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Cleaning Cloth

Have you guys ever attempted to clean your cloth or do you just replace it?

I rented a carpet shampooer from the grocery store but was thinking of having a carpet cleaning company see how much it would be.

What are your thoughts?

TIA

John
 
I have cleaned cloth for few reasons. Over greasing Bearings or hydraulic leak soiled cloth. In some areas there may have been an algae accumulation. Took over for a guy who did not have water / soap on the bcloth and dirt had accumulated. In some cases I stripped the cloth and put it in the washer that we use for towels with a bleach or degreasing solution. Sometimes I was amazed at how good it looked. Other times, not so much.
 
I'll replace it if it is worn, but if it is just looking dirty or discolored and has a good amount of life left, I will clean it. I find it cleans best when it is soaked for a period of time - several hours if you can, maybe on a rainy day or after hours/overnight.

I use a degreasing type solution - can be one you would use in ss bays. (You'll probably have to use something stronger if you have an oil leak on the cloth.) Use a pretty strong concentration of it - mixed with water, and let it soak for a while in an old drum. Take it out, and pressure wash it with just water and you will see a huge improvement. It will be several shades lighter and will get rid of the dingy discoloration and bring back the original coloring of the cloth. When you pressure wash it, place the strips against a clean hard surface on the floor, or hung against a wall so you can direct the pressure onto it without forgiveness.

I'm not so sure if it is the cleaner you use as much as the dwell time that makes the difference. Saoking it in the cleaner solution really allows the cleaner to penetrate into the cloth. Be sure to rinse it well so you are not putting any of this solution on your cars. It rinses easily with the pressure washer against a hard surface.

Of course, the best way to clean cloth is to keep it lubricated in your wash with solutions, and have as much dirt as possible removed from the car before the cloth touches it, but I know cloth can still discolor somewhat over time.

I don't know if you can do this with foam/closed cell materials. I have never tried.
 
Cleaning Cloth Wash Material.

AFTER CLOSING, SPRAY IT DOWN WITH SOME ALL PURPOSE CLEAN, LET IT DWELL AND THEN POWER WASH IT WITH A HIGH PRESSURE WASHER.

IF THE ALGAE IS REALLY THICK SPRAY THAT WITH A WATER/BLEACH MIX AND PRESSURE WASH THAT OFF AND THEN SPRAY WITH ALL PURPOSE.

REGARDS



Have you guys ever attempted to clean your cloth or do you just replace it?

I rented a carpet shampooer from the grocery store but was thinking of having a carpet cleaning company see how much it would be.

What are your thoughts?

TIA

John
 
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