Upholstery Prespray Recommendation

[GregAllen]

I need a recommendation for what you feel is the best and most effective upholstery pre-spray for synthetic fabric. I have been using Bridgepoint's Avenge Heavy Duty Fabric Pre-Spray, but haven't been impressed lately.

Today a commercial account had us clean 3 micro-fine sofas, 7 doctor waiting room chairs, and a fully upholstered chair, all synthetics. I used the product per instructions, as I have been doing for four years. Used Flex Ice rinse. Hot water extracted after 15 minutes dwell time and horsehair brush agitation, with a Sapphire Scientific upholstery tool (similar to the shear dry)... All the right things and processes... But was terribly unimpressed.

Here's the kicker: Not being happy with the results, I tested FOLEX, a Home Depot & Lowe's fabric spotter, and some of the stains (basic soiling areas) on the arms came out like magic. A RETAIL PRODUCT... Not the commercial, top of the line expensive super duper professional product that we pay dearly for. The same stuff our customers can by at a big box store! It was embarrassing.

The soiling was perhaps a 3 out of a 1-5 range, so it should have come clean. Wish I had pics to show, but I don't . Any suggestions on a better product?

 

[rob allen]

Don't want to sound presumptuous but we sell what I feel is a great upholstery cleaner. It comes in a gallon and is extremely concentrated. It dissolves oils fast that are caused by hands, arms and hair. It is safe for all fabric types, smells great and also safe for top down cleaning of delicate rugs in homes. It's called Revive.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[rob allen]

And though being very heavy duty it a neutral ph.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[GregAllen]

I need a recommendation for what you feel is the best and most effective upholstery pre-spray for synthetic fabric. I have been using Bridgepoint's Avenge Heavy Duty Fabric Pre-Spray, but haven't been impressed lately.

Today a commercial account had us clean 3 micro-fine sofas, 7 doctor waiting room chairs, and a fully upholstered chair, all synthetics. I used the product per instructions, as I have been doing for four years. Used Flex Ice rinse. Hot water extracted after 15 minutes dwell time and horsehair brush agitation, with a Sapphire Scientific upholstery tool (similar to the shear dry)... All the right things and processes... But was terribly unimpressed.

Here's the kicker: Not being happy with the results, I tested FOLEX, a Home Depot & Lowe's fabric spotter, and some of the stains (basic soiling areas) on the arms came out like magic. A RETAIL PRODUCT... Not the commercial, top of the line expensive super duper professional product that we pay dearly for. The same stuff our customers can by at a big box store! It was embarrassing.

The soiling was perhaps a 3 out of a 1-5 range, so it should have come clean. Wish I had pics to show, but I don't . Any suggestions on a better product?

Rob, is it liquid? Can you ship it to Alaska?

 

[GregAllen]

And though being very heavy duty it a neutral ph.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

I just ordered a case Rob. If it passes your test, I trust your judgement and will it.

 

[Top Notch Carpet Cleaning]

I use Bac-out by Bio-klen for furniture pretreatment. Customers love the smell.

Sent from my SM-G920V using TMF Forums mobile app

 

[wandwizard]

If those were all synthetic as you say I would have used a general upholstery prespray with possibly a citrus boost if I felt it was needed. You can also mix a slightly heavier dilution in a trigger sprayer to use on those tough areas. I am keeping Folex on the truck too and it's come in handy a few times lately. I recently learned from Old Carpet Vet that it was originally formulated for professionals quite a few years ago, but they opened up to the public market. If you frequent Amazon.com like many do you'll find that's happening to a lot of products that have only been marketed to pros in the past and quite frankly I don't like it. Imho, there is hardly anything that is a professional use only product anymore. Some of that stuff should strictly be sold to pros.

I would suggest at any rate to also get a general Upholstery Prespray like Prochem's and keep on the truck. I've found you can safely clean a lot of upholstery with that for pennies rather than dollars. You might want to check this thread out. I actually put Folex back on the truck as a result of it and I'm glad I did.
https://www.truckmountforums.com/threads/lowes-carpet-pro.88130/

 

[rob allen]

If those were all synthetic as you say I would have used a general upholstery prespray with possibly a citrus boost if I felt it was needed. You can also mix a slightly heavier dilution in a trigger sprayer to use on those tough areas. I am keeping Folex on the truck too and it's come in handy a few times lately. I recently learned from Old Carpet Vet that it was originally formulated for professionals quite a few years ago, but they opened up to the public market. If you frequent Amazon.com like many do you'll find that's happening to a lot of products that have only been marketed to pros in the past and quite frankly I don't like it. Imho, there is hardly anything that is a professional use only product anymore. Some of that stuff should strictly be sold to pros.

I would suggest at any rate to also get a general Upholstery Prespray like Prochem's and keep on the truck. I've found you can safely clean a lot of upholstery with that for pennies rather than dollars. You might want to check this thread out. I actually put Folex back on the truck as a result of it and I'm glad I did.
https://www.truckmountforums.com/threads/lowes-carpet-pro.88130/

The drug companies bought out the pest control companies and then put the pesticide in drops to put on dogs for fleas. They almost totally eliminated us pest pros from the flea market. I do see that happening with the chemical company. The advantage we have is the equipment, experience and convenience factor.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[Joe cool]

My friend gave me a few bottles of folex 15 yrs back , it worked as good as my concentrate so it was more expensive RTU .
I recommend this to my customers .

 

[Ed Cruz]

Chemspec Heavy DutySoil Lifter is what I use as my base upholstery cleaner mixed half of what they recommend. I add Matrix ASD Citrus if it needs better degreasing agents. If it's really trashed just ASD boosted with Matrix Miracle.

 

[Joe cool]

Chemspec Heavy DutySoil Lifter is what I use as my base upholstery cleaner mixed half of what they recommend. I add Matrix ASD Citrus if it needs better degreasing agents. If it's really trashed just ASD boosted with Matrix Miracle.

I have been usi HD soil lifter for 24 yrs .
Just in the last yr I have been boosting it with Flex with citrus , it helped alot .
HD soillifter has mineral spirts and bio-solv . My supplyhouse swears at 8 to 1 ratio is what most theaters are cleaned with .

 

[rob allen]

I have been usi HD soil lifter for 24 yrs .
Just in the last yr I have been boosting it with Flex with citrus , it helped alot .
HD soillifter has mineral spirts and bio-solv . My supplyhouse swears at 8 to 1 ratio is what most theaters are cleaned with .

I've used it and it never needed boosting. Flex w/citrus? How much? For really nasty furniture?


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[Joe cool]

1/4 - 1/3 scoop to my qt trigger sprayer for them nassities mixed with HDSL

 

[wandwizard]

The drug companies bought out the pest control companies and then put the pesticide in drops to put on dogs for fleas. They almost totally eliminated us pest pros from the flea market. I do see that happening with the chemical company. The advantage we have is the equipment, experience and convenience factor.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

The thing is that some of the stuff we use could actually be dangerous in the wrong hands or at the very least you can count on some folks using the wrong stuff to do a particular job. I guess some of them don't think they can sell enough through all the nation wide vendors so they're putting it on Amazon.com. I wonder how long it will be before I can pick up all my supplies at Lowes or Wal-mart. Seems to be headed that way and I think it's a very bad idea. I just recently received an e-mail from Hydramaster promoting a protector. I clicked the link and it takes me to Amazon.

 

[rob allen]

The thing is that some of the stuff we use could actually be dangerous in the wrong hands or at the very least you can count on some folks using the wrong stuff to do a particular job. I guess some of them don't think they can sell enough through all the nation wide vendors so they're putting it on Amazon.com. I wonder how long it will be before I can pick up all my supplies at Lowes or Wal-mart. Seems to be headed that way and I think it's a very bad idea. I just recently received an e-mail from Hydramaster promoting a protector. I clicked the link and it takes me to Amazon.

This is concerning.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[wandwizard]

This is concerning.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

Check it out. These are just a few I know about.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Hydramaster&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Prochem&rh=i:aps,krochem&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Chemspec&rh=i:aps,k:Chemspec&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=magic+wand+carpet+cleaner&sprefix=Magic+wand+carpe,aps,185&rh=i:aps,k:magic+wand+carpet+cleaner&tag=truck0b9-20

Where is this headed? This could change the future of supply companies and possibly eliminate some of the smaller ones.

 

[rob allen]

Check it out. These are just a few I know about.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Hydramaster&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Prochem&rh=i:aps,krochem&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Chemspec&rh=i:aps,k:Chemspec&tag=truck0b9-20

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_16?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=magic+wand+carpet+cleaner&sprefix=Magic+wand+carpe,aps,185&rh=i:aps,k:magic+wand+carpet+cleaner&tag=truck0b9-20

Where is this headed? This could change the future of supply companies and possibly eliminate some of the smaller ones.

I don't want to but this may be a "if you can't beat them might have to join them" scenario. I hope I'm wrong but the handwriting seems to be on the wall. Eliminating the brick and mortar creates a huge profit increase for manufacturers. It also opens up a market to homeowners along with pros. I see it in the short run more dangerous to distributorships but could extend to us.


Sent from my iPhone using TMF Forums

 

[Pinosan]

The thing is that some of the stuff we use could actually be dangerous in the wrong hands or at the very least you can count on some folks using the wrong stuff to do a particular job. I guess some of them don't think they can sell enough through all the nation wide vendors so they're putting it on Amazon.com. I wonder how long it will be before I can pick up all my supplies at Lowes or Wal-mart. Seems to be headed that way and I think it's a very bad idea. I just recently received an e-mail from Hydramaster promoting a protector. I clicked the link and it takes me to Amazon.

Nope not at all, See manufacturers want us to believe all this crap to sell their products more expensive and make you believe its only for pros. Nothing in our industry is for pros everything can be safely used by any home owner with any level of intelligence.

 

[Common janitor]

I need a recommendation for what you feel is the best and most effective upholstery pre-spray for synthetic fabric. I have been using Bridgepoint's Avenge Heavy Duty Fabric Pre-Spray, but haven't been impressed lately.

Today a commercial account had us clean 3 micro-fine sofas, 7 doctor waiting room chairs, and a fully upholstered chair, all synthetics. I used the product per instructions, as I have been doing for four years. Used Flex Ice rinse. Hot water extracted after 15 minutes dwell time and horsehair brush agitation, with a Sapphire Scientific upholstery tool (similar to the shear dry)... All the right things and processes... But was terribly unimpressed.

Here's the kicker: Not being happy with the results, I tested FOLEX, a Home Depot & Lowe's fabric spotter, and some of the stains (basic soiling areas) on the arms came out like magic. A RETAIL PRODUCT... Not the commercial, top of the line expensive super duper professional product that we pay dearly for. The same stuff our customers can by at a big box store! It was embarrassing.

The soiling was perhaps a 3 out of a 1-5 range, so it should have come clean. Wish I had pics to show, but I don't . Any suggestions on a better product?

You've already purchased a different product and I hope it works well for you . I've used Avenge and the HD and Folex and never experienced problems cleaning anything . From your description you said you used a horsehair brush for agitation.
That's fine ,but they're truly meant to be used on delicate fabric and microfiber is far from delicate . Your method of agitation is what let you down on this job . You also mentioned you used Folex AFTER extraction of the Avenge HD which in my opinion is why it worked so well for you . In further discussion about products being available online . This has been going on awhile now . First time I used Odercide I bought it on Amazon long before I had my own business . Most places sell to the public and we pay the same price they do . Very different from other professions and trades . That has to change along with the suppliers getting together and lowering the shipping charges THEY and THEIR CUSTOMERS have to pay . They justified all the shipping increases because of fuel costs . Hmm. Fuel is HALF or LESS now and NO RELIEF . Here are my results using Avenge HD .
All the Best, Ed

 

[wandwizard]

Nope not at all, See manufacturers want us to believe all this crap to sell their products more expensive and make you believe its only for pros. Nothing in our industry is for pros everything can be safely used by any home owner with any level of intelligence.

I'm not sure you're actually serious, but I totally disagree with that. It may be true of many of the products we use, but certainly not all. Sometimes how to use a product as well as what to use it on specifically is important and lets not forget what can happen if you mix certain chems. Some mixing will put you in the hospital while others could put you in the morgue. I don't like professional products being marketed on Amazon, but I guess they really could care less what I think. It's happening and I suspect it will only grow and expand to other markets.