Duraclean Journal of Marketing, Management and Technical Topics

What is a Pile Brush?
The pile brush (also called “pile lifter”) has long been a tool that has been underutilized by the carpet cleaning industry. That can be related to the fact that the vast majority of carpet cleaners really don’t understand the benefits of the pile lifting process. Let’s examine it more closely.

"Certified" was the pioneer that developed the first two-motor horizontal pile brush ever manufactured. In basic concept it has changed little over the years. A good pile brush should work with both a sweeping and vacuuming action. You have seen your share of dingy, matted down carpet. Regular cleaning can’t restore that. A pile brush can help rejuvenate those fibers. Used prior to the cleaning process it can help to break up soil and debris and extract embedded dry particulate matter leaving the carpet better prepared for the regular cleaning process.

The Certified “S” model pile brush has a 4.5” diameter reel type brush with either tampico (natural) or nylon bristles. For most applications the tampico brush is the best since it is more dense than the nylon brush and is more aggressive in debris removal. The nylon bristle can withstand moisture and there are some cleaners that use the pile to work in presprays into the carpet prior to cleaning or for grooming the carpet after cleaning. NOTE: In both of these applications the vacuum is not running.

The reel brush is self-leveling so the depth of brushing varies based on the height of the pile.

Brush options: tampico or nylon

It gets down to the base of the carpet fibers to break up any caked, embedded soils and dry particulate matter which are then swept into the sand trap area of the pile brush.

Underside of Certified pile brush showing the tampico reel brush (top) and the sand trap (bottom)

The sand trap is used to hold the heavy, extracted particles such as:

• Pebbles
• Paper Clips
• Sand
• Tacks

The vacuum motor is located in the pile brush head so it’s close to the carpet and maximizes the removal of the smaller, lighter particles which are deposited into the vacuum bag.

Vacuum motor is the dome shaped component on the right side of the pile brush unit's head (facing you) - the brush drive motor is on your left

Benefits of Pile Brush Use
What the Certified “S” Pile Brush can do is to:

• Improve indoor air quality.
• Enhance the performance of cleaning solutions.
• Help remove traffic pattern area.
• Restore breathability back into the carpet.
• Break up and remove deeply embedded soil in the carpet.
• Add life to commercial or residential carpet.
• Groom the nap.

Following are three photos showing a typical cycle of looped commercial type carpet. The first shows brand new carpet where the pile is uniform, undistorted and has a lot of breathability.

Carpet after 12 months of foot traffic

The third photo shows the restoration of the carpet pile after the use of a pile brush which makes the pile appear to be more uniform through the brushing, sweeping and vacuuming action. The appearance is greatly improved.

Carpet after pile brushing

Third Party Endorsement of Pile Lifting
The 1998 Building Service Contractors Association (BSCAI) Carpet Guide (still available in print) says that “The pile brush type vacuum will remove deeply embedded soil, and open up a nap more than a regular, lightweight vacuum. Usually, a pile brush machine will be used weekly on traffic lanes, monthly on all carpeted areas, and always just before any cleaning process. The pile brush vacuum is a dual purpose machine because it is used both to maintain commercial carpet and to clean.”

Note the lifted fibers in front of the pile brush

Shaw Industries, one of the leading manufacturers of carpet says, “Using a pile lifter in traffic lanes just prior to cleaning will remove the deeply embedded soil and open up the pile so the hot water extraction can be more effective. After using a pile lifter, the final step…will be less difficult.” Additionally, Shaw’s recommendation specifies “Use a pile lifter…in high traffic areas.” Shaw’s description of a pile brush fits the Certified “S” Model Pile Brush perfectly. It is “an upright two motor vacuum with a large, adjustable, gentle brush with a motor, a high suction vacuum motor, and a sand trap.”

Use of the Pile Lifter
Suggested areas of use:

• Traffic lanes and heavy pivot areas in hallways and in front of reception areas.
• Entrances into buildings.
• Elevator areas.

Frequencies of use:

• Always the first step in restorative cleaning.
• Minimum of once a week. More frequently with heavy foot traffic and wear.

Ordering Information

To order the Certified "S" Model Pile Brush go to: http://www.duracleanfranchise.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=8400

Labels: Carpet Cleaning, Equipment, Technical

# posted by The Duraclean Team @ 2:37 PM