The Exhibitor (1954)

When shampooing your carpets you (1) vacuum thoroughly. If dirt or mud ties of any kind should be noted before shampooing is started. Next, (3) is heavily caked in the pile, it should be broken by brushing it. Then (2) determine the pile direction by rubbing with your fingertips. It is important test the colors for fading, dry rot, stains or any moth damage. Irregulari that the shampooing machine should lay pile, not raise it for best results. Streak-free Method — With a little prac¬ tice you will be able to do an even streak-free job. Correctly operated, the scrubber will contact the pile four times. In shampooing the first strip or top edge of the carpet, hold the machine so that it hugs the top, assuring that you are shampooing the pile to the very edge. Low spots due to tacking can be reached by further raising the handle. Turn on the solution and hold the scrubber until the foam is thoroughly worked into the car¬ pet. Now move the scrubber to the right over a path parallel to the edge of the rug. Turn off the solution when the scrub¬ ber is approximately 18 inches from the right edge of the carpet. The solution already released will flow down into the brush to complete the pass. For the return pass, return the scrubber over the same path from right to left edge of the carpet with the solution turned off. Now repeat the procedure outlined to insure thorou<^h cleaning of the top edge. Then lower the scrubber one full lap and proceed with solution three. On all subsequent laps, lower the scrubber one full lap at the left edge of the carpet for the next solution pass and raise the scrubber three-quarters of a lap at the right edge for the next return pass. Cleaning Aisles — Since most aisles are too narrow to permit scrubbing on a plane from the lobby to the screen, it is necessary to make shorter passes, from one side of the aisle to the other. Such scrub¬ bing often does not permit the operation of the scrubber in the correct relation to the direction of the pile. In such cases good results may be obtained by laying the pile while wet-vacuuming after scrubbing. Immediately upon completion of sham¬ pooing with the scrubber, the pile should be brushed two ways; first up and then down. This can be done with a longhandled pile-laying brush, or with the Most theatre aisles are too narrow to permit a proper pass with the machine. Since shorter passes must be used, it is necessary to take care. vacuum machine’s brush attachment. This reduces drying time considerably. If pos¬ sible, avoid walking on the carpet until it is dry three to six hours. It is important to vaccum the carpet carefully after it dries in order to remove sand and grit loosened by the scrubber and shampoo solution. Frequent vacuumings for seven to 10 days following sham¬ pooing will enhance the carpet’s ap¬ pearance. Hints and Precautions Shampooing under radiators in coiners, and other areas that cannot be reached by the machine should be done first with a small hand brush. Particular attention should be given these areas because they are usually the dirtiest. Dip the brush in a pail containing shampoo solution and brush with a circular motion. When fin¬ ished throw away this solution; do not use it in the scrubber tank. Extreme caution is required when shampooing twist weave pile surfaces in order not to remove the twists. Dilute the shampoo solution one part concentrate to eight parts of moderately warm water. Operate machine on a separate piece of carpet until the brush is thoroughly lubri¬ cated with foam, then work on the twist weave surface, passing over the surface rapidly. A worn brush or one with a softer fiber fill is recommended for use on twist weave carpets. Sand and dirt in a carpet cuts the pile, causing a lint which very often goes unnoticed until the vacuum or scrubber dislodges it. When excessive lint is en¬ countered, clean the filters and brushes frequently. When possible it is best to remove (Continued on page PT -15) Then you (4) attach the brush to the rotator, and (5) then mix the solution average softness, mix one part shampoo to 20 parts water. Finally (6) properly. One gallon of solution should shampoo 80 to 100 square feet, adjust your machine with the wheel carriage lowered until the brush is depending on the pile depth. This is for hard water areas. In water with well lubricated with foam. After a careful check you are ready to begin. PT-6 PHYSICAL THEATRE DEPARTMENT of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR January 5, 1955