Choosing The Right Carpet Care Equipment

What type of cleaning machines do carpet mill companies like Bentley Mills, Mohawk, Shaw, and Interface get behind? Models with counter-rotating brushes. Their reasoning is simple: This is the only type of machine that simultaneously lifts and cleans the carpet pile without causing any damage to the fiber.

In fact, when partnered with a dry polymer application, counter-rotating brush machines reduce the need for energy-wasting, water-intensive extraction methods. Like water recycling extractors, counter-rotating brush machines do one thing, and they do it well.

The quick-moving brushes agitate the dry polymer and a minimal amount of liquid solution into the carpet fibers. The polymer then attracts soil and dirt, trapping it until it can be removed using a heavy-suction vacuum. These methods use far less hot water than other types of carpet cleaning.

BSCs in the market for a counter-rotating brush machine should look for well-made metal units with credible replacement parts that are easily available. Be wary of knockoffs that could use fewer genuine parts and materials. Get a demonstration of any models being considered and be sure it is ergonomically friendly.

As far as the brushes are concerned, BSCs should select the stiffness based on the material that is being cleaned. Brush stiffness is color-coded and should be selected as follows: Use white brushes for wool carpets, blue/green brushes for standard floors, and yellow brushes for ceramic tile or concrete. Softer brushes can sometimes be useful for getting into tough-to-reach grout lines, as well.

Keep in mind that the brushes must comply with top carpet manufacturers’ warranties. BSCs don’t want to invest in a counter-rotating brush machine with brushes that don’t align with carpet makers’ specifications. Typically, machines with green, blue, or white brushes that touch at the apex of their motion tend to meet manufacturing parameters and perform effectively, while brushes on wider models that don’t touch are designed to be water-resistant and used in more of a hard-surface environment.

Interim Cleaning Perfection

Once BSCs have a counter-rotating brush machine, they can use it for other applications aside from deep cleans that rely on dry polymers and activating liquids. For instance, counter-rotating brush machines can help apply dry foam to carpets and upholstered furnishings.

As its name implies, dry foam takes the place of liquid applications, making it ideal for interim cleanings. Compressed air forces the dry foam between the dual cylindrical brushes and lets the equipment do the heavy work. Aside from its water-saving elements, three huge benefits to working with dry foam are that it’s odorless, it’s not aerosolized, and it brings carpet drying times down dramatically percentage-wise.

In the case of interim cleans that use liquid cleaners, BSCs are probably accustomed to sending two technicians to finish the work. But when a counter-rotating brush machine is used with dry foam, only one person is needed. This makes the machine a force multiplier for most organizations.

From a green practice perspective, BSCs would be hard-pressed to find a more impressive, responsible way to clean carpeted floors than using a counter-rotating brush with a dry polymer or dry foam application.

Training Staff

Once BSCs have decided that they want to update their equipment, they will have to make sure that the labor force understands the machines’ value. This means setting aside time to train workers on how to use the equipment and explain why the new machinery will make their jobs more satisfying.

Many workers fear technologies that will improve their efficiency because they assume their hours will end up getting cut. It’s important to dispel those worries early on, particularly among technicians who have worked in the same way for five years, 10 years or even longer.

When managers can show workers that they are not trying to get rid of any staff, but instead to grow operations and schedule more work with more clients, they will gain more buy-in and encounter less resistance.

Although not much can be done about the nation’s labor or water shortages, BSCs can do their part to successfully navigate these issues by leveraging the latest technologies in carpet cleaning equipment. Doing so will make the work greener, less wasteful and more efficient.

Brian Miller is a business support specialist at milliCare Floor & Textile Care. In his role, he supports the company’s franchises and helps them improve their efficiency and productivity as they provide essential services to commercial facilities within their local markets.