Any advice?

[LCCFL]

I have cleaned these before. The upholstery browns so quickly.

I have used a Dry foam method with a sponge. I've also HWE with an upholstery tool using a low pH product. The products claim to be anti-wicking/browning. Both ways do not get the results I am seeking.

Other than dying from the fumes. What can I do to clean this couch with soil removal and wicking? Even if I sneeze on this, it will brown quickly.

Burn test shows polyester/cotton blend. Inside has feather stuffing inside a white covering (IDK what fabric is covering the feathers. It may be cotton also).

 

[Steve Lawrence]

Try dry foam cleaning with low ph detergent. (We use Von Shrader Uph machines but the slower way is with sponges) Keeps moisture very low. Dry with airmover. Done many of these. There may be issues. My opinion. Charge a bunch! (Cuz you are likely going back.)

 

[Cleanworks]

Browning occurs because of high pH and because of over wetting. The ticking covering the feathers is usually cotton and treated with flame proofing. This can cause a reddish tint to show through the fabric. I have used hwe on these using fine fabric presprays and rinses. The key is to vacuum, vacuum then vacuum some more. Then put a fan on it or even towel dry. It's a lot of extra work and costs a lot if extra money. Let the customer know ahead of time that you are not liable for potential problems.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Good advice above.

A couple of points:

What do you mean by fumes?

How did you determine that it’s a cotton/polyester blend?

Ron’s caution about flame retardant is a big deal. Some fabrics turn brown from the flame retardant as well as red. Did this one do that? If you have a pH meter or pH paper, check to see if the pH reads lower than 6

If it’s from flame retardant, everything that cures browning will make it worse

 

[Willy P]

Years ago we used to coat raw cottons with diatomaceous earth. Everything usually migrated to the powder instead of the fabric. Don't quote me on the spelling.

 

[Cleanworks]

Years ago we used to coat raw cottons with diatomaceous earth. Everything usually migrated to the powder instead of the fabric. Don't quote me on the spelling.

Years ago we would spray it with oms first.

 

[Jimmy L]

Haition cotton extraction formula

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Haition cotton extraction formula

That shit stinks... ph of 2-3.... that acid you can taste when you use it...

 

[hogjowl]

So?
Are you some kind of pussy?

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

So?
Are you some kind of pussy?

Really? That’s your response?
Is there ever a day when your NOT an asshole Marty?

 

[hogjowl]

No

 

[Mikey P]

Is there ever a day when your NOT an asshole Marty?

Its coming soon....

 

[LCCFL]

Good advice above.

A couple of points:

What do you mean by fumes?

How did you determine that it’s a cotton/polyester blend?

Ron’s caution about flame retardant is a big deal. Some fabrics turn brown from the flame retardant as well as red. Did this one do that? If you have a pH meter or pH paper, check to see if the pH reads lower than 6

If it’s from flame retardant, everything that cures browning will make it worse

The odor from a shampoo or cotton cleaning product. When it off gases it smells like poison .

No I do not have a pH pen. I do have paper but I think it was damaged by non-usage (don't ask me how).

As for the flame, it smells like plastic. It continues to burn. But I have come across this where I would use a solvent product (lightly) and extract immediately w/ acid rinse. I'd run air movers immediately after and dry them.

In the midst of cleaning or applying a product no matter the method. It browns quickly.

 

[Willy P]

Really? That’s your response?
Is there ever a day when your NOT an asshole Marty?

We're old bastards. We've earned the right to be miserable pricks.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Turning brown or dark while you are cleaning the fabric isn’t necessarily browning unless it remains brown after it dries.

Think of browning like wicking; its the migration of cellulosic material that you liquified during the cleaning process that then moves to the surface. That's why watching something turn darker during cleaning isn't always a cause for alarm. Linen does that any time that its wet, and the application of solvent darkens fabric as well.

Do you have one that is both brown and completely dry now?

Get some pH paper. Test the ticking (the inner material that holds the bag). If it reads acid I wouldn’t clean it.

What type of upholstery tool do you use?

 

[Living The Dream]

Do you have any pictures of the ticking on the inside? Do you get any ash when doing a burn test or is it just hard plastic? VLM with microfiber might be an option but I would listen to whatever Jim tells you.

 

[LCCFL]

Turning brown or dark while you are cleaning the fabric isn’t necessarily browning unless it remains brown after it dries.

Think of browning like wicking; its the migration of cellulosic material that you liquified during the cleaning process that then moves to the surface. That's why watching something turn darker during cleaning isn't always a cause for alarm. Linen does that any time that its wet, and the application of solvent darkens fabric as well.

Do you have one that is both brown and completely dry now?

Get some pH paper. Test the ticking (the inner material that holds the bag). If it reads acid I wouldn’t clean it.

What type of upholstery tool do you use?

Pmf upholstery tool.

 

[hogjowl]

Its coming soon....

I want to be buried in a wooden box with no frills, no service.
I hate funeral homes!

 

[Mikey P]

I want to be buried in a wooden box with no frills, no service.
I hate funeral homes!

yeah, but what does your wife want?



If she doesn't mind, Id love to bring you to the next MF for a Weekend at Marty's type escapade

 

[hogjowl]

No sense in getting Boyle excited

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Pmf upholstery tool.

Assuming you mean the one with the spray jet inside of the vacuum slot, you should be good.

As long as your machine's water pressure keeps the solution flow contained within the the vacuum slot, you're fine. If you hold the tool away from the fabric and it sprays out, adjust your water pressure down.

The way these tools (should) help to prevent browning is that the fabric is drawn into the vacuum slot, and the face of the fabric is cleaned without the backing becoming wet.

Test it out on an arm cover until you have it just right.

 

[Mikey P]

Pmf upholstery tool.

Dude, get a SSUP ASAP.


That pos is 3/4ths of your problems.

 

[hogjowl]

Cleaning upholstery is the problem
It sucks
No matter what tool you use

 

[Lee Stockwell]

I love it, except for the occasional contortions on an older body.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

Cleaning upholstery is the problem
It sucks
No matter what tool you use

Huh?
Ya some kinda pussy?

(see how it feels?)

 

[LCCFL]

Dude, get a SSUP ASAP.


That pos is 3/4ths of your problems.

Ok I will look into one.

 

[LCCFL]

Assuming you mean the one with the spray jet inside of the vacuum slot, you should be good.

As long as your machine's water pressure keeps the solution flow contained within the the vacuum slot, you're fine. If you hold the tool away from the fabric and it sprays out, adjust your water pressure down.

The way these tools (should) help to prevent browning is that the fabric is drawn into the vacuum slot, and the face of the fabric is cleaned without the backing becoming wet.

Test it out on an arm cover until you have it just right.

Don’t you offer classes? Your name seems familiar.

 

[hogjowl]

Huh?
Ya some kinda pussy?

(see how it feels?)

I don’t feel a thing

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

I don’t feel a thing

Surprise, surprise...

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ok I will look into one.

You'll love. Not just for this piece but all delicate special care type fabrics.