It's not unusual for some professionals to find that they can achieve better results with Very Low Moisture (VLM) cleaning methods, even for challenging conditions like heavy grease, depending on several factors. Your success with VLM over Hot Water Extraction (HWE) for grease removal could be due to a combination of these factors:
### 1.
Skill and Technique:
- Your expertise and specific technique in applying VLM methods can greatly influence the outcome. The effectiveness of VLM, especially for tough soils like grease, can be enhanced by how well you manage the pre-treatment, choice of solution, and the mechanical action involved.
### 2.
Chemical Action:
- The chemicals used in VLM are designed to encapsulate soil, which might be particularly effective at isolating and removing grease when used correctly. Perhaps the formulations you’re using are particularly well-suited to your local soil types or the specific types of grease you encounter.
### 3.
Equipment Efficiency:
- The type of VLM equipment and accessories (like pads or brushes) can also make a difference. If your equipment provides excellent agitation or has features that improve soil suspension and removal, it might outperform certain HWE setups.
### 4.
Carpet Fiber and Construction:
- Certain types of carpet fibers and constructions respond better to VLM. For example, shorter pile carpets with less depth might be easier to clean using VLM effectively compared to HWE.
### 5.
Environmental Conditions:
- Factors such as humidity and temperature can affect the drying times and effectiveness of cleaning methods. VLM, with its low moisture usage and quick drying, could be more effective in environments where HWE could lead to longer drying times or risk of wicking.
### 6.
Maintenance Frequency:
- If the carpets are maintained regularly and not allowed to become overly saturated with grease, VLM might continue to be highly effective. Regular maintenance prevents the grease from penetrating deeply into the fibers, which suits the surface-focused cleaning action of VLM.
### 7.
Client Preferences and Restrictions:
- Sometimes operational constraints such as the need for quick drying times, noise restrictions, or minimal water use make VLM a more suitable choice, allowing for more frequent or targeted cleanings.
It's essential to continue using the method that works best for you, tailored to the specific conditions and demands of the jobs you're handling. You are likely using your tools and techniques to their best advantage, which can certainly make VLM appear more effective in your specific situations. If you keep seeing
superior results with VLM in these scenarios, it's a testament to your skill and the adaptability of the method to your particular cleaning challenges.