Encapsulation

In the last couple of years, carpet manufacturers and carpet cleaning technology have made tremendous advances not just by improving the materials used but also by using an intermediate process called Encapsulation.

The latest advancement in carpet cleaning technology is in the chemicals themselves which employ the science of ‘encapsulation’. Cleaning professionals today have come to appreciate intermediate carpet cleaning through the process of encapsulation.

This chemical process utilises a revolutionary encapsulation technology that literally traps soil, dirt and residues in a suspension and subsequently removes them by a machine.

Most dry dirt can be easily removed by a routine of regular vacuuming. The oily and sticky dirt attracts and holds dry soil to the surface. The result is a dull, gray, and ugly appearance. Encapsulation chemistry not only cleans better & faster, but also helps the carpet stay clean longer.

The first step in effectively cleaning any carpet is to counteract sticky soils. The encapsulation chemistry surrounds each dirt particle and crystallises it so that it cannot attract other dirt particles. The encapsulated particles release from the fiber and are easily extracted with normal vacuuming and since there is no dirt-attracting residue left behind, the carpet stays clean longer.

The process involves spraying of RM 768 iCapsol (detergent) and picking up dirt by the same machine. It has a high area capacity and is therefore suitable for efficient cleaning of large areas. This cleaning technology reduces drying time: the carpets are ready for reuse after just 20 minutes.

The counter rotating brushes in the machines perform deep cleaning action and also refresh the carpets giving a new look.

Many encapsulating products are formulated with the proper balance of carpet cleaning detergents that clean the carpets in the first place and crystalline polymers that effectively encapsulate and crystallise embedded spots, greasy soils and detergent residues. The encapsulation technology is a much more effective carpet cleaning method than other methods because it crystallises any remaining residue, thus preventing rapid resoiling.

Unlike steam extraction or the shampoo cleaning of carpets, encapsulation uses far less water.

While encapsulation cleaning is not considered as a deep-cleaning or restorative process, it is a perfect match for a well-maintained carpet that needs to be freshened before a party or a special dinner.

Although the encapsulation method works well by itself, it can also be used to boost the cleaning power of other methods such as steam extraction. Before steam cleaning carpets, better known as hot-water extraction, a technician will treat high-traffic areas and heavily stained sections with a pre-spray chemical to help release the dirt from the carpet fabric. In encapsulation, traffic-lane pre-spray will release the dirt and form a crystal around it to prevent the soil from reattaching to the carpet until it is rinsed away.

There are a number of systems being touted for use with polymer-based products to apply the cleaning agent (shampoo) to the carpet face pile. Recommended application techniques range from rotary shampoo machines and rotary extraction units to using a cylindrical brush applicator/agitator, adding the product to the rinse-water in a hot-water extraction system, or simply spraying it on the carpet surface with a compression sprayer.

It is important to keep in mind that vacuuming is an integral part of the encapsulation process. It may take the form of pre-vacuuming performed just before the shampoo application, post-vacuuming after accomplishing shampooing and drying, or as vacuuming as a part of the daily maintenance cycle.

The encapsulation technology involves spraying of detergent which is picked up by the same machine.

Karcher’s iCapsol has a high area capacity and is therefore suitable for efficient cleaning of large areas. The counter rotating brushes in the machines perform deep cleaning action and also refresh the carpets giving them a new look.