CM/Spotlight: Carpet Care Cover Image courtesy of Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Thinkstock How To Evaluate Today’s Carpet Cleaning Processes By: Stephen Lewis Understand the differences between the environmentally-friendly carpet cleaning options available to you. C Stephen Lewis serves as techni-cal director for MilliCare, a provider of environmentally sound textile and carpet clean-ing services for commercial facilities. He is responsible for the company’s research and development efforts, provides technical training to its network of more than 80 franchise part-ners and is the company’s key point of contact with the textile and carpet maintenance com-munity. For more information, visit www.MilliCare.com. Chances are, you’re well educated on the impact flooring can have on a facility’s appearance. If the carpet is well maintained, the whole space feels clean and inviting. For this reason, carpet cleaning is likely the first step you take when you receive complaints about your building’s interior appearance. Facility managers are constantly challenged to do more with less, while also making buildings and operations more environmentally friendly. As a result, carpet cleaning options that offer water savings and other environmental benefits have gained popularity in the market. Understanding the key distinctions between today’s carpet cleaning options — including hot water extraction, encapsulation, spin bonnet and dry extraction — will help you select an option that best meets your maintenance goals. Next, the surface is passed over several times with a cleaning tool to thoroughly rinse the precon-ditioner and soil from the carpet. Although an effective process, hot water extrac-tion usually requires many gallons of water during each cleaning, and this amount can vary greatly depending on the operator, equipment and other factors. This method calls for several hours to days of drying time before the carpet can be used, and the use of detergents can also lead to residue buildup and resoiling issues. The Rise Of Low Moisture Maintenance Compared to hot water extraction, low moisture carpet cleaning options use up to 99 percent less water, and carpet can be used almost immediately after a cleaning. The most attractive benefit of low moisture cleaning is the price tag. Most of these processes cost less to use com-pared to hot water extraction, but it’s important to weigh each option before making a decision. for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Carpet Care . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select BUYERS’ GUIDE from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Low Moisture . Hot Water Extraction The hot water extraction process continues to be one of the most popular commercial carpet clean-ing options — and for good reason. The system is an effective choice for eliminating hard to remove dirt in carpet. Hot water extraction typically involves precon-ditioning of the carpet surface, followed by light agitation with a grooming brush and appropriate dwell time. Encapsulation The encapsulation process, sometimes referred to as crystallization, has gained popularity in the commercial carpet cleaning industry. 34 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2013
CMM – Archives June 2013: 34
