Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

[techjazz]

I know I'm singling Nick out here, but...

I've noticed on his Show Off Your Latest Detail Work threads that he explains cleaning the carpets with All Purpose Cleaner, and then extracting using hot water and a shop vac. To quote:

Carpet was cleaned with All Purpose Cleaner, warm water, and a brush. Then extracted with my shop vac, water, and large cotton towels.

More for @Tuck91,

Can you explain this process in more detail? It sounds to me like you extract with the shop vac. I know extractors exist, and I wouldn't necessarily want to buy one, so can you maybe go other further (step-by-step) on how that's done? Thanks so much!

[Tuck91]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Sometimes I use APC Plus, but APC most of the time.

I will break it down for you step by step.

1. Vacumm carpet.

2. Dry brush carpet to loosen up dirt and debris.

3. Vacumm again.

4. Fill up two buckets of clean hot water.

5. Spray either APC or APC Plus on the section of the carpet you are working on.

6. Dip carpet brush into the first bucket of hot water.

7. Scrub carpet with brush, this will create some suds.

8. Dip a cotton or microfiber towel into the second bucket of plain hot water.

9. Ring out some of the excess water, not all of it. I like to have the cotton towel wet but not dripping wet.

10. Rinse the cleaning solution out with the wet microfiber or cotton towel, you will most likely have to repeat this two to three times to get the cleaning solution out of the carpet.

11. Extract any remaining solution with the shop vac.

12. Use large cotton towels to dry the area.

This should leave the carpet about 98% dry.

If its a large floor or trunk mat that is extremly dirty I can take it out of the vehicle and use a hose to rinse as well.

If the carpet is not even that dirty, then I will not go through as extensive of a process.

[techjazz]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Awesome!

Thanks so much. That's exactly what I was looking for!

Now I'm going to go make my carpets look like Nicks!

[Ryan_Bihun89]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Thanks Nick, great help here.

Im actually bidding on a 4hp 12 gallons shop-vac in ebay. Wish me luck

Ryan

[Tuck91]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Awesome!

Thanks so much. That's exactly what I was looking for!

Now I'm going to go make my carpets look like Nicks!

If your carpet is somewhat clean already and in good shape, then do not go too crazy.

Sometimes even just misting APC over the surface is enough to get it clean. Just try different techniques and see what works.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Great detailed answer, Nick. I am sure that will help a lot of people out there.

[Expertcarpetcare]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Speaking as a carpet cleaner, if you are detailing for a living, get a carpet extractor. If it's just for yourself perhaps a spotting machine will do. But soaking the carpet and trying to **** it up with a shop vac is a good way to promote mould growth and deterioration of the carpet because the carpet cannot dry if it gets wet underneath.

Carpet extractors with an upholstery tool only get the top part of the carpet wet and leave it dry underneath.

[fzr confused]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

stupid question here, but do you have a hot water tank with you? i am a "mobile detailer" that goes to the customers house and uses their water (i bring a hose in case they dont have one), would this work with cool water from the hose? is the answer you posted more directed at the carpet of the car that can not be removed as apposed to the mats? with the mats can you just hose them down? i have not yet added a "stain remover" package to my list, i only offer "full" exterior (not nearly as good as most on here )and light interior such as vac the carpets, wipe down everything else and protectant added, nothing for stained carpets.

[Tuck91]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Speaking as a carpet cleaner, if you are detailing for a living, get a carpet extractor. If it's just for yourself perhaps a spotting machine will do. But soaking the carpet and trying to **** it up with a shop vac is a good way to promote mould growth and deterioration of the carpet because the carpet cannot dry if it gets wet underneath.

Carpet extractors with an upholstery tool only get the top part of the carpet wet and leave it dry underneath.

I am not soaking the carpet, I do not like to get it too wet.

[CieraSL]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Interesting. Gonna have to try this - there's some spots on my driver's side carpet I can never get clean.

[Tuck91]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

stupid question here, but do you have a hot water tank with you? i am a "mobile detailer" that goes to the customers house and uses their water (i bring a hose in case they dont have one), would this work with cool water from the hose? is the answer you posted more directed at the carpet of the car that can not be removed as apposed to the mats? with the mats can you just hose them down? i have not yet added a "stain remover" package to my list, i only offer "full" exterior (not nearly as good as most on here )and light interior such as vac the carpets, wipe down everything else and protectant added, nothing for stained carpets.

Should work okay with cold water, I just like using hot water.

I try not to get the interior carpet very wet,

but the carpet floor mats that I can take out of the car I do not mind getting a little more wet. I just follow my usual drying process and then let them sit out in the sun to make sure they are completly dry.

Interesting. Gonna have to try this - there's some spots on my driver's side carpet I can never get clean.

What have you tried already?

[CieraSL]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

What have you tried already?

APC, APC+ (I think), Quik Out (aerosol and trigger spray), and the Detailer Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner. Not really a big deal, as the floor mat covers them up for the most part, just bugs me whenever I lift up the floor mat to vacuum. I just spray on, agitate, and then go over it with a terry towel. If your method doesn't work I may just spray some carpet dye on there and leave it at that. I mean it is a 15 year old car. Can't be too fussy, right?

[CieraSL]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

What ratio do you use, 10:1 or 4:1? Does it really just depend on the dirt/stain? I think I've tried both. I can't remember.

[Tuck91]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

What ratio do you use, 10:1 or 4:1? Does it really just depend on the dirt/stain? I think I've tried both. I can't remember.

For spot treatments I use APC at 10:1.

I then use an ADS carpet brush and agitate the spot, I then clean out the solution with a damp microfiber to check the spot to see if it is still there or if I removed it.

I have had a couple stains that would not come out but at least would look a bit better after.

[Andy M.]

Re: Carpet Extracting (@Tuck91)

Hey Nick,

Great post!!!

Thanks for taking the time to map it all out for us. Khudddoooos brother!!

Very helpful post for new guys trying to get carpets clean. Interiors aren't one of my favorite things to do but it seem you have it nailed down. I do like your work.

Andy