I’m not anti VLM. VLM/encapsulation absolutely has its place. We use it in quarterly rotation with HWE on commercial and we will often use it in conjunction with HWE in residential. Typically post bonnet.
But for residential carpet, hot water extraction should be the primary system. VLM just doesn’t check all the boxes.
I’ve had quite a few homeowners ask me about VLM after someone tried to sell them on it as “the new, better way.” I always ask them one simple question. How do you think they clean their bonnets?
They’re not spritzing them with a little encap, wiping them with a rag, and giving them a quick vacuum at the end of the week. Those pads have to be properly washed between jobs.
Once I explain that, most people instantly get why I lead with HWE for residential and only use VLM/encap as a tool, not a replacement.
