david lang wrote:
wrote:
You mention shrinkage of natural material backed carpets: would
gripperrods or tacks not prevent them shrinking?
I've seen a flooded carpet pull gripperods right out of the floor. This was
a 35' long carpet that shrank by 10". Carpet fitter put it back with a
power stretcher once it was dry.
Eek. Might be wise to mention that in the FAQ then, as I just assumed
it would be a non-problem, so many others might also wrongly assume.
The unfinished cleaning FAQ I've put together lists
some stain removers not referenced by your article, but I wouldnt know
what could and could not be used safely on various types of carpets. I
dont know if theres some way we can cross-use the info.
The only safe way is to try them on a spare piece of carpet, or a bit hidden
under furniture. Some solvents can de stabilise the backing material.
There was one last point, yes. The stain site you linked to contains
many bits of info, but there must be something better somewhere. One
trick it missed is how to fix bleach spotted carpets. It said cut a
bit out and replace, but it was much simpler IME to recolour the
patch, if and only if its small. With patterned carpets this is
easily done by eye if the right colour is available, and made good
enough not to be noticed.
The cut & replace method is used commercially, but I've never seen
recolouring. Is it done with felt pens r brushes or what?
I used whatever was to hand, which, looking guilty now, was a
waterproof marker last time. Crude but effective. Once done one could
not spot the repair. I was lucky it matched, otherwise would have gone
for cold dyes.
Oh, I also dont recall discussion of 1 versus 2 versus 3 tank machines.
Not sure what you mean? I tank with a diaphram, 2 separate tanks - 3 tanks?
Some machines have 1 tank, the dirty water is fed into the clean water.
Some machines have 2 tanks, separate clean and dirty water.
Some have 3 tanks, clean water, detergent concentrate and dirty.
Any comments on the relatrive merits would be welcome, as this is one
of the questions that crop up at purchase time.
And is my intuition right in thinknig bladder type tanks will not last
well?
They are used in scrubber dryer machines, but they are not common in carpet
cleaning machines. A good idea, if the diagphram material holds up. They
almost double tank capacity. Is this idea used in domestic machines?
Yes... if. The Bissell I looked at uses it, but includes caution that
if you use the wrong cleaning formulae your bladder will perish. From
repairing old goods generally I would expect a flexible bladder to
perish long before a rigid tank would, hence my reservations about
getting one.
And a final question, which isnt cleaning, but is somewhat connected
with it. Carpets with worn edges, beginning to fray and coming apart,
what is the best way, if any, to prevent further deterioration? I was
thinking perhaps some type of glue might do it. Do you know?
Copydex works a treat.
Dave
thanks dave
NT