine.

In most cases, you won't even need anything in the return tank, but an acid rinse, in moderation acts as an insurance .

Most of all, take it easy, remember, you can always go back over the carpet, if you're not sure of the result.

Best of luck

Angie

[bacs]

Hi Angie.Thanks for the advice.What heat would you recommend and should i use all 3 vacuum motors for a normal cleaning job,just as a General guideline.Thankyou

                     Steve

[the red carpet]

If the carpet lost colour through something you done wrong, the waste water would have been full of the dye, so same colour as carpet you just cleaned.

I find its quite normal to get a bit of colour in the tank when cleaning red carpets.

[angela carlton]

As Red says, there will always be evidence in the return tank and you will almost always find red dye, from, obviously, red carpets, as this is the most unstable of colours.

The addition of an acid rinse, following product  instructions, will minimise colour loss, but this is only really necessary when using excessive amounts of chemical or high alkaline presprays.

You will only require the full power when extending your hoses to 75ft + or very heavy soiling. Personally, and my husband agree, heat is very important, in most cases and we always add the inline heater, for heavily soiled areas, or when working more than 30ft from the machine.

You have an excellent set up and will only really get to grips through experience.

Remember, also, to avoid overwetting at all times.

Did Ashbys not offer training ?

Angie

[spindle]

i belive that when you buy a ashby's machine...........

they throw in a 1 or 2 day course depending on how much you spend

judging by your set up i think that you were entitled to a 2 day cc course
1 day theory 1 day practical

well they did last month when i was in the shop

[bacs]

hi.ashbys have included a one day course,but i can not attend untill october due to my present job.they did a demo when i collected.but it was a lot to take in due to all the other extras i had built in.

[Mike Osbourne]

I did their 3 day course. Derek does his best to prepare you but you will only learn some stuff on the job. I would try to read up as much as possible before you go so you don't get overloaded so quickly. Their 'manuals' lead something to be desired.

Also, leave your cheque book at home as you get an excellent lesson in soft sell.