This weekend I did a side by side test of two upholstery cleaning methods. Here are the descriptions and observations. The furniture was pretty disgusting. Observations are when the furniture was still damp.
1. VonSchrader VS2. Bought this machine used and ended up having a new head and motor put in. So, except for the solenoid all moving parts have been replaced.
2. Pump sprayer, followed by Cyclo with aqua brushes, followed by a small, portable single vac, cold water extractor (spotting machine). Solution was 8oz per gallon Encap Green and a a 50/50 mix of the same for a spotter.
The VS2 is simple. One unit to vac, clean and vac. Easy to teach and use. So is the Cyclo method, though my wife finds the VS2 easier to learn and use. The VS2 seems best for lightly soiled furniture where quick dry times are important. Ergonomically it's easier to handle than the spotter wand on the contours of furniture. The Cyclo methods was faster, though the comparison was made with my daughter running the VS2 for the first time. The Cyclo method left the furniture cleaner, but wetter. Only one person can run the VS2. With the Cyclo method one person can do the scrubbing then pass the chair to a second person for the extraction. Haven't done this, but I bet it's very fast doing work this way. The foam from the VS2 adds a WOW factor that I think would impress home owners, but only if the upholstery comes clean.
In short, the Cyclo method is more complicated - sprayer, Cyclo, extractor - but I think it is faster per item and probably better suited for gross stuff. The VS2 is convenient - walk in the home with one piece of equipment, attachment bag and some rags and good to go, but a little slower. Probably comparable outcomes on lightly soiled stuff. I'm also thinking the VS2 is probably safer when dealing with unknown or known delicate upholstery.
Hope this helps someone doing upholstery. It is nice to have the options.
