What is VLM Carpet Cleaning?
Is it REALLY possible
to get a carpet cleaned
using way less water?
Neat Freak Cleaning provides cleaning services in Southeast Alberta, including residential & commercial carpet cleaning using either spray extraction, VLM, or both depending upon the level of soiling and other factors.
Most people are already familiar with *high-moisture spray-extraction methods (what I’ll call HM) or shampooing (ex. Rug Doctor), but little is known about the VLM carpet cleaning method (very low moisture) and so misconceptions abound.
(*Also known as steam cleaning, truck-mount, hot-water extraction/HWE)
Low-moisture cleaning even in front-load wash machines has misconceptions to this day
Here is some more info – in FAQ format – that answers questions about VLM, including when and why Neat Freak Cleaning will choose to use it instead of, or in addition to, spray extraction.
FAQ – What is VLM?
Why not use only one cleaning method all the time?
Professional cleaners that are open-minded have come to realize that VLM or spray extraction alone isn’t the best choice in all situations.
VLM is able to wonderfully clean most carpets, but it not able to suitably clean the dirtiest carpets with longer pile height. It is most effective on low-pile commercial carpets (ex. glue-down tiles), but spray extraction is better for longer-pile residential carpets that haven’t been professionally cleaned in a long time and not vacuumed often enough.
VLM works fine for residential carpets after an initial spray extraction cleaning and also for ones that are regularly vacuumed and don’t have a large amount of soil buildup.
How often do you use VLM versus spray extraction?
A typical carpet cleaning professional using both methods finds that VLM is the best choice for 80-90% of commercial carpets (low-pile), while spray extraction is the best choice for 80-90% of residential carpets (higher-pile when there’s heavier soiling).
What type of VLM cleaning do you do?
Neat Freak Cleaning does VLM encapsulation cleaning using a counter-rotating brush machine. This is the only VLM method of applying the encapsulant that is CRI certified (The Carpet and Rug Institute).
This method gently, yet thoroughly, cleans right to the carpet backing, as evidenced by all the grime that gets pulled up (see photo below). Then the remaining soil particles get trapped in microscopic-sized encapsulant which is easily vacuumed away once dry.
A machine that uses a bonnet or pad is the most common VLM method, yet it is not CRI certified. It cleans only the upper surface and can even damage the carpet fibers. It also doesn’t fully remove stains and odors because it doesn’t get down to their source at the carpet backing/base. Such machines are designed for hard flooring, not carpet, but some guys just want to save a buck by not having to buy an extra machine.
How do you choose what carpet cleaning method to use?
Here is when spray extraction would be the better choice:
- You can’t remember when your carpets were last professionally cleaned.
- Your carpets have areas of heavy soil load and/or heavy wear. The worst wear won’t be fixed (due to permanent damage to carpet fibers), but extraction will have a better chance of loosening embedded soils.
- You don’t mind waiting up to several hours before being able to walk on the cleaned carpet and replace the furniture.
Here is when VLM cleaning would be the better choice:
- You’re in a hurry for a quick turnaround. VLM can be done more quickly and the dry times are as little as 30 minutes for the lowest-pile carpet!
- You have wool carpet. VLM is the recommended method for cleaning it along with the use of Woolsafe cleaners, which Neat Freak Cleaning also use.
- You have organic-fiber carpet or backing, ex. cotton fiber, jute backing.
- Your carpet is under warranty. Check the FAQ on the Carpet page.
- Your carpet was professionally cleaned within the past year.
- You vacuum at least once weekly, i.e. low soil load in the carpet.
- It’s winter time and you don’t want high humidity to form frost on your windows.
- You don’t want things to get inside your house/building through an open door. Truck-mount cleaning needs a door propped open for the hoses, but VLM equipment is self-contained and so no doors need to stay open. This means that no wind or other outside things can get in (bugs, rodents, pollen, dust, etc.).
- You have carpet stains, odors, musty wet smells (ex. dog) and/or mold issues. VLM encapsulation (like that done by Neat Freak Cleaning) traps these molecules so that they don’t re-appear or “wick” back up to the carpet surface. Wicking is a common complaint after HM cleaning. With VLM, you simply vacuum away the microscopic encapsulant particles once they’re dry.
What are some other benefits of VLM cleaning versus HM (high moisture)?
- VLM cleaning uses roughly 80% less water than high-moisture cleaning (HM). This means drying times as fast as 30 minutes on low-pile carpets versus several hours for HM. On a 1,000 sq. ft. carpet, for example, that means about 1 gallon of water for VLM versus about 5 times more water for HM!
- VLMs low water usage can prevent mold growth, carpet shrinkage, and wastewater.
- VLM cleans high-traffic areas faster than HM.
- VLM uses very little cleaning product compared to HM. (And Neat Freak Cleaning uses ones with no VOCs and no added dyes or fragrances – perfect for those with allergies or sensitive to chemicals. Most other VLM cleaning products cannot claim the same!)
- VLM is gentle on your carpet, prolonging your investment. If cleaned too frequently, the heat and pressure from a hot water extractor can cause wear and tear on your carpet, and too much water can cause carpet backing delamination.
- VLM cleaning is safe and effective for many carpet types, including synthetic fibers, wool, and blended fabrics. HM cleaning solutions need to be chosen very carefully depending upon carpet type.
How does VLM cleaning work?
Okay, you’ve read this far, so it’s time for the deep-dive!!
With VLM, a cleaning solution comprised of a detergent and a liquid polymer is mixed with water, then lightly applied and gently agitated into a carpet, right down to the backing (when done with the proper machine – NOT one with a bonnet or pad).
After the detergent lifts the soil (i.e. dirt, dust, grease, stains, etc.) from the carpet fibers, the liquid polymer traps or “encapsulates” each soil particle and molecule.
As the liquid polymer dries (the “encapsulant”), it hardens or crystallizes around each trapped soil particle and molecule.
** NOTE: encapsulation is the popular term used for the process that is technically called “crystallization” **
Once dry, the microscopic-sized crystals are simply removed at the next regular vacuuming! Until then, they’re harmless. You can’t see them. They won’t stick to the carpet. They also won’t break apart, i.e. the trapped particles won’t get released back into your carpet.
What this ultimately means: With properly-done VLM encapsulation, new soil has nothing to stick to and so it gets removed a lot easier even with regular vacuuming!
High-moisture cleaning (HM) can leave behind a residue layer (soap scum) at the carpet backing/base, no matter how powerful the vacuum suction, that dries and gets sticky and actually attracts new soil if a proper cleaner is not used.
** After an initial HM “deep” clean, recommended practice is regular VLM “interim” cleanings to keep your carpet looking fresh and extend the time between deep cleanings … AND to extend the life of your expensive carpet! **
Contact me to book a cleaning or get an estimate