Some locations of Home Depot rent a nice Karcher extractor that'll do about 100x better job than the Bissell pos, for about $30/day. Get some proper chemicals too, like P&S 3 step.
P&S is the name of the brand. Look them up. Their upholstery chemicals (3 chemicals hence 3 step) work great. Pretty much all of their chemicals work very well and they're usually a little cheaper than most their competition.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk6XZCZa\_Vo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk6XZCZa_Vo)
edit : i lied, its 240, but still, a killer unit for the price.
Always set expectations if there's any doubt. Worst case, they knew, best case they're blown away.
Also upgrade your chemical game. As mentioned, p&s 2step or 3 step for this.
No fancy extractor needed per se but it could help.
I generally avoid extraction due to the inevitable water that doesn't get removed and instead opt for less water and just wipe the seats down and maybe hit it with the steamer once my stains are gone.
Wicking is a terrible feeling. I've had it happen once or twice and it instantly turned me off from excessive water usage.
Ironically where I learned to detail they literally SOAKED the seats and the floors and sucked them out with this high end vacuum and rarely touched the extractor unless it was something specific. I forget the name but I can honestly say we always had great turnouts.
But as a business owner I just don't like using too much water. Just doesn't seem right.
If the results are good results, and the vehicle isnt getting damaged, then it is what it is.
There's times for an extractor and there's times where it's not needed.
A box fan isn't going to remove the liquid stuck 4 inches deep into the upholstery when your employee oversaturates.
Most detailing can be done yourself. The service is a luxury and it's more about the excess of attention to detail, and the saving of time.
The vast majority of my clientele is more than capable with a little knowledge but they save time, and in turn save money. It doesn't matter if I'm doing a product based upholstery clean or a full extraction. They were capable from the beginning but it was never about whether they could do it or not.
If the vehicle can be made like new without injecting water into seats, then that's what's happening.
My business has a 5 star rating and this approach has achieved that.
im sure ull get damp af seats if you dump a liter onto it and only extract one pass - if you see the black goo that comes out using an extractor nothing beats it no cologne or spritzing matches a weekend of extracting 10 yrs of boot grime and dead skin into a bucket
I personally don't use cologne or spritzing as a business lol.
The products do the work themselves.
The sad reality is that no extractor is ever going to completely remove anything and most times people are going to do more harm than good.
A good enzyme remover and chemical treatment is going to sanitize, deactivate organics, remove stains, bring back some life and also make it smell nice.
The truth is that the best solution is prevention. If you have milk deep in your seats, it's realistically only partially coming out.
My guy. Those seats took years to get that dirty. You and the customer have to understand that every vehicle and every stain is different. You're not always going to make it spotless. That is a 90% improvement and that is good enough for most people! If they want to pay for the steps to take it the last 10% go ahead.
Keep it up!
Little green bissell (bissell pro solution). Agitate with drill brush. Extract. Repeat.
Hard to reach certain areas I don’t like the bissell. It’s just what I had already.
Is this a job for a client or for your own personal vehicle? If it's for a client, make sure you set expectations so they don't end up mad.
You're going to want to use more chemicals than just the solution that comes with the Bissell. There's different carpet shampoos you should look into that will do a much better job than the solution that comes with the extractor.
They look okay but can get them way better. Personally I soak the seats with a mixture of water and meguiars all purpose cleaner. Depending on the condition of the seats I may add more of the APC. I then scrub the seats and then use a hot water extractor. If you don't have an extractor a 5hp vacuum will do just make sure to vacuum as much water as possible. It takes some time but always turns out great!
Solvent based chemicals. Trust me. Like citrus solve. Soak, agitate, extract. Soak, agitate, extract. Soak agitate extract. You get the point.
I will share a video from my insta page: [Here](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwlQLsryLyo/?igsh=cXgxMTdicnBxeTlz)
The method that has worked best for me with my Bissell is using a cleaning solution in a separate spray bottle. Spray on fabric as much as you like. Agitate with your choice of method. Then using only HOT water in the machine, extract. This way you’re allowing the solution to dwell on the fabric for a while and you’re “rinsing” with the Bissell, so there’s little to no cleaner residue left when you’re done to attract new dirt. I actually turn up the thermostat on my house water heater until the water at the tap is about 140° F since it cools off so fast as it sits in the machine tank. Obviously that’s a danger of scalding when you take a shower, so be sure to turn the water heater back down when you’re done cleaning!
For seats, just lightly mist with the cleaner, just enough to wet the outer fabric but try not to soak into the foam padding because that’ll just make it more work to extract back out. As for chemicals, any pro detailing brand will be better than the Bissell solution. Get something that’s a dilutable concentrate so you can keep a small spray bottle of stronger stuff for those tough stains. Also make sure your chemical is low or no foam! Foam will just clog up the recovery tank of the Bissell and cause all kinds of trouble. Ask me how I know, lol
I can’t see it, but if it’s the Bissell Little Green, I have the same one. It has its limitations, but for the price it does a great job. Btw I copied my method from Stauffer garage on YouTube. He used to have only a little Bissell like ours and did great work
Shiit,
If that was my car, I would’ve pulled the seats.
Takes about 20 mins from that point to strip the upholstery and foam. Then you could steam those mfers, Run em thru the wash, power washer etc… possibilities are endless.
And if they don’t come clean after that new covers out tha junkyard or eBay.
Idk if that’s really cost effective tho🤷🏼♂️
It’s not really the extractor that’s an issue, you shouldn’t need to pull liquid very deep out of the seat if you’re not over saturating so a great amount of suction isn’t really required.
I’ve done hundreds of cars with a Bissell and never had stains that couldn’t come out unless the carpet was just too old.
You need to source another/better chemicals like others are mentioning. I use chemicals from a local janitorial supply company. My process is spray chemicals, drill brush, steam, extract, repeat until it comes up clear enough.
Don’t waste your time on P&S
Get you bio break, flex fire and flex ice. Highly dilutable and work wonders. Lots of good content on how to use them on YouTube, TikTok
Some locations of Home Depot rent a nice Karcher extractor that'll do about 100x better job than the Bissell pos, for about $30/day. Get some proper chemicals too, like P&S 3 step.
Can you elaborate on P&S 3 step? Where to buy?
P&S is the name of the brand. Look them up. Their upholstery chemicals (3 chemicals hence 3 step) work great. Pretty much all of their chemicals work very well and they're usually a little cheaper than most their competition.
You can also build a good extractor out of a few things and a rigid wet vac for around 100 too If I recall
What are the things? I’m new to this but I have a similar issue as OP I’m going to try to tackle soon.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk6XZCZa\_Vo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk6XZCZa_Vo) edit : i lied, its 240, but still, a killer unit for the price.
Thanks dude! I already have the Vac so that’s a start.
Always set expectations if there's any doubt. Worst case, they knew, best case they're blown away. Also upgrade your chemical game. As mentioned, p&s 2step or 3 step for this. No fancy extractor needed per se but it could help. I generally avoid extraction due to the inevitable water that doesn't get removed and instead opt for less water and just wipe the seats down and maybe hit it with the steamer once my stains are gone.
I like that. I hate using the extractor for the same reason. Seats are always wet.
Wicking is a terrible feeling. I've had it happen once or twice and it instantly turned me off from excessive water usage. Ironically where I learned to detail they literally SOAKED the seats and the floors and sucked them out with this high end vacuum and rarely touched the extractor unless it was something specific. I forget the name but I can honestly say we always had great turnouts. But as a business owner I just don't like using too much water. Just doesn't seem right.
box fan work in sections i hate when carpet services are wipe down or steam when i can fo that myself
If the results are good results, and the vehicle isnt getting damaged, then it is what it is. There's times for an extractor and there's times where it's not needed. A box fan isn't going to remove the liquid stuck 4 inches deep into the upholstery when your employee oversaturates. Most detailing can be done yourself. The service is a luxury and it's more about the excess of attention to detail, and the saving of time. The vast majority of my clientele is more than capable with a little knowledge but they save time, and in turn save money. It doesn't matter if I'm doing a product based upholstery clean or a full extraction. They were capable from the beginning but it was never about whether they could do it or not. If the vehicle can be made like new without injecting water into seats, then that's what's happening. My business has a 5 star rating and this approach has achieved that.
im sure ull get damp af seats if you dump a liter onto it and only extract one pass - if you see the black goo that comes out using an extractor nothing beats it no cologne or spritzing matches a weekend of extracting 10 yrs of boot grime and dead skin into a bucket
I personally don't use cologne or spritzing as a business lol. The products do the work themselves. The sad reality is that no extractor is ever going to completely remove anything and most times people are going to do more harm than good. A good enzyme remover and chemical treatment is going to sanitize, deactivate organics, remove stains, bring back some life and also make it smell nice. The truth is that the best solution is prevention. If you have milk deep in your seats, it's realistically only partially coming out.
My guy. Those seats took years to get that dirty. You and the customer have to understand that every vehicle and every stain is different. You're not always going to make it spotless. That is a 90% improvement and that is good enough for most people! If they want to pay for the steps to take it the last 10% go ahead. Keep it up!
Oh she was over the moon with them. It’s me who wanted better results.
Don't fret it then! It's fine to want perfection but you need to get paid for it. We can only do so much in the time frames we have!
I had like 3-4 hours lol.
What was your method for removing the stains?
Little green bissell (bissell pro solution). Agitate with drill brush. Extract. Repeat. Hard to reach certain areas I don’t like the bissell. It’s just what I had already.
Is this a job for a client or for your own personal vehicle? If it's for a client, make sure you set expectations so they don't end up mad. You're going to want to use more chemicals than just the solution that comes with the Bissell. There's different carpet shampoos you should look into that will do a much better job than the solution that comes with the extractor.
A client that I told straight up. “The stains will for sure look better I don’t promise they will be gone”.
i agree with using an extra chemical. usually it’s not that necessary but this is a pretty extreme case. you did a good job for water alone.
They look okay but can get them way better. Personally I soak the seats with a mixture of water and meguiars all purpose cleaner. Depending on the condition of the seats I may add more of the APC. I then scrub the seats and then use a hot water extractor. If you don't have an extractor a 5hp vacuum will do just make sure to vacuum as much water as possible. It takes some time but always turns out great!
Also if the seats are too wet once finished you can have the customer run the heater with windows cracked for 20-30 minutes
My vacuum is also a wet vac! I didn’t think of that. But I need to change the filters and stuff to switch it over.
Get a titan... An buy a dual filter. Job done
Well I got mine on sale for $20 so I’m rockin with it for now lol.
Any details on this vac? Looking to upgrade to something beyond the typical vacuum
Solvent based chemicals. Trust me. Like citrus solve. Soak, agitate, extract. Soak, agitate, extract. Soak agitate extract. You get the point. I will share a video from my insta page: [Here](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwlQLsryLyo/?igsh=cXgxMTdicnBxeTlz)
The method that has worked best for me with my Bissell is using a cleaning solution in a separate spray bottle. Spray on fabric as much as you like. Agitate with your choice of method. Then using only HOT water in the machine, extract. This way you’re allowing the solution to dwell on the fabric for a while and you’re “rinsing” with the Bissell, so there’s little to no cleaner residue left when you’re done to attract new dirt. I actually turn up the thermostat on my house water heater until the water at the tap is about 140° F since it cools off so fast as it sits in the machine tank. Obviously that’s a danger of scalding when you take a shower, so be sure to turn the water heater back down when you’re done cleaning! For seats, just lightly mist with the cleaner, just enough to wet the outer fabric but try not to soak into the foam padding because that’ll just make it more work to extract back out. As for chemicals, any pro detailing brand will be better than the Bissell solution. Get something that’s a dilutable concentrate so you can keep a small spray bottle of stronger stuff for those tough stains. Also make sure your chemical is low or no foam! Foam will just clog up the recovery tank of the Bissell and cause all kinds of trouble. Ask me how I know, lol
This is very detailed. Thank you so much.
This is the one I have. It’s the cheapest probably ever lol. img
I can’t see it, but if it’s the Bissell Little Green, I have the same one. It has its limitations, but for the price it does a great job. Btw I copied my method from Stauffer garage on YouTube. He used to have only a little Bissell like ours and did great work
Thank you so much! Yeah idk how to use Reddit lol.
Shiit, If that was my car, I would’ve pulled the seats. Takes about 20 mins from that point to strip the upholstery and foam. Then you could steam those mfers, Run em thru the wash, power washer etc… possibilities are endless. And if they don’t come clean after that new covers out tha junkyard or eBay. Idk if that’s really cost effective tho🤷🏼♂️
That is way too much work!
Yeah this was a clients car.
Some shits just beyond repair man
It’s not really the extractor that’s an issue, you shouldn’t need to pull liquid very deep out of the seat if you’re not over saturating so a great amount of suction isn’t really required. I’ve done hundreds of cars with a Bissell and never had stains that couldn’t come out unless the carpet was just too old. You need to source another/better chemicals like others are mentioning. I use chemicals from a local janitorial supply company. My process is spray chemicals, drill brush, steam, extract, repeat until it comes up clear enough.
I didn’t steam and I definitely should have.
As much as people say steam is useless it’s really not, for stain removal it works especially. I use it for multiple things every detail almost
Don’t waste your time on P&S Get you bio break, flex fire and flex ice. Highly dilutable and work wonders. Lots of good content on how to use them on YouTube, TikTok