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Venson


Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Points: 1900

Has anyone tried this???
Original Message   Oct 27, 2009 10:19 pm
There has been past mention that some of these "home brews" might not be the best thing for use with extraction carpet cleaners but I have been researching inexpensive AND "green" problem solvers for carpet cleaning. I'd like to know who has among us tried any of these methods and how they felt they compared to mass marketed or commercial cleaners and spot treatment compounds.

Please review the following link: http://www.ehow.com/how_4719580_own-green-cleaning-carpet-shampoo.html

Thanks,

Venson
Replies: 1 - 19 of 19View as Outline
retardturtle1


Joined: May 16, 2009
Points: 358

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #1   Oct 28, 2009 3:57 am
HI VENSON

Ive heard of  adding white vin to the shampoo...to control foam  and odor neutrilizer...or  rinse the carpets with white vin and water....seems to remove the soap residue better...when done as a final rinse.

turtle1

procare


Joined: Jul 16, 2009
Points: 192

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #2   Oct 28, 2009 11:07 am
If you have a detergent that has a high ph like 9.5 or higher using white vinegar which is distilled you reduce the level of ph. This lower ph level is what is needed to clean wool or cotton carpets. You do not steam clean wool carpets tho.The best way to clean carpets is with manufacturer approved detergents because you can lose your warranty on new carpets if these so called diy green shampooes are not right for you. You do them at your risk. The white vinegar was taught bat a spot and stain removal seminar by Bryan Kepka -leading expert in spot and stain removal over 30 years ago. Know your ph and how it works on carpet before trying anything someone tells you . Are these people experts in carpet cleaning ?Do they assume responsibility if you damage your carpet using their ideas? Spots are removed by knowing the ph of the spot and going to the other side of the ph scale to neutralize it.

                                                                                                                                                  Procare

                                                                                                        

Venson


Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Points: 1900

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #3   Oct 28, 2009 1:52 pm
Hi Procare,

I would agree that there is a risk to just about everything but the vinegar and water solution "steam cleaning" is more or less harmless. Let me clarify that the term steam cleaning in this instance refers to the water extraction method use for periodic cleaning of large or wall-to-wall carpet.

It is low ph and per calls I made this morning to Hibernia Mills, Woolshire Carpet Mills (an affiliate of Wools of New Zealand) it's okay for use on their woolen product.

Please note, warranties from these companies as explained to me only cover limited wear and installation issues but do not mandate specific cleaning products or methods though the websites for both do supply info for general care and stain removal. The only hold out was Mohawk, per a customer service rep, whose warranty insists on professional cleaning only for its woolen product x-times per year.

It would appear that the greater danger to a good rug is its owner. Doing a rug yourself, using the water extraction method, requires taking great care not to over-saturate. That can lead to a multitude of problems.
HARDSELL


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #4   Oct 28, 2009 10:02 pm
I have been using Pro Tek Cleaner for about 2 years with excellent results.  I replaced all the chemical cleaners in the home with this one.

Always spot check before using on carpet or other fabrics.

http://www.protekchemical.com/index.php?q=node/3

PS Carmine.  It will not clog your Oreck like baking soda does.  

CarmineD


Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #5   Oct 29, 2009 7:16 am
HARDSELL wrote:

PS Carmine.  It will not clog your Oreck like baking soda does.  


Is that in liquid or powder form, HS?  You know I never had that course in mind reading, so you have to be specific with your posts.

Carmine D.

HARDSELL


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #6   Oct 29, 2009 7:48 am
CarmineD wrote:
Is that in liquid or powder form, HS?  You know I never had that course in mind reading, so you have to be specific with your posts.

Carmine D.



I should have added that anyone with pets or toddlers crawling around should have the manufacturer verify that it will not harm them when diluted to a strength to use on carpet.

Hope that you now know it is liquid.

CarmineD


Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #7   Oct 29, 2009 8:05 am
HARDSELL wrote:

Hope that you now know it is liquid.



Since baking soda and rug cleaners come in both forms, I didn't know for sure which you meant.  Hence the reason I asked, since I never had a course in mind reading like some here.

Carmine D.

Venson


Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Points: 1900

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #8   Oct 29, 2009 8:30 am
HARDSELL wrote:
I have been using Pro Tek Cleaner for about 2 years with excellent results.  I replaced all the chemical cleaners in the home with this one.

Always spot check before using on carpet or other fabrics.

http://www.protekchemical.com/index.php?q=node/3


Thank you Hardsell! I've checked out the website and have bookmarked it for future reference.

Best,

Venson
HARDSELL


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #9   Oct 29, 2009 8:59 am
CarmineD wrote:
Since baking soda and rug cleaners come in both forms, I didn't know for sure which you meant.  Hence the reason I asked, since I never had a course in mind reading like some here.

Carmine D.



If it had been in powder form I would not have told you that it won't clog the Oreck.
HARDSELL


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #10   Oct 29, 2009 9:04 am
Venson wrote:
Thank you Hardsell! I've checked out the website and have bookmarked it for future reference.

Best,

Venson



Venson,  it is about $80 per gal.  However, it is probably the best cleaner that I have used.  10:1 is good general purpose mix.  5:1 for really tough cleaning.

I apprenensively bought it from college kids selling door to door.  I have no regrets of buying.

CarmineD


Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #11   Oct 29, 2009 9:11 am
HARDSELL wrote:
If it had been in powder form I would not have told you that it won't clog the Oreck.



HS:

I am a man of simple tastes.  Easily satisfied by the best.  Like ORECK. 

Carmine D.

Venson


Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Points: 1900

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #12   Oct 29, 2009 9:24 am
HARDSELL wrote:
Venson,  it is about $80 per gal.  However, it is probably the best cleaner that I have used.  10:1 is good general purpose mix.  5:1 for really tough cleaning.</p><p>I apprenensively bought it from college kids selling door to door.  I have no regrets of buying.

Hi Hardsell,

The price is a bit daunting but from the mix ratio you gave I'd think that the gallon would last a good while. Do you find that so?

Venson
HARDSELL


Joined: Aug 22, 2007
Points: 1293

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #13   Oct 29, 2009 9:52 am
Venson wrote:
Hi Hardsell,

The price is a bit daunting but from the mix ratio you gave I'd think that the gallon would last a good while. Do you find that so?

Venson



10:1 is about $2 qt.  I can't think of a cleaning product near as good for that price.  Daily and light cleaning can be diluted at 20:1.

I bought 2 gallons and got discount.  I think about $20.  I have given family members part of it and have not broken into the 2nd gallon.

One of my choice uses is on my stainless BBQ grille.  The hood accumulates a lot of grease residue on the back side.  For the slanted surfaces I spray then lay paper towels over it and spray again.  The towels will cling and give the grease time to dissolve.  Great for kitchen range and hood vent also.  Soak the burner rings and drip pans for thorough cleaning.

I also clean the stained kitchen cabinets with it.  So far it has not damaged the stain.

Combined with a Dyson you can have a really clean home. 

CarmineD


Joined: Dec 31, 2007
Points: 5894

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #14   Oct 30, 2009 6:35 am
HARDSELL wrote:

Combined with a Dyson you can have a really clean home. 


HS:

Hard to lie with a straight face? 

Carmine D.

Just


Joined: Nov 28, 2007
Points: 172

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #15   Oct 31, 2009 11:39 am
I had a carept man recommend to me to use 1 cup of White Vinegar to a gallon of water to neutralize the Ph of the carpet.

The cleaners we use are highly alkali and the acid in the vinegar brings the Ph back, in doing so it helped removed the browning of the high traffic areas as well as doggy smells where the old girl is starting to leak.

The smell disapate as the carpet dries and the results were great.

BTW--I use the Wal-Mart cleaner in my Hoover Spin-Scrup Steam vac and it did an excellent job as well, it was a little foamy but I stil had no complaints.

procare


Joined: Jul 16, 2009
Points: 192

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #16   Nov 2, 2009 12:27 am
Just,

 The carpet man recommending you neutralize the alkalinity of the detergent may be steering you wrong. To clean carpets that are man made the ph is 9.0 and higher, wool is 8.5-8.0 any lower and you won't clean. Cleaning solutions run from 0-14 in ph.   7 being neutral(water). If you have a stain that you know has ph  of  5 you need to use a spotter with 9ph or higher to neutralize it. If you don't know what you are doing you could keep the stain in your carpet forever. Urine for instance is an alkaline at first, let it set up after six months it turns to acid and burns into your carpet and you can't remove it. No commercial or diy stain remover will get it out then. Low ph is on the acid side of scale. Hair shampoo you use is low ph Acid side.

                                                                                                          Procare

Vernon


Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Points: 69

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #17   Nov 3, 2009 11:24 am
A product that I use that is environmentally friendly, works well, and is safe to use is called Procyon.  Go to www.soapfreeprocyon.com  The owner of the company, Mr Ivan Day, has had his product tested by leading carpet mills, green seal, and the carpet and rug institute, to name a few. 

Initially you'll be a little shocked at using the product, as it does not produce foam/suds that we have become accustomed to, yet it does the job. 

Venson, on dirty carpets, I will preteat with Procyon using my Lux shampooer, then rinse with the extractor.  Depending on the area I'm in, ie hardwater/softwater, in softwater I'll rinse with straight water, if using hard water, I'll add about one ounce Procyon to 2.5 gallons water to rinse with, as the Procyon will help soften the water.

Vernon
Venson


Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Points: 1900

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #18   Nov 3, 2009 1:58 pm
Vernon wrote:
. . . Venson, on dirty carpets, I will preteat with Procyon using my Lux shampooer, then rinse with the extractor.  Depending on the area I'm in, ie hardwater/softwater, in softwater I'll rinse with straight water, if using hard water, I'll add about one ounce Procyon to 2.5 gallons water to rinse with, as the Procyon will help soften the water.<BR><BR>Vernon

Thanks Vernon.

Venson
Just


Joined: Nov 28, 2007
Points: 172

Re: Has anyone tried this???
Reply #19   Nov 3, 2009 3:38 pm
procare wrote:
Just,

 The carpet man recommending you neutralize the alkalinity of the detergent may be steering you wrong. To clean carpets that are man made the ph is 9.0 and higher, wool is 8.5-8.0 any lower and you won't clean. Cleaning solutions run from 0-14 in ph.   7 being neutral(water). If you have a stain that you know has ph  of  5 you need to use a spotter with 9ph or higher to neutralize it. If you don't know what you are doing you could keep the stain in your carpet forever. Urine for instance is an alkaline at first, let it set up after six months it turns to acid and burns into your carpet and you can't remove it. No commercial or diy stain remover will get it out then. Low ph is on the acid side of scale. Hair shampoo you use is low ph Acid side.

                                                                                                          Procare



Procare,

The white vinegar is used as a rinse after the cleaner has done it's job.  The premise is some dirt is alkali and some are acidic,  So you need to go both directions in the cleaning process to remove the dirt.   This process did remove the browning I was experiencing in the high traffic areas.  This is a Anso plush carpet BTW.

Replies: 1 - 19 of 19View as Outline
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