by Jim Pemberton – Fabric Pro Specialist
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Key components of the cleaning process are critical to
prevent a host of cleaning related problems, but there are also
times that they may work at “cross purposes”.
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Upholstery specialists know that there are three very important
components in product and process choices necessary in order to
be successful in cleaning fine fabrics:
1. Precondition with products designed for upholstery
cleaning.
2. Neutralize and rinse detergent residues from fabrics
3. Minimize the use of water during the extraction step
These key components of the cleaning process are critical to
prevent a host of cleaning related problems, but there are also
times that they may work at “cross purposes”.
Here Is How This Can Happen:
Upholstery preconditioning agents are formulated so that they
do not penetrate fabrics rapidly, however these formulations
are by design more foamy and consequently may be harder to rinse.
In some cases, the safest preconditioning agents are actually
shampoo products that are mildly acidic. This type of product
is very safe on dyes and helps to prevent browning, but can be
extremely hard to rinse from the fabric.
In addition, the amount of water needed to rinse such
preconditioning agents from the fabric could create a serious
risk of over wetting, and in the end actually create the
conditions of browning or bleeding that caused the cleaner to
choose such products in the first place!
What Solutions Exist To This Dilemma?
1st – Prequalify your work carefully. It will be always be
difficult to clean heavily soiled, abused natural
fiber fabrics without facing issues with residues and
wetting, so make sure that any risks you may take are
taken with the customers written acknowledgement,
and are not your responsibility.
2nd – Apply your preconditioning agents in the form of a
light mist or foam, not a heavy spray or a “bucket
and brush” technique. These methods are slower, but
they put your preconditioning agents on the soil and
face of the fabric where the soil is, not soaked
through to the back of the fabric where they will do
harm and no good at all.
3rd – Use a “dry tool” for rinse / extraction. Tools such
as the Sapphire Scientific Upholstery Pro allow for
a sufficient amount of water for good rinsing with
very little risk of penetration to the back of the
fabric.
4th – Consider “in plant” cleaning when possible. Heavily
soiled natural fiber fabrics often respond better to
multiple “light” cleanings than one “heavy cleaning”
that can create risks from cleaning agent residues
and/or over wetting.
As always, make sure your customer has a very clear
understanding of the conditions that exist, and what
limitations of soil removal exist because of your need
to protect the texture or color of the fabric.
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P.S. If you would like a copy of our:
“Evaluation Guide And Performance Standards
For Professional Cleaning Service Employees”
Call Jim Pemberton at 412-751-3700 ext 107