by Lana Stockton

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 08, 2010

Encapsulation carpet cleaning is the newest technology in carpet cleaning.

Dirt particles are trapped and literally surrounded by a crystallizing polymer. This chemical, which is sprayed across the surface of a carpet, is gently brushed, or rubbed, into the fibers. Once in the fiber, the chemical surrounds individual soil particles and forms a crystallized barrier around the the entire particle.

The newly crystallized dirt is isolated as it no longer is able to attract other soil particles. The encapsulated particle is then suctioned to the carpet surface by a regular vacuum cleaner.

With very little water being used in the cleaning process, carpeting dries quickly. Some companies add isopropyl alcohol to the solution which speeds up the drying process because of alcohol's rapid rate of evaporation.

What it Will Not Do:

Because encapsulation cleaning is a low moisture process, the problems associated with steam cleaning do not occur.

Have you ever noticed a carpet that gets wavy after being steam cleaned? This is caused by over-soaking or overheating of both the fiber and the backing. Once dry, the carpet needs to be re-stretched. Since the backing was damaged in the over-wetting, overheating process, it will shorten the life and durability of the carpet.

Carpets which have been steam cleaned sometimes develop brownish rings in several places. This is from either overwetting or from the use of strong chemicals.

The good news is, having the carpet re-cleaned using the encapsulation method can remove the brownish rings. Some cleaning companies recommend encapsulation cleaning once, then use the steam cleaning method for the next two cleanings. So steam cleaning is not obsolete, it actually complements the encapsulation method.

Besides carpet cleaning, the encapsulation method is used for removing other types of particles from various surfaces. Such as in the case where a fire may have caused smoke damage to walls of a building.

An encapsulating chemical can be sprayed on the smoke damaged walls. Smoke, or carbon particles, which have adhered themselves to the paint surface are surrounded, crystallized and are loosened from the surface they were embedded in.

The once embedded carbon particles slide off the walls with a simple washing. Lightly smoke damaged walls no longer have to be replaced, but can be thoroughly cleaned instead. Since the carbon particles have been removed, the accompanying smokey odor is no longer present.

The marvels of technology. What will they think of next?

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