How to Clean 5th & 6th Generation Nylon, Polyester, and Acrylic Carpet

Using the Very Low Moisture (Encapsulation) Method with Encap Plus

Organic soils such as food spills, beverages, body oils, and general grime found mostly around pubs, clubs, restaurants and childcares are acidic in nature. To clean them effectively, an alkaline cleaner is required to neutralise and break down these soils. Encap Plus is specifically formulated for this purpose—its alkaline chemistry dissolves organic matter while its advanced polymers encapsulate loosened soil, preventing re-deposition.

Encapsulation cleaning works by surrounding soil particles with a brittle polymer film as the carpet dries. This polymer binds soil and detergent residues into a dry, crystalline structure that easily detaches from the fibre and is removed during the next vacuum cycle. Because it uses very low moisture, carpets dry quickly—typically within an hour—minimising downtime and disruption in busy environments. The process requires minimal equipment and no extraction or rinse steps, making it ideal for routine maintenance cleans between periodic deep extractions. The result is a cleaner, well-presented carpet with extended life and reduced maintenance costs.

Important Note

Cleaning 5th & 6th Generation Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic Carpets
When cleaning 5th and 6th-generation nylon, polyester, and acrylic carpets, do not use products with a pH level higher than 10. Using such products can damage the stain-resistant properties of these carpets.

Dilute 1:32 (30ml/1Lt)

• Premium Performance: Offers superior initial cleaning performance, especially noticeable on denser and higher pile carpets.
• Enhanced Soil Release: Dries to a finer, drier residue, allowing for more effective soil release during vacuuming.
• Specialty Polymer Anti-Resoiling: Contains specialty polymer agents that help prevent resoiling and maintain a cleaner appearance for longer.
• Extended Soil Release: Continues to release soil from carpet fibres over 7-14 days, providing enhanced

The Process

  1. Pre-Vacuum

    Thoroughly vacuum the carpet to remove dry soil, which makes up around 80% of total contamination. Effective dry soil removal improves cleaning efficiency and overall appearance.

  2. Prespray

    Apply Encap Plus, diluted 1:32 (30ml/1Lt), using a pump-up sprayer or the scrubber’s solution tank. Ensure even coverage and apply enough solution to create a light foam during agitation.

    See note 1 below. 

  3. Agitate

    Agitate using a rotary or oscillating pad machine, making two overlapping passes across each area. For lightly soiled carpet, one pass may be sufficient.
    No rinsing or extraction is required—soiling is suspended and encapsulated during this stage.

  4. Drying

    Allow the carpet to dry for approximately 40–60 minutes before resuming traffic. Accelerate drying by improving ventilation or using air movers, fans, or air conditioning.

  5. Post-Vacuum

    After 24 hours, vacuum the carpet to remove the encapsulated soil and polymer residue.

    See note 2 below. 

Further Notes

  • Encap Plus coverage

    Coverage is typically 1L ready-to-use litres per 3–10m², depending on pile density. When using a sprayer, limit application to 25m² before agitation to prevent premature drying.

  • Post Vacuuming

    Vacuums with power heads or brushes are most effective. This post-vacuum step can form part of routine maintenance by facility managers or homeowners.

  • Booster

    Perox is a high-strength 50% Hydrogen Peroxide solution. Perox employs the power of Hydrogen Peroxide to neutralise the toughest urine and pet stains. It will also brighten the carpet’s appearance and remove many colour stains such as wine and cordial.

    • Max 20ml per ready-to-use litre
  • Spotting

    Conquer is an encapsulating stain remover for carpets and upholstery. The unbeatable multi-task spotting solution effective on a wide range of water based and oily stains.

    Conquer O2 is a stain remover for carpets and upholstery that kills germs and removes stains in one go. Conquer O2 has been designed to build on the outstanding ability of free oxygen to remove the toughest of stains from fibres & fabrics, provide powerful sanitisation and eliminate malodours.

Where To Buy

Encap Plus

Low moisture carpet cleaning detergent

Low moisture carpet cleaning detergent

Additional Resources

Carpet Spotting Chart

Charts

PDF (73 KB)
Download Carpet Spotting Chart

Encapsulation Cleaning Deep Dive | Webinar Whitepaper

PDF (3 MB)
Download Encapsulation Cleaning Deep Dive | Webinar Whitepaper