Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th April 2024 Issue no. 1111

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Soapbox: What cleaning professionals need to know about pre-sprays

Doyle Bloss, marketing director for US Products, argues that for pre-spraying to work properly, you need to know what you're doing...

"With more facilities service providers now including carpet cleaning among their tasks, it is important to learn how to properly pre-spray a carpet.
Typically, carpets are first pre-sprayed and then rinsed clean using a hot-water extractor. There are several reasons for this:

Pre-spraying the carpet tends to use less chemical, which is a cost saving. Pre-spraying also allows the chemical to dwell on the carpet, breaking down and dissolving soils so that they can be more effectively removed by the extractor.

Pre-sprays are typically comprised of surfactants and solvents. Further, more advanced formulations contain an integrated blend of specialised polymers that together get carpets cleaned faster, resist future soiling, and keep carpets cleaner longer.

You need to select a pre-spray based on carpet soiling conditions and the type of carpet; pre-sprays are formulated for either lighter or heavier soiling, different types of conditions (a restaurant vs. an office, for example), and to work more specifically on different types of carpet (wool vs. nylon, etc.).
You need to apply the pre-spray using an in-line injection sprayer, pump-up sprayer, or electric/battery-powered sprayer.

Most importantly, you need to observe the proper dwell time. Prespraying before cleaning an area allows the chemicals to dwell. However, be sure not to spray so far in advance that the chemical has time to dry. If it does dry, do not reapply the chemical; instead, use the extractor wand to re-wet the area.

Agitating pre-sprayed areas can help cleaning chemicals work more effectively; consider using a carpet grooming rake or cylindrical brush machine for this task.

Extract the dirt using a hot-water carpet extractor; consider adding a compatible detergent or neutralising rinse to the rinse water to help insure proper removal of soils and chemical residue from the carpet.

Presprays are the workhorse of carpet cleaning. Used properly, they dislodge, emulsify, and suspend carpet soils, leaving carpets clean and healthy after hot-water extraction."

Toll Free: 1-800-426-4225
www.usproducts.com

3rd April 2014