[matt jones]

Hello everyone, i was wondering if some of you experienced chaps could share abit of your knowledge. I have been on a prochem upholstery course but since starting up (recently) have not been asked to do any upholstery jobs as yet thank god lol. I understand there can be a fair few problems with upholstery cleaning, any particular suites/fabric you would say to stay well away from or any advice would be greatly appreciated.
regards
matt

[rich hand]

Anything you cant get aleast £20 per seating postion for (maybe rounded down to £19 for the custard) and cotton fabrics. 20-30 mins/seating postion unless you can charge huge £. Dont worry its not always that bad, just sometimes like sheering a sheep from start to finish...a right b*ll ache!

The main problem is the cust doesnt realise the work involved and will nearly always pay more £/time for carpets which are much easier.

[gerrystyles]

We charge £18 per seat. you need to do a full survey in writing as customer expects new for old. I did the Prochem courses, just follow the manual and you should do ok. If you get any thing you are not sure off the Prochem helpline is very good.

[Mike Roper]

On the subject of suites ,just recently I 've had alot of people gasping for breath when I quote to clean there suite. I only charge around the £80 mark.I thought it would only be £40 they say - yeah 17yrs ago when I started but not now!

Mike

[matt jones]

I understand there can be a fair few problems with upholstery cleaning, any particular suites/fabric you would say to stay well away from or any advice would be greatly appreciated.
regards
matt

[Liahona]

Matt, if you are new to cleaning upholstery then I would keep away from, velvets both natural and synthetic, silks, linens, leathers, feathers, emboidered textiles, antique and museum pieces. Other than those you should be fine. Again if you are new to this I would advise to start at high prices, than lower ones and then try to put prices up. Good luck, best, Dave.

[matt jones]

cheers Dave so basically everything lol, whats the most common types of fabrics with upholstery
regards
matt

[Liahona]

No, not quite everything. I am sure cotton is the most popular. I clean mostly raw silk so that is popular for me but again most probably cotton is what you wil come up against. There are synthetics out there to that are just too easy to clean but you cant get a decent wage cleaning them as its too easy. People dont mind paying for what they deam is difficult to clean but as they know synthetics are easy they wont pay too much. Hence why I clean a lot of silk, best, Dave.

[cleanability]

Been doing this for 9 years and without doubt cleaning upholstery has been problem free. In fact have seen more suites that say dont dry clean. Carpets throw up the problems. Only turned down 1 suite that I didnt want to risk wet cleaning. Cleaned many suites that say dry clean only with HWE. This site is a wealth of information and I find it a great read. But you can get paranoid about everything job you do if you start thinking about all the problems that might occur. In my experience the dreaded Viscose velour suites stand out a mile from where liquid spillages have been tipped and left their mark.
I'll probably get shot down in flames but I get brill results and nothing but praise from customers but, I USE THE SAME CLEANING POWDER ON ALL WORK I DO BE IT CARPETS OR UPHOLSTERY. This business of knowing exactly what the upholstery is made of just doesnt apply. Just clean the darn thing.
So in short, be careful. Try a patch at the back if unsure. And dont be afraid to turn a job down if you're not sure.

Chris

[rich hand]

What is that powder Chris? I clean all suites with spitfire advanced inc the odd 'dry clean only' and I too have never had a problem.

[cleanability]

Over the years started with an Extracta powder, then Ultimate Master and have been using Craftex basic powder for about 4 years now. I've found them all equally as good.

Chris

[matt jones]

what is the most safest and best way of cleaning upholstery and also the best chems to use on upholstery i'm looking for a chem which will clean the majority of upholstery that i will come across. Also what is the best way to clean cotton suites as i understand there can be problems with browning etc? if you hwe. I remember reading somewhere on this forum that i think it was "red" was saying he mixes a chemicals in a bucket of hot water and applies using a micro cloth or mit, then rinses and extracts using hwe. Trying to get as much info on upholstery cleaning as i can as i don't really have any pieces to practice on so might take a trip to the dump as i don't want to make the first one i do be the customers.
regards
matt

[CLEANCARE LIMITED]

what is the most safest and best way of cleaning upholstery and also the best chems to use on upholstery i'm looking for a chem which will clean the majority of upholstery that i will come across. Also what is the best way to clean cotton suites as i understand there can be problems with browning etc? if you hwe. I remember reading somewhere on this forum that i think it was "red" was saying he mixes a chemicals in a bucket of hot water and applies using a micro cloth or mit, then rinses and extracts using hwe. Trying to get as much info on upholstery cleaning as i can as i don't really have any pieces to practice on so might take a trip to the dump as i don't want to make the first one i do be the customers.
regards
matt

Without sounding rude or derogatory, it sounds if you need a confidence boost. When you clean your first suite I hope that you would portray a more confident attitude otherwise they will think that your a rookie.

I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer's direct, look at their web sites and make up your own mind. Members will swear by one cleaning powder/technique and others will swear by another.

It's only you that can decide. Good luck and be more positive, then I'm sure you will succeed. And be weary of members on here with hidden agendas.   

[fibresafe]

Matt,

If you've not had training specifically for upholstery cleaning then that is where you need to start. There is a lot that can go wrong!

Once you're trained, one 'safer' way to clean most upholstery would be to prespray with One Step Fineline, then rinse with Fibre and Fabric rinse - this helps minimise the risk of dyes moving and browning problems.

If you invest in a low moisture hand tool and a turbo drier you can minimise risk further by drying more quickly - once it's dry it's safe.

[matt jones]

Hi there i have been to prochems upholstery course about 4 months ago but it's quite alot to take in and because i haven't practiced on any yet this is why i asked. Obviously i aint gonna go round to a customers house and be like um um i dont know how to sir/madam im just trying to get the most info from so called experienced professionals that i can so it does give my confidence a boost cause even after being on a training course im still poopting myself as i know upholstery cleaning can be quite problamatic and there are a huge amount of different fabrics out there.

[Damian]

Matt, remember what you were taught at the training school, read each and every label quite clearly and absorb the info. Do exactly what solutions say, keep your wits about you! Most of all-SMILE mate! It aint rocket science you just need to understand the risks etc. Colour test, fabric test blah blah-its all been taught you im sure? Just take your time and be thorough! You will get to enjoy it after a hundred or so suites-then again-i hate my job-jus jessin! 

Regards

Damian.

[matt jones]

cheers mate im sure all will be fine im just worrying far to much, i think if you read into to much stuff on some of these sites it can make you abit to paraniod lol

[Damian]

Matt-it will be fine mate. There is a lot of worrying on ere that spreads. Its a suite-was it built to not withstand kids spilling fizzy drinks etc? I take it youre using hwe? If so then its basically water with a detergent to remove soiling/staining. There are some delicate fabrics that need specialist treatments-but over the years(and experience!) then you will know how to deal with these situations. Just remember to clean as you have been taught and stick to recommended guidelines regarding cleaning chems etc-relax and enjoy it mate-and leave the chutney tingling feeling at home!!

Regards

Damian.

[matt jones]

lol will do boss 
Just one question to you though what chems do you use when doing upholstery im thinking of getting hold of some one step or fineline perhaps. Just heard that a friend is getting a new suit, so obviously i jumped at the chance to ask if i could have there old one to practice on they were only gonna dump it anyway.Gonna need to look at getting a better upholstery tool aswell got a stainless steel hand tool inclosed one (masterclean) with machine but it's a bit bulky for upholstery ok for stairs, think i might push the boat out and get a low moisture one like the drimaster or crf.

[Damian]

Ah Matt. That is one area i cant help you with.-I keep all my goodies to myself! But you will learn to do the same and learn to KNOW what works etc.