ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from February 2005

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from February 2005

Floor care by day, crime fighting by night.(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... You'd think the end-of-the-year deluge that engulfed Southern California six weeks ago would have provided editorial possibilities ad nauseam for a cleaning and restoration magazine. And you'd be right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But...

Understanding odors: one of the most common questions asked of the average carpet cleaner is "can you deodorize my carpet? It smells like a wet dog/litter box/skunk/etc.".(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
February 1, 2005... Given the correct conditions, deodorization or re-odorizing will be successful. The basis for the "correct conditions" will be the technician's understanding of proper odor-control measures. There are a limited number of corrective procedures...

Selling the "sure thing".(To Your Success)
February 1, 2005... "Men are pigs." --Carla Roselli, Cheers You are a carpet cleaner and, given the demographics of our industry, very likely male. Spots, stains and "uglied out" carpets just don't bother you. After all, you're a carpet cleaner- and...

2005 carpet-cleaning chemical market study.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... Welcome to ICS Cleaning Specialist magazine's third commissioned market study designed to measure the opinions and preferences of floor care professionals as they pertain to the use of carpet-cleaning chemicals and equipment. The size and scope...

In their own words: what 3M and DuPont want you to know about carpet protectors.
February 1, 2005... There has been a lot of information--and misinformation--surfacing in recent years about the development, formulation, and safety of carpet protectors. To help professional cleaners address the concerns of their clients--as well helping them...

Mold monitoring and sampling equipment.(IEQ Q & A)
February 1, 2005... Q: As a remediator, what kind of testing equipment should I purchase to determine whether we are successful in our clean up? A: My first thought is, why do you want to purchase mold-sampling equipment? You may simply be curious about the...

Expediting drying time: John, the manager of a moderate janitorial cleaning company, is going over the previous night's work orders when he notices a rather large discrepancy in the time turned in by one of his crews.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
February 1, 2005... The job was budgeted for eight hours and ended up taking 12. John calls the lead technician to find out what happened. The tech tells him that everything was going fine up until it was time to apply the floor finish. "Man, it took forever to...

Quest Technologies introduces IAQ monitor.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The AQ5000Pro handheld indoor air quality monitor from Quest Technologies features a "Snap-Shot" survey mode that allows the technician to capture data during walk-through surveys of the building. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Users can...

Encapsolution strives to remove more soil.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Encapsolution carpet crystals from Xerion are applied to the carpet as a fine mist, penetrating through the fibers and encapsulating seven times its weight in dirt particles, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Encapsolution is...

Kaivac unveils a greener cleaner.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Kaivac Cleaning Systems introduces KaiO, a citrus/peroxide multi-purpose cleaner. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KaiO combines citrus d-limonene with hydrogen peroxide to make an environmentally friendly multi-purpose pH-neutral cleaner safe...

Prochem introduces space-saving truckmount.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Prochem has released its PowerDirect direct-drive truckmount with a space-saving design that "allows room for additional equipment while not sacrificing quality and ease of service," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Windsor rides in on its Chariot.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Chariot is the industry's first stand-up auto-scrubber, according to Windsor, and "significantly increases productivity and cleaning quality by reducing operator fatigue." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Chariot features fast and easy...

Butler introduces new detergent.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Butler's Maximum Truckmount Detergent is "a concentrated, maximum performance hot-water extraction detergent for use in truckmounts and portable extraction machines," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Maximum is a formulation of...

HydraMaster truckmount takes on big brother role.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Boxxer 427 truckmount from HydraMaster is the "big brother" to the company's Boxxer 421. The dual-wand capable machine sports a 27-hp water-cooled engine and a 4007 tri-lobe blower by Tuthill. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Boxxer 427...

ProTeam joins the Jet set.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... ProTeam announces the availability of the Jet Sweep, a 20-inch hard-floor tool that "cleans faster and better than brooms or dust mops while protecting indoor air quality," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Jet Sweep removes...

Inside Edge adding carpet and hard-surface maintenance lines.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Inside Edge Commercial Interior Services is expanding its offerings to include a new line of carpet and hard-surface maintenance products and services. Teaming up with Future Floor Technology, Inside Edge's new line includes Longevity...

Soy Technologies creates graffiti barrier.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Soy Technologies introduces SoyStop Anti-Graffiti Barrier, a bio-based, refined soy technology product based on a two-step process designed to protect reflective street signs and other surfaces. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SoyStop will...

HygroHawk swoops down on moisture.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The HygroHawk moisture meter from Dri-Eaz "greatly reduces the time it takes restorers to gather critical, precise drying data," the company said, with the machine boasting acclimation time of less than 45 seconds and an expanded measurement...

Spartan redesigns CompuClean Web site.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Spartan Chemical has redesigned the Web site for CompuClean, the company's proprietary custodial maintenance management software. The new site features up-to-date CompuClean news, enhanced e-mail help, up-to-the minute user information and...

HOST takes hard look at grout cleaning.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The HOST dry extraction carpet cleaning system can also be used to clean the grout in tile floors, the company said. The system's products contain a blend of water, detergents, wetting agents and natural ingredients formulated to dissolve and...

EnviroSmart offers line of defense against contaminates.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Contain-It from EnviroSmart is a patent-pending, tested, spray-on formula "that provides a temporary, safe, nontoxic seal," and is a first line of defense that will help protect occupants from harmful effects of mold and other contaminates...

HydraMaster completes exhaust-kit testing.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... HydraMaster Engineering has just completed testing on the company's new Thru-Floor Exhaust Kit. Designed with function, safety and noise in mind, the Thru-Floor Exhaust Kit diverts the machine exhaust down and through the van floor. The Kit is...

Link introduces new line of loading ramps.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Link Manufacturing's Cargo Management Products division announces the redesigned Model LT30 line of mounted aluminum loading ramps. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Still designed to load automatic scrubbers, the length has been increased from...

Westpak puts the spin on hard surfaces.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Westpak USA Inc., introduces its new hard-surface spinner tool for cleaning tile, grout and marble. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The tool features all-stainless steel polished construction, including the head and handle; vacuum flow from the...

Prochem climbs between the Peak and Everest.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Prochem introduces the APEX slide-in truckmount for large, dual-wand commercial applications and flood-restoration work. In terms of the Prochem family, the APEX falls between the company's Peak and Everest machines. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Studebaker takes a new path to drying carpet.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Studebaker Enterprises offers the AirPath Dryer, featuring a vertically mounted fan blade matched to a series of concentric louvers to create a 360-degree air stream directed just above the carpet surface. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Bridgepoint introduces new pre-spray.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Fabric Prespray from Bridgepoint Systems is a liquid pre-spray for fine fabrics that use high-grade solvents. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High-alkaline cleaning solutions can cause browning and bleeding, the company said. The solvents in...

U.S. Products aims for better organization.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The King Cobra Series from U.S. Products is built around organization, allowing for higher productivity and more dollars for the contractor, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The King Cobra features a wand caddy for easy...

Hydro-Force gloves available through Interlink Supply.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Hydro-Force's thin-mil Nitrile Disposable Gloves are now available through Interlink Supply. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lightly powdered, 100 percent nitrile "provides superior durability and toughness for light-duty applications where...

U.S. Products unveils self-contained extractor.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Agitator 20 from U.S. Products is a self-contained hot-water extractor, featuring an 80-foot direct-hookup hose and automatic hot-water solution feed/dump that means the 20 has no tanks to fill up or empty. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

P & G has carpet-care products for the jan/san marketplace.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Procter & Gamble has a selection of carpet-care products for the janitorial/sanitation marketplace. Marketed under the P & G Pro Line brand name, the products include three spot removers to handle a broad array of spotting problems. The...

StoneTech wants you to Go Pro.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Go Pro from StoneTech Professional is a marketing support program designed for stone-care professionals. Go Pro comprises four elements: 100 sales presentation portfolios, 100 "Introduction to Stone Care" DVDs for homeowners, a "Stone &...

HOST method aims for cleaner carpets done faster.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The dry extraction carpet cleaning system from HOST/Racine Ind. is designed to clean carpets faster and more effectively. The system "allows carpet to be used immediately after cleaning; no drying time is necessary," according to the company....

Hydro-Force looks to seal the deal.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Available in quarts or gallons, Premium Grout and Stone Sealer from Hydro-Force Mfg., is a water-based sealer that penetrates to protect against water-based and oil-based stains and soil, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Advance offers new rider sweeper to cleaning industry.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Advance introduces the Terra 3700B sweeper, a battery-operated multi-surface machine the company says, "offer high-productivity sweeping without sacrificing maneuverability, safety, or comfort to the operator." The 3700B features a 37-inch...

SKC publishes 2005 catalog.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... SKC Inc., a specialist in airborne contaminant and noise monitoring needs, has published its 2005 Comprehensive Catalog and Sampling Guide. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The 208-page, full-color catalog features technical information, images...

LeatherPro! Releases leather care manual.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... Textile care and consulting group LeatherPro! has released its Leather Care Technician Manual in book form. Available online and in select bookstores, the book covers the history of leather, as well as tanning; identification; cleaning; spot...

Kent/Euroclean seeds the industry with the Rainmaker.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Kent/Euroclean Rainmaker is a 100-psi portable extractor. The Rainmaker features a 14-gallon solution tank, on-board floor-tool storage and easy-to-use compartments for chemical bottles, hand tools or other cleaning items. The...

Tornado runs a Marathon.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2005... The Marathon Carpet Rinser-Dryer Box Extractors from Tornado Industries are designed to work in all carpeted areas. The units feature a 12-gallon recovery/solution tank with a two-stage tangential vacuum motor, generating 163 inches of static...

Conventions & trade shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... MARCH 16-19: ASCR "SOLUTIONS" CONFERENCE Palm Springs, Calif. Call (800) 272-7012 APRIL 1-5: BSCAI CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Orlando, Fla. Call (703) 359-7090 APRIL 18-20: CONNECTIONS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION Orlando, Fla....

Working "on" your business as well as "in" your business: too often, the owners of small service companies find themselves with too much to do and too little time in which to do it.(Building a Profitable Business)
February 1, 2005... They spend a lot of their time dealing with the crisis of the day or putting out the figurative fires that crop up, while they just can't seem to find the time to flesh out their goals and business plan for the year(s) ahead. There is always...

The need for speed: do you get all the vacation time you'd like? Do you get enough time with your family? What is your gross dollar average earnings per hour? Would you like to increase it?(The Gadget Man)
February 1, 2005... I know you have heard the "it takes money to make money" expression before. I believe this. However, I am sometimes dismayed by professionals who believe it takes a lot of money to make money. They plan their business expansions on the next...

New VOC regulations will impact the floor care marketplace.(volatile organic compounds)
February 1, 2005... Floor care professionals, owners and managers of cleaning businesses, and formulators of many of the products used in day-to-day cleaning operations began experiencing a new regulatory landscape Jan. 1. That's when regulators in California,...

Confronting those confounding odors: Ahhh, odors! The bane of the carpet-cleaning industry. They help keep us in business yet confound us on a daily basis.(Notes from the Trenches)
February 1, 2005... We have a plethora of chemicals at our disposal, as well as various pieces of equipment, such as ozone machines, foggers, etc., to combat these problems. It is interesting, then, that on many occasions the remediation required to eliminate the...

"Green" carpet-cleaning products.
February 1, 2005... A healthy 42-year-old woman living in New Jersey had her carpets extracted by a reputable professional carpet-cleaning company. Within hours of the carpet cleaning and deodorizing, the woman experienced an acute asthma attack, seizures, and...

Dri-Eaz calls for third-party certification.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In December 2004, Dri-Eaz President Bill Bruders sent a letter to industry professionals calling on restoration manufacturers to secure independent testing of equipment performance by nationally recognized certification agencies. ...

Institute established to fill stone-information void.(Industry News & Information)(International Stone Institute)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The International Stone Institute has been established to "help fill an information void for those companies and individuals who design, install, fabricate, restore and/or maintain dimensional stone and other stone products," according to a...

Carpet Buyers Handbook initiates online links program.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Carpet Buyers Handbook initiated its Carpet Cleaner Links program in December 2004, offering visitors access to carpet cleaners in their area. The Carpet Buyers Handbook stresses the importance of regular carpet cleaning to its site...

The LMCCA announces 2005 board of directors.(Industry News & Information)(Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Low Moisture Carpet Cleaner's Association, a not-for-profit association that promotes the use of cleaning systems classified as low-moisture, recently announced its 2005 board of directors. Jim Smith of JBS Consultants, Inc. is the...

Interlink Supply holds inaugural advisory board meeting.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Interlink Supply held its first advisory board meeting in Salt Lake City on Dec. 10, 2004. The board was elected by the 55 members of Interlink Supply. The seven members of the board are: Dan Hanchett, Carpet Cleaners Emporium, San Diego;...

New research institute discussed at ISSA.(Industry News & Information)
February 1, 2005... Almost 50 people representing more than 30 organizations in the building maintenance industry met during ISSA/Interclean 2004 New Orleans to discuss the creation of the a new not-for-profit research institute. Hosted by Castle Rock...

Cleanco adds to distributor network.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Cleanco Truckmounts announces that it has added four new companies to its distributor network. The new distributors are: Normandy Carpet Care, Gaithersburg. Mich.; Cleaning Supply Network, Pensacola, Fla.; First Quality Supply, St. Louis...

Nilodor celebrates 50th anniversary.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Nilodor, Inc., of Bolivar, Ohio, the manufacturer of the Nil-odor and Certified brands, announces the celebration of their 50th anniversary. "We would like to thank everyone that has made this milestone possible. We have many exciting...

BSCAI aligns with OSHA.(Industry News & Information)(Building Service Contractors Association International)(Occupational Safety and Health Administration)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Building Service Contractors Association International formalized an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to advance worker safety and health issues, with an added focus on workers with limited English...

IICRC board names 2005 executive committee.(Industry News & Information)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification elected its 2005 executive committee during its board of directors meeting Nov. 8, 2004. The election, which took place in Las Vegas following the 2004 Connections Convention...

PowerPlus welcomes Asian distributor.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... PowerPlus Cleaning Solutions announces that Cleantech Koizumi Co., Ltd., is the company's new Asian Pacific distribution hub/distributor. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "We are glad that, after five years of intense scrutiny and required...

IMACC, Dri-Eaz exploring their possibilities.(Industry News & Information)(Independent Mitigation & Cleaning Conservation network)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Independent Mitigation & Cleaning Conservation network, Dri-Eaz Products and others recently sponsored a real-life fire demonstration to show the difference between immediate fire and water mitigation compared to waiting a few days or even...