The Old Timer

I started cleaning rugs and carpets in 1956, from a background of working at a dry cleaner's shop, running the spotting board and the cleaning machines, doing clothing and draperies.

Wanting to get out of the heat and solvent stink, I tried to make a business of cleaning rugs, and the relatively few carpets then around.

Beginning with a 13 inch rotary shampoo machine and a 2 1/2 gallon wet and dry vacuum, I certainly learned what I know the hard way.

Each company in the business had their own secrets, and carefully guarded, in case another company learned their secrets and "Took all the business".

I could not make the business go, for several reasons, and went to work for a large rug cleaning company.

Over the next 20 or so years, I tried to run another cleaning business, but could not make it go. Back to work for other companies.

This was a mixed blessing- as it was steady employment, and I learned many "Secrets", which was not really many secrets- most companies did the work pretty much the same.

Working in large plants, I also did rug cleaning with machines like Moore- which can do 100 rugs a day- and other machines, also doing them one at a time on a concrete wash floor, and several ways to hang rugs.

At the same time, most plants brought in furniture to clean, which was a part of my job, and I learned to do it quickly, and several different ways.

Some plants also did water damage work, and fire damage work, so I learned these ways to do the job.

In 1973, I took the course for "Expert Cleaner" and for "Certified Inspector", so I pretty well knew my stuff.

In 1977, I started my own business- for the 4th time. By now, I did know how to run a business, and it was successful- right from the start.

Mostly a one man business, with employees part of the time.

I did a lot of water damage work, and that was a big part of my business. I also set up in my garage a "Rug Plant" where I could clean by immersion, shampoo, Truck Mount clean, bonnet, etc.

I made my main claim to fame about Upholstery cleaning. Specializing in silks, linens, and other difficult fabrics.

I began teaching Upholstery cleaning in 1980, and taught that some 20 times. I also taught Carpet Cleaning and Rug Cleaning courses.

In 1986, I took my notes and info and wrote my first cleaning manual. "Upholstery Fabric Cleaning". This has been updated several times, to keep up with the latest info on this subject.

In 1988, I wrote my "Custom Carpet Cleaning" manual, for the course, and in 1989 I wrote my Water Damage manual, and the same year wrote my "Wealth: What It Is And How To Get It" manual, on how to run a business successfully.

I retired in 2004, and still go to conventions, and other gatherings, to keep in touch with my friends, and see what is the latest innovations in chemicals and equipment.

For the last several years while cleaning, I used mainly Bi-O-Kleen products, and after I retired, still occasionally represent for them.

Feel free to ask most any question, on most any subject connected to the cleaning business, here, or e-mail me at- dfrif@juno.com.

Gary

Thanks for the kind words, guys!! I do appreciate it!!

Yes, I am older than dirt.

I used to go from cave to cave, asking "Any dirt there?"

They said- "Come back when dirt is invented."

This proves I am older than dirt.

So.... being retired, I spend most of my time playing computer games for as long as my butt holds out, sometimes 12 hours at a stretch, napping, watching TV, napping, lunch, napping, e-mailing answers to questions from newbies, napping, posting on forums, napping, talking to my wife (she talks to me mostly), napping, taking my wife shopping, napping- you get the drift.

The main drawback to being retired is- no days off.

If I can be of any help, feel free to ask here, or e-mail me at dfrif@juno.com.

Gary

I am very big on lunch.

Next time you are in Portland, let me know, and we will do lunch.

Gary