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| Thursday, July 29, 2010 |
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| [Wednesday, September 06, 2006] |
| Please give the rundown on the carpet cleaning system known as encapsulation. I have read several varying reports of the best method and machinery to use. I took your advice on a nursing home project mentioned in a previous question, and now the carpet is looking good again. Do you recommend encapsulation as a maintenance method, or should I continue
extracting and rinsing?
My understanding is that the product is pre-sprayed onto the carpet, then agitated with a floor machine and pads. Are the pads applied to the carpet wet or dry? Cotton pads or rayon? Is a 175 rpm machine effective for this type of carpet care?
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| Carpet/Furniture Care - Burt Forney |
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Answer:
Industry acceptance of encapsulation as an interim carpet maintenance process is rapidly growing. You will want to augment this with periodic extraction to facilitate rinsing of sediment trapped deep within the carpet. Hot water extraction will effectively flush remaining debris and residue from the base of the carpet. Extraction frequency can greatly vary depending upon soil loads, cleaning frequency, carpet fibers, and color. Some facilities use hot water extraction every fourth cleaning.
There are some excellent mist and brush machines designed just for encapsulation cleaning. However, if you only have a 175 rpm floor machine and bonnets, those will work fine. A solution pre-spray allows for extra contact time. I would slightly dampen the bonnets (either cotton, rayon, or a blend) prior to use with either water or the encapsulation cleaner. This will allow the floor machine to glide easier and protect carpet fibers from too much aggression and heat. Or, a shower feed tank can apply the solution and allow a double pass operation. Either way, change bonnets regularly and check carpet care instructions prior to use for suitability with bonnet cleaning techniques.
Gary Clipperton
National Pro Clean Corp.
(719) 598-5112
www.nationalproclean.com
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| ICAN representative |
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