Jim Pemberton explains
why you need to attend the
'Fabric Pro Upholstery Specialist Workshop'

For several years, cleaners have told me that they would like a hands on oriented class that taught them "how" to clean things, rather than just "what to do".

The current training classes that are available, including those I have taught, are fact and theory based, and while they tell cleaners "what to do", there rarely is enough (if any) "hands on experience" time to teach the attendees "how to clean things".

In talking to cleaners nationwide, and examining the problems they face and the best practices that have helped others avoid problems, I've learned this:

Cleaners MUST know:

1. How to Set up and Start:  A technician has to know how to talk to the customer about the cleaning job, and how to neatly and efficiently set up the work area. This commonly overlooked skill is overlooked in training classes, and yet  is critical to the outcome of the job. The best "test of this skill" is live role play where the cleaner needs to practice these vital communication skills.

2. How to Clean Upholstery from Start to Finish: It's not enough to just clean a cushion, or part of one.  The technician must participate in performing each step of the cleaning process from the beginning to the end.  Such seemingly simple things as where to start, how to  hold the cleaning tool, and how to minimize fatigue all make a big difference.

3. How to Clean Problem Fabrics: Cleaning fabrics that are known to bleed, brown, or have texture problems and NOT having those things happen greatly builds confidence so that when the technician faces their first "problem fabric" in the field, its not unfamiliar territory.  Working with these fabrics in a real world setting will greatly lessen the chance that the cleaner will damage something in the field later.

4. How to Remove Spots and Stains:  Spots and stains create many potential problems for cleaners, but the ability to remove them successfully can be the most important reason for someone to call you.

5. How to Solve Problems: How to remove water stains, correct texture distortion, and remove browning are all skills you should know to increase your confidence and improve your value as an important resource to your customer.

6. How to Treat Upholstery for Odors: How to work with the unique problems that furniture and cushion construction create when treating upholstery for odor problems, and get great results.

7. How to Sell and Apply Protector:  Fabric protection is more important for furniture than it is for carpet, but few cleaners sell this service well.  How to show your customers the value of the application, and just as importantly, how to apply it so that it works and lives up to your customers' expectations is critical.

I have never been able to share these important seven "How To's" in the existing training structure that exists within our industry.

To be able to cover these things properly, I realized that I had to dispense with covering things that are traditionally shared in conventional upholstery cleaning classes.  While some of the "fact based" training that exists may be helpful, I've learned that much of it is never used again after attending the class, and if this is so, there is no need for the information to be included in this class.

There will be information on how cleaning products work and what products and tools are needed to do the job properly that you will be able to review prior to the class.

To be able to give each student enough attention and to see to it that everyone has a positive learning experience, the class size will need to be limited to 12 people, and can only be taught here at our training facility in Mckeesport PA.

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