I'm putting together my business plans to get back into carpet cleaning. I've been home sick with a cold/major sinus infection, so I've had time to read all the posts here and have gotten some terrific info, but I want to ask, "How would you Encapsilate residential carpets? What machines would you recommend? I am hoping to be able to use a two speed floor machine. Would you suggest bonnets or pads with this? What encapsilating cleaners would work best with the machines you recommend on residentials?"

When I quit the cleaning business before, I was to the point where most of my business was commercial floor care: carpet, VCT, wood, even metal(!), but I know I'll have to restart with residential to pay the bills and expand from there.

Thanks,
David Schutt

David,

For residential encap cleaning, a two-speed rotary could be used - since that's what you're considering. An OP machine would work too. A GLS machine can be used, but few are using them for residential. And the 15" Cimex could be used for residential encap cleaning. Keep in mind that a considerable degree of mechanical agitation is the key to effective encap cleaning.

That being said, I do not recommend encap for residential. Its place is in the commercial setting. HWE cleaning or OP cleaning is what I'd recommend for doing residential cleaning.

I would actually recommend starting out with commercial. It's easier to acquire steady paying accounts with less ongoing selling. And if encapsulation cleaning appeals to you - commercial is the system to consider.

Contact me if you have questions – I’m glad to help if I can.


Rick Gelinas

I use encap in residential all the time. I use a host t1, but a GLS 15 would be great!

Rick, nylon is nylon no matter the setting

Danny

Glad to hear that it's working for you Danny. I know that there are folks who are using encap on residential. I just haven't felt comfortable recommending it for residential. I don't want to oversell the system.

Encap is great for a commercial carpet where the pile is short. But when you're considering a 3/4"+ pile of residential plush Saxony full of pet dander and pizza droppings - encap may not be the best choice. However, on Berber encapsulation would be an excellent choice.

So like I said, I just don't want to recommend it for something it's not the best match for. But if it's working for you - terrific!



Rick Gelinas

The only time I encapsulate a residentual is for the stairs or a low paying move out. It works great on stairs.

Thanks George! That is a good idea. It should be much quicker than using a stair or upholstery wand.

David Schutt

I have a great portable HWE for the longer pile carpets and for times you need to flush trashed out carpet. However, I never was pleased with how HWE worked on the berbers and other short nap carpets. (I always felt kind of silly trying to use a wand on them. The wand just seemed useless, skipping and bouncing all over the place.) So I like the idea of using encapsulation chems and something more effective at scrubbing on those. The other piece of equipment I have is a two-speed floor machine with a shower tank because it has so many uses on so many various types of flooring. A Cimex, which I used to have, is definately in the plans, but it won't be this month.

So, for now, would your new pads work for me, using Spin Vac, the floor machine and shower tank on berbers and other short nap carpets? (I'm hoping they will, because I'd much rather use a pad than bonnets, a wringer bucket, and my wife's poor washing machine.)

Thanks guys for your responses!

David Schutt

David,

Yes the FiberPlus pads would work with your rotary with a shower feed and solution tank. Of course a Cimex would produce a lot more agitation! But in the meantime a rotary is an alternative.

Here are the prices:
15" FiberPlus $26 inc. S&H
17" FiberPlus $28 inc. S&H



Rick Gelinas

Rick,

Are those prices per piece or per case? I think they are per case, with 5 per case???

Just to clarify for those that are getting facts about the system.....

T