Playing around with my new HP 60 today using anything and everything I have around for a cleaning solution. What have you guys found works best? Also do you use an anti-foaming agent for the dirty tank? Mine foams up quickly and starts blowing water out the air blower.
I have always gotten the best results from shampooing the carpets first with either CG lightning fast or CG fabric clean and then extracting the carpets with plain water, that way when you are done there is no shampoo left in the carpets. (That way if someone gets in a car with wet feet it doesnt pull the dirt off their shoes, it sounds silly but its true)
According to the info that I have read concerning extractors, you should always use some sort of an anti-foaming agent to prevent just what you are describing. :yikes: I personally only use the extractor as a heated rinse, after I shampoo, to remove all traces of soap residue. I sometimes even mix in a little vinegar (maybe 2oz.) I have in the past used ZEP, Detail King, Car Brite and Hi Temp brands of shampoo. All performed about the same, just with a different remaining scent left behind. Use any brand you prefer as long as it is low foaming, even if you do not mix it in the solution tank. Mixing in the tank requires only a very small amount, approx. 2oz per gal. is what I am familiar with. Good luck with the extractor. You will wonder how you ever got along without it! Dave
I use all Prochem products for carpet cleaning. The Ultra Pak traffic lane cleaner is great for pretreating and then just put the All Fiber Rinse mixed with your water in the solution tank. This combo works awesome.
This is a good topic, I to have been puting the purchase of a good chemical off. I too have just been using my HP-60 with nothing but water and using the hot water to extract Folex or what ever other chemical I use..so I look forward to more opinion on this topic eace:
Prochem - Chemicals, Cleaning Machines and Truck Mounts Spotting Guidelines Spills and stains should be treated immediately. The longer a spot remains, the more difficult it will be to remove. Remove solid built-up materials with a rounded tablespoon, spatula, or edge of a dull knife. Blot up spills with a clean, white, absorbent materials (towels, napkins, tissues, etc.). Keepblotting and repeat. Pretest Spot-Removal Procedures And Products In an inconspicuous area (under a sofa cushion, on an area of carpet under or behind a piece of furniture), apply several drops of solution on the article and rub gently with a clean, white towel. If color transfers to cloth or a color change occurs a professional cleaner should be consulted. Apply the solution again, wait 1/2 - 1 hour, if possible, and inspect for any damaging color changes. Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the spotting products and blot frequently. Always blot, do not rub or brush. Work from outer edge of the spot towards the center to prevent rings. Beginning with step 1, treat the stain area with each spotting solution until the stain is removed. It may not be necessary to complete the entire series of steps. The final step is always to rinse carefully the area with water, then absorb all the remaining moisture with absorbent towels. Be patient. Some spots respond slowly. All spots and spills cannot be removed from every fabric due to differences in fibers, dyes, construction, finishes, composition of the spills, length of time the spot has remained on the article, etc. Some stains require professional treatment. To find the right procedure and product for cleaning various stains, choose the type of stain from the list below and select it. Recommended Products Blood Protein & Stain Spotter, Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Butter & Margarine Citrus Gel, Solvent Spotter, Protein Stain Spotter, Pro Spotter, Fiber Buff Browning (cellulose) Yellow Rx, All Fiber Rinse Candle Wax Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Catsup & Tomato Sauce Protein Stain Spotter, Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, Oxy-Plus Chewing Gum Citrus Gel Chocolate Protein Stain Spotter, Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Cocktails Pro Spotter, Coffee & Tannin Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Coffee Coffee & Tannin Spotter Cough Syrup Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, All Fiber Rinse. Crayons Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Eggs (Raw) Protein Stain Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, Pro Spotter Food Coloring Pro Spotter, Red Rescue Fruit Juice Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, Oxy-Plus Furniture Stain Power Solvent, Citrus Gel, Protein Stain Spotter Glue (School) Pro Spotter, Protein Stain Spotter Grass Citrus Gel, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Gravy Protein Stain Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Pro Spotter Greases & Oil Solvent Spotter, Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Ice Cream Protein & Stain Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Ice Melt Buildup All Fiber Rinse Ink (Ball Point) Ink Spot Remover, Citrus Gel, Oxy-Plus Ink (India) Ink Spot Remover, Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Jam & Jelly Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Protein Stain Spotter Lipstick Power Solvent, Citrus Gel, Oxy-Plus, All Fiber Rinse Mildew Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, Oxy-Plus Milk Protein Stain Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Mucilage (Glue) Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, Protein Stain Spotter Mud Pro Spotter, Citrus Gel Mustard Protein Stain Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter Nail Polish Power Solvent, Citrus Gel, All Fiber Rinse Oils Power Solvent, Citrus Gel, Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Paint (Oil) Power Solvent, Citrus Gel, Pro Spotter Paint (Water, Latex base) Pro Spotter, Solvent Spotter, Citrus Gel Rubber Cement Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Rust Prochem Rust Remover Shoe Polish Power Solvent, Citrus Gel Soft Drinks Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Soot Citrus Gel, Olefin Preconditioner Tar & Asphalt Power Solvent or Solvent Spotter, Citrus Gel Toothpaste Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Urine Pet Spotter & Deodorizer, All Fiber Rinse Vomit Pro Spotter, Zoop Enzyme Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Wine Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse Yellowing Yellow Rx, All Fiber Rinse Traffic Lanes Ultrapac Trafficlean or Ultrapac Trafficlean Mint Fresh, All Fiber Rinse, Dry Slurry, Clean Green Soil Filtration Lines Filter-Out, All Fiber Rinse, Dry Slurry, Oxy-Plus I bought Ultrapac Pre-Treat with LVC, Fine Fabric Shampoo, Coffee & Tannin Spotter, Pro Spotter, All Fiber Rinse, and Dry Slurry.
From the top and work your way down? : I expect reviews of each since your posts have been very helpful(I've been viewing the site for a bit now, but finally joined)
I would like to use and stock just a few products from one company. Prochem seems to be a good selection. If I were to stick with Prochem which products would be best for spot treatment and general cleaning. I want to try spraying the cleaner on the carpet and let it sit for a few minutes then use only hot water (maybe a bit of vinegar in it) to remove the soultion. Good idea?
+1 I use chemicals from ProChem and Bridgepoint with great results. I was supposed to take an IICRC training class last week on upholstery and fabric cleaning but it was canceled.
Grouse is the expert here, not me. But he did recommend the Ultrapac Pre-Treat with LVC, you could use that for what you described. As for the spotters, I just based it around what I typically see in my customers cars. I also went through that list to see which products could be used for a lot of different things. Between Pro Spotter, Citrus Gel, and All Fiber Rinse, you can take care of every stain listed there except Blood, Soot, and Rust.
The rinse neutralizes the pre-spray used to clean the carpets and helps ensure dirt/grime/stains are not attracted to detergent residue in the carpet/upholstery. From the ProChem site: All Fiber Rinse A unique, high-tech rinse product that neutralizes alkalinity and removes detergent residues, leaving carpet and upholstery clean and soft.
To each their own. Try it without using a detergent and just extracting with hot water, if you like it then you are not out anything.