Caravan Carpet Cleaning, help needed

[(RIP) PLANK]

Just bought a lovely Swift Fairway, one owner and full service history. The problem is the owner covered the carpet with 'flotex' to protect it. Great I thought nice clean carpets. What he didn't tell me is that he stuck it down with some kind of double sided sticky stuff!

Question, how do I clean the sticky residue off the, without wrecking the carpet?

I am away until Monday so won't be doing it until then so If my replies are slow I apologise in advance.

[firebobby]

I found this, it may help, but sounds like you will be using up plenty of elbow gease

Removing adhesives from carpeting can be a time consuming job as it must be worked out of the carpet fibers. There are plenty of products available to aid in the process, but the larger the area that’s affected, the longer it’s going to take. There are no shortcuts with this clean-up job, but the results will be well worth the effort.
You Will Need:
Cleaning Product (choose one)
GooGone (available at Walmart or other department and home improvement stores)
Lighter fluid
De-Solv-It (available at Walmart with the furniture polishes)
Rubbing alcohol
Soft cloths
Mild soap
Water
Bucket
Rubber gloves
Vacuum
Steps to Remove the Residue:


Begin by choosing the desired cleaning product. If the first one doesn’t work, feel free to try a second. You may find that one works better for the particular type of tape residue found on your particular type of carpet, so feel free to experiment.
It is best to work in small lengths along the strip of residue.
Apply a small amount of cleaner to a section of the residue. Try to keep your section less than 12 inches.
Wearing rubber gloves, gently rub the fibers of the carpet to work in the cleaner and loosen the residue.
Gently rub the fibers with the soft cloth to remove the residue. Continue working with clean areas of the cloth until all of the residue is gone.
Move onto the next section and repeat the process above.
When the entire area of residue is removed, the next step is to remove the cleaning product.
Wash the area with a mild soap and water mixture. Moisten a soft cloth and gently wipe the area until all of the cleaner is gone.
Allow the area to dry completely.
When the entire area is dry, vacuum to restore the fibers to their normal texture.
Additional Tips and Ideas
When using products designed to break down adhesives, ensure that you only moisten the tops of the fibers. If the product soaks into the carpet backing, it will dissolve the glue that holds the carpet together and cause a much bigger problem.

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by firebobby

I found this, it may help, but sounds like you will be using up plenty of elbow gease

Removing adhesives from carpeting can be a time consuming job as it must be worked out of the carpet fibers. There are plenty of products available to aid in the process, but the larger the area that’s affected, the longer it’s going to take. There are no shortcuts with this clean-up job, but the results will be well worth the effort.
You Will Need:
Cleaning Product (choose one)
GooGone (available at Walmart or other department and home improvement stores)
Lighter fluid
De-Solv-It (available at Walmart with the furniture polishes)
Rubbing alcohol
Soft cloths
Mild soap
Water
Bucket
Rubber gloves
Vacuum
Steps to Remove the Residue:


Begin by choosing the desired cleaning product. If the first one doesn’t work, feel free to try a second. You may find that one works better for the particular type of tape residue found on your particular type of carpet, so feel free to experiment.
It is best to work in small lengths along the strip of residue.
Apply a small amount of cleaner to a section of the residue. Try to keep your section less than 12 inches.
Wearing rubber gloves, gently rub the fibers of the carpet to work in the cleaner and loosen the residue.
Gently rub the fibers with the soft cloth to remove the residue. Continue working with clean areas of the cloth until all of the residue is gone.
Move onto the next section and repeat the process above.
When the entire area of residue is removed, the next step is to remove the cleaning product.
Wash the area with a mild soap and water mixture. Moisten a soft cloth and gently wipe the area until all of the cleaner is gone.
Allow the area to dry completely.
When the entire area is dry, vacuum to restore the fibers to their normal texture.
Additional Tips and Ideas
When using products designed to break down adhesives, ensure that you only moisten the tops of the fibers. If the product soaks into the carpet backing, it will dissolve the glue that holds the carpet together and cause a much bigger problem.

Thanks, I have read it thoroughly - does anyone want to buy a caravan?

[Kamsin]

Use brake cleaner, wipe on wipe off, should do it without any problems

[firebobby]

Originally Posted by PLANK

Thanks, I have read it thoroughly - does anyone want to buy a caravan?

Get those sleeves rolled up and get on with it
Why not but another carpet, if your one is very bad, this may be the cheaper option

[spinna]

As Kamsin said brake cleaner, ive used it on roof lining with great results. Failing that new carpet wouldn't cost too much.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by firebobby

Get those sleeves rolled up and get on with it
Why not but another carpet, if your one is very bad, this may be the cheaper option

Carpet tiles, then as they wear, shuffle or replace.

[CaptLimey]

Hi Plank
I find that neat acetone dissolves most adhesive residue without affecting the underlying surface IF you lift it quick enough with a clean paper towel but beware of leaving it too long as it may affect the underlying carpet structure!
Bon chance! CL

[(RIP) PLANK]

cheers everyone, I popped into Chichester caravans on Saturday and they sold me a bottle of stuff specially for getting glue off carpets and they say it's very good. I will give it a go when the weather improves a bit. If it works I will post the brand and the results

[supergnome]

Plank, please take care with any solvents. Most are not good for you when used in a confined. David.

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by supergnome

Plank, please take care with any solvents. Most are not good for you when used in a confined. David.

Thanks for the reminder, I will be very careful, hence ,me waiting for the weather to improve so i can leave all the windows open. I am allergic to a lot of cleaning products so i have to be cautious with stuff like this anyway. A very good point

[(RIP) PLANK]

I had some fun doing this today, I'll tell you tomorrow if it's worked when it's had time to dry

[(RIP) PLANK]

so, tried the caravans shops 'potion' - crap! Tried glue and tar remover - moderate. Tried Petrol - moderate. Tried brake cleaner - cool

Filled wet vac half full with water and stood it outside (my own precaution as brake cleaner is flammable) then sprayer scrubbed and sucked it off.

the carpet is now spotless

New question: any tips on how to get the smell of, carpet cleaner, tar and glue remover, petrol, brake cleaner, out of the caravan?

[firebobby]

Originally Posted by PLANK

so, tried the caravans shops 'potion' - crap! Tried glue and tar remover - moderate. Tried Petrol - moderate. Tried brake cleaner - cool

Filled wet vac half full with water and stood it outside (my own precaution as brake cleaner is flammable) then sprayer scrubbed and sucked it off.

the carpet is now spotless

New question: any tips on how to get the smell of, carpet cleaner, tar and glue remover, petrol, brake cleaner, out of the caravan?

Do the shake and vac and put the freshness back do the shake and vac and put the freshness back , you could sing this while doing it as well, you may even want to do a little dance at the same time
Check out car shops for carpet fresheners,
I once used fabreeze in a rather smelly caravan, that helped as long as you don't mind the smell of the stuff

[(RIP) PLANK]

I'm allergic to air freshners so all of the above are out! But in Kim and Aggie style ceaned it all with hot lemon juice today and so far so good :-)