Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning - Let's learn the most effective way.

Plus with the price you spend on the extractor. you can spend that on so many more detailing supplies you wont ever regret not getting one. again just my .02cents!
 
I sold my mytee lite because I thought it was horrible!! The only thing I liked about it was the heat but for the money it costs it is not worth it...I invested $150 or a Tornado and as long as I keep it clean it does a great job.
 
I use pressure washer scrub brush and carpet shampoo on the mats with phenomenal results. Interior carpet gets folex pre treament.... with steam and brush agitation and if needed zep Orange and lgm with hot water to remove cleaner residues. Most stains steam and wipe away with cleaners but sometimes you tell by the funk in the car extractors gonna be faster. I use all the tricks I can.... but none of my equipment costs over 100$ a piece
 
Well, I have been at it a few years now,and this is just my opinion on what I have done in the past and now. The Aztec Hot Rod Hot Spotter was my choice of extractor. No #1 because I am fully mobile and the heat. Hot is always better imo. I use to wet the carpet & mats waaaay too much. Wet them just enough to pull out the dirt.Never soak,takes to long to dry,and you never pull all the water out. I try now to extract all the moisture out I can.Then vacuum again. I never put chemicals in my solution tank. I have used defoamer in the dirty water tank. Folex,DP and Dri Wash n Guard Green have been my choices for cleaners.Light spray,agitate,vac. Oh, I always blow all the dust & dirt off mats and carpet with my air nozzle. If there is dirt and dust and you wet it, you have mud. If they are really soiled bad,I may pressure wash them & extract like crazy. Steam also helps me alot too. Folex,DP,DWG Green, agitate, vac. Should do it.
 
Da Fats said:
I use pressure washer scrub brush and carpet shampoo on the mats with phenomenal results. Interior carpet gets folex pre treament.... with steam and brush agitation and if needed zep Orange and lgm with hot water to remove cleaner residues. Most stains steam and wipe away with cleaners but sometimes you tell by the funk in the car extractors gonna be faster. I use all the tricks I can.... but none of my equipment costs over 100$ a piece
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Where do u find a carpet extractor and a steam cleaner under $100?
 
For me, pre-treat with Folex, then use my steamer. Clean and dry in less than 5 min.

When I used an extractor (Durrmaid) it didn't clean well and the interior took forever to dry out.
 
i couldnt live without my extractor. i do some nasty a$$ interiors that won't budge without some heat and water. can't speak for steam as i have never had one.

to some who say they dont get any better results with their extractor, i am curious if you were to extract an area that you perhaps cleaned with a shop-vac or tornador, what the water in the recovery tank would look like? i know i've done some clean looking carpets that when i drained the recovery tank there sure was some nasty funky water. Not to say my way is the right way or wrong way, just something im curious about.

as long as the person it's going to is happy with the result i guess that's all that really matters.
 
guess i should probably add my method as thats what this thread is about. carpets and seats get a thorough vac, blown with compressed air,vac, dry scrub, vac, folex on spots, megs apc+ to the rest, pc and scrubber, leave sit for 10 mins, extract, go over a min. of 2 times with just suction, towel dry, spray protectant (ex. scotchguard or 303), brush, and put the fans in. usually dry within 20- 30 minutes. same process for mats unless they are heavily soiled. In that instance they get a good pressure wash first to remove soil, then get the same treatment as the rest.
 
PAR Detailing said:
Ok this is another question but for all who have posted and used an extractor.... is it really all that its cracked up to be? and is it better? and faster? than the shop vac and a brush.... I appretiate the help. Im looking into getting one for my detail business but I want to be sure before I drop that much coin
Peace
Jon
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Yes makes for a handy help I use Bissell cleaners good with Bissell pro auto heat extractor , apc if needed and Folex wit a carpet brush attach on a 3/8drill and a steamer when needed messy interiors usually don't stand a chance very nice results
 
Skip extractor... jump to a steamer and never look back.

There is no function from an extractor you cant duplicate with an equally priced steamer, a spray bottle and shop vac. The steamer gets way hotter and the vac has more pull to get water back out.

My 2 cents.
 
Please excuse my ignorance, but I often see reference to a 'shop vac'.

What is this? :confused:

Is it a more powerful household vac?
 
lawrenceSA said:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I often see reference to a 'shop vac'.

What is this? :confused:

Is it a more powerful household vac?
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In a word...yes.

Also one thing about a 'shop vac' is they (for the most part) are wet/dry.

Bill
 
BillE said:
In a word...yes.

Also one thing about a 'shop vac' is they (for the most part) are wet/dry.

Bill
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Thanks for the clarification.

Being over here in South Africa, some of the terminology thrown around on the forum is sometimes quite different and so I just wanted to check it wasn't a specific brand of vacuum cleaner, that...... sucked...... better than the rest:D
 
lawrenceSA said:
Thanks for the clarification.

Being over here in South Africa, some of the terminology thrown around on the forum is sometimes quite different and so I just wanted to check it wasn't a specific brand of vacuum cleaner, that...... sucked...... better than the rest:D
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[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf1SLY8UP-Q]Powr Flite PF51 review Part I - YouTube[/video]

Great option shown in this video
 
Maybe this will help others.

Vacuum, pre-treat with Matrix Grand Slam, let work for 10 minutes, scrub with terry cloth towel, steam. Extract if you'd like.

Did some floor mats from a Honda Pilot, turned out great. Can't see doing carpets any other way now.
 
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