CHTMAG.COM FLOORCARE FEATURE MAY 2016 15 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY cannot shift. Which is why a deep clean is essential. Systems that use polymeric carpet cleaning solutions are particularly effective in removing this residue. The solution, when worked thoroughly into the pile by a scrubbing machine, releases sticky soil from carpet fibres and then ‘traps’ or ‘encapsulates’ the soil as it dries. Then vacuuming completes the process by removing the dried, encapsulated dirt from the carpet. Polymer chemistry is the key component in the Cimex-Encap carpet cleaning system. It is the most reliable method for restoring cleanliness and brightness to even the most heavily soiled commercial carpets, and it also helps keep the carpet cleaner for longer. Carpet cleaning with Cimex-Encap involves a simple four-step process. A thorough vacuuming removes all the dry dirt, clearing the way for the polymeric solution to attack that sticky/oily residue. After the pre-vacuum, the solution needs to be appropriately diluted before setting up the cleaning machine. We advocate using a triple-head Cimex Cyclone machine – equipped with pad drives and pads or shampoo brushes – to scrub the carpet. The solution is left to dry, and as this happens, it loosens the sticky soil and encapsulates it. In the final stage, routine vacuuming easily removes this material, leaving a revitalised carpet. Cimex-Encap is a low-moisture process. Guiding the machine at a quick walking pace, the operator needs to apply only enough solution to dampen the surface of the carpet. The operator can control the delivery of solution by ‘feathering’ a release lever or by adjusting a control valve. The dampness created on the surface of the carpet is sufficient for the polymeric chemistry to begin working. Carpets instantly look cleaner because the solution is releasing the sticky dirt that was bonded to the carpet fibres. This low-moisture system allows carpets to dry quickly. It may take as little as 45 minutes for the surface to be touch-dry, or at most two hours. And walking on the damp carpet will cause no problems. For best results, it’s advisable to let the carpet dry overnight before vacuuming so the soil is fully encapsulated. This form of restorative cleaning is highly productive as well as cost-effective. About 200m2 of carpet can be deep-cleaned per tank-full of solution, though this may vary with the level of soiling and type of carpet. An area of around 300m2 can be treated in an hour if the soiling is reasonably light. These carpets will come clean with a single wet pass. Where more oil soils are embedded in a carpet, a ‘dry’ pass – agitating the pile without dispensing solution – may be required to ensure the solution is dispersed thoroughly. Cleaning rates of more than 200m2 per hour should still be practicable. Only the most heavily soiled carpets should require multiple dry passes, reducing output to around 100m2 per hour. If some areas are severely soiled they can be pre-sprayed with the polymeric solution to break down the bond with the carpet fibres. The sprayed area is left for a short time before the wet/dry pass procedure is followed. It is also possible to use a spotting solution for stains in conjunction with the Cimex-Encap system. This needs to be
Cleaning Hygiene Today May 2016
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