What ProChoice Says About VLM Encapsulation Methods

[sysop]

SPRAY & BRUSH TECHNIQUE: Pre-vacuum carpet. Dilute to manufacturers specs. Simply evenly spray carpet with solution or apply with a rotary shampoo machine. Then brush carpet using floor machine with red or white buffing pad or nylon carpet brush. Soil will be absorbed by solution then become a brittle crystal, which is removed during normal vacuuming. This is a very fast and efficient interim cleaning method. Carpets stay clean much longer.

BONNET CLEANING METHOD: Pre-vacuum carpet. Dilute to manufacturers specs. Work in sections of approximately 100 square feet. Using a pump sprayer, evenly apply solution to the area. With a rotary dry cotton bonnet, buff the area to extract the soil and solution into the bonnet. Any residual that remains will dry to a non-sticky crystal, which will be removed during normal vacuuming. NOTE: Do not run a DRY bonnet on olefin (polypropylene) carpet or rug - olefin has a very low softening point!

WET BONNET PROCEDURE: Submerge cotton bonnet in solution. Wring well and buff carpet surface in overlapping pattern. Rinse and wring bonnet frequently. Any residue that remains will dry to a non-sticky crystal which can be removed during normal vacuumng. NOTE: Do not run a DRY bonnet on olefin (polypropylene) carpet or rug - olefin has a very low softening point!

Even with the same chemical, there is more than one way to skin the proverbial cat.

[sysop]

Of the five approved methods found in the only recognized authority on proper carpet care listed in the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning, three (60%) are clearly VLM methods. These include Absorbent Compound, Bonnet and Dry Foam Shampoo. Hot Water Extraction is only 20% fo approved procedures and yet for years it has been overshadowing the majority. HWE along with Shampoo which is many times 1/2 of a two step process working with Hot Water Extraction because of insufficient cleaning force total less than half the possible solutions. Bonnet cleaning with encapsulation is many times used as a final step to introduce encapsulation into the formula while accelerating the drying process. I want to cover WHY encapsulation is needed for fast drying.

Remember Time, Temperature, Agitation? With the chemicals used in VLM methods, Time is less and sometimes no dwell time is needed, Temperature is room temperature and agitation is part of the process versus foreplay to the actual cleaning process. The addition of non-sticky crystal polymers is the secret to making cleaning with VLM properly, which is the third wave in a quick four waves of attack battle plan.

Following the cleaning process you are left with clean looking carpets. But the forth steps is what makes it clean carpet for while the cleaning solution and dirt remain within the polymer waiting for vacuuming, repeat vacuuming in fact. The more the customer vacuums the cleaner the carpet becomes.

And now about those faster drying times. This is true for two reasons. One, very little moisture is used. Two, polymers hold back dirt and surfactants from the water allowing the water to evaporate quickly.

So with the exception of greasy restaurant floors, VLM encap methods are not only here to stay, they are here to dominate carpet cleaning in the 21st century.

[Duckster]

My take on the carpet mill warranties requiring truckmounts in some instances as the only cleaning method is the mills and the TM manufacturers are in bed with each other. Politics as usual.