how do you clean carpet?

[scrub]

Today I used the PC with a carpet brush. It worked out great.

Here's what the brush looks like.


I'm really impressed. It seemed to pull up the dirt and grime while removing some stains. No pics of the work today. I'll remember the camera next time.

[JG_Detailing]

I use to clean the carpet with just with carpet spray. But I plan on getting the Bissel steam cleaner. It's called Little Green.

[WD Pro]

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4067

WD

[TOGWT]

a) Preparation:
With the floor mats and the seats removed, use vacuum air to blow out the interior. Concentrate especially on cracks and crevices where dirt and dust needs to be loosened. Sand particles in seat cracks for example.



Seat Removal:
For a thorough interior cleaning, removal of the seats will allow access to hard to reach areas. It's relatively easy if you take your time and are careful.

Front bucket seats are typically held down by four bolts on the ends of the runners at the base of the seat, two in the front and two in the back, these bolts are usually torque down hard (when replacing start the bolt by hand, being very careful not to cross-thread them)

These are removed using a socket wrench. Sometimes the bolts are covered by a decorative plastic moulding, which is held in place by a screw or just pops off using a prying action with a slotted screwdriver. First, slide the seats to its rear-most position, exposing the front bolts, remove, then, sliding the seat to its forward position, exposing the rear bolts, remove.

When all four bolts have been removed, gently tilt the seat either forward or back to reveal any wires that are connected to the underside of the seat (for seat position controls, heaters, seat belt sensors, etc.). Carefully unplug these wires, and remove the seat from the vehicle, taking care not to scratch seat or paint surfaces as you lift out the seat. Cover the remaining wire harness with a plastic bag and aluminium foil; this will prevent water and cleaning solution from getting into the wiring harness.

b) Carpet and upholstery cleaning:
A good place to start is to clean the carpet, floor mats and upholstery. This method of cleaning the carpets and upholstery first, will allow the most drying time between cleaning and the finishing of an interior detail.

Most vehicle fabrics are comprised of nylon or olefin. Leather and wool (natural fibres) require more delicate care, and will be discussed later. Carpet and upholstery can be cleaned using three methods; hand cleaning, an orbital buffer with brush attachment or machine extraction. The hand cleaning method remains most popular due its low cost. (for Leather Cleaning section 11)

Heated water breaks down water-soluble soiling faster, as it reduces overall chemical usage because it reduces the surface tension of the fibre. Heat acts as a catalyst promoting quicker reactions between chemicals and the soil. Use the hottest water available (it also helps to pre-spray the carpet with hot water)
As with all chemical cleaners test on an inconspicuous area before use to ensure colourfastness of materials before using, find the pH of the chemical you are using to ensure its compatibility and wither it contains any harsh detergents, bleach, acid or strong alkali.

1) To hand clean carpet and upholstery:
Cleaning interiors by hand is a labor intensive and time-consuming process.
Methodology
Vacuum area very thoroughly to remove any loose dirt, grit and etc
·Remove any stains with a ‘spot’ remover (303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner)
·Spot treat really bad stains (303TM 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 dwell for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react
·Brush into surface to create foam, the foam will dissolve and suspend soils.
·Blotting and wiping using terry cloth towels now can remove the cleaning liquid.
·Brush the carpet to raise the nap and loosen ground in dirt


·Vacuum (MetroVac N' Blo®) to lift all the loose dirt from the carpet
·Using the vacuum, remove the excess moisture, loose dirt and the grime
·Allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use

Note: Use the hottest water use can when hand cleaning carpets / mats

2) Hand cleaning carpet and upholstery using an orbital buffer (with a brush attachment):
Methodology
·Vacuum area very thoroughly to remove any loose dirt, grit and etc
·Remove any stains with 303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner
·Spot treat really bad stains (303TM 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 dwell for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react
·With an random orbital buffer (speed #4) and brush attachment, scrub carpet / fabric upholstery
·Attach a terry-cloth bonnet and go over areas, changing the bonnets frequently
·Use a rubber bristle brush go over the material to raise the fibres
·Using the vacuum, remove the excess moisture, loose dirt and the grime
·Allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use

Note: Use the hottest water use can when hand cleaning carpets / mats

3) Using a Carpet Extractor:
An extraction system process is the choice of professional detailers due to its cost effectiveness, performance efficiency and time saving over conventional methods. Extractors work by using a cleaning solution dispensed from a tank that heats the solution to 200oF+ and is sprayed at medium pressure, high volume from the machine via a cleaning wand, it is then filtered and re-circulated. Extraction also allows the ability to remove cleaning residues due to its high suction power (100-inch water gauge +). Rinsed fabrics look and smell cleaner and resist soiling better
Methodology
·Vacuum area very thoroughly to remove any loose dirt, grit and etc
·Remove any stains with 303™ Spot Remover & Cleaner
·Spot treat really bad stains (303TM Cleaner & Spot Remover or Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam)
·Use a carpet extractor to clean and remove liquid and dirt. (Vapour Clean Products T5 Extractor / Spotter®)
·Use a pre-cleaner solution, 10:1 distilled hot water/ P21S Total Auto Wash, let solution dwell for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react
·Use a 16:1 solution clean distilled hot water / 303™ Cleaner & Spot Remover or P21S Total Auto Wash in the extractor tank
·The next step would be to use its high-volume vacuum to remove the excess moisture and grime, immediately recovering it.
·Allow carpets / mats to thoroughly dry before use

Note- Run a half a gallon of distilled white vinegar thru the extractor either weekly, or after every ten fresh fills.
Vinegar, contains Acetic acid, an organic carboxylic that will help eliminate scale, mild mineral deposits etc. from clogging your extractor.


Note: * Insert cleaning chemical of your choice, like most detailing tasks its 90% method

JonM