Carpet Cleaning Methods Explained - Encapsulation Cleaning

The encapsulation method of carpet cleaning was developed primarily for use in the commercial setting, where it’s very low moisture level and quick drying times meant carpet cleaning resulted in minimal disruption to business activities

Now, though, this unique carpet cleaning technology is being seen more often in the domestic setting, as consumers who are fed up with their carpets taking days or hours to dry out after traditional “steam cleaning” are looking for more user-friendly modern, carpet cleaning methods

So how does encapsulation cleaning work? We spoke to cleaning specialists Proclean Domestic Cleaning Glasgow for further information. 

Central to this process is unique polymer chemistry which is applied to the carpeting in the form of a liquid solution which then forms encapsulating crystals as it dries out.

The first stage of the process – as it should be with any carpet cleaning technique – is to thoroughly vacuum the carpet to be cleaned. If you do not remove the dry soil by vacuuming, then applying a cleaning solution to the carpeting will effectively cause mud residues to be formed in the carpet fibres.

When you have finished with the initial vacuuming, it is time to apply the encapsulation chemical, by spraying it directly on to the carpet. For best results it is worthwhile leaving the cleaning agent to "dwell" for a few moments before brushing it carefully through the carpet, ideally in a north-south-east-west direction. This brushing is vital to the success of the cleaning project and can be done with a range of equipment, from a bonnet buffer to a contra-rotating brush machine.

It is then all about letting the technology get to work. Then the cleaning agent must dry - taking usually around twenty or thirty minutes - during which time the soil in the carpet is suspended in a brittle crystal residue. The last stage is to remove these crystals which is done by vacuuming them away either at the time of the initial clean or subsequently. Any crystals which are not removed by vacuuming at the time of the initial clean remain suspended by the technology and can be removed by subsequent vacuuming.

So, in summary, there are a number of persuasive reasons for choosing encapsulation cleaning for your home or office carpets, over more traditional – some might say old-fashioned – alternatives:

Encapsulation carpet cleaning uses very low amounts of water so your carpets can be back in use very quickly, typically in around one hour after cleaning has been completed. This makes encapsulation cleaning particularly useful not only in the home, but also where long down-time after cleaning is not convenient, for example in hotels, guest houses or offices

The minimal amounts of water used in encapsulation cleaning means it is the perfect professional carpet cleaning method to use to ensure no damage to computer, telephone and other cabling found in offices, often concealed within suspended flooring, which might be prone to over wetting using other techniques.