Most encapsulation/crystallization products are easy to buy and use, and are relatively inexpensive. And, because they are low moisture, the entire process offers water saving benefits and reduced downtime The encapsulation method of cleaning uses a detergent formula to break down, surround or “encapsulate” soil in the car-pet fiber. This forms a non-sticky powder or crystals that, once dry, can be removed by vacuuming. Although this system can be effective, it is critical that the carpet is vacuumed once the detergent dries. If the crystals are not properly removed post-cleaning, the soil and pollutants remain in the carpet. The dirt is dispersed and residue is left behind, causing discol-oration and accelerated resoil, which means that the dirt comes back faster. The accumulated soil can damage the fiber and actually shorten the carpet’s lifespan. Manufacturers of encapsulation products also recommend hot water extraction cleaning from time to time for deep cleaning. If this process isn’t used as a supplement to encapsulation, long-term carpet damage and loss of appearance is possible. Spin Bonnet Spin bonnet cleaning is one of the oldest methods of low moisture carpet care. The process is generally inexpensive and has a faster drying time after cleaning compared to other methods. During spin bonnet cleaning, a light prespray detergent is applied to the carpet and a rotating cotton pad attached to a slow speed floor machine is passed over the floor. This process wipes the surface of the carpet clean, and the cot-ton pad must be changed frequently to avoid resoiling. Some carpet manufacturers don’t recommend spin bonnet cleaning for regular maintenance because of the potential for long-term carpet fiber damage. Facility managers should always check their carpet’s warranty before choosing a carpet maintenance program. needed to clean the carpet. In addition to these benefits, dry extraction cleaning is proven to significantly increase carpet lifespan, improve indoor air quality and can reduce up to 99 percent of pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the carpet. All of these factors contribute to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings Operations and Main-tenance (LEED-EBOM) certification. When selecting a carpet cleaning and maintenance method, you may also want to consider green chemicals and machines certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval (SOA) pro-grams or other reputable third party organization. Sustainable products are now universally accessible and reason-able in price. According the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), every method has its place in the world of car-pet cleaning and maintenance. However, any system will lose its maximum effectiveness — and can even have adverse results — if not completed properly. The key is to evaluate the unique needs of each space and keep current with the latest products and trends to make informed decisions about your maintenance and sustainability goals. CM Dry Extraction Only a few dry extraction products are on the market for cleaning and janitorial services to purchase and use. Rather, companies that specialize in commercial carpet mainte-nance are usually contracted for dry extraction cleaning. The process uses a dry sponge-like polymer compound that is usually pre-moistened with detergent. The compound is spread on the carpet and worked into the pile using a mechanical scrubber and then removed by vacuum. Dry extraction is the lowest-moisture cleaning method available, which requires dramatically less drying time and no soil, dirt par-ticles or sticky residues are left behind. However, for hard to remove dirt, hot water extraction may be The first high-speed automatic scrubber to clean and polish all types of floors. The IPC Eagle ECS high-speed automatic scrubbers are uniquely designed to mechanically clean and polish sealed and non-sealed floors. This chemical free mechanical cleaning approach physically removes the soil as it polishes the surface drastically cutting the cost of labor and chemicals while eliminating frequent burnishing. Visit www.ipceagle.com/ECSHighSpeed for more information. 3650 Dodd Rd Eagan, MN 55123 800.486.2775 www.ipceagle.com FREE INFO: Reader Service 210 or CMMOnline.com/freeinfo www.cmmonline.com 35
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