Author Topic: dry or damp pads? (Read 1849 times)

Ray Branch · « **on:** April 16, 2011, 11:15:41 AM »

Dear Friends, I want to take a quick survey. I have talked to a few cleaners that prespray and then extract with a dry pad. And...I have talked with others that extract with a damp pad. And a few put some water in a bucket, put in a pad, wring it by hand and then use it to extract. (it is pretty wet at this point). So, how many of you use your pads dry, and how many of you use them damp, (or wet), why or why not. This is for those of you that op and bonnet clean. Thanks very much. Ray- Louisville, Ky

Mike M · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2011, 01:19:18 PM »

We never used a dry pad unless it was for a specific spot or something.

Spray down cleaner, spray down pad (not soaking) and start cleaning. A damp/wet pad provides some lubrication. According to some wet/damp pads also pick up more dirt.

If you are using an encap type cleaner you wouldn't want to use water to "rinse" it. Wouldn't it dilute your juice even more? I can see using just water for a non encap product.

ChemBright · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2011, 02:17:32 PM »

I use dry pads almost 100% of the time. I just never really liked wetting them down before I used them. Seemed like once they were already wet they wouldn't absorb.

bigchuckie · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2011, 07:23:43 PM »

Hand wrung damp not dripping on normal jobs If it is a wicking stain I dampen the area and use a dry pad

Ray Branch · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:27:25 PM »

Quote from: Mike Martell on April 16, 2011, 01:19:18 PM

We never used a dry pad unless it was for a specific spot or something.

Spray down cleaner, spray down pad (not soaking) and start cleaning.

Mike, what are you spraying down the pad with?

Mike M · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:34:48 PM »

Electric sprayer.

Ray Branch · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:39:10 PM »

Mike, I meant do you spray the pad with prespray, or water, or something else?

Mike M · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:40:05 PM »

Whatever you are cleaning with.

Infamousdave · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2011, 09:48:14 PM »

Quote from: ChemBright on April 16, 2011, 02:17:32 PM

I use dry pads almost 100% of the time. I just never really liked wetting them down before I used them. Seemed like once they were already wet they wouldn't absorb.

That's an interesting take. I always thought that cotton asorbs better once damp but not as well when it is dry?

ChemBright · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2011, 02:01:13 AM »

Well here is my theory....

A pad can only hold so much moisture right? Once it has to much it just ends up sloshing around. If you have a real dirty carpet and the pad cannot absorb any more it will start to smear dirt. So, why would one want to already be using a pad that has alot of moisture in it before it even hits the ground? Seems you would not get as much use out of it before having to change it out?

Nick · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2011, 07:08:08 AM »

I spray down the carpet,then the pad and I'm off cleaning. Of course pre vacuum and post vacuum.
Nick

Gavin · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2011, 11:20:23 AM »

When I wash my pads, I don't put them through the dryer. just a very fast spin. I wouldn't call them wet, or dry, just almost dry.

Have you ever taken a dry kitchen sponge and tried to quickly wipe up a mess? it just pushed everything out of it's way and makes a bigger mess. a wet sponge will make a big sloppy mess as well. but if you get it wet, then squeeze out all the moisture, it works great. that's how I look at it.

If I error, I would rather have my pads too dry then too wet. because they are going to be getting wet anyways.

CACBServices · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2011, 12:22:07 PM »

Always dry, and then I work on one area until I see the results of foaming that I like. I figure that tells me the pad is leaving behind enough stuff to work as an encap.

ChemBright · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2011, 03:34:48 PM »

Do this......spray your cleaner on the carpet and then take a dry pad and run it five feet or so and then take it off and see how it feels.

It will be damp.

People wonder why they take so long or they wish they could get production rates up at a job? It is the little things like this that make you spend more time on the job (only of you are wetting your pads while at the job). It just makes no sence to me to go and wet your pads, wring them out and deal with all of that when they would just be damp anyways after running them under your machine for a few feet.

Gavin · « **Reply #14 on:** April 17, 2011, 07:23:27 PM »

Quote from: ChemBright on April 17, 2011, 03:34:48 PM

Do this......spray your cleaner on the carpet and then take a dry pad and run it five feet or so and then take it off and see how it feels.

It will be damp.

People wonder why they take so long or they wish they could get production rates up at a job? It is the little things like this that make you spend more time on the job (only of you are wetting your pads while at the job). It just makes no sence to me to go and wet your pads, wring them out and deal with all of that when they would just be damp anyways after running them under your machine for a few feet.

Well Said

Mike M · « **Reply #15 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:04:36 PM »

No wringing.

Just a quick spray. Do it when spraying down the area you are cleaning. Takes 2 seconds.

In my mind it takes a bit for the pad to get damp. Starting out you have little lubrication and more aggressive scrubbing. Also means you could get uneven results.

Burtonblue75 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:12:35 PM »

+1 for Johns way is indeed the correct way to look at the situation..
As for the whole sponge anallogy.. i dont really agree with, maybe on a hard surface. Maybe think of a stain on carpet, it only makes sense to spray something down to loosen up the stain, then apply something on top of it to Absorb the stain.. with which something dry would work better than something wet... because it has more pull(absorption) and available room to absorb the stain.. how does that not make sense? It makes absolutely no sence to wet a pad first.. unless maybe OP guys need it for some sort of extra lube. Even with a 175 swinger if it feels more aggressive on a certain type of carpet .. and you are scared you might damage, maybe then spray some juice on the pad.. but I have never needed to do that. . and like John said, within seconds of cleaning you will have a damp pad anyways. Seems like people may be over thinking the simple process of cleaning carpet, its just another unnecessary step IMO

Gavin · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:21:24 PM »

do you dry your pads after washing them?

Mike M · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:27:53 PM »

We always did because they weren't used every day.

Lefty724 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 17, 2011, 08:59:44 PM »

Wow did not know so many guys used the pads dry? I thought wetting the pads and wringing the was the norm?

I guess I will have to experiment tmw with dry pads and see what I think?

Ray Branch · « **Reply #20 on:** April 17, 2011, 10:09:12 PM »

Dear Friends, thanks for all the replies. I think in the long run, I'll just have to try a few different methods and find what works best for me. It doesn't really sound like there's a right way or a wrong way. Just....different ways.

Mo · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2011, 10:33:16 PM »

What if you don't spray the carpet at all and just dunk pad in a bucket of cleaning solution ring it out and go to town? That would be one heck of a time saver? Never mind just thinking out loud. I like cleaning with a moist pad.

Gavin · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2011, 10:42:52 PM »

I was once told that back in the day janitors would clean carpet with the 175 and use the pad over and over again washing and ringing it out in their mop bucket.

Mo · « **Reply #23 on:** April 17, 2011, 10:45:03 PM »

They were straight encaping with a synthetic pad.

PlumKleen · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2011, 11:41:27 PM »

I use bonnets from the washer after the spin cycle. Lightly moist and I seal them in a bucket with a lid. When I first started OP I was told by Drew at Excellent Supply always use a damp pad. I will however use the occasional dry pad on very dirty carpets that I have heavily applied the encap juice on, or a berber for example where tip bloom is not a concern. Generally the only pad I may use dry is the first one.

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Author Topic: dry or damp pads? (Read 1849 times)