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Upholstery

Printed From: Carpet Cleaning Forum
Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Upholstery & Fine Fabrics Cleaning
Forum Description: Discuss anything relating to Upholstery Cleaning
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=326
Printed Date: 25/November/2024 at 8:03pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Upholstery
Posted By: HokieClean
Subject: Upholstery
Date Posted: 26/April/2004 at 2:20pm

I haven't seen too much discussion about upholstery cleaning, but I'd like to get into it.

Where should the newbie start?



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Roll on, Buddy



Replies:
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 26/April/2004 at 5:25pm

We sell a IICRC approved instructional manual for upholstery cleaning. Most cleaners with this can be self taught and if you can take an IICRC course in your area.

What ever you do make sure you purchase an upholstery tool with an internal jet spray.



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Kleen Kuip Supply Mart Inc.

http://www.kleenkuip.com - New & Used Professional Carpet Cleaning Machines, Restoration Equipment, Training, Service and Supplies


Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 26/April/2004 at 7:19pm

Hokie

Way to go,  the admin put a whole new section on upholstery cleaning just for you.

Us Groupie's never had that kind of pull.  Good Luck  



Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 12:23am
Furniture cleaning separates the men from the boys...anyone can clean carpet...not everyone can clean furniture


Posted By: Mr.Mike
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 12:56am

Originally posted by MR. STEAMER MR. STEAMER wrote:

Furniture cleaning separates the men from the boys...anyone can clean carpet...not everyone can clean furniture

I agree...but tell nightrider that.



Posted By: HokieClean
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 2:54pm

Nice of you all to chime in, but these posts are about the community here and NOT about any useful advice on upholstery cleaning.

Can anyone talk about the differences between the solutions we'd use for carpets vs furniture?

 

 



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Roll on, Buddy


Posted By: HokieClean
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 2:55pm
Except for Ted--he made a recommendation on the wand. Thanks!

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Roll on, Buddy


Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 5:20pm
Hokie:  first you have how to do a fiber ID test. Or be like Steamer and 90% of the upholstery will be nylon.  Which is probably true.  There are not alot of real problem fabrics out there like there was.  I still like to check for colour fastness anyway.  A lot of upholstery are blendes of different fibers the upholstery cleaning depends alot on the amount of soiling.   You made need a higher ph cleaner for the arms and have to agitate the cleaner to the greasy areas and allow dwell time.  I will clean the bad areas first than pretreat and leave till last after a good amount of dwell time.  For the rest of the upholstered area I use as mild a detergent as I can get away with again it depends on the overall soiling.  Don't forget to prevaccuum  the piece before cleaning. Better quit .  Just my opinion Guitar


Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 9:40pm

Sounds good to me Doug...but I wouldn't use a higher Ph on the arms...it might take the colour out...or at least you should warn the customer...a nice soft horse hair brush for agitation...becareful when agitating not to distort any of the fibers....

To really impress the customer you should do a black cloth vaccuum test...you'll end up doing all the furniture in the house



Posted By: LilNiteRidrhood
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 9:59pm

We use neutral presprays for furniture.

Chemspec's Prekleen for Upholstery is dynamite for body oils.

Chemspec Heavy Duty Soil Lifter is a mild prespray for both wet and dry cleaning but should be followed up with an emulsifier.

The usual problem to watch out for with upholstery  is browning followed by colourfastness.

Both these are eliminated by using neutral or acidic cleaners and making sure  the fabric dries quick.

Always watch out for rayon or viscose (same thing). They can easily shrink and waterstain. I recommend to all our cleaners to just not touch rayon.



Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 10:29pm

Hokie the wand Ted is talking about is called an Upholstery Tool

I can not put enough emphasis on the importance of the internal jet. Worse thing you could possibly do is put to much water down on upholstery.

The internal jet gives you sufficient amount of water and does not over spray like when you go off the end of the back of a chair you won't spray the walls and pictures. The water is diverted back to the material.

This tool is also designed with a vacuum release in case in some incidents you do require more water you just pull back the button more water is released and then you push it back to vacuum. 

Every body who does upholstery should own one. 



Posted By: HokieClean
Date Posted: 28/April/2004 at 12:35pm

That's what I'm talkin about! Lot's of direct advice.

 

Thanks everybody!



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Roll on, Buddy


Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 28/April/2004 at 12:43pm
Wow I guess I had better stick to carpets and Hide.  Till I have been around longer and learn from the Masters.  Just my opinion Guitar


Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 28/April/2004 at 10:52pm

Very humble of you Doug

I heard it through the grape vine that you are a Master. 

It's ok Hokie even without direct advise you still can have fun here.



Posted By: Americancarpet
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 3:31pm

Hey steamer......what is a black cloth vacume test??



Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 4:13pm
you put a piece of black cloth between your suction hose and hand tool....then you dry Vac the piece of furniture....you won't believe the amout of crap that will come up...show it to the customer...they always get sooo amazed...the grey dust on the black cloth makes it look real dirty .......keep on Testing pieces through out the house...they'll have everything cleaned...I love it...matresses too


Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 5:22pm
Mr. Steamer you could be the Filter Queen Man.  That is a good demonstration for a vacuum salesman.  Just my opinionGuitar


Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 10:21pm
Originally posted by doug doug wrote:

Mr. Steamer you could be the Filter Queen Man.  That is a good demonstration for a vacuum salesman.  Just my opinionGuitar
It's also good to sell the cleaning of furniture...try it my man doug


Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 10:26pm

Now that's a trick I haven't even seen Ted do.

Congratulation's Steamer you took your first step to help your fellow carpet cleaner.

Your secret is out!!!!!!!



Posted By: Americancarpet
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 11:13pm
Steamer......THANKS FRIEND! I used your blackcloth cleaning tip this evening and ended up doing 2 couches and 4 chairs. Increased my bottom line by $225 today. That was a fantastic tip and worked like a charm. Thanks again!


Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 02/May/2004 at 9:23am
lolololololol... really wow...didn't think anyone would try it.... I love to upsell and thats a trick that works... taught to me by an old Eatons guy


Posted By: fastone1979
Date Posted: 04/December/2004 at 11:50pm
Another thing to wach out for is ink on the insides of the cushion probably on the foam.   this ink can blead through when extracting.    by simply opening up the cushion and doing a quick check before you start.   If you see a stamp or other writing on the cushion place a plastic barrier between the foam and fabric.      always clean furiture on a drop cloth to.

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every job is a self portrait of yourself! So autograph it with quality!


Posted By: OCC Boss
Date Posted: 05/December/2004 at 12:12am
Good money in furniture, too.

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H8 DIRT


Posted By: Americancarpet
Date Posted: 05/December/2004 at 8:35pm
Anyone know of some homemade cleaning solutions?


Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 05/December/2004 at 10:39pm

Oh gawd don't say homemade cleaning solutions around here... you might get hung..lol

these guys will string you up



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www.mr-steamer.com


Posted By: danmarck82
Date Posted: 06/December/2004 at 1:15am
Lots of good info....

I agree with the internal spray on the upholstery tool. it works very well
and doesn't make the job look so . sloppy. Kleenrite also has a fairly good
tool but I like the internal spray style better.

Even though I don't agree with all that is taught at some of the seminars, I
still think attending a seminar on upholstery can help some. If you pick
up only a few tips it is usually worth the money and it gives you a chance
sometimes to pick the brains of some more experienced cleaners.



Posted By: ollie
Date Posted: 15/March/2005 at 12:13am
Originally posted by doug doug wrote:

Hokie:  first you have how to do a fiber ID test. Or be like Steamer and 90% of the upholstery will be nylon.  Which is probably true.  There are not alot of real problem fabrics out there like there was.  I still like to check for colour fastness anyway.  A lot of upholstery are blendes of different fibers the upholstery cleaning depends alot on the amount of soiling.   You made need a higher ph cleaner for the arms and have to agitate the cleaner to the greasy areas and allow dwell time.  I will clean the bad areas first than pretreat and leave till last after a good amount of dwell time.  For the rest of the upholstered area I use as mild a detergent as I can get away with again it depends on the overall soiling.  Don't forget to prevaccuum  the piece before cleaning. Better quit .  Just my opinion Guitar
 You should know that using a high ph, you can run into a problem running many colours.You should use a acidic base cleaner


Posted By: Erik06Erik
Date Posted: 06/June/2005 at 2:25pm

Hi I am new to the apolstry cleaning aspect of the cleaning busniess.

I am curious as to how profitable apolstry can be.

 



Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 06/June/2005 at 9:36pm
If your great like me ALOT...........especially in the winter......


Posted By: hitman1978atl
Date Posted: 12/January/2006 at 1:19am
I make on average about 4000 a week on upholstery alone!
keep in mind i also have 10 techs running but upholstery is big
big money with big big profits...

I use the avenge fabric pre spray....its an great neutral cleaner
and works well with most upholstery....
I use matix all fiber rinse to remove residue..

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Don't Cut Corners! Clean Them!


Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 12/January/2006 at 10:27pm
Is this the Red Board?? Did I log onto the wrong board again?

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Just My opinion



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