Wool Question
Question:
I have a quick question about wool carpet. When your team does wool carpet do they pre-spray with a Woolsafe® product and then extract with an acid rinse?
Answer:
Yes. We use a Woolsafe®-approved prespray (pH 8.2 – 4 oz/gal) followed by a Woolsafe®-approved acid rinse (pH 2.7 – 1-2 oz/gal) through the HWE unit.
Is a rotary with a carpet brush acceptable for agitation, if a counter-rotating head machine is not available?
While I prefer a dual cylindrical brush unit (2x 460 rpm=920 total), the rotary machine (175 rpm) can be used as well. In fact, our company did so for more than 18 years on some wool carpet installed in a large bank building.
The trick is to make sure the rotary machine’s nylon brush bristles are broken in properly to prevent damage (felting) on the wool pile. Further, technicians must provide adequate lubrication between the brush and wool fibers, by using judicious detergent application.
On rare occasions we even have to groom cut-pile wool carpet after cleaning to present the best appearance.
I’m reworking some work orders with the Account Managers and wanted to review the wool carpet instructions. Thanks in advance as always for your help!
Commercial accounts can create frustrating problems if not properly handled. Headed north this week to inspect a large facility for a major carpet manufacturer, who anticipates litigation. It’s a maintenance and cleaning problem – as usual.
Keep up the good work and let me know if we can help in the future.
L. Jeff Bishop, SCRT Technical Advisor
Clean Care Seminars, Inc.
983 Tate Dr. Unit 1
Dothan, AL 36301
334.446.1531
334.446.1847 fax
