100% VLM ???

[Condog]

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.

They wash it in a washer which has a drain, their carpets have no drain, and I never flood a carpet, nobody should.
No cleaning method for carpet is comparable to a flood and drain system of a washing machine.

 

[Condog]

I use Procyon Plus to clean my bonnets and have used it as a rinse but don't carry it on my van

Finding hot water on the job and getting powder to dissolve is frustrating and time consuming

Much rather use liquids

When I know I'm going to need it on a job I will mix it up at home and take it with me

Hot water ready while you unload.

 

[Condog]

Yes they are out there

There are guys out there getting paid to clean carpet just using a Oreck Orbiter and the VLM Method



That's another reason why I like OP's and CRB's

Looks much more Professional than a buffer and you get better results with a CRB and OP

A good CRB like the 14'' Brush Master Pro 35 does all the work. It has a faster brush rotation, is built like a tank and heavier than most CRB's. The added weight makes a positive difference. It makes it a more aggressive scrubber and helps it dig out all the crap the vacuum misses

I can't imagine using the VLM Method without using a good CRB

I used a CRB when I was HWE

HWE - Prespray CRB Wand

VLM - Prespray CRB OP

NOTHING beats a CRB with the right brush for scrubbing

And a CRB is CRI APPROVED. I think ???



LEESS water MORE agitation !!!


View attachment 133165

Most customers can't tell the difference between a 175 and an OP, and don't care.
Can you tell the difference between the tools used by your mechanic and a past mechanic, do you care?

 

[Condog]

Looks good for what it is, but calling that “extraction” is doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Two bedrooms, hall, living, dining on 3 gallons total isn’t flushing soil, it’s lightly dampening fibers and moving stuff around. True extraction is about rinsing and removing suspended soil, not just scrubbing in encap and wiping the tips with a bonnet.

VLM absolutely has its place, maintenance on CGD, interim cleans, etc., but using it as your only method on residential and comparing it to HWE is like using dry shampoo and calling it a shower.

I always chuckle when VLM guys use terminology like “extract.” Smear, disperse, or hide would be a lot more honest.

The Jehovah witnesses will tell you the positive about their religion, the Catholics will tell your the negative about the Jehovah witness religion.