I'm trying to setup a small rug cleaning shop in my 2 car garage, so space is limited. I'm hoping to come up with something that can be setup and broken down as needed. I'm thinking of a 15x15 or so pit area using a heavy duty 10-12 mil tarp and 4" PVC for the sides. On the bottom of the pit I'm thinking of this flooring: http://www.menards.com/main/floorin...oor-tile-gray-10-sq-ft-per-pack/p-1374804.htm I want to make sure that floor will work, I'm looking at about $300 minimum to purchase it, so if there's something better, let me know! My thought is to dust the rugs with a beater-bar type vacuum on top of this flooring allowing the dirt to fall through the holes into the wash pit. Then do my wash using a rotary and rinse with a homemade water wand and a sump-pump to keep the water flowing out. Once the rug is rinsed, I'll drain the pit with the sump pump, extract the rug with my Steamin Demon, and then let it sit on the floor tiles with an air-mover and dehu to get it dry asap. Or I'll make a rug rack for 2 or 3 rugs on a pulley system. Is this feasible? I know it's not ideal, but until I get enough work to justify adding on to the garage, this may work. I know I'll have to turn down larger rugs in the beginning.
wow. what a coinsidence, im in middle of the exact same adventure, im looking for what kinda floor to use too. that looks like water would flow well but it looks vary rigid, i want to find a rubber more flexible material. i will let you know if i see anthing. im starting it in our shop over the next couple weeks. i really want a centrafuge but dont know if i can find one affordable enough.
Try something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blemished-r...323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2567f224c3
OK - here we go! You really don't need a wash pit but more a "wash floor". Pits are more for soaking problem rugs. Now - it can be hard to set up a wash floor as is needs to be sloped. I am assuming your garage floor is not sloped. You could build a pit with pumps at the end that will pump water out as it flows over the rug - you will need to get a squeegee to push the water to the pumps - a pain but it works. If you dust the rugs in the pit you will need to sweep up the dirt other wise you will be making mud in the pit. The idea of dusting is to remove the dirt before washing - you will be amazed at what comes out of the rug. Here is what I would do in a garage with limited space - get all the rugs and dust them in one shot in the pit when it is dry. Clean the debris out and then wash. Maybe make every Thursday wash day. That way you can prep the rugs during the week. When the weather is good you can dust them out in the driveway (you can wash them there also).
Great info guys! Thanks a ton Hey Tron, let's keep each other updated on our progress. Rugman, yeah, that was more or less my idea. Use the pumps to keep the water moving. I won't need to soak every rug. And some cheap rugs I'll just use the pit to clean them with the steamin demon. Just gives a nice clean area to use the demon and the perforated floor will probably give nice air flow for extraction. Another option that was recommended on another site is vinyl privacy lattice for the floor. Seems like that might work too.
I agree with rugman's comments. You can get a sump pump to keep water flowing. Just pump from one corner of the pit to the diagonally opposite corner to keep water flowing when you work on a flat floor instead of a slope. An inexpensive idea for a floor is the plastic lattice sold at Lowes and similar stores used for a garden fence or similar. Looks like wood lattice but is all plastic. Not great but inexpensive. (I think this idea came from Dusty.) We have found a very durable floor is rubber sports flooring with a grid. We used rubber anti-fatigue mats that link together for making our floor. Rather pricey for something as large as 15' x 15'. Your PVC does not need to be anymore than 3" diameter, just enough to cover the rug in water. Cut some sections to different lengths so you can set-up a smaller floor than full size when you only need a small area. Also consider limiting the width to 11' to 13'. You may get many rugs that need 15' in length but very seldom need 15' wide. USe of the new Brush Pro on contaminated rugs while they are soaking is a great way to provide safe agitation.
Good info Scott. Thanks! BTW, did Bridgepoint release a fringe solution in the new line of rug chems?
Scott, when I took the SMT class from Dane Gregory last year at Interlink in Salt Lake I mentioned how I use a brush pro on tile and grout. Dane told me I need to be really careful when doing this as the brush pro was not designed to work in standing water and that it may be hazardous to your health (and life). Has this been changed in the new brush pro?
YEs. The old Brush Pro did have a shield and could be operated on wet surfaces but not approved for standing water. The New Brush Pro has double shielding that allows it to operate in up to 3" of water.
YES!. Our new fringe cleaning product is called Oxy Buff. It combines the 3 part formula of Boost All plus Buff All plus Fabric Shampoo that has been so popular for 20 years. Now all in one concentrated powder.
We will be shipping it to Interlink Supply, Bridgepoint distributors during the first 2 weeks of November if the distributor places an advance order. You can also get it by ordering on-line or by phone. 800 660-5803 or www.interlinksupply.com
Scott - that was my go-to formula for years! Taught to me by Steve Poulos - works like a charm. Glad to see it combines into one.
