Question on steam cleaner/ smoke removal?

[TrustJesus]

Does steam cleaning the
leather dry it out in anyway?

How can we remove smoke smell without an ozone machine?

Thanks in advance


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[Rsurfer]

Most modern leather are coated. So no, the steam is not in direct contact with the leather. When cleaning leather with steam, you should use a leather cleaning tool that is wrapped with a microfiber towel and not directly cleaning with hot steam which could harm the coating.

Smoke and milk are tough odors to remove. Use an enzyme that will remove the order rather than cover them up.

 

[TrustJesus]

Thanks Rsurfer,

I’m sorry what is an enzyme?


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[Icarus]

Most modern leather are coated. So no, the steam is not in direct contact with the leather. When cleaning leather with steam, you should use a leather cleaning tool that is wrapped with a microfiber towel and not directly cleaning with hot steam which could harm the coating.

Smoke and milk are tough odors to remove. Use an enzyme that will remove the order rather than cover them up.

Whats a 'leather cleaning tool' look like?
Thxs

 

[Billy Baldone]

The P&S Odor Docs act as a single use ozone treatment. Try one of those. P&S terminator is the enzyme cleaner I use

 

[TTQ B4U]

Gone are the days of talking about Ozone for effective removal. It's a good tool for lighter lingering airborne odors but for deep down stink more is definitely needed. I've posted about them here before and moved over to them once having gone through some serious education on commercial equipment use for interiors.
I use Reset brand. Reset Chlorine Dioxide | Safely remove odor, mold, mildew, algae

I've stepped up to a full commercial system that ranges in use from Automotive to Commercial buildings and Apartments. The only difference is in the amount of product used and a slight difference in it's actual deployment.

Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂) is a chemical compound made up of one atom of chlorine and two atoms of oxygen. Do not confuse ClO₂ with typical household chlorine bleach or HTH. Chlorine dioxide is actually an oxidizing agent, not a chlorinating agent. Unlike alternative chemicals, ClO₂ reacts with organic matter through SELECTIVE OXIDATION rather than SUBSTITUTION. ClO₂ Is Non-Staining, Non-Masking, Non-Corrosive with No Fragrance, No VOCs, No Residue, No Wiping or Rinsing is required. Safely Neutralizes & Eliminates Mold & Mildew, Fire & Cigarette Smoke, Pet, Food, Urine & Rodent Odors, Perfumes & Chemical Masking Agents. Only ClO₂ may be generated and used as either a ‘gas vapor’ or ‘liquid’ in the atmosphere and on non-porous & porous surfaces.

Just place the tablet in 4oz water on a rubber matt or something to contain the splatter, put in a basic $12 battery operated aerator and let it go for 20 minutes. At the 20 minute mark start the vehicle and let its HVAC run in recirculate mode for 20 minutes.

A great Enzyme Product that I use is this one:

DEODORIZERS & ODOR CONTROL | Newline Industries

 

[ducksfan]

Whats a 'leather cleaning tool' look like?
Thxs

He's probably referring to an upholstery attachment that goes on the end of your steam hose. The one I have is triangular and has clasps to secure a towel (microfiber or cotton - depends on what you're doing).

 

[ducksfan]

Does steam cleaning the
leather dry it out in anyway?

How can we remove smoke smell without an ozone machine?

Thanks in advance


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

If you use a leather AIO ( I use Meguiar's - inexpensive and works well) with the steam, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[TrustJesus]

Thanks guys for the help.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[Icarus]

He's probably referring to an upholstery attachment that goes on the end of your steam hose. The one I have is triangular and has clasps to secure a towel (microfiber or cotton - depends on what you're doing).

ah, ok thanks

 

[TrustJesus]

Another question on steamer for the pros.

We all agree not all cars need steaming.

In what aspects would a steamer help you clean an interior faster?




Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[ducksfan]

Another question on steamer for the pros.

We all agree not all cars need steaming.

In what aspects would a steamer help you clean an interior faster?




Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

Carpets and upholstery that aren't so dirty that they need an extractor (light surface dirt).

You can use it on door jambs. It's not necessarily quicker. But if you have it out anyhow...

Headliners in some cases - especially the solid one piece ones. Just have to be very careful if you use it around glued in place ones.

I've never used it to remove gum. But it's supposed to work well. I would watch a video of a pro carpet cleaner doing this before trying myself. Plus, I would have the right chems to assist.

I know some guys post that they use one on plastics. But, that's dicey because if you have one that gets really hot, you run the risk of overheating the plastic and discoloring it. I've never owned a cheap one. But, plastics are the one place I think a cheaper one that runs cooler and wetter might be better. Don't go with my advice on that, it's just a guess. Personally, I don't use mine on plastics.

The outside of a steering wheel where you put your dirty hands. Maybe, but realize...

I almost always use my steamer with a MF or cotton rag wrapped around it. They're just so hot, they can do damage.

 

[TrustJesus]

@Ducksfan are you in Oregon by chance?

I agree with you on everything you said especially discoloring some plastics, it’s a risk honestly. And also the part being hot and damaging something unless you have a MF?

Does steam kill any bacteria at all, if so which ones? In case a client ever ask me?




Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[ducksfan]

No, I'm in SoCal.

Steam is a good disinfectant. So, yeah most germs/bacteria should be killed by it. But, I'm not a scientist. So, if you want specifics you should research it or talk to someone more knowledgeable than me.

 

[TrustJesus]

Thanks Ducksfan, don’t discredit your abilities. You know more then you might know.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[TTQ B4U]

Another question on steamer for the pros.

We all agree not all cars need steaming.

In what aspects would a steamer help you clean an interior faster?

Not sure I'd say "faster" as a benefit but mainly because they involve set up and break down and waiting for them to heat up, etc. I'm sure some of the pricier ones heat up faster or are "instant" but you know what I mean.

The key benefit I see is they do make short-work of nasty dirt on door panels and the fact that they can blast out a stick cup holder certainly can save time. Steamers work great on lightly soiled carpets and seats too. They won't by scientific or legal definitions allow you to use words like "disinfect" but you can safely say "sanitize" and be okay legally. They tend to leave fabrics smelling fresher too as they will kill off some bacteria that cause odors.

I push them as an ability to clean without using harsh chemicals that many of my customers seem to like hearing. Just be careful on interior plastics and leathers. Don't hold them in place too long. If a few seconds doesn't break the dirt loose don't think 15-20 seconds will do it as to do so will likely cause damage. On worn leather they can also pull off the dye and coatings so again, move quickly and wrap the end of the steamer with a microfiber rag.

Hope the above helps. This was a pretty dirty 8yr old minivan the customer bought used. Here the steamer was great at cleaning up the lighter interior.

I use them in conjunction with a really nice newer style Microfiber Mitt.

 

[TrustJesus]

Thanks Tim, the other day I used it to clean an interior and it took forever to warm up.

I honestly was debating whether to use it again, hence the question.

What are you opinion on IK foam sprayers?

Maybe 1 for wheel and tires?

Another one for interior?

Are these IK foam sprayers efficient in anyway?


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[TrustJesus]

Tim good work I’m the interior van, I may try your methods next time

Looks well cleaned and results are beautiful.


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[TTQ B4U]

Thanks Tim, the other day I used it to clean an interior and it took forever to warm up.

I honestly was debating whether to use it again, hence the question.

haha! now you know why I replied that saving time.....maybe not so much.

What are you opinion on IK foam sprayers?

Maybe 1 for wheel and tires?

Another one for interior?

Are these IK foam sprayers efficient in anyway?

I like them a lot. I have an IK9 and use it but not too often. The small one for wheels is nice but honestly, I bought the larger one as if I'm going to foam wheels, I'll just do the whole car.

Interior wise, I'm not a foam guy. I use a Solor 456 sprayer. The reason being is that it's commercial grade and has a Schrader valve built in so I can pressurize it to 45psi with my compressor and not have to pump it up. I actually installed one on the IK9 too The 456 is super quality and worth the money. I use it to spray my pre-treament on interiors. There are smaller versions too but I bought the larger so even on small interiors where I may not use as much chemical/cleaner, I have room to keep the pressure up high and not run it down.

 

[TrustJesus]

Thanks Tim, very good advice.




Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline