How To Encap – The Basics
The following is a set of basic guidelines to give you an idea of what is involved in Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning. It looks and sounds simple but to get the absolute optimum benefit from encapping we recommend you attend the Ultimate Encap Course. (click on link)
There are 4 steps to the encapping process;
Pre-Vacuum
Application
Agitation
Extraction/Post Vacuum
The three soil types in carpet are as follows:
Dry Particulate = 79%, Oily soils 11%, and Water soluble soils 10%
For best cleaning results all three soil types require specific attention in the following manner.
PRE-VACUUM (to reduce the 79% dry particulate)
For a healthy clean thorough pre-vacuuming has a major role in carpet cleaning as it is the dry particulate that harbours the pathogens in carpet which can adversely affect indoor air quality.
Vacuuming also removes those soils that would otherwise turn to mud after detergent is applied to the carpet.
These same soils may have insoluble particulate that absorbs detergent and therefore reduce the efficiency of the clean.
The lesson here is that encapping, like all carpet cleaning methods, relies on thorough pre-vacuuming preferably with a quality commercial upright.
APPLICATION (to solubilise the 21% oily and water soluble soils)
There are two methods you can choose to apply the detergent.
1) Independent sprayer
2) Gravity tank feed
The method of applying detergent is more personal preference than one is better than the other.
The important part to remember is that you apply the right amount to get the desired outcome. The amount will depend on many factors i.e. carpet construction, fibre type, degree of soiling etc.
Dilute your product as recommended e.g. 1:32 as standard or say 1:16 for heavy duty cleaning.
Remember to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when mixing e.g. some products require hot water to get best results whereas others may not.
Sprayers can be manual pump up, 12 volt re chargeable or 240 volt electric. When using a sprayer choose coarse jet sizes over fine in order to get more product on the floor. Fine jets can atomise the product so that it floats in the air rather than making full contact with the carpet. Spray application must be uniform to give full coverage. Use fan jet spray tips in preference to conical. Overlapping spray strokes with fan jet spray tips is more accurate than conical sprayers.
Spray application is far more reliable than tank feed and requires less skill to master.
The trick with a tank feed scrubber is to know how much detergent is actually being distributed.
Remember you only need to spray or release enough product onto the carpet to produce a light foam that disappears in a few seconds. Heavy foaming is undesirable and may result in problems by causing the carpet to dry to a crunchy finish.
AGITATION
There are several machinery options from which to choose such as;
Rotary
Cylindrical brush
Orbital /Oscillating
Planetary
The choice is personal preference, however rotary is, without doubt, the most popular and economical.
BRUSH OR PAD?
Neither is suitable in all instances. That’s what makes the difference between an expert encapper who gets great results every time over a part-timer who gets acceptable results some of the time. The expertise is knowing what and when to use by combining the right brush followed by the right pad when required.
This choice is relative to:-
1. the type of machine being used,
2. the condition of the carpet,
3. the construction and
4. the fibre type.
The trick to becoming an encap expert is knowing what combo works which is all covered in the Ultimate Encap Course. (click on link)
Regardless of the machine used, once you have enough product laid down to suit the conditions, agitation becomes the most critical component of the cleaning process. Inadequate or improper application of the agitation will show in your results. The key here is slow and deliberate overlapping scrub paths. Do not be afraid to re-scrub areas that are not responding to expectations.
Contrary to common belief encapping is not necessarily a fast cleaning method so the lesson is to focus on the result rather than the time taken.
EXTRACTION
There are two methods for extracting encapsulated soils
· Absorbent Pad
· Post vacuum
An absorbent pad (usually cotton) via a rotary scrubber with a pad driver/drive plate. This can be used immediately after initial scrubbing to pick up solubilised soils for an immediate improvement in the cleaning result. This additional process not only provides the wow factor but has the added benefit of faster drying. For serious encappers this is standard practice.
Actual extraction of the encapsulated soils is otherwise handled by the next vacuuming cycle/s but only after the product has had 24 – 48 hours to harden/cure.