How the hell do I Vac the carpet?

**wn1998** · 07-03-2016, 06:48 AM

Had a 2016 grand cherokee come in today and looks like he transported mulch and the little sticks an pieces of wood were "stuck" to the short nap carpet in the rear hatch. I tried everything using my shop vac going over it for 20 minutes, tried a stiff brush going over it as well as removing it an pressure washing and NOTHING got everything out of this carpet.

There has to be a tip or trick to this....

**BillE** · 07-03-2016, 07:06 AM

Try wrapping some duct tape (sticky side out) around your hand and 'pat pat pat'. Should do the trick, or at least give ya good start.

Bill

**scuff** · 07-03-2016, 07:19 AM

Powered brush head on a vacuum?

**wn1998** · 07-03-2016, 08:34 AM

I had a stiff bristle brush that I use on carpets and tried using that but there were tiny sticks embedded in the short nap of the carpet. I don't this sticky take would have done anything either.

Has anyone else had this issue?

**Evan.J** · 07-03-2016, 09:14 AM

Try a pumice stone on the carpet. This is a great tool for hair removal so it may just work for you with the mulch.

**precisionmobile85** · 07-03-2016, 09:18 AM

I usually use a rubber dog hair/sand brush. Haven't found much that it doesn't loosen up in carpets. Even really short hair carpets

**dcjredline** · 07-03-2016, 11:57 AM

Well my next step would have been hand picking them out. Of course you may want to inspect better next time and either set expectations with the customer or charge more.

Im not saying you did anything wrong. Im trying to help you for next time. lol. We all have faced similar problems.

**expdetailing** · 07-03-2016, 12:13 PM

First things first, your customer should expect this to be an expensive job. Secondly, there are hand-held motorized mini-vacs on the market, such as the dirt devil royal, that make cleaning carpet much easier. I understand that you threw the heavy weights at this and the job still isn't done. Patience and a no-nonsense tool like the royal will get the job done after many passes.
Since you don't have one, maybe try a regular brush vacuum where you can, and the duct tape approach with good quality tape, and an aggressive comb. Good luck.

**scuff** · 07-03-2016, 12:31 PM

Maybe check the Similar Threads box at the bottom of the page for solutions, too.

**AuroraDetailing** · 07-03-2016, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by precisionmobile85

I usually use a rubber dog hair/sand brush. Haven't found much that it doesn't loosen up in carpets. Even really short hair carpets

I think this is your best bet. The rubber can actually grab the pieces by friction. You can scrub all you want with motorized heads but the bristles won't grab, they'll just agitate. The basic principle is that you need something to grab the debris with a better grip than the carpet has, which essentially has a super Velcro grip on the debris. Aside from using your fingers to pull each and every little piece out, with the pet hair brush, you'll have a couple hundred fingers helping to pull them out.