A Lot Of Uphostery - How Long?

[CACBServices]

So, I've done some upholstery. Couple dozen couches, love seats, recliners, etc. Now, I shot off numbers per piece to the resort I clean carpets for. Fifty seven condos connected by hallways, common areas, blah, blah blah. Smallest condo has a couch, and four lounge chairs. Large has a couch, love seat, four lounge chairs and an ottoman. They want all the upholstery done in the entire facility. Will only be cleaning cushions, back rest, head rest and arms. But still I'm looking at 250 - 300 pieces of furniture. Have some options for methods; hand brush, vapor steamer, Step Son, small spotter machine, Von Schrader upholstery machine. (The last has me nervous. Bought a 'good' deal used. It's in the shop for the second time in 10 hours of use.) So, who has thoughts on staffing, methods, time it will take, etc., etc.

BTW - be careful what you pray for. This will make for a nice November financially, but right now it feels like a HUGE challenge.

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[davidb2]

Depending on the material you would be cleaning, I have successfully cleaned large quantities of furniture using a mild cleaner at relatively neutral pH. The method I used was apply with a brush and rinse at low psi with a portable extractor. One person applied the cleaner with the brush and another person rinsed and extracted, we cleaned at a rate of 8 couches per hour or so and about 12-15 chairs depending on soil level.

Don't know how that might work for your situation but it did well for me.

[kingjoelking]

WOW ERIC!!!!!!!  That is one hell of a problem to have.

I would suggest Stepson and Encap. Myself I am a big fan of releasit for upholstery.  I like the way it seems clean up grease and oil.  Use a fiber plus pad first and then second person hits with a bonnet or just wipes down with a towel.

[GNU]

Use a porty with a small stair tool. As far as having stuff in the shop. Shame on you... buy some tools. Cause the mechanic only fixes what's effed up this time. Doesn't give a rats patootie about your losses. Just more concerned about repeat business. Lol.
I'm not a fan of pad capping furniture. It seems like more work. And inferior imho.

[CACBServices]

Here's what I've decided,and I'll be trying a bunch of options and report back after the project. Tool options include:

Small 2 gallon portable spotter.
Step Son
Vapor Steamer
Brushes and towels
Von Schrader upholstery maybe (depends on cost of repair and if they can get it back to me in time)
Cyclo (Yes, there are always more tools to buy, and I did not knowing if the VS would be back)

Feels like I have more tools for upholstery than other business lines, but then again some of these tools do double duty. Plan to try these in combination to find out what get a good job done in the least amount of time. Plan on using EnCap Green. It's done the trick for me so far.

[Mike M]

What type of fabric? Can you do them all at once or do you have to tackle piecemeal?

I would park the portable and steamer. They would just slow you down on this job. Assuming you have a synthetic fabric that can take some scrubbing...........Use all the other tools in combo and you should be good to go.