Best carpet/upholstery cleaner?

statusdetailing said:
This is an excellent and educated response. Too often, guys seek carpet cleaning advice from auto detailing forums, when, in most cases they should probably be going over to reputable carpet cleaning forums to learn the basics. That's not to say that there isn't good advice on AG.

APC's are the worst thing you can do for carpet.

As previously mentioned, chemistry is involved in reguards to cleaning carpet and especially when removing stains effectively.

APC's are generally a high PH product so there is a whole spectrum of stains that not only can't be removed, but that can also be permanently set by the high ph product.

Once you understand why tannin stains can more easily be removed by ph neutral or slightly acidic products, you'll be on your way to removing stains like a champ.

The same things goes and chemistry also applies to things like water rings, red stains, protein stains, dirt and grease stains.

Learn the chemistry first and then select product.

Generic, all purpose cleaners and spotters are not for the true enthusiast or professional detailer.

Next you have to move on to more advanced things like (previously mentioned) acid rinses, film forming and crystalizing encapsulation products, speciality product that are combined with heat etc. Good luck!
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Can you recommend any good forums?
 
Just to be clear, AG is an excellent forum. I love this forum and all the members, but naturally there are more in depth forums for carpet cleaning. I'll send you a pm.
 
I was at a store and saw the rug doctor machines and next to them were Carpet stain removal sprays and liquids. They were like $10 up to 14.99 each.

Xtreme Auto
 
I know this is an old thread but this thread helped immensely. I had some old soda and chocolate stains in the car that scotchguard oxy wasn't completely removing.

I did a google search and found this thead so I head to Home Depot and picked up a 32oz bottle of Folex for under $7.

The deeper stains took some scrubbing to get rid of but it took them right out, I was even shocked when I sprayed some on a stain located on the side of the head rest and literally watched it loosen up and drip down the side of the upholstery before my very eyes.

I'm planning on buying a little bissel steam cleaner to finish the job up instead of renting out a rug doctor.
 
You need a steamer and a heated extractor for that kind of job. The equipment is pretty expensive so I would just pay someone to do the cleaning job with the right tools.
 
Megs D106/D116 combo are excellent products indeed.

But... I'd suggest to anyone that is interested that you watch the YouTube training video several times before using those products. They are great though, as long as you've figured out your work flow.

Also, once you get them, familiarize yourself with how to mix the 'rinse' and don't make up more than you need. It's literally only good for a few hours, and the product isn't cheap.

Also, be VERY careful with D106 as it'll burn your fingerprints off! Well... maybe not 'off', but it'll turn any skin it gets on solid white and burn like heck! Getting it in your eyes and you'll end up with a seeing eye dog.

Still hard to beat Folex for the value however. ;)
 
statusdetailing said:
Just to be clear, AG is an excellent forum. I love this forum and all the members, but naturally there are more in depth forums for carpet cleaning. I'll send you a pm.
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I'm not sure if you ever provided another area for learning more about carpet or upholstery cleaning, but I am interested. I know that AG Forum is excellent, but there are still other areas for learning. I appreciate your approach, and recognize the chemistry involved with stain removal.
 
I like 303 upholstery cleaner/spot remover.
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For those that use folex in steamers do you dilute or just use stright folex?
 
Cruzscarwash said:
For those that use folex in steamers do you dilute or just use stright folex?
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Please define 'steamers'.

Most here would consider a steamer to be a smaller boiler with a trigger attachment that actually produces steam for cleaning purposes. Putting anything but distilled water in this would be bad for the system.

Some also may use the term carpet steamer as interchangeable with a hot water extractor. I wouldn't put folex in a hot water extractor either, it wouldn't be cost effective compared to pro carpet products that are highly dilutable and better suited to rinsing. I will use either clear water or a fiber rinse in my extractor tank.

Generally you would spot treat with folex (or other spotter), pre-spray with your desired pre-spray product (could be folex), aggitate, then rinse (with fiber rinse or clear water) and extract.
 
Don't use folex or any other chemical in a steam cleaner. Only use water preferably distilled.
 
Ok, I was trying to figure out what people mean when they say "I us.e folex with my steamer" for some reason im having a help of a time removing water stains from seats, folex, my steam cleaner, drill brush, different APC's none are working. So what should I use??
 
Cruzscarwash said:
Ok, I was trying to figure out what people mean when they say "I us.e folex with my steamer" for some reason im having a help of a time removing water stains from seats, folex, my steam cleaner, drill brush, different APC's none are working. So what should I use??
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Prayers, but they don't usually work by themselves on fabric stains.

An acidic fiber rinse product in an extractor is your best bet, may take several applications, along with prayers.

Also dry it as fast as you can with air movers
 
jack147 said:
Hello,
Thanx for the information of the product,
My technique is very simple. I use a mixture of vinegar, lime and soda at the ratio of 2:2:1. Add the mixture to mild water. It really works you can easily get so good result.....
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What is 2:2:1?
 
Abram86 said:
I've had a few filthy cars where I removed 95% of the stains yet the customer sees one left behind and acts like I didn't do crap. What is the best product to use? I use LAs Awesome carpet cleaner or LAs all purpose cleaner mixed with their oxygen power and it does great. What techniques do yall use?

Xtreme Auto
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I've tried the Brite max works pretty good.There's a couple of old school method's one is blowing out the stain with compressed air or use lacquer thinner .You will be amazed how much lacquer thinner will pick up .Use a dry terrycloth and blot stain or on some fabrics you can rub.Identify what kind of stain it is may need a protein remover or other chemical besides just a fabric cleaner.
 
jack147 said:
Hello,
Thanx for the information of the product,
My technique is very simple. I use a mixture of vinegar, lime and soda at the ratio of 2:2:1. Add the mixture to mild water. It really works you can easily get so good result.....
Click to expand...

Never use vinegar in a car it's probably the worst smell that lingers.Are these wicking stains?If so you need a good extractor as a start.
 
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