ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from February 2007

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from February 2007

Leverage your opportunities: the first vacuum cleaner was developed by an Englishman named Hubert Booth in 1901. It was a monstrous device requiring several men to operate it, and a horse and wagon to pull it through the street.(Editorial Comment)
February 1, 2007... This ridiculous piece of equipment didn't attract much attention beyond that of the curiosity seekers until a fortuitous event took place: Booth's invention was used to clean the blue pile carpets laid in Westminster Abbey for King Edward VII's...

2007 Carpet-Cleaning Chemical Market Study.(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Welcome to ICS Cleaning Specialist magazine's fifth commissioned market study designed to measure the opinions and preferences of floor care and restoration professionals as they pertain to the use of carpet-cleaning...

To groom or not to groom? That is not the question! Growing up in the 50s and 60s, I learned about "carpet raking" before many of you were born.(The Gadget Man)(Personal account)
February 1, 2007... Our home was carpeted with white wool short shag. Mom was a meticulous housekeeper, and we vacuumed that carpet often. After every vacuuming we would pull out the carpet rake--the same rake that could be used to rake leaves in the fall--and...

Drying in high humidity.
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Through many years' experience we've learned what a remarkable difference location makes in determining the correct approach to drying a water-damaged structure. From restorers in Florida who have learned from...

Priorities, balance, and burnout: one of the dangers of being an owner or manger of a growing business is getting immersed in the many day-to-day challenges and exciting future plans to the point of total saturation. It's easy to be so "busy" that every waking moment is focused on the business and every drop of energy goes toward keeping it on track.(Building a Profitable Business)
February 1, 2007... It is at times like this that it is very important to step back and remember the personal reasons behind being in business in the first place. In reviewing the written goals in your business plan, remember that behind every growth projection...

Q&A: insurance and the cleaning professional.(Interview)
February 1, 2007... Let's face it: insurance is one of the necessary evils of doing business. When those statements arrive, no one jumps for joy shouting, "My premiums increased! My premiums increased!" But to ignore the necessity of proper coverage is folly, to...

Butler goes after hard surfaces.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler introduces Maximum Tile, Grout and Hard Surface Cleaner, which the company says is "formulated with anionic and non-ionic surfactant, builders, sequestering agents, anti-corrosion agents and penetrating agents...

HydraMaster adds to the Boxxer family?(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... HydraMaster unveils The Boxxer H20, a new machine designed specifically for water damage recovery, protected by a 2-year drive train warranty and the company's Golden Guarantee. Powered by a liquid-cooled 27-HP engine, the machine employs...

Spotter Solutions carries the load.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Spotting Solutions introduces a new carrying case designed to help cleaners improved their sales of the company's spotters, as well as keep them organized and easily available in the van. The clear, heavy-duty,...

BLUEline releases improved ThermalWave models.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BLUEline Equipment Co. has released the ThermalWave II and ThermalWave II HP models powered by the General Motors Vortec 1.6 liter, 61-HP port fuel-injected power plant. The GM Vortec single overhead cam valve...

Oxy-Force takes on all comers.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Nilodor's Oxy-Force Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Spotter is "a perfect fit for the housekeeping and facility maintenance industry," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Powered by stabilized hydrogen peroxide, Oxy-Force oxidizes...

Betco introduces new automatic scrubber.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Crewman AS20B Automatic Scrubber from Betco Corp. allows the operator "to maneuver with ease through small or congested areas," the company said. The Crewman "effectively and efficiently" cleans up to 15,000...

New shutoff valve combines strength with easy use.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Model 4015-S shutoff valve from Precision Fluid Controls has a balanced design "for an extremely easy, comfortable pull, and stainless steel construction for durable performance and chemical compatibility," the...

Mytee introduces new wand glide?(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... The Banana Gliders from Mytee Products are designed to slide on to some of the industry's most popular wands, and give the professional carpet cleaner many advantages, the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The glides, made with...

Tornado whips up mini-extractors.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The PS Series Professional Spotters from Tornado Industries are mini-extractors that are "perfect for touch-ups and quick stain removal on all kinds of carpets and fabrics," the company said. The 94-CFM vacuum...

Arid-Dry aids in water-damage recovery.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Arid-Dry self-contained mobile drying system from Concepts and Designs MS "combines the proven reliability of desiccant dehumidification and the added benefit of heat to aid in water-damage recovery," the company...

Conventions & trade shows.(Calendar of industry events)(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... FEB. 7-9: SURFACES Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6323 MARCH 5-8: NADCA Nashville. Call (202) 737-2926 MARCH 13-16: ASCR "Solutions" Orlando, Fla. Call (443) 878-1000 MARCH 18-21 PLRB/LIRB Claims Conference & Expo ...

Sporicidin kills MRSA and VRE.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sporicidin Disinfectant Solution provides "100% kill of disease and odor-causing vegetative organisms including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE)," the...

E Instruments does some fine-tuning.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The BTU 1000 Basic Portable Gas Analyzer from E Instruments is a portable multifunctional unit designed for the servicing and maintenance requirements of HVAC professionals. The BTU 1000 features a built-in...

Stone pro depot goes to the edge.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... The Edge from Stone Pro Depot is a tile and stone edge-and-detail tool that cleans within 3mm of the baseboard--the only tool on the market to do so, the company said. Using The Edge instead of hand brushes for detail work can cut edge...

U.S. Products goes solo.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Solus heated carpet extractor from U.S. Products is designed for one-person operation. The unit is built on an upright dolly design with large rear wheels and roller handles for easy maneuvering. The Solus...

National Chemical unveils carpet care line.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] National Chemical Laboratories' Carpet Care Solutions line is "a comprehensive system of cleaners, spot removers, protectors and accessory products offering your facility a simple, cost-effective program for...

System provides employee-screening solutions.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... The Orion System from The Steering Group "can give you the following information in a few short minutes: supervisory attitudes; work attitudes; workplace theft attitudes; workplace drug-use attitudes; customer-service attitudes; and safety and...

Karcher breaks out dry-ice blaster.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Karcher introduces the IB 15/80 Dry Ice Blaster, "a highly effective and mess-free method for in-place cleaning that eliminates the need to disassemble machinery before it is cleaned," the company said. The IB...

One year ends, another begins.(PCUCA New)(Conference notes)
February 1, 2007... An inspiring and motivational chapter ended at the close of 2006, and another began with your new PCUCA board in place. A very special thank you is in order to Jim Miller, outgoing PCUCA president. Jim served our organization well. With his...

Butler introduces Desolv.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Butler Corp. introduces Maximum Desolv, a fast-acting citrus formula for "the effective removal of most gummy, greasy and oily substances from carpet, upholstery and fabrics." Desolv can remove tape residues,...

White Magic conjures new drag tool.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... White Magic's new Max Extractor drag tool is specifically designed for "superior cleaning and water extraction," leaving carpets up to 10 times drier than a typical scrub wand, the company said. The Max Extractor is available with a 16- or...

Hydro-Force offering UV flashlights, amber glasses.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hydro-Force now offers two UV flashlight models. The low-end model is rated to 100,000 hours of bulb life. It can be used in daylight, but works best when lights are dimmed. The high-end model, manufactured by...

Esteam calls for Action! Action! Action!(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Triple Action from Esteam is an encapsulating enzyme-based deodorizer that is "extremely effective as a spotting agent on a broad range of odors associated with humans, animals, food and smoke," the company said. ...

Injectidry looking out for expensive floors.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Protect-It from Injectidry is designed to reduce the risk of damage to expensive floors due to equipment leakage. Made of durable polyethylene plastic, the 25-by-25-inch unit holds 7.5 gallons of emergency overflow. Raised feet on the bottom of...

Ground heaters introduces commercial dehu line.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed to increase production and decrease drying time, the Dryvex R110 and R55 commercial dehumidifiers from Ground Heaters are refrigerant-based systems where moisture-laden air passes across the evaporator coil,...

Software puts moisture on the map.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Moisture Mapper process management software for the water damage professional is a Web-based program that documents and reports the drying portion of a restoration project. Available for a monthly fee, it provides for a repeatable process;...

CFI Symposium & Showcase returns in 2007.(CFI Report)
February 1, 2007... The Carpet & FabriCare Institute's carpet cleaning, mold remediation, and water damage restoration Symposium & Showcase held at the Torrance Marriott in Torrance, Calif. in July 2006 was such an overwhelming success that CFI has elected to...

Misting.(IEQ Q&A)
February 1, 2007... Q: I've heard conflicting comments about misting to reduce dust in the air during mold remediation. My question is, is misting appropriate? A: The use of misting during mold remediation is controversial. On one hand, misting can reduce...

Hard floor maintenance safety: solution application and mechanical agitation: all technicians, whether apprentices or craftsmen, should remember that floor maintenance is not a risk-free occupation.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
February 1, 2007... As a matter of fact, the vocation of floor maintenance puts one in an inherently dangerous environment to begin with. From the time the floor maintenance technicians report to work until they go home, they are subjected to potential danger. ...

Keeping your valuable customers: I present more than 100 seminars across the country each year, and so I get the opportunity to speak with a lot of carpet cleaners. In the last couple of years I have noticed a recurring theme coming from cleaners large and small all over the country.(Putting The Pieces Together)
February 1, 2007... It usually sounds something like "Help!" but after a little conversation, what is clear is that many cleaners feel overwhelmed. Life is very complicated these days, and so is business. I am constantly asked my opinion about the best way to stay...

The power of Permission E-Mail Marketing--Part II: last month we looked at the "why" of e-mail marketing. Now we'll explore the "how" of setting up your Permission E-Mail Marketing System and getting e-mail addresses from your clients and prospects.(Marketing Strategies That Work)
February 1, 2007... Remember, as I mentioned last month, there is a big difference between learning this strategy and doing it. What is the difference? Money. Those who implement make money. Those who don't, well... don't. Most small businesses that fail don't...

When states, municipalities and buildings go green.
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What does it mean to your floor care program when your state or local government decides to go green? Simply put, "green" will impact what you use and how you use it. Let's start with a presidential definition....

Getting emotional on the home front.(To Your Success)
February 1, 2007... "A man's home is his castle."--Anonymous Nothing carries more emotional baggage than the concept of "home." Warmth, peace, family, security, love...they are all wrapped up in an individual's home. So to be successful working in the...

Jon Don.(Product & Literature Guide)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At over 300 pages, Jon-Don's Product Catalog is a comprehensive buying guide offering a wide selection of equipment, chemicals and supplies for fire and water restoration, mold abatement, carpet and upholstery...

Vortex drying systems.(Product & Literature Guide)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Vortex, a BLUEline Equipment Co., is the world's most powerful cleaning machine. Its patented design was invented to address the real world needs of carpet and hard surface cleaners. Vortex offers a 100% lifetime...

Rotovac.(Product & Literature Guide)
February 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Multi-Surface Machine Rotovac's Rotovac 360 cleaning machine, which works with any portable or truckmount extractor, has two heads that clean carpet and tile. The Carpet head has 3 spray jets and 3 smooth-glide...