Question about cleaning carpet

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mrfjsw294

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Ive done some searching and found a few posts that were informative but I still need a little more.

Basically, I want to know if there is such a method to clean carpeting to the equivalent of extraction without using an extractor. I detail part time on the side as a hobby in the summer so buying a $600-$1000 extractor is just out of the question for me...on the other hand, being able to restore carpets to a like-new condition is a very important part of detailing an auto. Not to mention, I dont want to pass up the business.

From the posts I have read, I gathered that with some lexol or equivalent, a carpet brush and a good shop vac, good results can be had. But can you REALLY get them that clean without an extractor? If so, can someone point me to a step by step guide or pass along some pointers? Perhaps I missed a good post in my searches?:confused:

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys
 
I don't think you'll find anything that will do the same job as an extractor, but you can do a really good job without one. I use the Bissell Little Green Machine w/Heat which can be found for less than $100.00. It takes longer and, like I said, I doubt you can do everything you could with an extractor but for the weekend warrior that can't justify the expense, it's a very good alternative.

Also, if you have a PC, check out the carpet brushes for it for really scrubbing.
 
makdaddy626 said:
I don't think you'll find anything that will do the same job as an extractor, but you can do a really good job without one. I use the Bissell Little Green Machine w/Heat which can be found for less than $100.00. It takes longer and, like I said, I doubt you can do everything you could with an extractor but for the weekend warrior that can't justify the expense, it's a very good alternative.

Also, if you have a PC, check out the carpet brushes for it for really scrubbing.
Click to expand...

Ok, so it is possible to get darn good results without a pro extractor? I have access to a Hoover upright steamvac that does a decent job on house carpets. I can just use that combined with some good carpet brushes, the right product and a little time and put out some nice work huh?

I guess I just never seen anyone on here talk much about using a home carpet extractor for cleaning automotive carpeting.

Thanks Mak!
 
The Little Green Machine by Bissell is about the size of a breadbox and is easy to use on cars and such, not sure how easy an upright would be.
 
Look for Folex at Target or Lowe's. It's a great carpet cleaner that doesn't foam up. Spray on the carpets and brush by hand or with a PC. Next you can extract with a Little Green machine or use a wet/dry shop vac to remove the cleaner.
 
makdaddy626 said:
The Little Green Machine by Bissell is about the size of a breadbox and is easy to use on cars and such, not sure how easy an upright would be.
Click to expand...


Mak, what is the cleaning performance like with one of those bissells? Some of those smaller machines can leave alot to be desired in an extractor.
 
Glad to help, hope it works out well for you and don't forget, TAKE PICS!!! :D
 
I think that you can get professional quality results on floor mats by soaking them in a bath tub or spraying them down with a hose followed by scrubbing them with a brush and a good carpet cleaner. The problem is that after rinsing them off, they need to dry which isn't practical for day jobs since it can take a while for them to dry out. You also can't use those methods for the rest of the upholstery. I have never used an extractor but I think that you can get professional quality results without one, though it will take longer.
 
To hand clean carpet and upholstery:
A heated carpet extractor is going to work much better than a shop wet-vac. You should be able to find a place in your area that rents these machines by the day. Cleaning interiors by hand is a labour intensive and time-consuming process.

Methodology
• Use a rubber bristle brush go over the carpet material to raise the fibres
• Vacuum area very thoroughly (Metro Vac N' Blo®) to lift all the loose dirt from the carpet
• Remove any stains with a ‘spot’ remover (303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner)
• Spot treat really bad stains (303TM Cleaner & Spot Remover or Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam)
• Use a pre-cleaner solution, 10:1 distilled hot water/ P21S Total Auto Wash, let solution dwell for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react
• After sufficient dwell time agitate pre cleaner solution with an upholstery brush to ‘friction scrub’ surfaces
• Mist spray surfaces with hot water
• Brush the carpet to raise the nap and loosen ground in dirt
• Remove the excess moisture, using a Wet/Dry vacuum (preferably a carpet extractor system) and allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use
• Once fabric is dry apply a fabric protection (303TM High Tech Fabric Guard)

Note: Use the hottest water available it also helps to pre-spray the carpet with hot water when hand cleaning carpets / mats
 
There is some great information here. Like Budman said, grab yourself a bottle of Folex and either a hand upholstery brush or grab the brush for the PC. If you decide to grab a LGCM (which I would recommend for weekend warriors) just fill the solution tank with plain water and extract the Folex solution. I used the LGCM w/heat for about a year and a half, but I just bought a Durrmaid extractor. The LGCM is a decent machine, you just have to take your time with it. But awesome results can be had without the use of a commercial extractor. Good luck!
 
Sorry but for those with the LGCM when you say "take your time" - does that mean I have to take several passes over it for extraction? What exactly does that mean?

I have a ridgid wet/vac which seems to do a decent job of pulling water out, but would like a machine I can use a rinse agent as well as extracting the soap out.
 
mrfjsw294 said:
Mak, what is the cleaning performance like with one of those bissells? Some of those smaller machines can leave alot to be desired in an extractor.
Click to expand...

I have a little green machine w/heater and turbo brush, works real good for me, prespray the matts, carpet etc. check my web site Unlimited Auto Detail - Home. I have a couple of pics.Im the MAN
 
raddogz said:
Sorry but for those with the LGCM when you say "take your time" - does that mean I have to take several passes over it for extraction? What exactly does that mean?

I have a ridgid wet/vac which seems to do a decent job of pulling water out, but would like a machine I can use a rinse agent as well as extracting the soap out.
Click to expand...


Yes, it can take several passes to extract the majority of the water from the carpets. The advantage (in my mind) over a good wet-dry vac is the ability to spay clean water right in front of the the suction to "rinse" the dirt and product off the carpet and other fabrics.
 
TOGWT said:
To hand clean carpet and upholstery:
A heated carpet extractor is going to work much better than a shop wet-vac. You should be able to find a place in your area that rents these machines by the day. Cleaning interiors by hand is a labour intensive and time-consuming process.

Methodology
• Use a rubber bristle brush go over the carpet material to raise the fibres
• Vacuum area very thoroughly (Metro Vac N' Blo®) to lift all the loose dirt from the carpet
• Remove any stains with a ‘spot’ remover (303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner)
• Spot treat really bad stains (303TM Cleaner & Spot Remover or Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam)
• Use a pre-cleaner solution, 10:1 distilled hot water/ P21S Total Auto Wash, let solution dwell for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react
• After sufficient dwell time agitate pre cleaner solution with an upholstery brush to ‘friction scrub’ surfaces
• Mist spray surfaces with hot water
• Brush the carpet to raise the nap and loosen ground in dirt
• Remove the excess moisture, using a Wet/Dry vacuum (preferably a carpet extractor system) and allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use
• Once fabric is dry apply a fabric protection (303TM High Tech Fabric Guard)

Note: Use the hottest water available it also helps to pre-spray the carpet with hot water when hand cleaning carpets / mats
Click to expand...

So, where does the foaming carpet shampoo/scrubbing fall into place? Other than pre-spoting, that's one of the keys processes to manual cleaning.

Also, how is a Carpet Extactor better than a 6 HP Shop Vac? Are you referring to the actual suction of water/debris or the process of extraction itself?
 
David Fermani said:
So, where does the foaming carpet shampoo/scrubbing fall into place? Other than pre-spoting, that's one of the keys processes to manual cleaning.

Also, how is a Carpet Extactor better than a 6 HP Shop Vac? Are you referring to the actual suction of water/debris or the process of extraction itself?
Click to expand...


The real benefit of a hot water extractor for me is the on-demand hot water. The extractor I just bought heats the water to 200 degrees. This allows the stain to more easily be extracted from the carpet fibers.
 
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