Depends on the problem and what equipment you are using. I like the powdered defoamer, there are so many different ways to use it. Do you have a specific problem you are dealing with?
No, I have never used it but do see that my vac moves up and down and am sure that it is caused by too much foam. And need to start using it.
I have a built in defoamer injector on the machine and use either the liqued defoamer or fabric softener in it. If it is a bad foam issue I put some in a pump up sprayer and mist it right onto the carpet. BTW your not suppose to put it on the carpet however sometime you have no choice if they want the carpet cleaned!
So fabric softener will act as a defoamer as well? I think I've heard that here before but just want to confirm. I use the powdered defoamer like Todd. Put a little in my tank and if I see too much of it I sprinkle a little out of my cheese shaker full of defoamer. got that idea from Todd, Thanks again for that idea Todd.
Hi jmo, Defoamers generally come in two flavors: powdered or liquid. Both should technically be used directly down the vacuum hose rather than applied to the carpet. That being said, I agree with a comment above that sometimes you do have to use them directly on the carpet. A perfect example of this is when you are attempting to remove a large localized detergent residue, like a spilled laundry detergent or a situation where too much spot remover was used by the customer. Powders are handy, because if you encounter a room that was excessively shampooed and has residue issues, you can take a scoopful and just throw it all over the carpet and clean normally. The liquids can be diluted if need be, and will rectify foam buildup in the hose. Having defoamer on your truck is essential. No carpet cleaner should be without it, because when a large amount of foam residue is present, it makes all the difference in the world in completing the job correctly or not. If your vacuum hose is coated inside with tons of foam, it will directly affect its power sometimes to the point of it being useless. Also, it can really wreak havoc on your recovery tank and vacuum blower. If you do find the need to use it directly on carpet, make sure it is really rinsed well. Since the chemistry is often silicone-based, it can leave and oily film or even stain (in the case of the liquid). Hope that helps, - Brian
Good comments above. The silicone can void some carpet warranties if put directly on carpet. However, they may not apply to powdered defoamers. These can be sprinkled on the carpet when necessary. There are a few defoamers that can be applied by sprayer after prespray when cleaning either tile floors or carpet. Foam Defense is the leader in this category. However, they are more expensive. There is a product called foam downer that injects diluted liquid defoamer into your vac hose as long as the vacuum is on. Some techs just suck up a little liquid defoamer into the vac hose or pour it directly into the waste tank. I have also some soak a sponge and keep that in the waste tank. I think you get better results putting the defoamer into the hose rather than into the tank. That way you don't allow foam to reduce the airflow through your vacuum hose.
Yeah it works well and if your using a porty it makes for a nice smell coming out the exhaust of your porty (I like the lavender scented). When it goes on sale I always buy a few jugs and find it works out cheaper then the real deal and I actually think it works better too!
What i do is put something in the recovery tank and also i run maybe 2 or 3 oz trough the wand and houses, the silicon stick to the internal walls of the wand and hoses and during the time the extract water if toucjing the internal walls of the hoses or wand is degrading the foam little by little. that is why i prefer liquid defoamer over powder.
Stupid question - Why do you need to get rid of the foam? Is there just too much of it? (I'm new to the carpet cleaning world. Be gentle )
Typically foam is not a big concern with truckmounts because the waste water tank is big enough to hold the foam without sucking foam into the vacuum blower and damaging it. Also the suction is sufficient to overcome the "blockage" caused by foam. However, in extreme cases foam can fill the waste tank. The foam will not trip the water level sensor and so you keep cleaning. The foam is drawn into the vacuum blower. Moisture and other debris is very harmful to the lobes since clearances are typically a couple thousandths of an inch. No room for moisture, rust, or trash without damaging things.
There was many times when I worked for another company that the SteamWay powermatic was blowing foam out of the exhaust when I would hit a very soapy area, it would look like it was snowing.
