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Offline Mike M

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Blind cleaning
« on: November 01, 2006, 07:06:38 PM »
Anyone do blind cleaning? Have seen ads for machines. They cost as much as a truck mount. Does anyone really make a living cleaning just blinds?
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Offline LeeD

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2007, 08:57:51 PM »
When I worked for Clean Pro in Windham we cleaned plastic blinds. They had made a hanger out of pvc pipe, it fit into the back TM, we would put it together and hang the blinds off it, spray them down with speedball and pressure wash them with the TM out side.
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Offline George Barnett

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #2 on: January 10, 2007, 09:43:19 PM »
I have access to the ultrasonic equipment and investigating the possibility. Thinking about having a store front for it.
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Offline LeeD

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #3 on: January 10, 2007, 09:47:26 PM »
We used to bring alot of blinds into crystal cleaners in Falmouth before it burned. They dipped them in the sonic machine to clean them.
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Offline Mike M

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2007, 08:06:21 AM »
George - Keep us posted on how you make out.

The dry cleaners that Lee is referring to did take blinds at their storefront for cleaning. I think they did quite a few for restoration companies too.

Maybe a shop that would clean blinds and do area rugs?

I was just curious about this market because I have seen a lot of ads in trade mags for ultrasonic equipment. I can't say I personally know anyone doing just that though so I am wondering if anyone does?
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Offline George Barnett

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2007, 06:15:20 PM »
Checked out the machines today. Pretty simple. 2 minutes to clean a set of blinds.
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Offline George Barnett

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« Reply #6 on: July 28, 2007, 09:34:39 PM »
Finally have most equipment in place in shop. Cleaned my first sets of blinds.

Learned a lot.

The side of the machine used to clean was filthy after dipping the blinds. The rinse side remained clear and almost without particulation. This shows me the cleaning side removes all possible soils and it rolls off the blinds when removed.

A good system for drying and it is a simple service.
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ProBlindcleaner

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #7 on: September 19, 2007, 10:02:01 PM »
Mike,

We make our living doing blind cleaning (as well as drapery - full service of all custom window treatments).  We also have a network of hundreds of other companies across that country that clean blinds, some part time, some full time.  While most are small operations, a few run larger multiple unit regional companies.

The network web site is newbielink:http://www.blindcleaners.biz [nonactive]


Quote from: Mike Martell
Anyone do blind cleaning? Have seen ads for machines. They cost as much as a truck mount. Does anyone really make a living cleaning just blinds?
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Offline Mike M

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #8 on: September 20, 2007, 06:50:18 AM »
Thanks for posting.

See you finally got on!  
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Phil R

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2008, 06:21:10 AM »
Just curious if anyone is still doing this service and, if so, can we get more dialog going?

I am very interested in adding this to my current clients.
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Offline ChemBright

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2008, 03:59:55 PM »
This is also an interest of mine. I would like to find out more about the machine Superhero is using, size, costs, etc....
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Offline George Barnett

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2008, 09:39:12 AM »
I have 2. Both are used and thinking length is about up to 7 - 8 feet. Plans are to use the oldest for commercial cleaning and newest for residential. Difference is the older machine takes about 2 minutes to clean a set of blinds (better for commercial) and the newer (shine a blind) around 30 seconds.

I could get double + for the price paid for the used machines.
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Phil R

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2008, 02:29:48 PM »
Your tanks may have begun to "pit". The sonic cavitation can/will break down the walls of the tank. That causes them to lose the acustics. It is also possible your generators simply need a tune-up.

what brand machines do you own?
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Offline George Barnett

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« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2008, 08:50:39 AM »
The fastest machine is a "shine a blind". It has many transducers under the tank.

Will have to look up the brand on the older machine. I know it has fewer transducers. Both tingle the fingers and water heats itself when they get going.
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Offline George Barnett

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« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2008, 09:41:46 PM »
Here are some pics from recent blind cleaning. Lot of small blinds but the long ones in the back are killer.

[attachmentid=399]

Notice how nasty the cleaning side has become while the rinse side is still quite clear. Shows how well the ultrasonics remove dirts.

[attachmentid=400]

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ProBlindcleaner

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2008, 09:59:17 PM »
Quote from: Cleaning Superhero
Difference is the older machine takes about 2 minutes to clean a set of blinds (better for commercial) and the newer (shine a blind) around 30 seconds.

The difference in performance may be that the one machine's generator(s) aren't working properly.  We purchased an old Shine A Blind machine from another cleaner a few years ago that finally died.  When it did we found out that one of the things that hadn't been working was the power level switch or internal electronics.  Whether it said hi or low power it had actually been just low power. (Something we'd suspected.)

Comparing ultrasonic machine performance without knowing frequencies, power and other relevant factors including water level and temperatures is very subjective.

Back issues of the Blindcleaners.biz Newsletter have articles (as does the Member's Resource Library) about some of the specs on various companies machines and articles relevent to the science of ultrasonics as it applies to blind cleaning.  

The latest newsletter that went out today had things relevant to blind cleaners, but nothing technical.  Several of the manufacturers are currently revamping their models and offerings for the industry so there may be some new models of ultrasonic blind cleaners on the market in coming months.  Stay tuned.
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Offline George Barnett

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #16 on: February 23, 2008, 08:59:27 AM »
Signed up for the newsletter. Hope to be reading it soon.
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Phil R

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #17 on: February 28, 2008, 05:19:47 AM »
My salesman hit a blind company yesterday about doing their windows/carpets. The lady owner has just canned her old cleaner and was looking for a new one. So..looks like we may be going down this route.

so..I am curious once again about how well this service sells and if it is difficult or easy over-all to market compared to say carpet cleaning?

We are stuck on whether to go mobile or stationary and pick up/drop off the blinds.
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ProBlindcleaner

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #18 on: February 28, 2008, 07:00:40 AM »
so..I am curious once again about how well this service sells and if it is difficult or easy over-all to market compared to say carpet cleaning?

Look in a typical phone book.  How many blind cleaners are listed vs. how many carpet cleaners?  However also remember folks don't clean their blinds as often as they clean their carpets.

We are stuck on whether to go mobile or stationary and pick up/drop off the blinds.
[/quote]

If you already have a shop location setting up a cleaning area and drying rack takes up a few hundred square feet.  Cheaper than buying a truck or trailer (and towing vehicle) and with the price of gas...   Also if you retail other things it's one more thing to draw people to your shop.
Our shop area isn't fancy, we just put a piece of carpet down in front of a nice counter and put up a portable panelled wall that screens the main work area of the shop off from view so anyone walking in can't see what is being done in the work area!

Your market depends upon your area, potential and your marketing.  Your long term success also depends upon your knowledge of blind cleaning and ability to build the business.  Blind cleaners make more money than some carpet cleaners - less money than others - which would be true in most any service business comparison.


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Offline George Barnett

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« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2008, 12:53:06 PM »
That didn't take long. Major high end restaurant chain wants blinds cleaned. Multiple locations. Already asking about doing tile before I've cleaned the blinds.
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Offline Mike M

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2008, 02:11:20 PM »
Nice George!  
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Phil R

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2008, 06:31:56 PM »
Awesome news.
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Offline George Barnett

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #22 on: March 25, 2008, 01:04:20 PM »
56 sets of filthy blinds in the restaurant. Cleaned them on location.

I can see this account wil have to sign up for maintenance.

By the looks of things, they could use some carpet cleaning and tile, grout work.

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Offline Mike M

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Blind cleaning
« Reply #23 on: March 25, 2008, 02:45:50 PM »
And it just so happens you do all!  

Boy are they lucky.
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