Upholstery cleaning method

[ChemBright]

I am looking to change my upholstery cleaning method a bit....or at least I think maybe it could be improved. Here is what I am thinking.

I currently use my Desiderio to clean. I have a Makita and was thinking if I added that to prescrub with a 15" Glad pad on microfiber I would get better results maybe even make it easier to clean? I am curious about a Cyclo as well but lack the funds to get one at this time. What would you chose? Cyclo over Makita? Do you think it will even make that big of a difference?

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[George Barnett]

Still a big believer that the cleaning solution is the most important. In some cases, a towel is all that is needed to remove certain cleaners.

[jeffvanburen]

CB-
I use a Makita with 8" tuway from Excellent Supply I use the lowest setting #1 = 600RPM, I only use it on heavy soiled upholstery. I still prefer my vapor steam system over everything else, customers just love seeing the steam rise off the furniture.

[Mike M]

I have a Cyclo and like it for upholstery use. One handed operation if needed too. Never used the Makita so can't really comment about it.

I use the white brushes for most everything. I've encapped literally thousands of office chairs using encap green and the Cyclo.

George has a point about towels. I like to use those once in a while as a post wipe down to remove more soil. Have also used them to agitate prespray.

[micky navarro]

on walmart type upholstery like that microfiber crap, i'd say the power hand tools like a makita, or any other orbital power hand tool is ok but i'd never use one on fine linens, or the more expensive upholstery like brocades and such.
i'd even be a lil leary using the cyclo on the real good stuff although the cyclo is a much better tool then the orbital tools for upholstery.

vapor steam or some good old fashioned hand shampooing is the safest bet.

[ChemBright]

I was mainly thinking of using my Makita for microfiber products along with my vapor machine. I think this is the next step and maybe I will get a Cyclo in the future. All I know is I need some scrubbing power and I DO NOT want to go back to using my old HWE equipment for upholstery.

[jtmellon]

George nailed it.  I have done uph for years doing it that way, works great. 

As for using a makita over a cyclo, well how would you feel; I being your carpet cleaner pull up to your drive and come in to clean your sofa that you called me about and take out a makita drill or grinder and begin to polish or grind my way around your uph.

I can understand using a makita on comm work, most time no one is watching, but for resi cleaning, NO.

The cyclo is a good looking pro looking type tool that most people other then car detailers have never seen.  Do you want to look like a pro or a joe with your tools of the trade?  I dont even use my Dyson vac any longer in a resi home because its non pro looking, I have a comm vac now.

We dont use a wal mart hoover carpet cleaner to clean carpets so why use a makita.  I dont understand why we do this.  Save the money and buy the cyclo.

And look like a pro.

[jeffvanburen]

That same type of thinking was said when people started using OP instead of HWE. If you portray professionalism, look the part, talk the part your customer has confidence in you and your choices. I have used the Makita and vapor steam many times with good results and never been embarrassed or received any grief from customers.

[jtmellon]

I hope I didnt hurt your feelings Jeff,  I am just not a fan of the drill driver on resi uph.  I just think in front of the customer we need to look the part.  I never had luck with the drill and one time when I did use one got a look like "your gonna use that on my sofa" from a customer. 

In this business we have to many hacks, that think with a rented rug doctor they are carpet cleaners. 

Again no disrespect was ment to anyone, if it works for you, great. 

[ChemBright]

That's it Joe! I am out of here!! 

Thanks for the reply's guys. Good views.

[jeffvanburen]

LOL

[jtmellon]

 

[Mike Charles]

There's a hack out in Washington named Gary Heacock....he's been cleaning since 1956.

He developed several tools for the industry, including the Bac-Out line of products.

He teaches an IICRC class on advanced upholstery cleaning.

The main part of the class is instruction on cleaning upholstery with Encap chems and a Makita Orbital Polisher.

He has demonstrated the cleaning technique at several Fests. At the fests in front of large crowds, he cleaned 2 donor sofas one right after the other one...in less than 14 minutes each.

Not bad for a 70 something hack with a Makita



 

[John Bolton]

14 Minutes?

It takes me almost that long to dry vacuum a sofa!

           And I've been practising since 1966!!

                      Maybe in another 10 years or so I'll get quicker 

[Mike M]

John - Sounds like you need more practice!