Thread: Dry carpet method

I have been using HOST Dry extraction for about 6 years to clean all types of carpeting at all types of soil levels. Like with any other method the results of the cleaning mainly depend on the skill of the operator and how well the carpet is pretreated / spotted prior to applying the dry carpet compound. We even get a lot of referrals from other CC'ers for cleaning sisal and other natural fiber rugs that can't get too wet.

I will concede that the process does take longer than most other methods it seems and I do price the cleaning higher than most of my competitors. My clients are very impressed w/ the results of the process and love the fact that there is no down time on the carpet. Also there is no wick back that occurs and you do not have to tab any furniture when moving it around unless you apply protector. I do plan to also look into some encap products to offer as a more economical option for commercial clients so I appreciate any incite on that process that anyone has.

As a professional is is nice to have the right tool for the job. All the different methods out there suite a purpose. The compound cleaners are nice to have. There are numerous machines that can be used for dry cleaning and Encap cleaning both. Unfortunately I only know about the Brush and Clean Sponges. There TM4 is a well constructed machine.

Also look at Whittaker, their machines come with about $600 in chemicals /extra;s when you buy the package . They seem to be priced better then the brush and clean machines .

http://www.whittakerstore.com/Qstore...07A1B0000001B1

Originally Posted by ECOPRO

Ok, Ive been researching this 800 dry carpet company. Is anyone familiar? Also this machine called the brush pro and the Prochem encap machine. It seems like it would be a good add on to my arsenal of carpet cleaning weapons. Any advice? Theres also this "Eco- safe" organic ocean sponge cleaning agent. A waste of money and effort or good review? No this would not be used for the nastys. HWE

I have been Dry Compound Cleaning carpets and rugs for many, many years. It's an Excellent method of cleaning. It works and works very well. Cleaners that say it doesn't work, usually are not talking about what they know, but rather repeating what it was they heard. And like ALL methods, it too has its limitations, pros and cons. Once you experiment with it (I test things for 6 months before bringing it out to my clients) you'll get a better understanding of its benefits and when to use it. Trust me.....clean a persons carpet who had a bad experience with a bad "wet" carpet cleaner and they'll fall in love with you and tell all their friends.... And I'm not kidding.

I also own a whittaker GLS and if the need really arises to clean a sisal rug I'll just go down to Lowes and pick up a bucket of CAPTURE powder to clean it.

Hi, i'm new to this industry but i've been using Host (reliant) for year just servicing (mostly)friends and family members. Since being laid-off i'm seriously ready to get into the business full-time. I know everyone has their opinion about Host or VLM methods but i've tried Releasit DS and i was impressed enough to believe i could make living in this business. My concerns are pricing and who should i market to? I was charging $30 per room (up to 200sqft) for residential. But i've read that Host may be better for commercial.....so what should i charge? So any ideas or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Originally Posted by dafivefooter

Hi, i'm new to this industry but i've been using Host (reliant) for year just servicing (mostly)friends and family members. Since being laid-off i'm seriously ready to get into the business full-time. I know everyone has their opinion about Host or VLM methods but i've tried Releasit DS and i was impressed enough to believe i could make living in this business. My concerns are pricing and who should i market to? I was charging $30 per room (up to 200sqft) for residential. But i've read that Host may be better for commercial.....so what should i charge? So any ideas or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I have used the Host system and it works very well with residential and commercial carpets. There is literally no down time because the carpet is dry right after you clean it.

Marketing this service to higher end residential clients, those with fine rugs, etc. would be the route I would choose. Clients will appreciate the fact that
you aren't soaking their carpets and rugs.

Commercial clients like the fact that there is no dry time to be concerned about. The Host system, when used properly, can clean almost any filthy
commercial carpet.

Residential, I would price at .35 psf or from $49 per room. Commercial would be about .25 psf. You won't get every job at those prices, but
you'll make a nice living without killing yourself. Of course, moving furniture, applying protectant are all extra charges.

This is just a guideline as some markets would command higher or lower prices. Remember that profit is the name of the game and you're not
in business just to wear out your machine.

thanks...i tried Host along with Releasit DS and have gotten pretty good results.....Are there any other products that may be used along with Host as a combo method to achieve good results?

Hi Derick, you can really get great results using Host compount with Realist Hydrox, I like it a lot better than the DS it seems more versatile and can remove a wider range of stains and soiling than other encap products that I have tried. I will try and post some cell phone pics of a job I did last week if I can figure out how to do it. I mainly do residential cleaning and charge anywhere from .35 - .50 psf.

WOW Pretty Good !!!
Awesome Work Darron

Originally Posted by Daron Farrar

Alright here are the pics from my blackberry on a nasty job that I did last week

carpet picture.JPG carpet picture 2.JPG

nice pics!.....that was with using Releasit Hydrox?...any Host cleaner?...what that process like?

Thanks guys I appreciate the feed back. Basically what I have been doing is using a HOST CRB machine/ extractor vac (Freestyle model) to pre-vac the carpet with. Then I use a solution Releasit Hydrox mixed 16 oz per gallon (up to 20 oz for very heavily soiled carpet) in a 2 gal pump up sprayer. Spray it on the carpet, more so in high traffic/ stained areas. Then brush it in with the HOST machine, mainly you want to keep applying the Hydrox and brushing it in w/ the HOST machine until the tips of the carpet fibers are whitish. In very heavily stained areas I will usually pre-spot them with protein spotter from Bridgepoint and blot the stain or use a spot extractor or depending on what the stain is I may use the Hydrox mixed 1:1 to use as a spot remover. Many times I just lightly mist on the Protein spotter where needed or the more concentrated Hydrox and brush it in before spraying the Hydrox in the 16 oz per gal solution down .

After the area has been thoroughly pretreated apply a light to moderate amount of HOST dry compound and brush it in with several passed in high traffic areas and only one or a few passes in low traffic areas. As you brush in the compound you will see it get darker with the dirt that it is absorbing. Finally vac it up with the Host Extractor vac a couple of times then touch any remaining stains as needed either with Hydrox 1:1 spot remover or what ever the appropriate stain remover would be depending on the type of stain. I have been going through a lot of StainZone from Bridgepoint, it also works good on many tough stains. Another technique would be to mist on the Hydrox in spot remover 1:1 dilution in the general area that needs to be touched up and then go over it with a few passes with the Host machine to blend it in better.

I hope that helps, good luck with it, I think you will really like the results you just got to play around with it a little and be patient at first but then it’s pretty smooth sailing from there.

I cleaned some very large hallways in an office building today, while the business was open. With the Host system, the dry times are virtually
in minutest and you can walk where you just cleaned without walking on wet carpet. The tenants appreciated the fact that their businesses were not interrupted. It's not for every situation but it does have it's place in your carpet cleaning arsenal.

pretty impressive Darron