ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from January 2009

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from January 2009

Best laid plans ...(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
January 1, 2009... I was all set to run through my traditional January routine of introducing readers new and old to the elite group of columnists and contributors (one of whom refers--only half jokingly--to this practice as a "cop out") who make ICS the standout...

Maintaining terrazzo flooring: recently I received a call from an individual concerned about her terrazzo lobby. She said that no matter how much they stripped the floor, it retained a blotchy appearance. She was concerned she may have damaged the floor and would not be able to fix it.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
January 1, 2009... On arrival I noticed the floor was in the process of being stripped, and some of the areas did look blotchy. One of the obvious reasons was that not all of the floor finish had been removed in some areas, but there was also an underlying...

Shading: a cleaning-related challenge: shading is one of the most common complaints the professional cleaner or inspector encounters.(The Inspector Knows Best)
January 1, 2009... It appears in both commercial and residential environments, and is not a phenomenon that is easily explained to the customer; for some reason, they just don't get it. That's why it's so important for the professional cleaner to understand and...

Making peace on the restoration home front--Part II.(To Your Success)
January 1, 2009... "Seek to find peace, and pursue it. --Psalms 34: 14 No part of our industry is more fraught with emotional perils than dealing with a traumatized, trembling and terrified customer suffering from a badly damaged home. Last month we...

Your 9-step marketing plan--step 4: welcome to the fourth step in "your 9-step marketing plan." have you been diligently studying each step? I hope so; it will help your business a lot.(Marketing Strategies That Work)
January 1, 2009... The first step was to Set Your Sales Goals. The second step is to outline a Description of Your Service. Not just the fact that you do carpet cleaning, but what your Unique Experience Proposition (UEP) will be. The third step is called...

2009 Truckmount Equipment & Accessories Guide.
January 1, 2009... Welcome to the 2009 Truckmount Equipment & Accessories Guide, the cleaning and restoration industry's premier truckmount specifications resource. This is where you will find the movers and shakers who make up the vital underpinnings of the...

Lost for Life: this month's gadget is something every one of you absolutely needs, most of you don't have, and unfortunately, most of you won't get. I will be successful today if I convince even one of you to adopt it.(The Gadget Man)
January 1, 2009... I was in my late 30s (today: 56 and counting!) when I began to notice my hearing loss. My wife would yell from the other room, "Take out the garbage!" and not really hearing her, I would pick my clothes up off the bedroom floor and put them...

Phoenix unveils new ducting accessory.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Phoenix Window Adapter is designed for the restoration professional to properly duct drying equipment outside the affected structure. It quickly adapts to most double hung and sliding windows as a portal without...

Hydro-Force sealer hits the marketplace.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... A new water-based stone and grout sealer from Hydro-Force utilizes a unique formula to achieve "all the benefits of solvent-based grout sealers in a water-based product." It resists soils, stains, chemical degradation, biological growth and...

U.S. Products offers an advantage.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The all-new Cobra Advantage series from U.S. Products puts competitive pricing and features together in one package. For instance, the Cobra Advantage 100 features an in-line 1,200-watt heater that produces...

Zipper a mix of precision and performance.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carpet Care Pro Mfg., Inc., introduces the Zipper, a dual-draw carpet-cleaning tool designed so that "each stroke is like going over the carpet twice with a scrub wand," the company said. The Zipper is made of...

E-TES 120 ups the drying ante.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... Tes Drying Systems' E-TES allows technicians to add the power of Directed Heat Drying to conventional dehumidification-based drying systems. With a maximum draw of 14.6 amps, the E-TES 120 can be used anywhere where two standard 110-120V...

New brochure and professional supplies catalog from butler.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Butler Corporation "is pleased to present, in full color, its new 90-page Butler System brochure and its 70-page Professional Supplies Catalog, showcasing the equipment and supplies preferred by thousands in the...

"The business of green cleaning" now available.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... A new book by Stephen Ashkin and David Holly, "The Business of Green Cleaning," has just been published and is now available to facility professionals. The book is intended to help facility managers and others "make a successful, trouble-free,...

Sporicidin introduces new cleaner.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sporicidin Brand Enzymatic Cleaner is a blend of enzymes in a low foaming solution formulated to loosen and remove dried debris, protein, blood and mucin deposits. It cleans both natural and synthetic fibers that...

Bio-Reveal gets to the heart of the matter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The SYSTEMSURE PLUS luminometer is at the heart of the Bio-Reveal realtime contamination detection system. With "stunning accuracy portability and simplicity, the SYSTEMSURE PLUS is the perfect tool for rapid...

Namco putting the brakes on mold.(Products & Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Namco's Mold Controller is a one-step disinfectant germicidal detergent and deodorant. It's uses include operating as a psuedomonicidal; staphylocidal; salmonellacidal; bactericidal; fungicidal; mildewstatic and...

Bridgepoint is seeing red.(Products & Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] RedZONE Red Stain Remover from Bridgepoint is a two-step food and beverage stain removal process that is designed to alter the structure of stains by removing, bleaching, or making them invisible. The product is safe...

HydraMaster unveils new jetless upholstery tool.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] HydraMaster's new DriMaster Jetless Cleaning upholstery tool "weighs less than half of other upholstery tools and is exceptionally comfortable to use," the company said. Because there is no need for a trigger...

New parts available from BLUEline Equipment Co.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... BLUEline Equipment Co. is offering a new In-Line Pre-Filter and a Super Pumpout System. The In-Line Pre-Filter features a 2-1/2" OD and 2" ID inlet and outlet for minimal suction loss. The 10" diameter and 27" long support is made from marine...

Fluke thermal imagers now include in-box training.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fluke Corporation now includes an in-depth training program free with new Fluke thermal imagers. The 2 1/2-hour training package includes step-by-step instructions covering both the theory and practice of thermal...

Butler introduces maximum traffic lane cleaner.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler Maximum Traffic Lane Cleaner is "exclusively formulated for fiber penetration and soil suspension with an aggressive concentration of softeners, foam suppressors and surface tension soil breakers. A moderate...

Bridgepoint is in the "ZONE".(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... PetZONE with Hydrocide from Bridgepoint "combines the cleaning and deodorizing power of natural oxygen with the odor bonding and encapsulating power of Hydrocide to give the professional cleaner an entirely new way to neutralize odors caused by...

Low-cost, high-performance chemistry from CTI.(Products Tools & Equipment)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new CTI Efficient brand leads the way in low-cost, high-performance products for professional carpet cleaners. Efficient Extract "has been met with good reviews from professionals, and now Efficient Pre-Spray, a...

Message from the president.(CFI Report)
January 1, 2009... After reading through old issues of Western Carpet Cleaner and Western Cleantalk, I can't help but be again reminded of how much CFI has grown and changed since Gene and George Janssen, whom I've never met, founded the Rug Cleaners Institute...

Legend Brands establishes new corporate entity.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... Legend Brands, the parent company of Dri-Eaz Products and Unsmoke/ Microban, has established a new corporate entity called Sapphire Scientifi c to launch a new system for carpet cleaning professionals. "Sapphire Scientific will redefine...

Naturell receives EPA recognition.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... Naturell, a franchise offering organic and eco-friendly carpet and upholstery cleaning, was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a Champion in the Design for the Environment Program's Safer Detergents Stewardship...

Bridgepoint's Green Balance now Green Seal certified.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Green Balance Carpet Prespray and Green Balance Carpet Extraction Rinse by Bridgepoint Systems have been awarded the Green Seal environmental certification mark certifying that the products comply with the Green Seal...

ISSA, BSCAI form strategic alliance.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... ISSA and the Building Service Contractors Association International recently announced their agreement on and formation of a strategic alliance to capitalize on the strengths of both organizations for the betterment of the industry and their...

K-tech receives 2008 AWCC Member of the Year Award.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... K-tech Kleening Systems, Inc., a second-generation family-owned business with offices in six locations throughout Wisconsin, has been selected for the 2008 Association of Wisconsin Cleaning Contractors (AWCC) Member of the Year Award. The...

IICRC ANSI-approved S520 now available.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification ANSI-approved S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation is now available. The new reference guide, which provides updates to the standard originally...

TMF hits 1,300 members in six months.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Truck Mount Forums, a "new and exciting way to take your company to higher profits," according to the company, recently announced it has reached 1,300 members in just six months. The site at...

Interlink Supply announces new distributor location.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... Interlink Supply's 73rd affiliate location has opened--Interlink Supply of Seattle. Located in Tukwila, Washington, near the Sea-Tac airport, Interlink Supply of Seattle has an 11,000-square-foot location complete with a dedicated education...

Carpet Care Service receives 2008 Best of Summerville Award.(Industry News & Information)
January 1, 2009... Carpet Care Service has been selected for the 2008 Best of Summerville Award in the Carpet & Rug Cleaners category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). In recognition of their achievement, a 2008 Best of Summerville Award plaque has...

Prochem.(Must See Products Gallery)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The industries top selling Fluorosil Odor Neutralizer line has been expanded. Adding to the existing Floral and Citrus fragrances will be Apple Orchard and Tropical Breeze. The new fragrances were chosen after...

Revenue guarantee! Earn more today: Rotobrush.(Must See Products Gallery)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Provide an in-demand service--air duct cleaning--and increase revenue. Rotobrush[R] can help you add air duct cleaning to your residential or commercial business--quickly and easily. Take advantage of our new...

Calendar of industry events: conventions & trade shows.(Calendar)
January 1, 2009... FEB. 3-5--Surfaces 2009 , Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6463, FEB. 22-25--Insights 2009, Scottsdale, AZ. Call (877) 741-7469 FEB. 24-26--IAQA 12th Annual Meeting & Indoor Air Expo, Fort Worth, TX. Call (301) 231-8388 MARCH 6-9:--2009...

A new year and a new beginning: it's January, and I have been the IICRC president for a little more than three months.(IICRC President's Corner)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)(Column)
January 1, 2009... I have been on the IICRC board of directors for 12 years and have seen many good presidents come and go. I have enjoyed their leadership and followed what they do, observing the passion these folks have for our industry. Of course, it doesn't...