I'm planning to attack some pretty dirty carpeting under the floor mats & could use some good info on how to properly go about cleaning these areas. I'm going low-tech, Megs APC and brush type approach, since I don't have any carpet cleaning equipment per se. Can anyone point me to some decent procedures/info on this? Thanks!
Well you first have to start with vacuuming the carpet very well. Scrub dry carpet fibers with a dry brush and vacuum a couple times, really try and loosen the fibers that have been smashed from the floor mat. I would then go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get Folex and Krud Kutter. Start with the Folex on the spots and if that doesn't lighten or remove them then move to the Krud Kutter. Use those products like you would your Meguiars APC and make sure you use a damp cloth and remove an leftover product so the carpet doesn't end up wicking up more dirt after your hard work. Hope that helps, if not just ask.
i use Chemical Guys carpet and upholstery shampoo with their stain extractor using same process with good results just a little work, just got a Mytee lite 8070 will see how that compares to doing it by hand.
Actually, I too would like some insight. I was using a central vac, but purchased a shop vac just to complete my first detail. While it did have good suction, the attachments are way to big to be put to use. I would like a bissel, but it seems to be very weak. What are some vacs that are good for car use?
+1 on the Metro Vac n Blo! Best car vacuum out there IMO. It will last a very long time. Amazing suction power. Well worth the $200+ Also with cleaning carpets I usually use a brush/MF with Sonax carpet/upholstery cleaner then pat dry. Works great every time.
With floor matts I get far better results just using the pressure washer, now that said some floor mats like on a benz.........don't do that. I use to use a lot of Folex and Zep, it worked well. I would suggest Optimum power clean, excellent cleaning power........ When I got an extractor with hot water I switched to actual carpet cleaners and WOW the difference of hot water and chemicals that are activated by hot water! Prochem, bridgeport all make great stuff. A little goes a long ways! Cheers, GREG
At Costco.com and comes with detailing kit. Metro 4.0 Peak HP Portable Vac & Blower Includes: 4-Piece Micro Cleaning Detailing Kit Item # 437275 Rated (out of 6 reviews) Share this Product: $159.99 Shipping & Handling included *
Luke, see my review of the PF51 wet dry vac posted here at DB. It'll suck the criminal intent out of Lindsay Lohan.... http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/tools-accessories/29320-pf51-wet-dry-vac-review.htm
1. To hand clean carpet and upholstery A heated carpet extractor is going to work much better than a shop wet-vac. You should be able to find a place in your area that rents these machines by the day. Cleaning interiors by hand is a labour intensive and time-consuming process. • Before vacuuming use a stiff brush to loosen any debris as a regular vacuum can leave contaminants behind attached to the fibres • Use a rubber bristle brush to go over the carpet material to raise the fibres •Vacuum area very thoroughly (Metro Vac N' Blo®) to lift all the loose dirt from the carpet •Remove any stains with a ‘spot’ remover (303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner) •Spot treat really bad stains (303™ Cleaner & Spot Remover or Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam) •Use a pre-cleaner solution, 10:1 distilled hot water/ P21S® Total Auto Wash, let solution remain in place for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react •After sufficient remain in place time agitate pre cleaner solution with an upholstery brush to ‘friction scrub’ surfaces •Mist spray surfaces with hot water •Brush the carpet to raise the nap and loosen ground in dirt •Remove the excess moisture, using cotton terry towels to blot the moisture, repeat until towels are ‘clean’ or use a Wet/Dry vacuum (preferably a carpet extractor system) and allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use •Once fabric is dry apply a fabric protection (303™ High Tech Fabric Guard) Note: Use the hottest water available it also helps to pre-spray the carpet with hot water when hand cleaning carpets / mats
I use to do it this way before I got a bissell I would get the carpets wet it with a hose, spray the megs apc, clean with the brush, then hose it off. After I would dry them with the wet dry shop vac and let them hang to dry. But thats for the mats now inside I cant imagine with out the bissell
