Encapsulation 101

THE MAJORITY OF DIRT AND GRIME isn’t really encased in a capsule or crystal. Instead, well-formulated encap detergents render sticky residue completely NON-STICKY!

Commonly referred to as "encap" or "encapping," Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning is a state-of-the-art technique. Despite its origins in the late 90s or early 2000s, this system is often mistaken for the "Shampoo" method due to the similar equipment used. However, there is a fundamental difference in its innovative chemistry.

The encapsulation system uses a unique cleaning solution, including an acrylic polymer that crystallizes upon application. This ground-breaking technique is revolutionizing carpet cleaning, as it combines this polymer with other cleaning agents like surfactants to break down the adhesion of dirt, grease, and grime to carpet fibers.

The application involves using an agitation machine, such as Cimex, Rotary Brush, Rotary Bonnet, or Oscillating Pad (OP), among others. This machine facilitates the chemical bond's breakdown between dirt and fiber and aids the combination of the encap solution and soiling. The solution, upon drying, crystallizes and makes the residue entirely non-adhesive, which can then be vacuumed away. The result is spectacularly clean carpets.

Although encapsulation is usually explained as the process of encapsulating or surrounding the dirt, our research at VacAway has revealed that this is only a minor part of the complete process. A significant aspect of this technique is dealing with the 21% of carpet soil which causes carpets to require professional cleaning, despite the 79% being removable via standard vacuuming.

Without the sticky residue, carpets would rarely require professional cleaning. It's the sticky substances in the carpet, such as tracked in dirt and oils, soda spills, and remnants of non-encapsulating cleaners, that most often necessitate professional intervention.

Unfortunately, many professional cleaning products are sticky and leave a residue that attracts more dirt and soil. The common complaint that carpets re-soil quickly after being professionally cleaned is typically due to this residual stickiness.

Well formulated encapsulation detergents are ingeniously made to negate this stickiness while preventing their residual build-up. They crystallize and can be vacuumed away easily, leaving carpets cleaner for longer.

In conclusion, the core of encapsulation cleaning is not the encapsulation of dirt or grime, but the transformation of sticky residues into non-sticky states by using well-formulated encap detergents.

You can conduct a simple at-home demonstration to understand the process:

1. Place a tiny drop of dish detergent (sticky residue) on a shallow dish or saucer. Artificial maple syrup can also be used.
2. Mix it with three drops of a pure encap, such as our Encap GREEN, Hot Knife X-treme or Commercial Magic.
3. Allow it to dry thoroughly—for a minimum of 24 hours.
4. Cover the dried mixture with black pepper and then pour it off immediately. Additionally, blow off any remaining pepper.
5. If the mixture still attracts the pepper, it indicates a sticky residue. However, you will likely observe that the sticky residue has been transformed and no longer attracts dirt.