I tend to agree with you, but I did say I'm fine with continuing to keep something extra for naturals. I use the same products on natural upholstery fabrics as I do on most natural area rugs. On most occasions, I find natural rugs, particularly wool, to be very easy to clean. Cotton, not so much! It is primarily because of cotton that I began using a sea sponge and fabric shampoos which is something I never did for many years. Makes my job a whole lot easier and the outcome much better and the fabric dries much quicker. I wouldn't want to leave for a job w/o a good sponge, encap, and a fine fabric shampoo anymore. Those will stay on my shelves until I retire in a few years.
What fabric shampoo are you using on cotton? I learned a lot about cleaning with a sponge. But are you using like a dry foam and sponge?
The difference between shampooing and using dry foam is really with shampooing your wetting the sponge and applying it moderately to the entire fabric. With dry foam, you're using only the foam and avoiding wetting the fabric out and it will dry very fast. I would only use that method on something super delicate where getting it a little wet could harm it. Most of the stuff I do is shampooing with either an encap or fine fabric shampoo. I find in some cases you can use both towels to extract as well as your machine. Sometimes dry vacuum only, but normally I extract with clear water. The sponge counteracts the absorption of moisture into the fabric as your applying your shampoo to some extent at least.
Really appreciated that reply. Helped a lot and was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for typing that out so clearly.
Thank Bill Yeadon. I never understood the distinction either until he cleared it up for me. There is a fine example of dry foam cleaning near the bottom of the page for the Radiant shampoo. Worth a watch for sure.
I'm looking forward to replace old fresh water tank (65 gal) for a 100 gal. just because I'll gain space for more chemistry. It's always challenging to keep van clean and organized. I like to have a back up tools on board, so between carpet wands, upholstery tools, tile spinner and corner tile wand, spot lifters, spare cuffs, barb connectors, QD's all corners of the van are filled. Thankfully, there is a step on the passengers side and space behind seats. Most annoying are small spotters. I try to keep all of them in one spot and support it with 1 gal jugs tightly, but after a while I have to reorganize it again. All it takes is sometimes one ride. Oh, I forgot, there are also 4 air movers, 2 of them between front seats. Powr-flite hybrids are fortunately no bulky and only half weight of snail movers. I got to have a water on board, only 2-3 of my commercial locations have easily accessible water and I use it only when whether permits. I like it though, soft water...I had to put 2 chemical shelves in my van! One on each side. I keep some stuff I rarely use and store extra spray bottles, vacuum bags, spotters, B & D steamer, etc. on one with the stuff I mainly use on the other. If I didn't my van would be a total mess!
If I didn't have the Hydramaster sub-mount 85 gallon tank I'd be up a creek w/o a paddle for sure. I only wished it took a little less floor space up. I don't think I could work well with a 65 or even a 70 gallon. I push the limits of my 85 sometimes. I do many jobs that hooking up for water is either a big pain or just not possible at all.
