Dry Powder Cleaning

Theory
Dry powder cleaning utilizes a dry absorbent media impregnated with solvents, detergents and water. This material is broadcast over the surface of the carpet and brushed into the carpet pile with special equipment. Carpet soil is solubilized by the detergents and solvents then absorbed into the media. After drying, the soil laden media is vacuumed from the carpet. The carpet pile is also conditioned by the brushing action.

Advantages

• Very fast drying, carpet can be back in service quickly
• Requires little operator skill level

Disadvantages

• Low level soil removal ability
• Buildup of soil media if not thoroughly pile lifted/vacuumed out of carpet
• Face yarn distortion can occur from dry brush action
• High chemical cost
• Slower production rates than all other interim carpet cleaning methods (i.e. highest labour cost)

Just to expand on the dry powder Ted,

The powders have both absorbtion and adsorption qualities.

In lay terms adsorbtion is the ability to attract the dirt and then absorb it.

Further to the idea of interimcleaning, how about the use of the Rx Express?

doug wrote: What about the abiltiy for all the computers etc in the offices to attrack and absorb the powder?  Would you consider them to have the ability to have both absorbtion and adsorption qualities??

Good question doug...

Computers are expensive but can be replaced. But where is the health issue with microscopic powder in your breathing zone. I only have one set of lungs.

LilNiteRidrhood wrote: Further to the idea of interimcleaning, how about the use of the Rx Express?

Glad you surfaced with RX Express. Most may think this may be a bus or something. I feel it is general knowledge that some form of electrical vacuum extraction, suction, whatever you wish to call it is the best and promotes most for maximum soil removal. http://www.kleenkuip.com/products/hydramaster_rx-20.htm - If you choose to click here, RX-20 extraction equipment is explained in detail. The only difference is the RX Express is self contained and more suitable for larger open areas and less skilled workers. If you used an RX Express thats it, You would never need so called interim cleaning.

Now we get into $$$. The perception in our industry is whenever many cleaners hear a higher than normal price they immediately blank it out of their mind and make the decision that it is not for them. If you take all into consideration long term and keep customer satisfaction in mind. It would be an easy decision to make.

If shopping for an RX Express keep in mind that you need a Canadian version. The U.S. unit will not work satifactorily in Canada. It would be intersting to hear PadMan's stories that have competed against RX Express. Try to remember I said hot water extraction is in my opinion the best for soil removal. I did not necessarily comment on how the end results look visually.

I would love feedback.

PS
Has anyone ever compared the price of cleaning equipment to labour? The question should not be how much for this machine. It should be what will this unit save me in labour and supplies.