One of the major benefits of bringing in a business cleaning service is the expertise and knowledge professional cleaners bring to the table. We know all the tricks of the trade, so to speak. For example, professionals know how to use the soak and wipe method to attack stubborn stains.
The soak and wipe method has been around for a long time. Still, we don’t expect most people to be familiar with it. It is a cleaning method that business cleaning pros are well acquainted with. But people who do not clean for a living don’t tend to be familiar with it.
A Simple Strategy in Principle
Soak and wipe is a simple strategy in principle. You apply a cleaning agent to a stubborn stain and give it time to soak in. Later on, you come back and wipe the surface clean. Some surfaces, like carpets for example, wouldn’t be wiped. They would be blotted instead.
Soak and wipe relies on two key things:
- Chemistry – To make the soak and wipe method work, you need the right cleaning solution. A solution that takes advantage of the principles of chemistry to break down and loosen stains is ideally what you’re after.
- Time – Cleaning solutions need time to do their work. In this regard, it’s important to follow the instructions on the cleaning product’s label. Too little time doesn’t allow a cleaning chemical to do what it needs to do. Too much time could allow the solution to evaporate before you can return to finish the job.
All Pro Cleaning Systems has built a business on commercial cleaning services. Our success lies partially in our ability to manage some of the toughest cleaning jobs around. Needless to say, we are big fans of the soak and wipe method for attacking stubborn stains.
The Choice of Cleaning Solution
Although soak and wipe is pretty basic in its implementation, one of the keys to maximizing results is choosing the right cleaning solution. There are different solutions for different types of stains. Surface type also influences cleaning solution choices. Finally, you need to know what you’re dealing with to pick the right product.
Some of the best cleaning solutions in the business can handle the toughest stains, including:
- Grease and oil.
- Mineral deposits.
- Organic stains.
- Rust and oxidation stains.
We would use a degreaser or detergent on grease and oil. If we were dealing with an organic stain, an enzymatic cleaner would be a good choice. The point is to match the chemical to the stain while also ensuring that the cleaning solution will not harm the surface being cleaned.
Keys to Remember With Soak and Wipe
As we close this post, we would like to offer some key things to remember with the soak and wipe cleaning method. First is to use your chosen cleaning solution generously. This is one job for which skimping doesn’t really work. In addition:
- Allow the solution to soak for the recommended amount of time. That could mean waiting for hours.
- Cleaning solution may have to be applied multiple times if you’re dealing with a vertical surface.
- A sponge or lint free cloth should be used for wiping or blotting. When wiping, go in one direction only.
- If a bit of scrubbing is necessary, use a soft bristle brush and a consistent motion in a single direction.
The soak and wipe method is very effective for persistent stains. There are exceptions to every rule, so it doesn’t always work. But it does work most of the time. And now you know one of our business cleaning secrets.
