Dusting

**bensurdi** · 03-29-2010, 08:09 PM

WOW! We have a rug in our shop today that we have vacuumed THOROUGHLY multiple times, both front and back. We cleaned the rug---and it looks great... but when you brush your hand on the rug it POOFS a bunch of dust out of it. It is all dry soil that is unable to be vacuumed up.

I am going to do submersion pit to rinse the dirt out of the rug but am wondering if there is any other recommendations here to improve on our dusting techniques without purchasing the badger?

**LisaWagner** · 03-30-2010, 05:47 PM

Is it a tufted or hooked rug? It could be delamination.

Can you post a photo?

Lisa

**Jeffdzr** · 03-30-2010, 06:55 PM

I AM LOOKING ON HOW TO MAKE THIS TOOL

LOOK AT MY OTHER POST RUG CLEANING EQUIPMENT, i AM TRYING TO FIND THESE ITEMS, BUT HAVE NOT HAD ONE ANSWER

**Dusty** · 03-30-2010, 07:32 PM

Jeff

You have to get these from Mr. Phil Auserhal in Denver. IMO air dusting is awesome and is a very good way to get the dry soils out of a rug, however it is better at the lighter soil, not so good with the heavier, more damaging soils. Many folks that already have air dusting have added the RugBadger to their mix. Of coarse the RB is much more affordable as a compressor big enough for air dusing can cost you upwards of 10K plus you need 3 phase power to run it efficiently.

Here is Phil's contact info: http://www.orientalrugcleaningschool...ug%20Links.htm

**bensurdi** · 03-31-2010, 04:24 AM

Hey Lisa, It's not delamination, just extremely dirty rug.

Dusty:How much are the badgers?

**Dusty** · 03-31-2010, 10:53 AM

Dan.

RugBadger El start at under $3000. and run up to $7000 for our Pro Dual units.

**Nathan K.** · 03-31-2010, 04:08 PM

I have both the air tools and a Badger. I use them both together and would be lost without either method. The Badger excells at dislodging the heavy particulate soil (like sand) that gets impacted into thick rugs (Indos, 90-line Chinese, Tibetans, etc.). Instead of flipping the rug several times using just the air tools, I now just quick Badger the back (takes just a couple minutes) and dust each side once. A huge time and back saver esp. on those massive rugs!
If you are doing any area rug cleaning at all, invest in a Badger. Without a professional dry soil removal system (& not just a vac - you've already learned their limitations) you are not properly cleaning rugs - period. Educate your customers re: particulate soil damage & how you deal with it (and your competition doesn't) and you'll probably pay for your new toy with increased new biz and saved labor, your biggest expense.
NK

**LisaWagner** · 03-31-2010, 09:49 PM

Hey Nathan!

One other dusting note.... as you build your rug clients, be sure to "train" them to clean every 18 months - then you do not have the heavy soil to dislodge.

We have vacuums only - upright beater bars - but we have clients who regularly clean their rugs because they do not want the damage of long term soil in the fibers.

I have used Badgers in my workshops - works great. It's a bit loud, which is why we do not have them in our facility. I've also seen the air duster used - and again, great product. Issue there is containing the cloud of contaminants. Make sure you protect your lungs and eyes.

Nathan - how do you contain the clouds? (Hey -hope your family is doing awesome.)

Lisa

**Rug Washer** · 04-01-2010, 07:26 PM

I M O msot cleaners have problems with dry soil removal and if you don't get all of it out you wil only hurt the quality of your wash. We use air dusting in combination with a Eureka. We have a Badger but most of time the vacuum is more effective. The AirTool and alot of time Vacuuming the front and the back can save you alot of problems with Washing. Make sure you're not too aggresive with the brushroll vacuum as it can damage some rugs, like Karastans

**Dusty** · 04-01-2010, 08:01 PM

Ron, you need new vibro-straps if your vac is working better then the RugBadger. Just call me and I will be happy to send you a new set.
(just click here to see how to inspect your Vibro-straps)
http://rugbadger.com/equipment/vibrostraps.html

Here is a video I did 5 years ago when we first created the RugBadger to show how the RB is much more better then a Sanitaire or Eurecka vac to dislodge the gritty, ground in and damaging soils. (note that this unit is the very first RugBadger prototype, not the faster and much more effective pro models)

**bensurdi** · 04-01-2010, 11:51 PM

Im impressed Dusty! I need to get a rug badger.

**Richard Baldwin** · 04-02-2010, 12:03 AM

Yes I want to get one too, its strictly a money issue at this point, but we do have it on our goal list Dusty!

P.S. That must be one of your older vids, you seem very shy in it.

**Rug Washer** · 04-02-2010, 01:11 AM

If Lisa uses a Vacuum.....
They don't cal her the Rug Chick for nothing.

**Dusty** · 04-02-2010, 11:51 AM

That video is over 5 years old and that is one of our RugBadger Prototypes,, it even has a nice big dent in the cover. After that video we went on to make the RB much easier to use, stronger and then hotrodded it with the RB pro model that has much more speed,and a vac port to make the dusting process cleaner and healthier. Some folks are even finding the newer models to be quiter now Lisa! We are super proud to now offer a 5 year warranty on the RB pro!

Here is a link showing the difference in the diff models and with a vac hooked up to the pro model

http://rugbadger.com/equipment/rbmodels.html

**ThomasRestoration** · 04-02-2010, 12:16 PM

We have a small area approx 15 x 15 that we could use to set up some type of rug cleaning system for our customers. We do mostly restoration work and on site carpet cleaning. We have been using the hepa vacs and truck mount to clean our rugs as they come in. Do we need a Rug Badger and air Duster? Wash Pit? We only get about 4 rugs a week.......

**Dusty** · 04-02-2010, 01:23 PM

Thomas

IMO you need to get more rugs in before investing in any equipment, even ours. In the meantime till you build up some volume you can work out a deal with a more experienced rug specialist to clean for a discounted price for you and then you can mark up to whatever you like.

In my rug studio business we have several carpet cleaning companies that bring me all their loose rugs for care. They get a nice discount from us to do the dirty work.

For marketing I recommend you do some market research by phoning around to all types of places that sell rugs, and ask them what they recommend for rug cleaning.

TIP. Most rugs are now sold in furniture type stores so this is where you can pick up most of your referral business, not rug galleries as they are in trouble and usually clean rugs themselves or already have deals worked out with cleaners.

If you want a report on how to build your rug care business by referral sources, just PM me for a report.

I would also encourage you to get out to one of the upcoming rug classes asap to find out if you have the raw passion for rug care that is so important to your success.

here is a link to upcoming rug events around the world.. look for the yellow highlighted classes:

http://www.therughub.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl