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

[Impressions]

after extracting I go over the carpet with a clean, very damp microfiber and brush the carpet grain in one direction.

I wouln't give up my extractor for a shop vac, but I do own both. An extractor used properly will always give great results.

some mats aren't worth saving...give it your best than rec new ones

[proudpoppa]

Have have sprayed so many different things on carpet and floor-mats and the extractor does not assist in removing the rest of the mess. What I now use is a very good steamer AND/OR the Tornador Car Cleaning Gun. Those are now the only two items I use to clean the interior. I also use the Meg's APC+ for cleaning.

I'm sure I will be selling the extractor down the road. It will just site in the garage doing nada. LOL


how do you rinse the cleaner from the carpet/upholstery being cleaned?

[Da Fats]

how do you rinse the cleaner from the carpet/upholstery being cleaned?

Steamer + towels works

[Perfections]

I'm shocked I haven't seen anyone post this way. While at the car wash there are floor mat holders. Pop those bad boys in there, hold the pressure sprayer 3 inches away from the mat while on soap mode, going left to right from top to bottom watch the amount of dirt that comes out along with the stains. After you go over the mats and notice no more dirt is coming out, turn it to rinse, rinse the mats about 5 inches away, once you have out all the soap, get about 6 inches away and go up and down motion to get rid of the left to right marks you will leave in the fibers. As far as interior cloth seats, hot water extractor rocks if you use proper technique, although steam is less drying time and kills bacteria/smells :) also if your using a hot water extractor, on the edges of the seats use your hand to guard the sprayer from spraying all over the car.

[kimandbrad21]

I posted an interior detail on show/shine awhile ago. It was on a PT Cruiser. I always wanted a hot water extractor.... but money is tight I have a family, kids, and im only 24 with only a decent job. so again money is for other things most of the time rather then 700+ for one. With the PT Cruiser detail. I used a shop vac, and a LGM and megs APC+ I put some on straight while the rest of the car was 50/50 or less. The nice thing about doing this was if I got APC+ on anything interior it is also meant to be used as an interior cleaner and conditioner, so it works out well and by the gallon saves me tons of money and i can premix to my likings. I want to also get a OTC reg. steamer so I can battle smells. But I used a spray bottle. sprayed the area worked with a brush hit it with LGM a few times that had APC+ in it with warm tap water and then hit it again with the shop vac, all windows open and it works great. just my .2cents

[kimandbrad21]

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!

[ShineTimeDetail]

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.

[Da Fats]

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

[Showroom Shine]

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.

[ShineTimeDetail]

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

Where do u find a carpet extractor and a steam cleaner under $100?

[AeroCleanse]

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.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Where do u find a carpet extractor and a steam cleaner under $100?

Walmart.com: Bissell Little Green ProHeat TurboBrush Pet, 1425W: Appliances (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Bissell-Little-Green-ProHeat-TurboBrush-Pet/5774675?sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=5774675)

Walmart.com: McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner, MC1275: Appliances (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mcculloch-Mc1275-Heavy-Steam-Cleaner/10771195?sourceid=1500000000000003260370&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10771195)

Neither are "pro-grade" tools but if you're not doing really trashed vehicles or high volume/production detailing, they're probably decent enough.

[proudpoppa]

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.

[proudpoppa]

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.

[Denny d]

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
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