Carpet Cleaning - What's in Folex

[chefwong]

What's in Folex that makes it so good ;-)

I'm not a big fan of putting chemicals in like carpet and then not thorougly rinsing them out....but Folex did wonders on areas in my beige interior.

As well, part of my carpet trim is like a velour-tweed type and too much agitation messes up how the grain of the carpet is . I had one slight coffee spill and without a extractor, I just did a pre dwell-wet cloth wipe 2X with Folex and the coffee stain is gone.

I've got my eyes on a extractor but won't settle for a LGCM.....if and when I have the space for a extractor, then will I purchase one.

[Jakerooni]

Just about any aresol window cleaner will eleminate coffee stains on contacts as well. Coffee is probably one of if not the easiest stain to remove effectively. Never heard of Folex but it sounds like it's doing a good job for you.

[smprince1]

Originally Posted by Jakerooni

Just about any aresol window cleaner will eleminate coffee stains on contacts as well. Coffee is probably one of if not the easiest stain to remove effectively. Never heard of Folex but it sounds like it's doing a good job for you.

My experience is mixed with coffee .... if the stain is cleaned in a relatively short amount of time it cleans out easily and completely.

But, if the coffee stain has been allowed to remain for a long time it seems to actually die the fabric or yarn and it is impossible to completely remove .

[chefwong]

I hear ya. Actually the stain was there for a week as I did not notice it...
It was sitting in the cupholder, and typical NYC road - bounce bounce made a slight mess in the cupholder-center console . I did not even realize some had spilled down the side of the console onto the carpet.

The carpet was hard and I was afraid it set in too long but lo and behold, it cleaned up relatively clean.

[MobileJay]

I don't know whats in it that makes it so good but that what I use. I don't have an extractor so I just use elbow grease and Folex and it usually does the job.

[hooked]

What's the process to use for Folex? I had a few set in stains from the kid's juice spills. I sprayed the spots with Folex, let it soak in for a minute or so, scrubbed it with a brush, then soaked it up with a MF Towel. That lightened up the spots, but didn't remove them.

Am I missing a step? Do I need to repeat multiple times? Or are the stains too far gone (it's been a couple of years...didn't notice them because they were under the seat)?

[kapinnn]

I dont think you are supposed to scrub with Folex. Thought it was just blotting.

Removing Carpet Spots

[hooked]

Originally Posted by kapinnn

I dont think you are supposed to scrub with Folex. Thought it was just blotting.

Removing Carpet Spots

Wow. Thanks for the info. I did read the "agitate with fingers" on the bottle, but I thought I would "kick it up a notch" with the brush. I see the reason not to use the brush is to avoid damaging the carpet fibers. And I do blot at the end.

I'll give it another try using "the right way."

[simracer]

I don't know, but whatever it is, the dash on my BMW didn't like it.

I had an area of a paper towel that I'd used on the carpet and thought I'd just use the other side with my diluted APC for the interior. I think I ended up getting some of the Folex on the dash and the silkscreening or whatever it is on the stalks of my steering wheel (cruise, turn signals) started to smear!

So I'd just make darn sure you only use it on fabric and don't cross contaminate your towels.

[Bunky]

Originally Posted by chefwong

What's in Folex that makes it so good ;-)

I'm not a big fan of putting chemicals in like carpet and then not thorougly rinsing them out....but Folex did wonders on areas in my beige interior.

As well, part of my carpet trim is like a velour-tweed type and too much agitation messes up how the grain of the carpet is . I had one slight coffee spill and without a extractor, I just did a pre dwell-wet cloth wipe 2X with Folex and the coffee stain is gone.

I've got my eyes on a extractor but won't settle for a LGCM.....if and when I have the space for a extractor, then will I purchase one.

MSDS sheet.

CHEMICAL NAME: FOLEX Nonionic

FORMULA: o o o o o o o
CHEMICAL FAMILY: Nonionic Surfactants MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 597, average
TRADE NAME AND SYNONYMS: FOLEX; Instant Carpet Spot Remover

PHYSICAL DATA
APPEARANCE & ODOR: Essentially Pink Liquid; Mild and Odor Free
BOILING POINT: 760mm. Hg. >212° F SOLIDIFICATION TEMP.: 30° F
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: (HC-1) 1.007 @ 20/20°C VAPOR PRESSURE @ 20° C: 1mm.HG
VAPOR DENSITY: (air=1): >1 SOLUBILITY IN WATER: 100% by wt.
PERCENT VOLATILS BY VOLUME: Nil

EVAPORATION RATE: (0.01)

HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD DATA
NON FLAMMABLE: No Hazardous Chemicals

HEALTH HAZARD DATA
THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE: None Established By OSHA


EMERGENCY &
FIRST AID PROCEDURES:
In case of internal consumption drink
four (4) glasses of water in a 30
minute period & seek medical care.

EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: Nil

REACTIVITY DATA
STABILITY: Stable INCOMPATIBILITY: (Materials to avoid) None
CONDITIONS TO AVOID: None
HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS: None
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION: Will Not Occur

SPILL OR LEAK PROCEDURES
STEPS TO BE TAKEN IF MATERIAL IS RELEASED OR SPILLED: Blot With Absorbent Cloth or Mop
WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD: Bio-Degradable

SPECIAL PROTECTION INFORMATION
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None PROTECTIVE GLOVES: None
EYE PROTECTION: None OTHER PROTECTIVE EQUIP: None
VENTILATION: None LOCAL EXHAUST: None
MECHANICAL (GENERAL): Acceptable

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
None

[Cleaning Fool]

Butyl is the probobly in Folex. A common chemical used in carpet cleaning. A controversial one as well.

[brwill2005]

Originally Posted by Cleaning Fool

Butyl is the probobly in Folex. A common chemical used in carpet cleaning. A controversial one as well.

No Butyl in Folex, the MSDS is posted above. As for the effectiveness of Folex, the surfactant they use is probably just more effective than most other carpet cleaners out their. While I do not use Folex, I do use a ph neutral cleaner that contains a naturally derived non-ionic surfactant. It is extremely effective, yet very gently because it contains to organic solvents such as Butyl and is ph neutral. I use this product in my carpet extractor and as a general interior cleaner.