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: 28/April/2024 at 12:46pm
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
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I haven't seen too much discussion about upholstery cleaning, but I'd like to get into it. Where should the newbie start? ------------- Roll on, Buddy |
Replies:
Posted By: carpetologist
Date Posted: 26/April/2004 at 5:25pm
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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. ------------- 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
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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
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I agree...but tell nightrider that. |
MR. STEAMER wrote:Posted By: HokieClean
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 2:54pm
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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?
------------- Roll on, Buddy |
Posted By: HokieClean
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 2:55pm
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Except for Ted--he made a recommendation on the wand. Thanks! ------------- 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 
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 27/April/2004 at 9:40pm
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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
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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
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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
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That's what I'm talkin about! Lot's of direct advice.
Thanks everybody! ------------- Roll on, Buddy |
Posted By: doug
Date Posted: 28/April/2004 at 12:43pm
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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
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Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 28/April/2004 at 10:52pm
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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
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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
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Mr. Steamer you could be the Filter Queen Man. That is a good demonstration for a vacuum salesman. Just my opinion
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Posted By: MR. STEAMER
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 10:21pm
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Posted By: Adwa
Date Posted: 01/May/2004 at 10:26pm
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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
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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. ------------- 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
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Good money in furniture, too. ------------- 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
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Oh gawd don't say homemade cleaning solutions around here... you might get hung..lol these guys will string you up ------------- www.mr-steamer.com |
Posted By: danmarck82
Date Posted: 06/December/2004 at 1:15am
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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
 You should know that using a high ph, you can run into a problem running many colours.You should use a acidic base cleaner
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Posted By: Erik06Erik
Date Posted: 06/June/2005 at 2:25pm
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Hi I am new to the apolstry cleaning aspect of the cleaning busniess. I am curious as to how profitable apolstry can be.
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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
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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.. ------------- 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? ------------- Just My opinion |