CRB. Safe For All Carpet Types?

[Blue Ridge Floor Care]

I am getting very close to pulling the trigger on a new CRB machine. Have you found any fiber types that would not be compatible with CRB use? I believe only certain vacuums are recommended for Smart Strand. Would using a CRB be a problem on Smart Strand if using the softer brushes? Any other areas of concern with this machine? Thanks!

[encapman]

Even walking on some of fibers can be a problem. The stuff that gets put across to the public is nuts. Take Sisal for example. Sisal is becoming very popular for area rugs. But how do you clean grass? The stuff falls apart just walking on it. Some of the stuff we're seeing doesn't impress me as being very... well "smart" - especially when there are concerns over something as important as vacuuming.

Now to answer your question. Many types of delicate fiber can be touchy to work with. When a manufacturer cautions about vacuuming, it doesn't give the impression that it's a terribly sturdy product. That being said, the CRI and the mills in Dalton have pretty uniformly embraced CRB machines. Whittaker ran through Dalton years ago and won a place in their hearts, and they've all pretty much collectively agreed that these particular CRB's are OK for their carpets (we're working with the exact same design as the Whittaker GLS - built in Austria).

Bottom line: Using the SOFT brushes with caution may be alright, but you'd really want to watch for any possible damage or fraying of the fiber. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

[Blue Ridge Floor Care]

Thanks Rick.