When to not go VLM

Ed Cruz

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Did an big upholstery job for a commercial client last week but forgot one piece after I'd wrapped up. Sprayed Encap and bonneted with microfiber bonnet on hand orbital.
Shocked at how good it came out
In my opinion cleaning upholstery is where bonnet cleaning really shines. You can actually get a true deep clean given how thin fabric is.
 
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Timothyscarpet

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Yes you can. And yes it does magically "transfer" to the cotton bonnets. But is it the goto method for every situation? No its not. I wouldn't shit on any one method. As the more methods in your back pocket to get a job done the better. But once you start relaying your idea of what method is superior to the other to your customers. There's no turning back. View attachment 91765View attachment 91766View attachment 91767
Perfect example of diversity!! BTW the reason I originally posted this thread was for a job I completed last night, I actually hit it with HWE first because there was so much build up from parking lot oils, traffic slam rinsed with all fiber deep clean. Followed up with my 175 bonnets and white pads which came out brown. Sooooo yea some jobs take more than one kind of cleaning methodology
 
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kevinj6121

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Yes you can. And yes it does magically "transfer" to the cotton bonnets. But is it the goto method for every situation? No its not. I wouldn't shit on any one method. As the more methods in your back pocket to get a job done the better. But once you start relaying your idea of what method is superior to the other to your customers. There's no turning back. View attachment 91765View attachment 91766View attachment 91767
"I wouldn't shit on any one method. As the more methods in your back pocket to get a job done the better. But once you start relaying your idea of what method is superior to the other to your customers. There's no turning back."

That right there says it all
 

OxiFreshGuy

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"I wouldn't shit on any one method. As the more methods in your back pocket to get a job done the better. But once you start relaying your idea of what method is superior to the other to your customers. There's no turning back."

That right there says it all
Well I'll challenge that a well done steam job on almost 99% of residentials will out perform a VLM anyday.
 

kevinj6121

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Well I'll challenge that a well done steam job on almost 99% of residentials will out perform a VLM anyday.
I wasn't comparing methods just simply stating that once you start relaying your idea of what method is superior to the other to your customers. There's no turning back." and that wasn't even my original statement, I was quoting someone else
 
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keep it clean

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Lol ive seen this same thing used with the truck snobs aka tool snobs. Every occupation has one. “A portable user is a hack, they over wet carpets and lack the power to extract it. Leaving your carpets wet for days”. Then in their own advertising they state “For inaccessible homes we use portable units at a additional fee” so now they are not only claiming the one to be inferior. But they also want more money for it. Same thing same problem.

Cornering yourself
 

OxiFreshGuy

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I was just simply trying to hammer home that steam cleaning is still the king of residential carpets in most cases.

I've actually used VLM more in my career than I have steam cleaning. But now that I mostly do residential work I prefer the truck mount. Why you so crabby?
 

rob allen

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I'm a big fan of both methods. But to me I believe HWE is king of residential and VLM is king of CGD.
 
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george8585

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I'm a big fan of both methods. But to me I believe HWE is king of residential and VLM is king of CGD.

VLM is catching up on Residential.

I get amazing results using VLM on residential. Believe me !!!

It's 2021 and VLM WORKS !!! Commercial and Residential !!!

Some TRASHED URINE FILLED RAT NASTY carpets need HWE but 90% of residential can be done with VLM with amazing results.

This one guy I worked for had 18 rentals. Rowhomes in a low income town that I cleaned for over 10 years. The carpets would be black from wall to wall. I would never attempt to do them with VLM. They need HWE and a T-REX but I don't want to work in filth like that anymore anyway. The 10% that VLM can't do I don't want to do.

The only disadvantage with VLM is it does take longer but the PROFITS are bigger with VLM !!!

Yesterdays job and I heard the customer say to her husband the carpets look amazing. It was 10 year old beige cheap poly and I was using SuperCap with Unchained. It was the third time I was there in 5 years and the best they ever looked.

I love VLM !!!
 
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Ed Cruz

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VLM is catching up on Residential.
I get amazing results using VLM on residential. Believe me !!!
It's 2021 and VLM WORKS !!! Commercial and Residential !!!
Some TRASHED URINE FILLED RAT NASTY carpets need HWE but 90% of residential can be done with VLM with amazing results.
This one guy I worked for had 18 rentals. Rowhomes in a low income town that I cleaned for over 10 years. The carpets would be black from wall to wall. I would never attempt to do them with VLM. They need HWE and a T-REX but I don't want to work in filth like that anymore anyway. The 10% that VLM can't do I don't want to do.
The only disadvantage with VLM is it does take longer but the PROFITS are bigger with VLM !!!
Yesterdays job and I heard the customer say to her husband the carpets look amazing. It was 10 year old beige cheap poly and I was using SuperCap with Unchained. It was the third time I was there in 5 years and the best they ever looked.
I love VLM !!!
 

OxiFreshGuy

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My biggest issue with VLM for residential is simply - what are you extracting? You're also leaving a bunch of chemical behind (yes I know it crystallizes when it dries and "vacuums" up) but I know at least in MY particular market there has been a major pushback by customers against companies who use VLM. People are becoming more educated and more often are asking for steam cleaning only.
 

Ed Cruz

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I never use just straight encap only on residential only without bonnet clean. Use it on upholstery as much as possible………..I like film forming encaps never crystallizing ones on residential……..with good bonnets on moderate to low soiled carpets. Never VLM urine, feces vomit etc……….
 

pgcleaner

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I've done VLM. Haven't tried every chemical but I've tried every method. The bonnet absorption method can and does work, I still say it doesnt work as well as HWE but uneducated customers wont know the difference
The Orbot Vibe is CRI approved, same as the El Diablo Truck Mount, and the Rug Doctor...