Although encapsulation is considered “interim” carpet cleaning, I highly recommend more of it more often to avoid/limit how often one must use HWE (Hot Water Extraction).  My reasoning may be simplistic but I am seeing more and more carpet damaged by too much solution not pulled out during the cleaning process.  I also am seeing a lot of “dirty” carpet from an over abundance of shampoo and soap residue left in the fibers.  Of course, the best cure for that is to correctly rinse the carpet with an HWE unit and add plenty of de-foam to the collection tank.

 

Just in case you do not understand encapsulation, it is application of a chemical (low moisture) that has a charge and other properties that attracts soil to it as it dries.  The charge and other properties have to be formulated to cause the soil to release from the carpet fibers and once dried, allow itself to be vacuumed up.  The vacuuming is one time when a good quality, HEPA type filtered upright vacuum cleaner with a good beater bar might work well.  

 

Hot Water Extraction and shampooing may have their place in certain circumstances but neither of them can hold a candle to a well trained and equipped carpet tech using a quality encapsulation process to 1) clean the carpet throughout the building, 2) maintain high traffic areas and 3) reduce the clean/filthy cycles that are the result of only being able to afford HWE on an infrequent basis.  

 

By the way, one of the key benefits to using encapsulation is the labor savings ro the results achieved.  Give it a try and let me know what you think.  

 

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

 

 

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.

 


posted on 10/20/2014