Using a 175 today kind of sold me on the idea of VLM

[MasterCarpet]

I had just about 1300 sq ft of office carpet to clean (various types). main area was newer carpet tiles that I know would clean up easily. But the offices were made from various, very old commercial carpets. Some did have a pad underneath. Anyways, I didn't take photos but I should have. I spent so long on these 2 offices. Prespray, Dwell, extract slowly, bumping pressure up, etc. It was still just gray. I noticed that when I scrubbed a spot with my shoe, it looked brand new where i scrubbed. No matter how slow I went or how heavy i presprayed, nowhere else would look half as clean as where I scrubbed with my shoe.

Since it was my only job today, I told her I was going to run back to shop and grab a scrubbing machine. I've got a 20" 175 that's basically just collected dust for 5 years. I've only used it once. I had a green pad that I had used on tile, grabbed that. I did a super light spray, a quick scrub witht that heavy thing and a green pad, the dirt was completely gone. I mean it just took it all out. Did a super quick HWE rinse and this probably 30 yr old carpet looked brand new. I just couldn't believe that the chemical and steam barely touched it until agitation. I have a brushpro but I didn't even bother because I didn't think it'd do much.

This got me thinking that it's probably time for me to invest in some actually VLM equipment for commercial work. I spend so much time on filthy commercial carpets, and lots of wicking problems , even whenever I dry 5 dry strokes, because it's like the soil is so embedded and deep, when you put vacuum on it, it's like it pulls all that dirt through the carpet. I know the cimex is good for production rates, but I've also seem some other units like the Phoenix. I just don't know which one to get. I would like something that I can primarily walk behind because I really dont want to do huge hallways where I'm fighting it like a 175 going back and forth. But I also would like it to be able to be pretty maneuverable to get under cubicles and things like that.

Just not really sure which one to get, but I think it's the right call. Seems to me that with lots of commercial carpets, you just aren't going to get a good result unless you agitate.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

The Cimex is awesome for me. It does what you're wanting. I also have a Vibe if I want to absorb the next day after a coffee spill. VLM works on commercial carpet. You would want a ramp for a Cimex. I
use a trailer, but that's normal.

 

[frank fratto]

The Cimex is awesome for me. It does what you're wanting. I also have a Vibe if I want to absorb the next day after a coffee spill. VLM works on commercial carpet. You would want a ramp for a Cimex. I
use a trailer, but that's normal.

 

[frank fratto]

Kenny.
Are you saying VLM only works on commercial carpet?

 

[frank fratto]

I had just about 1300 sq ft of office carpet to clean (various types). main area was newer carpet tiles that I know would clean up easily. But the offices were made from various, very old commercial carpets. Some did have a pad underneath. Anyways, I didn't take photos but I should have. I spent so long on these 2 offices. Prespray, Dwell, extract slowly, bumping pressure up, etc. It was still just gray. I noticed that when I scrubbed a spot with my shoe, it looked brand new where i scrubbed. No matter how slow I went or how heavy i presprayed, nowhere else would look half as clean as where I scrubbed with my shoe.

Since it was my only job today, I told her I was going to run back to shop and grab a scrubbing machine. I've got a 20" 175 that's basically just collected dust for 5 years. I've only used it once. I had a green pad that I had used on tile, grabbed that. I did a super light spray, a quick scrub witht that heavy thing and a green pad, the dirt was completely gone. I mean it just took it all out. Did a super quick HWE rinse and this probably 30 yr old carpet looked brand new. I just couldn't believe that the chemical and steam barely touched it until agitation. I have a brushpro but I didn't even bother because I didn't think it'd do much.

This got me thinking that it's probably time for me to invest in some actually VLM equipment for commercial work. I spend so much time on filthy commercial carpets, and lots of wicking problems , even whenever I dry 5 dry strokes, because it's like the soil is so embedded and deep, when you put vacuum on it, it's like it pulls all that dirt through the carpet. I know the cimex is good for production rates, but I've also seem some other units like the Phoenix. I just don't know which one to get. I would like something that I can primarily walk behind because I really dont want to do huge hallways where I'm fighting it like a 175 going back and forth. But I also would like it to be able to be pretty maneuverable to get under cubicles and things like that.

Just not really sure which one to get, but I think it's the right call. Seems to me that with lots of commercial carpets, you just aren't going to get a good result unless you agitate.

Trace,
If it was me?
I would master the 175 first before investing in a walk behind. " Since you already own one."

I don't know? But it's a guest?

1,000,000 sq. ft. of carpet is being clean with a 175 every day in commercial and residential?

 

[SteamwayPro]

I had just about 1300 sq ft of office carpet to clean (various types). main area was newer carpet tiles that I know would clean up easily. But the offices were made from various, very old commercial carpets. Some did have a pad underneath. Anyways, I didn't take photos but I should have. I spent so long on these 2 offices. Prespray, Dwell, extract slowly, bumping pressure up, etc. It was still just gray. I noticed that when I scrubbed a spot with my shoe, it looked brand new where i scrubbed. No matter how slow I went or how heavy i presprayed, nowhere else would look half as clean as where I scrubbed with my shoe.

Since it was my only job today, I told her I was going to run back to shop and grab a scrubbing machine. I've got a 20" 175 that's basically just collected dust for 5 years. I've only used it once. I had a green pad that I had used on tile, grabbed that. I did a super light spray, a quick scrub witht that heavy thing and a green pad, the dirt was completely gone. I mean it just took it all out. Did a super quick HWE rinse and this probably 30 yr old carpet looked brand new. I just couldn't believe that the chemical and steam barely touched it until agitation. I have a brushpro but I didn't even bother because I didn't think it'd do much.

This got me thinking that it's probably time for me to invest in some actually VLM equipment for commercial work. I spend so much time on filthy commercial carpets, and lots of wicking problems , even whenever I dry 5 dry strokes, because it's like the soil is so embedded and deep, when you put vacuum on it, it's like it pulls all that dirt through the carpet. I know the cimex is good for production rates, but I've also seem some other units like the Phoenix. I just don't know which one to get. I would like something that I can primarily walk behind because I really dont want to do huge hallways where I'm fighting it like a 175 going back and forth. But I also would like it to be able to be pretty maneuverable to get under cubicles and things like that.

Just not really sure which one to get, but I think it's the right call. Seems to me that with lots of commercial carpets, you just aren't going to get a good result unless you agitate.

More and more cleaners are finally waking up and realizing the best way to clean carpet is WITH agitation NOT Water Pressure

 

[MasterCarpet]

Trace,
If it was me?
I would master the 175 first before investing in a walk behind. " Since you already own one."

I don't know? But it's a guest?

1,000,000 sq. ft. of carpet is being clean with a 175 every day in commercial and residential?

I do have experience with using various spinning machines. When I owned my company on Maui, the previous owner taught me that when the rental agencies wanted a "dry clean" during back to back vacation rental bookings, we would spray "brush and bonnett" and just use an RX to bonnet over the carpet. It actually did pretty well for a quick clean when we had to be in and out of a unit within an hour just to clean up all the spots. I just don't have any real experience when it comes to VLM as far as using VLM for large areas of actually dirty CGD. But after seeing it scrub away the dirt with just my prespray, I'd have to imagine it would do similar if I was using an actual VLM spray.

Is there a way I could actually go ahead and start cleaning CGD with just my 175 on certain jobs? I have a large church coming up to clean in about 3 weeks. I will be HWE the large main area, but there are a few other rooms where it might be much better for me to try to VLM them rather than spend an hour pulling hoses just to get a few rooms with CGD in them. If anyone could point me in the right direction. I doubt they're incredibly filthy, the church isn't very old and most of the carpets are in good to fair condition.

 

[Rick J]

I do have experience with using various spinning machines. When I owned my company on Maui, the previous owner taught me that when the rental agencies wanted a "dry clean" during back to back vacation rental bookings, we would spray "brush and bonnett" and just use an RX to bonnet over the carpet. It actually did pretty well for a quick clean when we had to be in and out of a unit within an hour just to clean up all the spots. I just don't have any real experience when it comes to VLM as far as using VLM for large areas of actually dirty CGD. But after seeing it scrub away the dirt with just my prespray, I'd have to imagine it would do similar if I was using an actual VLM spray.

Is there a way I could actually go ahead and start cleaning CGD with just my 175 on certain jobs? I have a large church coming up to clean in about 3 weeks. I will be HWE the large main area, but there are a few other rooms where it might be much better for me to try to VLM them rather than spend an hour pulling hoses just to get a few rooms with CGD in them. If anyone could point me in the right direction. I doubt they're incredibly filthy, the church isn't very old and most of the carpets are in good to fair condition.

I there is not one now, I would get a tank for the 175, . Shower feed works wonders. Of course, not when bonneting with absorbant bonnets, but with a pad, such as the green one you used. , or a brush.

I have an OP, and a variety of bonnets. I actually first dipped my toe into VLM with a small 175. for you old timers. remember
Really did not appreciate it till I got the used OP along with proper absorbing bonnets.

for you old timers, remember Argosheen? got some, and their bonnets. nope, then my 175 and green stripes, nope, then used original CCS machine with glads, YES!

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I there is not one now, I would get a tank for the 175, . Shower feed works wonders. Of course, not when bonneting with absorbant bonnets, but with a pad, such as the green one you used. , or a brush.

I have an OP, and a variety of bonnets. I actually first dipped my toe into VLM with a small 175. for you old timers. remember
Really did not appreciate it till I got the used OP along with proper absorbing bonnets.

for you old timers, remember Argosheen? got some, and their bonnets. nope, then my 175 and green stripes, nope, then used original CCS machine with glads, YES!

Argosheen....I can still smell it!

 

[frank fratto]

More and more cleaners are finally waking up and realizing the best way to clean carpet is WITH agitation NOT Water Pr

I do have experience with using various spinning machines. When I owned my company on Maui, the previous owner taught me that when the rental agencies wanted a "dry clean" during back to back vacation rental bookings, we would spray "brush and bonnett" and just use an RX to bonnet over the carpet. It actually did pretty well for a quick clean when we had to be in and out of a unit within an hour just to clean up all the spots. I just don't have any real experience when it comes to VLM as far as using VLM for large areas of actually dirty CGD. But after seeing it scrub away the dirt with just my prespray, I'd have to imagine it would do similar if I was using an actual VLM spray.

Is there a way I could actually go ahead and start cleaning CGD with just my 175 on certain jobs? I have a large church coming up to clean in about 3 weeks. I will be HWE the large main area, but there are a few other rooms where it might be much better for me to try to VLM them rather than spend an hour pulling hoses just to get a few rooms with CGD in them. If anyone could point me in the right direction. I doubt they're incredibly filthy, the church isn't very old and most of the carpets are in good to fair condition.

I do have experience with using various spinning machines. When I owned my company on Maui, the previous owner taught me that when the rental agencies wanted a "dry clean" during back to back vacation rental bookings, we would spray "brush and bonnett" and just use an RX to bonnet over the carpet. It actually did pretty well for a quick clean when we had to be in and out of a unit within an hour just to clean up all the spots. I just don't have any real experience when it comes to VLM as far as using VLM for large areas of actually dirty CGD. But after seeing it scrub away the dirt with just my prespray, I'd have to imagine it would do similar if I was using an actual VLM spray.

Is there a way I could actually go ahead and start cleaning CGD with just my 175 on certain jobs? I have a large church coming up to clean in about 3 weeks. I will be HWE the large main area, but there are a few other rooms where it might be much better for me to try to VLM them rather than spend an hour pulling hoses just to get a few rooms with CGD in them. If anyone could point me in the right direction. I doubt they're incredibly filthy, the church isn't very old and most of the carpets are in good to fair condition

Trace,
Go to" 100% VLM"
George's thread,Steamwaypro
Has given a lot of good advice on how to clean carpet the VLM way.
I would start there.
Good Luck!