Carpet Cleaning?

[CharlesW]

Reading a few posts about different carpet cleaning products, extractors, steamers, etc., I got to wondering about the system I use.
Seems to be working OK, but since it is the only way I do it, I don`t have anything to compare to.

The products would be one of these.
Blue Coral Dri-Clean
Prestone Upholstery & Carpet Cleaner
Meguiar`s APC+ (Diluted 12:1)

Procedure would be as follows.
Remove the mats.
Vacuum mats, floor carpet and seats with the Vac-N-Blo. In the winter months I will beat the mats over a trash can before vacuuming them. This is to get out much of the sand/salt debris that gets brought in on our shoes.
Spray on some cleaner, but not enough to get the carpet wet. If an area has stains, it gets a little heavier pre-soak of the same cleaner.
Agitate with a medium bristle fiber brush.
Let it dry.
Vacuum with the Vac-N-Blo when dry.

Just a few comments.
1. Very seldom is the carpet in bad shape. It is only our own vehicles and I probably do this weekly.
2. None of the products seem to leave any residue on door sills or interior panels.
3. Recently, I have pretty much gone to just the APC+ solution. Seems to do a good job and I can just spray the interior panels and thresholds with the APC+ while doing the carpet, take a towel and wipe it off and that part of the interior is done as well.

Anyone have any helpful hints? Always looking for better or easier.

Charles

[Beemerboy]

Charles

Thats what I have done on some of the cars that I do if they are not bad. I use a carpet extractor soloution mixed on a 50/50 for the spray, instead of APC.

[tpgsr]

I have never tried the method that you use exactly, but what i can tell you is what i do personally:

Equipment:
Spray bottle of carpet cleaner (EF carpet and rug, or 303 cleaner 30:1)
High flow spray bottle water
7.5HP Vacuum
Carpet and upholstry brush
Vinyl and leather brush

Vacuum the mat to lift all debris out, and lightly spray with a cleaner. Let it set for 30-45 seconds, and then brush with the carpet brush. If there are any stains, or very dirty patches, i add a little more cleaner, and i agitate with the stiffer leather brush.

I then take one pass ove the whole mat with the vacuum to remove any particles that may have been agitated. After that I spray the carpet pretty good with the water bottle as i am extracting the water and soap with the vacuum apptlying decent pressure so it moves and pulls the water. I do this untill all of the chemical is gone, and may need to repeat the whole procedure if there are any trouble spots.

It really seems to work well for me, i have had no problems restoring filthy mats, and the chemical is all removed so you dont have to worry about pets or white residue when the mats dry.

-Mike

[KleanFreak]

anyone got suggestions on those old coffe stains that hate to come out?

[CharlesW]

Originally posted by KleanFreak
anyone got suggestions on those old coffe stains that hate to come out?

Haven`t had the problem in the cars, but I have heard good things about Folex Carpet Stain Remover.
I have used it on a few stains on household carpet, (not coffee), with what seems to be pretty good results.
It is available at quite a few places around here. Wal-Mart for sure, Home Depot (I think).

Charles

[Nickc0844]

As per Anthony Orosco, I picked up 303`s Spot remover and it works amazing against some of the others I`ve used in the past. Well worth the $$.