Rug washing question

[Zee]

Those of you that pressure wash rugs:

How much pressure do you use?

Do you mix in the appropriate chemistry with the pressurized water or is the water just that- water?

What kind of jets?

Do you pressure wash right side up or upside down? Both?

Isn't pressure washing the face yarns cause too much distortion?

Is there a preferred angle of the water stream to hit the rug?





Just looking to see what others are doing and learn.

 

[Colin Nation]

Pressure can depend on how far away from the carpet the jet is. High pressure close to the fibre will cause pile flaring or unraveling of the twist.

I would prefer to prespray on the detergent and then use the pressure more as a flooding rinse than a water cutting device. Give it gentle agitation with a non-rubber squeegee.

The pressure is just another form of agitation. It's the detergent that does the real work, the water pressure is just another way to get the detergent and dissolved and suspended soils out. You have to work to suit the rug and the equipment that you are using.

Wool is pretty resilient and a groom will put it right if it is not sting right at the end of the job. Silk and rayon (art silk) are another matter. You will tend to blast out any loose fibres and in a staple yarn, cut pile you will certainly lose any loose fibres that are not anchored into the backing.

Most rugs that are not too heavily soiled won't require 'blasting'.

 

[harryhides]

Hey Col, nice to see you here.
Hope you did not get flooded out this year.

Shorty's gone down to Sydney to learn how to clean rugs, finally..... somewhat amus

 

[Zee]

Pressure can depend on how far away from the carpet the jet is. High pressure close to the fibre will cause pile flaring or unraveling of the twist.

I would prefer to prespray on the detergent and then use the pressure more as a flooding rinse than a water cutting device. Give it gentle agitation with a non-rubber squeegee.

The pressure is just another form of agitation. It's the detergent that does the real work, the water pressure is just another way to get the detergent and dissolved and suspended soils out. You have to work to suit the rug and the equipment that you are using.

Wool is pretty resilient and a groom will put it right if it is not sting right at the end of the job. Silk and rayon (art silk) are another matter. You will tend to blast out any loose fibres and in a staple yarn, cut pile you will certainly lose any loose fibres that are not anchored into the backing.

Most rugs that are not too heavily soiled won't require 'blasting'.

Thanks Colin,

Do you have any specific answers to some of my questions?

Or anyone else have any input on doing a rug with the pressure wash solution?