Upholstery Tools and Equipment

Here is a question I recently received:

I am getting back into business, but I want to focus on upholstery cleaning. I no longer have a truckmount, so I will be using my portable(a Kleenrite 214).

The Kleenrite tool is comfortable, but very wet. My question is: will the new hydrokinetic tool be effective with a portable, or is its design primarily for truckmounts?

Also, how long is the hose on the Hydrokinetic tool?

If it is not appropriate for use with a portable, do you have a suggestion?

Thank you for your help!


Hello Phillip

Welcome back to the cleaning industry. There are so few Fine Fabricare Specialists available in most market areas that we are actually training furniture retailer employees in the spotting and cleaning of fabrics. I see that market as a very good one for you to explore as an independent specialist.

Unfortunately, none of the dry tools perform well with low pressure/low vacuum units such as the Kleenrite 204. If you need a dryer tool, you might consider a different tool that shears into the fabric at an angle, and is further from the fabric than the jet on the Kleenrite tool is.

The one I would recommend would be the "Easy Reach Tool"
http://pembertonstore.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=9aw45

Ultimately, today's fabric specialist are purchasing small portables with higher pressure and vacuum that better accomodate the Hydrokinetic tool. Kleenrite makes a great machine that suits this purpose called the Sphere:
http://pembertonstore.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=sphere

Please feel free to contact me back at this email address if I can help
you in any further way.

Are There Green Products that Work?

I receive some of the best questions about our industry in email fashion. Starting with this question, I will be posting a series of questions and answers that cleaners and restorers pose to Lee or myself.

What is the best "Green" truck mount detergent you have found. Would like to find a product that cleans as well as Dry Slurry, but is "eco-friendly".

Thanks,
Alex-


Hi Alex

Finding a "green" cleaning product that will perform like your "old reliable carpet cleaning detergent" (Dry Slurry) will be a challenge. The things that cut grease (solvents) and soften water (phosphates) are will not be found in a "green product".

That said, the manufacturers of green cleaning products have done a very good job of getting "nearly as good as" with alternate formulations, and we're getting great feedback on both the Prochem Axiom products and the Bridgepoint Green Balance products.

Of the two, only one makes a powdered emulsifier. The Axiom Clean Powdered Emulsifier is a good cleaner, but will cost about 15% more than Dry Slurry. Other than this product, the liquid presprays and detergents from both Prochem and Bridgepoint actually cost less than the "non green" products that they replace.

Ultimately, in deciding to use products that do not soften water as well, and do not contain grease cutting solvents, you should look to using soft water in your cleaning equipment, and to use equipment that generates as much heat as possible, as heat helps to cut grease with less need for aggressive solvent additives in the formulation.

Jim