Steam cleaning truck interior?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Flipflops, Oct 19, 2015.

  1. Flipflops

    Flipflops Heavy Load Member

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    Hello drivers!

    I got a older truck that is mostly fabric inside. It's not in a terrible condition at all, no tips or tears or crazy stains. But the driver before me had a home made carpet. When I threw it out it was like a sand of dust beneath it. I swept, washed and vacuumed. However there is a lot of dust in the fabric and it actually bites my nostrils. I was wondering if anyone has used a steam cleaner to get it out? What type of steam cleaner and what procedure? What were the results ? Or if you paid a service to do it how much was it and how was the job?

    I'm debating on buying a $2000 worth of steam cleaning and extracting equipment to bring inside of the truck back to fresh life and clean air.
     
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  3. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Shop vac is the closest thing to a steam cleaner I have ever used in mine.

    When the carpet and mats get worn/stained,.. I just replace them. I have a small hand held vac I use while out on the road in combination with a small broom for the tight areas.

    As for allergens and dust. My wife suffers sinus issues from this. We found that Fabreeze has an anti-allergen spray. Combination of that and lysol have made a world of difference.That and cleaning the dash/gauges and dusting on a regular basis.

    Hurst
     
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  4. Flipflops

    Flipflops Heavy Load Member

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    My dashboard and rubber floor is always clean but the fabric not so much in the sleeper. It's gotten to the point where few times I'll wake up with dust balls in my throat and spit out white nasty crap. I'll try the steamer and shop vac just to see what it does and update the thread.

    I can't imagine how some guys sleep in some of the trucks I've seen.
     
  5. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Have you replaced the mattress?

    That was the first thing I did in mine.

    The rest was just a matter of elbow grease with lots and lots of disinfectant and cleaning sprays.

    Mine is an 05 Columbia. The previous drivers were not kind to the interior of this truck.

    Hurst
     
    blairandgretchen, dog-c and Flipflops Thank this.
  6. Flipflops

    Flipflops Heavy Load Member

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    Yeah I got a new mattress and one of those pricey foams to put over it. I change my sheets/pillow cases once a week since Im home weekly.

    Mine is a 2007 volvo. Looks new, drives like its new and I love it but I sweep,vacuum, while down twice a week with Lysol and upholstery cleaner for the dash. Every morning I spray fabreeze to have a fresh scent in the cab. Only thing that bothers me is this dust situation lol . I Don't have OCD but I like to be clean and be in a clean environment when I sleep or eat.
     
  7. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    I have OCD and ADD. So I start in one spot,.. then grab some armor all wipes,.. then return to the steering wheel and doors with 409 cleaner,.. then see a foot print on the floor,. grab lysol,.. then back to the doors.

    And yes,.. I'm that bad. Walking the flea market talking with my wife,.. oh,.. shiney,.. what did you say dear?

    Hurst
     
  8. Flipflops

    Flipflops Heavy Load Member

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    The foot print!!! That bothers me too! Or when I do the dash and get some on the windshield.

    Btw what my dad taught me as far as windows is get news papers, not the color thick ones but the old type of news papers, especially if they're free. They will clean your glass streak free and easy. Way better than paper towels or rags.
     
    NavigatorWife Thanks this.
  9. scottied67

    scottied67 Road Train Member

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    You can rent a steam vac. Spray upholstry cleaner then suck it back up with the vac.
    harborfreighttools sells a steam machine thing, you put water in it, plug it in for 10 minutes and pull the trigger it pumps out 220 degree steam and will loosen most gunk then wipe up. No harsh chemicals in the environment. I use it to clean tile grout and tub/shower back home and surfaces on the truck. Works outstanding on the mirrors/glass and headlights.
     
    NavigatorWife and Flipflops Thank this.
  10. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    Are you sure it is the fabric? Have you replaced the A/C filter and cleaned the vents?
     
    blairandgretchen and Flipflops Thank this.
  11. Straight Stacks

    Straight Stacks Paper Cha$er

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    Check into a process called "Bio Sweet" guaranteed to work. I'm going to have it performed on my tractor as the O/O I purchased my truck from was a smoker...I am not.
     
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