Persistent Oxiclean residue/dust

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justaguy394

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Long story short-ish, I had a problem with my car and had a pro come steam clean the interior. It was a little better, but I was desperate to make it perfect again, so on some random advice, I went a little crazy with a self-mixed oxiclean solution. I did all the carpeting, seats (all surfaces)... pretty much everything soft except the headliner. I did it in sections and tried to rinse with clean water and absorb with a towel as I went.

I knew I messed up within a day because when I would drive, I could taste the residual oxiclean in my mouth (it basically breaks down to soda ash), and breathing this was hurting my lungs. I had the pro come back and steam it again, and it was a little better, but eventually the powder would start resurfacing in the carpet as white residue. If I slap the carpeting I can see it releasing more white dust. It's killing my lungs... how do I get rid of this residue / dust?

My pro doesn't have a hot water extractor, which I'm guessing is what I would need? He does have a steam vacuum, but seems it didn't work for this. He thinks the oxiclean may have gotten into the jute under the carpet, which is why it's so hard to get rid of. I'm desperate... any advice?!?!
 
FinishingTouchA said:
You're gonna need a real extractor
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Ok, that is what I suspected based on my random googling. Is that something I can rent (where? what kind?) and do myself or is it better to find a pro? I'm a newb at detailing stuff... appreciate the advice!
 
justaguy394 said:
Ok, that is what I suspected based on my random googling. Is that something I can rent (where? what kind?) and do myself or is it better to find a pro? I'm a newb at detailing stuff... appreciate the advice!
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I would just hire a "real" pro with the proper tools to do the job ex. hot water carpet extractor as opposed to try and do it yourself. Sounds like your pro detailer was more of an amateur that lacked the proper tools to do quality interior detailing. It happens a lot.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I would just hire a "real" pro with the proper tools to do the job ex. hot water carpet extractor as opposed to try and do it yourself. Sounds like your pro detailer was more of an amateur that lacked the proper tools to do quality interior detailing. It happens a lot.
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This guy seems like a real pro, he has a commercial steam system (huge!) on rails in the back of his truck and does mobile onsite work. He's actually here right now, he agreed to come back at no charge since the residue came back within days of his last treatment. He said he could dial up the moisture in his steam unit and attach suction so it's basically like an extractor (his words, I don't know if you guys would agree with that). We'll see...

If this doesn't work, I will find someone else like you said. This guy thinks maybe it's in the carpet padding... if so, would I need to have someone take apart the interior and pull it all out to be cleaned underneath. That's cheaper than a new car (which is what I've been debating, this has been driving me nuts) so I'd do it if I have to.
 
Like with an air compressor? No, I don't think my detailer tried that. His steam system seems pretty forceful, though. If it's surfacing from underneath the carpet, do you think that would help? I thought suction would be best, but I really don't know.

So he cranked up the moisture on his steam system yesterday (and added a vacuum hose), to where he said it's basically like an extractor. He demo'd it for me, and it did seem similar to videos of extractors I've seen (but I'm no expert). He went over some areas multiple times, but more powder kept surfacing as everything dried. He said he's never seen an issue like this. It seems a little better today, but it was like this last week too and then more started surfacing during the week.
 
justaguy394 said:
Long story short-ish, I had a problem with my car and had a pro come steam clean the interior. It was a little better, but I was desperate to make it perfect again, so on some random advice, I went a little crazy with a self-mixed oxiclean solution. I did all the carpeting, seats (all surfaces)... pretty much everything soft except the headliner. I did it in sections and tried to rinse with clean water and absorb with a towel as I went.

I knew I messed up within a day because when I would drive, I could taste the residual oxiclean in my mouth (it basically breaks down to soda ash), and breathing this was hurting my lungs. I had the pro come back and steam it again, and it was a little better, but eventually the powder would start resurfacing in the carpet as white residue. If I slap the carpeting I can see it releasing more white dust. It's killing my lungs... how do I get rid of this residue / dust?

My pro doesn't have a hot water extractor, which I'm guessing is what I would need? He does have a steam vacuum, but seems it didn't work for this. He thinks the oxiclean may have gotten into the jute under the carpet, which is why it's so hard to get rid of. I'm desperate... any advice?!?!
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Was it a powder oxyclean of some sort,may need a traffic clean pre spray then use hot extractor.If nobody has a powerful extractor,Stanley steemer may be a solution,and I'm sure they have eco friendly non toxic smelling products.
 
All the steam in the world won't do it,need good products to go along with steam.stanley steamer would be a right choice.your very sensitive to chemicals.
 
Bill1234 said:
Maybe a bissel pro heat would work well here?
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He needs the right products,continuous hot water temp and powerful lift.you will not find a standalone extractor,versus a truck mount that is supplied by the truck engine.
 
GSKR said:
Was it a powder oxyclean of some sort,may need a traffic clean pre spray then use hot extractor.If nobody has a powerful extractor,Stanley steemer may be a solution,and I'm sure they have eco friendly non toxic smelling products.
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I mixed it myself from powder... maybe 1/8 or 1/4 cup in 16-20oz? Not sure of exact amounts, it was a few months ago...
 
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