How to clean old fragile carpet

[bcgreen]

I have received 44 yr. old carpet from Germany that I have been looking for 7 yrs. now. I could have had the carpets made but no one, I mean no one has that carpet material that was used in 76. I was told by a foremost authority on this particular model that the only way to get the original carpet is to buy another vehicle that also used this carpet, pull out the carpet and sell the car.
So here I am with this old carpet that is fragile and sounds crispy when you try to bend it.
How would you clean them? I don't own a steamer or extractor.
I had heard using Liquid Wrench Dry Lubricant with Cerflon, Woolite-Oxy Deep, or Resolve should work.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

While not an expert, I would keep it real simple.


Take them outside to your driveway.

Saturate with water.

Gently scrub with a brush and some type of soap or detergent - maybe dry a liquid laundry soap.

Rinse by spraying with water - start at one and and flush out the cleaning solution and loosened soil and grime to the opposite side

Hang from a rope or wire to drip dry.

Cross your fingers the fabric stays together as well as the vintage backing.

 

[FUNX650]

Would you say a carpet cleaning company
that specializes in Persian carpets would be
the safest bet to get the job done without
harming 44 year old Porsche carpets?

Well paid a visit to the Persian carpet dealer
and they said they couldn't do them - too old
and fragile.

If you try to bend one of the carpets you can hear
a crunchy sound. So, I have a couple of,choices:
1. Install the carpet as is
2. Try and clean them myself.
I have cleaned carpets before but nothing this old.

Disclaimer:
The following may not be an unimpeachable
example of cleaning old and fragile “material”,
but please don’t totally discount its validity.

**************************************

•For my old and fragile face (along with the
“material” thereon) I use Gillette Foamy
shaving foam (Lemon-Lime).

-It spreads easily; really softens the “material”;
and always rinses clean. (Did I mention softens?)

-As their ad copy says:
Gillette Foamy: Simple. Honest. Classic.


Bob

 

[bcgreen]

Disclaimer:
The following may not be an unimpeachable
example of cleaning old and fragile “material”,
but please don’t totally discount its validity.

**************************************

•For my old and fragile face (along with the
“material” thereon) I use Gillette Foamy
shaving foam (Lemon-Lime).

-It spreads easily; really softens the “material”;
and always rinses clean. (Did I mention softens?)

-As their ad copy says:
Gillette Foamy: Simple. Honest. Classic.


Bob

Sorry but not totally following, maybe because I can be dense, but if I translate correctly, you are saying to try Gillette Foamy?
Do I soak the carpet really well before using Gillette or go from dry directly to Gillette?

 

[FUNX650]

Sorry but not totally following, maybe because I can be dense, but if I translate correctly, you are saying to try Gillette Foamy?
Do I soak the carpet really well before using Gillette or go from dry directly to Gillette?

My face is always dampened before the
shave foam gets applied.

•Likewise:
-Dampen a “Test Spot” before applying some
of the shave foam to the “Test Spot”.
-Increase moisture level as deemed necessary.

The detergency aggressiveness level, if any,
of the shaving foam is worth a shot, IMO.
That, and its ability to retain moisture.


Bob

 

[bcgreen]

My face is always dampened before the
shave foam gets applied.

•Likewise:
-Dampen a “Test Spot” before applying some
of the shave foam to the “Test Spot”.
-Increase moisture level as deemed necessary.

The detergency aggressiveness level, if any,
of the shaving foam is worth a shot, IMO.
That, and its ability to retain moisture.


Bob

Okay, I guess I will have to buy some shaving foam.

 

[57Rambler]

My brother owns a flooring company (sales & install) and has been doing it for 30+ years. He always makes it a point to stress to his customers the importance of following the manufacturers' recommendation for cleaning carpet - which is almost without exception to use steam cleaning. Further, if it goes beyond the need for a normal cleaning, then you should consult someone who is professionally certified in carpet cleaning/restoration.

Use the web site IICRC to locate the appropriate (ie. cleaning, restoration, etc.) professional in your area.