ReleasIt

Encapsulation works by crystallising soil so it releases from the fibre and vacuums out later. Done properly on a maintenance cycle it keeps commercial carpet presentable with minimal downtime; done as a substitute for extraction it builds residue.

The chemistry has to crystallise cleanly, and that is the whole difference between an encap product and a general detergent.

The range covers Releasit Encap-Clean DS2 encapsulation carpet cleaning detergent 5 litre and Encap-HydrOx encapsulation carpet cleaner 5 litre, with the Rota-Brush plush drill brush and the Rota Drill 8 inch encap pad driver.

How to choose

Vacuum before and after — the second one is not optional. Encapsulated soil is only removed when it is vacuumed out. Skipping the post-vacuum leaves the crystallised soil in the carpet and gives the method its poor reputation.

DS2 or HydrOx is a soil-type decision. HydrOx adds oxidising action for organic and beverage soil. DS2 is the general encapsulation workhorse.

Agitation is what gets it into the pile. A drill brush or pad driver works the product to the base of the fibre. Spray-and-leave encapsulation treats the tips only.

Do not over-apply. More product does not crystallise better; it leaves more to vacuum out and more to attract soil if you miss any.

Bonnets and pads are in Carpet Bonnets, the wider chemistry in Encapsulation & Bonnet Cleaning, and presprays in Carpet Presprays.