One thing I have noticed is many cleaners avoid rug cleaning because gurus and experts warn of inherent dangers. And yes there are some inherent dangers. But the mass confusion is ridiculous due to the overload of useless information in may cases. Rug ID,soak pits,beaters,spinners,hangers,proper chemicals and flush tools just to mention a few can be expensive,time consuming and confusing to average cleaners. But wouldn't it be nice if we had a simple inexpensive system to clean rugs efficiently whether they are just soiled or saturated in urine? So in the last 6 months I have been reading and studying everything I can about rugs. I feel I am close to coming up with a simplified system that can clean and deodorise rugs virtually as well as the big plants but without the information overload,expense and time consumption required at present. One thing I am good at is coming up with ideas of how to do the same thing in less time and with less hassle. That has always been my niche. So how do you feel about the rug business? Hence the poll to gauge interest. Vote now! Rob
Good stuff,Rob! I am finally moving into dedicated space. After two separate companies ruining rugs I subbed to them, I couldn't be happier to get into it.
I don't have a shop so I only clean at the customers home, only rug I have turned down was silk because I'm not to sure of them.
we are looking at setting up a small rug cleaning plant in one of my sheds, 50ft x 25ft area to set up in. have been looking at a badger and tower but hard to justify the prices, home made wash pit 4" pvc pipe and heavy duty pond liner. I would be interested in looking at your ideas Rob. Cheers Steve
Hello Rob, OK I voted, only in plant. I agree with you, KISS(keep it short and simple) is a good principle, but life is complex. You are talking about “Cleaning”, that is easy, Washing is complex! You mention about this complexity: fibers,dyes,urine,structure, dry rot, PH, UV, chemicals, temperature, hanging …, Have a look at the first chapter of the last book of Don Norman: (Norman, D. A. (2011). Living with Complexity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.) here is the link http://jnd.org/dn.mss/LWCChapter1.pdf Area rugs are not only oriental or Persian rugs: flokati, petit-poit (needle-point) aubusson, kilims, sumak, tufted, antiques, Ziegler choobi, indian crocking colors(dyes?) chinese chemical washed, tea washed, potassium permanganate for the fringes, painted rugs, construction problems, fibers like Rayon, blend of fibers in the same rug, chenille, machine made, silk, shaggy, hooked, … Even if you consider only oriental hand knotted rugs, they are not simple products made of the natural fibers and stable dyes only. Maybe I know a place that “washing” rugs is kept simple: Persia (Iran) they use cold water and soap sometimes washing powder! Never they dust, no need they keep it clean taking off the shoes at home, bleeding rugs: easy they pour cold water with a little calcium hypoclorite then after scrubbing with “Paroo” ( hoe metallic or wooden!) and flushing the water, they pour cold water with Sodium hydrosulphite. Natural silk rugs: water and Sodium Chloride (edible salt) or just scrubbing foam on it, bleeding? The philisofy is that a rug restorer of the color run has also to eat! Drying flat on small stones under the sun. Maybe the main reason is that in Iran they wash only Persian rugs, it is prohibited to import oriental rugs. Another chemical that they know very well is Potassium permanganate they mix a solution of this with a solution of calcium hypochlorite (believe me) and this is red relief formulation! I am really interested in your simplified system, your advantage is that you live in US and as I see the most important thing in rug cleaning in US is chemicals and equipments (it has to be), you are lucky. jamshid rowshan
I agree it does not have to be complicated. Part of the problem is many who teach the classes are either people who sell a lot of bigger equipment, or have a chemical line they have to sell, or have a textile college degree and think you need to memorize a lot of rug origins to pass a scantron test to "clean" rugs. I put up a post for a recent CFI meeting I spoke at, and posted the most common links to posts to help them with the more common problems with rugs - including a post on all the different ways to set up rug cleaning shops whether you have a little money or a lot of money. And I posted it all for free... worth more than much of the info others are charging for today. Of course that's my totally biased opinion - LOL! Click here for the post => CFI Meeting Rug Education Links You guys on the east coast - stay safe! And happy rug cleaning. =) Lisa
What can I say Again Thanks for shareing your weath of knolage with us Lisa Greatly appreciated Thanks again Cheers Steve
I have cleaned many rugs in the home and at our shop for many years. some rugs I won't clean on site and needs to come to our shop, let's not forget there are many synthetic area rugs in the home too that can be cleaned there very successfully and saves the client some money too. but there are those old and fragile rugs that need extra care when cleaning and also monitoring as well. so you guessed it... I voted in the home and shop, You have me very interested Rob. keep up the good work.
actually mine is i don't avoid cleaning it's just cleaning my carpet makes me sick...i really don't feel it..i easily get tired of it.
Wow Rob, pretty tough on people who try to help. I look forward to your quick and easy one system cleans all approach.I can stop worrying about helping you guys now. Best wishes, Barry O'Connell www.SpongoBongo.com
