about to do a full detail on the wifes 7 series bimmer but i have one problem. she has chemical allergies and i can't use any chems on the interior. i have a vx 3000 steamer but what can i use on the leather seats and the carpet that won't leave a chemical smell to it. the engine and the paint i have under control. any suggestions????
the full monty
- Thread starter glfahlc1
- Start date
TroyScherer
Ummm.... Ya.....
WOW. That would be rough.
For cleaning the only thing I can think of right now is CG Nonsense All Surface Cleaner. It is claimed to be "engineered to be colorless and odor-free".
TBH I am not sure if or what you could use as a "dressing / protectant".
Wheelzntoys
New member
How about Eco Touch?
Per their website:
Made with soy and coconut based cleaners, they avoid the formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs found in most cleaning products for home and autos. Avoiding the fragrances and dyes of regular interior products cuts down on the irritating chemicals, too.
Per their website:
Made with soy and coconut based cleaners, they avoid the formaldehyde, phthalates, and VOCs found in most cleaning products for home and autos. Avoiding the fragrances and dyes of regular interior products cuts down on the irritating chemicals, too.
Addicted2Bling
New member
Use a 50/50 water and vinegar solution. Vinegar helps cut through grease and grime and will not leave a nasty scent.
Custom Care
New member
Here's a couple excerpts from a steam manual that I've found to be quite useful.
VII. NATURAL CHEMICAL SUBSTITUTES
Use Natural Chemical Substitutes to pre-treat surfaces prior to the steam application.
NEVER ADD CHEMICALS INTO THE BOILER TANK!
BLEACH
Lemon juice is a good bleach, plus it softens hard water deposits and leaves a pleasant smell. Especially effective in bathroom and kitchen areas.
AMMONIA
Use a solution of vinegar, salt and water - or use baking soda and water.
GLASS CLEANER
Use white vinegar.
OVEN CLEANER
Scrub with a paste of baking soda, salt and water.
GROUT CLEANER
Scrub with a paste of baking soda, salt and water
RUST REMOVER
A paste of lemon juice mixed with salt is a good rust remover.
METAL POLISH
Stainless Steel: Use baking soda or plain carbonated water.
Copper: Soak in vinegar and salt solution
Silver: Soak in 1 quart of warm water containing 1 tsp baking soda, 1tsp salt and a piece of aluminum foil.
CARPETS
Always VACUUM carpet first! Always TEST an area for discoloring before cleaning! Some carpets are made with vegetable dyes, which are not ―set‖ by heat — the color can bleed from heat and moisture.
Man made carpet fibers melt at temperatures 300˚ and above. The heat from the vapor system does not melt the fibers, but it can change their shape at temperatures 185˚F-250˚F. Use method described in SECTION IV to regulate the heat!
SPOT CARPET CLEANING
Use single-hole nozzle on high pressure. Blow the steam parallel to the carpet surface, working quickly in a back and forth motion. Take a towel in your hand and blow the stain into the towel. If any residue remains, gently wipe area with towel. Repeat until spot is gone.
Do not apply nozzle directly on to the spot — this keeps the heat from exceeding 180˚F- 185˚F, which can chemically ―set‖ protein-based and food dye stains onto the fibers. Once a stain is set, it is hard to remove.
To remove a set stain treat it first – see below – and then follow up with the above procedure.
Lightly mist the stain with EUROSTEAM VAPORMATE, if not available we offer the following suggestions:
PROTEIN STAIN: Dab with towel dampened with a solution of 1 teaspoon white vinegar
and 1 quart cold water.
FOOD DYE STAIN: Wet stain with a solution of water and lemon juice or white vinegar.
WATER STAIN: First wet the stain with carbonated water, then use triangular brush with 1 towel on step 1 and wipe.
REOCCURRING STAIN: If a stain comes up again and again, it has a ―reservoir‖ under the padding. Before removing the stain you have to dry it out first. Press a drying agent such as talcum powder, a mixture of cornstarch and cornmeal, or clean unscented, uncolored cat litter into the fibers — do not rub. Let sit for 20 minutes, and then vacuum it out.
SURFACE STAIN: If the stain is only on the surface of the carpet, it can be removed by shooting the steam against the spot from the side, 1‖-2‖ above surface. Hold a towel on the other side to catch the residue. This prevents driving the particles deeper into the fibers.
GUM: Same technique as SURFACE STAIN, except
VII. NATURAL CHEMICAL SUBSTITUTES
Use Natural Chemical Substitutes to pre-treat surfaces prior to the steam application.
NEVER ADD CHEMICALS INTO THE BOILER TANK!
BLEACH
Lemon juice is a good bleach, plus it softens hard water deposits and leaves a pleasant smell. Especially effective in bathroom and kitchen areas.
AMMONIA
Use a solution of vinegar, salt and water - or use baking soda and water.
GLASS CLEANER
Use white vinegar.
OVEN CLEANER
Scrub with a paste of baking soda, salt and water.
GROUT CLEANER
Scrub with a paste of baking soda, salt and water
RUST REMOVER
A paste of lemon juice mixed with salt is a good rust remover.
METAL POLISH
Stainless Steel: Use baking soda or plain carbonated water.
Copper: Soak in vinegar and salt solution
Silver: Soak in 1 quart of warm water containing 1 tsp baking soda, 1tsp salt and a piece of aluminum foil.
CARPETS
Always VACUUM carpet first! Always TEST an area for discoloring before cleaning! Some carpets are made with vegetable dyes, which are not ―set‖ by heat — the color can bleed from heat and moisture.
Man made carpet fibers melt at temperatures 300˚ and above. The heat from the vapor system does not melt the fibers, but it can change their shape at temperatures 185˚F-250˚F. Use method described in SECTION IV to regulate the heat!
SPOT CARPET CLEANING
Use single-hole nozzle on high pressure. Blow the steam parallel to the carpet surface, working quickly in a back and forth motion. Take a towel in your hand and blow the stain into the towel. If any residue remains, gently wipe area with towel. Repeat until spot is gone.
Do not apply nozzle directly on to the spot — this keeps the heat from exceeding 180˚F- 185˚F, which can chemically ―set‖ protein-based and food dye stains onto the fibers. Once a stain is set, it is hard to remove.
To remove a set stain treat it first – see below – and then follow up with the above procedure.
Lightly mist the stain with EUROSTEAM VAPORMATE, if not available we offer the following suggestions:
PROTEIN STAIN: Dab with towel dampened with a solution of 1 teaspoon white vinegar
and 1 quart cold water.
FOOD DYE STAIN: Wet stain with a solution of water and lemon juice or white vinegar.
WATER STAIN: First wet the stain with carbonated water, then use triangular brush with 1 towel on step 1 and wipe.
REOCCURRING STAIN: If a stain comes up again and again, it has a ―reservoir‖ under the padding. Before removing the stain you have to dry it out first. Press a drying agent such as talcum powder, a mixture of cornstarch and cornmeal, or clean unscented, uncolored cat litter into the fibers — do not rub. Let sit for 20 minutes, and then vacuum it out.
SURFACE STAIN: If the stain is only on the surface of the carpet, it can be removed by shooting the steam against the spot from the side, 1‖-2‖ above surface. Hold a towel on the other side to catch the residue. This prevents driving the particles deeper into the fibers.
GUM: Same technique as SURFACE STAIN, except
mrclean81
New member
Griots Interior Cleaner would be my first choice, and you can get it locally at Advanced.