If you’re looking for effective ways to rid your facility’s carpets of the toughest stains, then you no doubt stumbled upon encapsulation cleaning in your research. Or, maybe you just got finished reading our article on encapsulation carpet cleaning.
Either way, this article is your one-stop guide for effectively assembling and operating an encapsulation carpet cleaning machine.
We’re going to give you the steps to properly perform encapsulation cleaning. We’ll start by reviewing the components of an encapsulation carpet cleaning machine, and then walk you through a detailed guide on assembly, followed lastly by the steps of operation.
Pro Tip: There are several different methods of encapsulation cleaning that all utilize different tools and chemical formulas. You’ll perform encapsulation cleaning based on the equipment and supplies available to you. Below, we’re using the dry foam system method.
How to Perform Encapsulation Cleaning
Our experts at Imperial Dade have simplified the encapsulation cleaning process into seven basic steps that will have you encapsulating your facility’s carpets like a professional in no time.
To get the most out of this article, and gain the best understanding of how to perform encapsulation carpet cleaning, consider watching our accompanying video guide!
7 Simple Steps to Using a Dry Foam Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
It’s crucial to have all of the materials, supplies, and equipment prepared before you begin encapsulation cleaning. Here, we’ll go over everything you need to follow along with our guide.
Prepare for Encapsulation Cleaning
Equipment:
- Ergodisc Floor Buffer
- Dry Foam System
Supplies:
- Soft Brush Pad
Materials:
- Encapsulation Cleaning Chemicals
Steps for Encapsulation Cleaning
Step 1: Add Water and Soap to the Dry Foam Generator
Step 2: Secure the Dry Foam Generator to the Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Step 3: Insert the Brush Into the Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Step 4: Adjust the Handle of Your Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Step 5: Activate and Adjust the Dry Foam Generator
Step 6: Allow Time for the Foam to Build Up
Step 7: Start Swinging the Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine Back and Forth Over the Carpet
Steps 1-3: How to Assemble an Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Before you can start operating an encapsulation carpet cleaning machine, we have to go over machine assembly.
Step 1: Add Water and Chemical Formula to the Dry Foam Generator
First things first, let’s focus on the dry foam generator.
Fill the dry foam generator’s tank to capacity with water. If you look at the top of the machine, on most models, you’ll notice a little dispenser. This is vital for correctly measuring out the encapsulation chemicals in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines. Not enough chemical solution and your efforts will have been in vain, too much chemical solution, and you risk leaving behind a sticky residue.
After carefully reading the manufacturer’s instructions, measure out the encapsulation chemical and add it to the dry foam generator’s water tank.
Pro Tip: It is highly recommended for you to use a neutral pH solution if you want to get the most out of encapsulation cleaning. A neutral solution ensures that there will be no sticky residue left to attract new dirt particles.
Step 2: Secure the Dry Foam Generator to the Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Next, you’ll need to secure the dry foam generator to the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine.
Put the foam generator onto the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine. It will clip into place, so make sure to listen for the click sound to know it is secure. Because the dry foam generator is a separate unit, make sure to plug it into the machine.
Step 3: Insert the Brush Into the Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
While this step may seem straightforward, it is important that you get a number of factors correct if you want to perform an encapsulation cleaning most effectively.
Pro Tip: Use a soft brush, as opposed to a floor pad or bonnet. A brush will be able to reach deeper into the carpet and scrub out soil that a bonnet doesn’t have access to. You’ll want to make sure that the brush you do use has soft bristles, otherwise, it could cause too much agitation and end up damaging the carpet.
For fitting the brush into the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine, first, put the brush on the floor in front of the machine. Then, we recommended lowering the machine’s handle, allowing for easy leverage. Tilt the machine back, propping it up on its back wheels, roll it forward and over the pad, then, set the machine down on top of the pad.
Give it a little wiggle back and forth to make sure it fits snugly in the machine, and now you’re ready to operate the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine!
Steps 4-7: How to Operate an Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Now that the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine is all set up and ready for use, let’s move on to the operational aspect of this guide!
Step 4: Adjust the Handle of Your Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Machine
Encapsulation carpet cleaning machines rotate very fast and can be dangerous if you’re not careful. It is important to be safe while operating, so we always suggest getting comfortable with your machine before beginning.
Bring the handle down to a comfortable position, whatever that is for you. Our experts like to recommend that you bring the handle down to around hip level. A good tip for maintaining comfort and control is to use your hip to support the handle.
This position allows for the best control over the machine without sacrificing your lower back.
Step 5: Activate and Adjust the Dry Foam Generator
Now that you have the handle in a comfortable position, you can activate the dry foam system.
We recommend setting the dry foam system to 2.5; this delivers just enough foam for the average user. A slow operator would need to use a lower setting, otherwise the foam can billow up. Likewise, a fast operator would need to use a higher setting in order to get evenly cover the carpet.
What you set the dry foam system to is entirely up to the pace of the operator, their working speed, and comfort level.
Step 6: Allow Time for the Foam to Build Up
Once the foam generator has been activated, it will start to produce foam beneath the brush.
Here, it is important to give the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine at least 10 seconds to build up an adequate amount of foam. If you begin to swing before building up foam, you may unevenly distribute the encapsulation chemicals, and then you run the risk of leaving behind soil marks.
Step 7: START SWINGING ENCAPSULATION CARPET CLEANING MACHINE BACK AND FORTH OVER THE CARPET
With everything assembled correctly, and the proper ratio of chemicals to water, once the foam is built up, you’re finally ready to clean that dirty carpet.
Start up and swing the encapsulation carpet cleaning machine acrOss soiled areas in wide, controlled strokes. You want to work the foam evenly over the soiled areas by swinging the machine in half-lap-over passes, blending it in fully with the carpet. Don’t be afraid to linger on the tougher, bigger stains. Once the carpet has been entirely worked with the foam, you’ll know you’re done.
After a few brief moments, the foam will quickly dissipate. Once the foam is disappeared, you will notice that the soiled areas have too!
Advice for Before and After Care
Now that you’re familiar with how to assemble and operate an encapsulation carpet cleaning machine, let’s go over a very important part of the process: before and after care.
It is absolutely vital for the efficacy of a good encapsulation cleaning that you perform a dry vacuum before and after the procedure.
Vacuum before so you can remove easy-to-reach dirt particles. Eliminating the surface-level soil from the carpet will make it easier for the encapsulation chemistry to focus itself on the toughest areas of a soiled carpet.
Within 24 hours of completing the encapsulation cleaning, return to the carpet for another dry vacuum. By this time, the encapsulation chemicals will have bonded with the dirt particles previously trapped in your carpet’s fibers. With these particles released from their bond, they’re now able to be removed from the carpet entirely.
With the remainder of the soil particles having been vacuumed away, you’re now left with a clean-looking carpet.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the insides and outs of how to use an encapsulation carpet cleaning machine, you have to decide whether it’s the right fit for your facility. If you’re looking for an interim cleaning method, this may be the one; it’s cost-effective, sustainable, and will increase the amount of time required between restorative efforts.
Whether you’re located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Caribbean, Imperial Dade will provide your business with the tools and guidance you need to keep your carpeted flooring looking great. We offer a wide variety of commercial cleaning supplies including carpet encapsulation machines, carpet spotters, and more. Reach out to us for more information today!
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