This question seems trivial at this time what with all that has transpired in Florida. I was back there in 1992?. Delivered a load of plywood down to Homestead. If it is worse than that you have a huge mess to clean up. Believe me, being in Oklahoma, I know what a mess it is.

Question is in regard to chairs, upholstery cleaning. I have about 300 chairs, super heavy duty fabric that I need to get done soon. I have experimented with them and I achieve the best look by vacuuming, spraying on ReleasIt, towel off. In fact, they look real good.

Does this sound about right? The chairs are not horribly dirty and the towel seems to get most of it. I would rather put them on a truck and run them through a car wash. But they need to be dry within a few hours.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have done a number of this kind of job.

3 men are the best. Set up in one location. One man to bring the chairs to the cleaner, and pre vac them. One man to do the actual cleaning. One man to return the chairs and wipe them down, polish legs, etc.

Swap off as needed.

I also think the Releasit Encapsulating Detergent will work fine. I suggest an electric sprayer to apply it with. A brush for agitation, then towel off.

You could also use a small portable for solution, or a pump up sprayer, but an electric will soon pay for itself.

Gary

I too clean them like Gary mentioned above.
I am a one man cleaning assembly line though. LOL
I prevac good first.
then spray on Releasit
brush and towell each chair
then wipe down the arms, lets, etc.

That is my process. It goes quick once you get going. having helpers would be great. I am selfish with the 'funds' though.LOL
winter is on the way.

Good luck

Steve

When you say 'super heavy duty', what does that mean? Are you talking synthetic?

Are you referring to Crypton?

The tougher the fabric, the better for cleaning. Encap needs some agitation to work, so you want tuff, tuff, tuff.

For cleaning synthetic upholstered commercial chairs, here's a little trick I've used. It works very nicely for what you're talking about Dave...

1. We spray the chairs with Releasit
2. We scrub the chairs with a soft brush attached to a variable speed drill

For a quick and simple approach to cleaning commercial chairs, this will give them a nice appearance.



Rick Gelinas

I actually believe it is chainmail. Yes, it is that tough.

Thanks for the help. Actually, I based what I was doing on something off Mr. Heacock's website. Or maybe it was a post. No matter, he helped me see that I didn't need to take my usual heavy handed extraction approach. I was using a small powered brush attachment but think a hand brush might be easier.

As far as my background for future reference. I have never wanted to clean carpet or upholstery. I have always been a contract cleaner who until a few years back had subbed all carpet out to HWE companies. I got involved with a bunch of medical clinics that had never had their carpets cleaned. Ever. I mean 10 to 12 years. So in comes the HWE guys. Cost me $1800.00 to have them do this one clinic.

Two days later it looked like it had never been done. That is when I asked RG about encapsualtion. Been doing them myself with great results and total customer satisfaction (how hard is it to satisfy someone who hasn't cleaned carpets in 10 years? Darn hard.). Previously had used all-in-one self contained extractors and a Ninja to do upholstery. Sold on encapsulation. Love the Cimex. Love the chemicals. Don't know how it works, don't care.

I am not a student of carpet cleaning so I don't pretend to know anything. Just cautious and appreciative of the added income from not having to sub work out to other companies. Still use the portables some, but judiciously.

BTW- when I was a young man I worked for a Rent-A-Center. When we picked up couchs or chairs that were filthy we took them to the carwash. When we got back we took a portable and sucked out as much water as possible. Three days and they were back on the sales floor.So pardon my lack of sophistifucashun and thanks for the help.

Rick: Where does one find the brush you use in the drill for chair cleaning? Thanks

Dave Bigler
When It Comes to Cleaning - the BIGLER the BETTER!!!

Since agitation is so important in encapping effectively, on appropriate
upholstery I use the same method as on carpeted stairs: spray on the
Releasit, then scrub with a mini green-stripe scrubber adhered to a 6" orbital
auto polisher faced with velcro. Small enough on whatever surface it is used
on to let you bear down where & as needed.

great thread, very timely for me!

love your honesty D.F.! refreshing to see a post by someone who can admit there noobity and not put on airs

hilarious about the drive thru....cant believe ppl actually do that LOL.

take care --- Derek.

Derek,
You and Dave have more in common than you may realize.



Rick Gelinas