Best method in cleaning Hotel & Ballrooms

**luisempire** · 09-25-2009, 02:48 AM

Hey Guys,

I've been in business for over a year and have been doing this while I've been in Nursing School. Once I get a break I intend on taking some IICRC classes so that I'm more competent in carpet cleaning. Until then, This forum has been a tremendous help and I would like thank you guys!

Now, here is my issue, which I think is a good issue.

I just landed a monthly account with a Hotel and have some questions. I have to clean 21,000 sq ft of ballrooms, 7 floors of hotel hallways, common areas and a restaurant.

The carpets in the ballroom are about 15-20 yrs old.

The carpets in the common areas are not in bad shape and are about 5 yrs old.

My question is. What is the best method in cleaning this hotel? I'm not used to cleaning commercial carpets and would like to know how you would clean this hotel and what products would you use. They own two other hotels and once I do a great job, I may land those as well. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

What I have:
3 mytee extractors with heat.
2 Rotovac's
3 Wands

Questions:
Do I have to purchase any additional equipment?
What solutions would you use?
What equipment?
Whats in your prespray?
Etc

Thanks!

**Nick P** · 09-25-2009, 09:37 AM

Nice account. You sure have the equipment, but I would think they want something quick and dries fast. I would encap the areas. IMO it dries quick does a good job on commerical carpet and you will be done very quickly. Check out Excellent supply. Rick G. is the encap man and he sells some very good chemicals again IMO. I hope this helps
Nick

**Scott W** · 09-25-2009, 11:19 AM

I agree that encap on a regular basis is the key here. The carpets will still need to be extracted once or twice per year depending on traffic level and type of use.

Consider a Brush Pro LM20 or other counter-rotating brush (CRB) machine.

For the times you extract the carpet, do a post spray with a product that prevents wicking such as Encapuguard.

**luisempire** · 09-25-2009, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the tips. Another question I have...is there some type of guide on encap carpet cleaning? What products do I need to buy to use with the rotating brush machine?

Also, is 1 rotating brush machine will be able to clean all of those areas?

**Classicboss** · 09-25-2009, 05:34 PM

Hi Luis,

Sorry fellas I'm not a big fan of encap, bonnet cleaning, dry foam or any of that other crap.

Hot water extraction!!! You want it dry faster use turbo dryers. The class I attended tried to get people to buy encap stuff and the machines... long story short... I found no difference in the test carpet before or after and they couldn't sell me on clean... even interim maintenance I wouldn't clean with that stuff. Look I'm not trying to make anybody mad out there, but these carpets are between 5 and 15 years old he's going to clean... do it right and extract them and dry them with air movers. Ok good luck Luis, you have all the equipment you need to get the job done.

**Scott W** · 09-25-2009, 05:41 PM

No agrument with Dan on what method will remove the most soil. HWE does get the deep down soil. That is why I encourage HWE every 6 to 12 months including the first time you do them if it has not been done in a while.

But for interim maintenance, encapsulation cleaning will make the carpets LOOK better on the surface. That is the purpose of interim maintenance - stretch out the time period between the necessary HWE.

Encap also prevents wick back which is a real problem on commercial carpet following HWE. Plus encap can clean a lot faster, making you profitable even if the bidding gets competitive.

What machine should you use? I love the new Brush Pro LM20. You can also get two 17" or two 20" machines and hook them together for even greater production times.

Will one machine do all that carpet? Sure It is simply a matter of how long you have to do it in. A second person and a second machine will get the job done faster.

The product I suggest is Bridgepoint's Encapuclean Green Double Strength. There are some other good ones out there. (Encap Drew will proably chime in with a different opinion soon.) We did a lot of testing on this new product to make sure it cleaned as well as the most popular products out there with no resoiling issues.

**wandwizard** · 09-25-2009, 05:53 PM

I'm not an expert on encapping, but I can tell you a little about it. You ask if it will handle all those areas and the answer is yes, but as Scott said it is not a complete replacement for extraction. The methods I've heard on this vary from cleaner to cleaner, but I think every third or 4'th cleaning you would need to extract. If I were trying to maintain a building like that I would try to rotate extraction and encapsulation so that the whole building gets extracted at least once or twice a year. Encapsulation can be done with several different machines so I'll try and break it down for you as best I can. Here are a few ways to encap.
1. Good but slower- A standard 175 rpm rotary spraying and then scrubbing. Get the larger 20 inch size if you go this route or at least a 17 inch.
2. Prochem ProCaps machine with tank and built in sprayer. I haven't seen one of these in action so I can't say how fast or how well it works. My thinking is it would be ok for smaller accounts than what you are dealing with, but that the machine itself is over priced at around 2,000. See it here. http://www.jondon.com/catalog/produc...ducts_id=30676 also http://cgi.ebay.com/ProCaps-Deluxe-E...6#ht_573wt_935

Here is a demo video of the ProCaps. http://www.prochem.com/video/index.php?id=15

3. Best and fastest and probably the most popular on the market is the Cimex. It is clearly a high production and excellent quality machine. Very easy to use and you could learn it like a pro in no time. With a machine like the Cimex you can do extremely large areas pretty quickly. http://www.jondon.com/catalog/produc...ducts_id=25231 also http://www.excellent-supply.com/stor...&idcategory=10

As far as chemicals to use it seems there are more brands coming out all the time as this method seems to be getting more and more popular. Here are a few I have heard good things about.
1. Hot Knife. http://vacaway.com/vaHotKnife/
2. Releasit http://www.excellent-supply.com/stor...?idCategory=10
3. Encapuclean. http://www.interlinksupply.com/index...sulation&go=Go

The encapsulant cleaners are also used as spotters and from what I hear work quite well. You can encap with just a standard 175 machine if that's all you can afford and be encapping for under 500. counting your first case or two of encap cleaner and some pads if you can find a good used 175 somewhere and there are plenty of them on e-bay. You might be able to find one local for cheap. If you can afford the investment of a Cimex I don't think you will be disappointed. Like I said I'm not an expert in this area I'm just sharing things I've heard and looked into for myself. I hope it helps you out.

**wandwizard** · 09-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by Classicboss

Hi Luis,

Sorry fellas I'm not a big fan of encap, bonnet cleaning, dry foam or any of that other crap.

Hot water extraction!!! You want it dry faster use turbo dryers. The class I attended tried to get people to buy encap stuff and the machines... long story short... I found no difference in the test carpet before or after and they couldn't sell me on clean... even interim maintenance I wouldn't clean with that stuff. Look I'm not trying to make anybody mad out there, but these carpets are between 5 and 15 years old he's going to clean... do it right and extract them and dry them with air movers. Ok good luck Luis, you have all the equipment you need to get the job done.

Dan I think you are missing the point of encapping. It is an interim maintenance type of cleaning that can be performed quickly and easily to help buildings keep a better appearance. It can be done at a lower cost with less manpower on extremely large buildings. It is an additional tool for maintenance, but is not a replacement for HWE. Encapsulation does work as many that have used it attest. This is not a war between two methods. Clearly HWE removes the most soil, but encapping in between HWE can keep a building looking good longer and lessen the frequency of HWE. Even the fastest carpet cleaner cannot come near the production rate of a Cimex. Encapsulation does work and is another tool available to cleaners, especially those with really large areas to tackle.

**Dave Y** · 09-25-2009, 06:17 PM

Hotels love encap!!

I does what HWE can't do.
No noise, no hoses, faster drying.

**C Spot Stop** · 09-25-2009, 08:39 PM

I used to encap every account.

The process delivers results below my standards.

I owned an OP machine, bookoo glad pads and some of everyone who is anyones juice...

Then I busted out my old porty and used it to hwe.

My OP gear went on the auction block.

Now I own a TM.

Interim clean? What interval? Every week?

I can clean em if the interim is 15 freaking years with TM.

Go ask for an interim hotel room. Interim gas.

I know the OP gurus want us to believe that OP is a God send cleaning method...and that TM users are closed minded.

They will claim it was my fault. I didnt know how to use it. Riiiight. It is a secret society with a freaking decoder ring that only guys with one blue eye can figure out.,

Funny.....same idiot (me) uses something way more complicated...and voila' same dirty carpet from last year suddenly looks new. Not bad for a retard.

wicking is solved by padding or drying or not over wetting.

Setting realistic expectations is a part of the job.

Clean it the way youd want your carpet cleaned.

**Classicboss** · 09-25-2009, 10:37 PM

I understand completely about the encap and how efficient it is. Maybe I am missing something from the OP, I thought Luis was asking if he needed better equipment or something that drys fast and cleans well compared to his equipment he has. I believe he has two mytees and two rotovacs 360? and if this is his first time cleaning this establishment I was just suggesting ( even though it sounded like I am against other methods) extraction the first time would be more thorough than any other method, it will also give Luis a better understanding of how much soil is involved with his clients carpets as well. I have many big corporate companies we do work for and most are on a monthly maintenance schedule, We have worked long and hard to teach our clients that HWE is what they want for cleaning, and they pay the price for it... if I was to tell them I can do it cheaper and faster in between HWE cleanings with a product I can spray scrub and vacuum out they probably find someone else seeing since it sounds like I was ripping them off all these years... why make the surface look good, when you can deep clean the whole thing? I realize there are mammoth buildings needed regular cleaning very frequently, we do them here. Ok I am going to end this with: I respect whatever method anyone else uses, and by all means you need to make money to stay in business... I say if its right for you then do it.

to all

**Rob Allen** · 09-25-2009, 11:04 PM

I feel there are different tools for different jobs. Sometimes the profit level is good and I use one method. Then when time and resources are limited by the customer I use another. I like having as many tools as possible to build my company. That includes TM,RV,Cimex and Post padder to mention a few.

Rob

**C Spot Stop** · 09-26-2009, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Classicboss

I understand completely about the encap ....l

Just wanted to note how cool your post was.

We have some good folk here.

**luisempire** · 09-28-2009, 02:22 AM

Thanks for all your input. I've gone ahead and cleaned the building with our portable. It was an insane amount of work, but well worth it when I sent that invoice! I will take all your suggestions and do my research and see which process is the best method for this client. I like having options for diff customers and now I will have more tools at my disposal. Thanks again!

**leuj20** · 10-20-2009, 03:52 AM

yuo can buy a self contained Windsor extractor, We use it in commercial accounts We have a contract with a chain of italian restaurants, and we love them just make sure they have a wand port for those tight areas, this machines a great for maitenence 18nch path plus the brush helps you a lot for commercial we love them.

**locko-fabara** · 10-20-2009, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by leuj20

yuo can buy a self contained Windsor extractor, We use it in commercial accounts We have a contract with a chain of italian restaurants, and we love them just make sure they have a wand port for those tight areas, this machines a great for maitenence 18nch path plus the brush helps you a lot for commercial we love them.

I have used the windsor clipper 12, a really good machine. but I think the steaming demon will be better in productivity time.
Or even better the agitator 20 from US products.
http://usproducts.com/products/self_contained/ag20.htm

I didnt have any really good result with the encap.

**Kenny Wright** · 10-20-2009, 04:28 PM

Luis has 2 rotovacs but aren't they hard to use on CGD ? Is he better off with a wand for HWE ?

**cosway-canada** · 10-20-2009, 04:58 PM

We Cimex these all day long. No TM operator (IN MY CITY) could ever take away one of my hotels, not in a million years. Get a Cimex and use the chemical called Releasit.
NOTE: SOMETIMES YOU WILL NEED YOUR HWE EQUIPMENT ON THIS ACCOUNT.

All yes 100% of the TM owners I know who also own Cimex machines would only ever use their Cimex/Releasit on these types of jobs.

Of course I only speak for myself and my friends.

**rjfdube** · 10-20-2009, 09:32 PM

All above are great recommendations. auto fill auto dump on those machines need to have back up parts if you hwe only. Also you will need snail fans; I own 80 of them and still don't have enough. Encap is best for monthly cleaning; 3 to 5 times a year hwe in high traffic areas as you speak of.

May wanna buy boosters for your machines. We have several condo complexes; we hwe lower floors porties on higher floors; we tend to work 2 machines with one standby tech resting at all times.

I hope these are helpful tid bits for ya; good luck and stock up on Tylenol!!

**davendana** · 10-21-2009, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by cosway-canada

We Cimex these all day long. No TM operator (IN MY CITY) could ever take away one of my hotels, not in a million years. Get a Cimex and use the chemical called Releasit.
NOTE: SOMETIMES YOU WILL NEED YOUR HWE EQUIPMENT ON THIS ACCOUNT.

All yes 100% of the TM owners I know who also own Cimex machines would only ever use their Cimex/Releasit on these types of jobs.

Of course I only speak for myself and my friends.

Just did a demo today w/cimex & releasit....hopefully turns into 7 hotels