ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from July 2002

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from July 2002

Brave new world: whenever Aldous Huxley's utopian satire, sitting on the bookcase in all its dog-eared glory, catches my eye, I know from page-turning experience what goes on in his world. (Editorial Comment).(cleaning trade journal)
July 1, 2002... I'll be honest. I'm not really sure what to expect from the cleaning industry, or what its expectations of me are. Call it anxious curiosity with a touch of detente. Scrubbers, brighteners, wands, truckmounts, flow; it's like falling down the...

The advantages of visiting the site: I recently went on a couple of estimates that reminded me why I prefer to make a site visit for any job before I schedule or price it. (Carpet Cleaning Basics).
July 1, 2002... I actually call them "price quotes," since I give the customer a total price down to the penny, nor just an estimate. But the choice is up to you. The site visit is something I've done since the clays of my first carpet cleaning class in...

Increasing profits through add-on sales: business experts always say that there are really only two goals in business: to make a profit and to stay in business. For now, let's focus on making a profit. (Building a Profitable Business).
July 1, 2002... Many factors enter into computing actual profit, but to put it simply, profit is the difference between what is charged for a product or service and what it costs to deliver it. The greater the difference, or margin, between those amounts, the...

Restoring fire-damaged kitchen accessories Part 1: if there is any room in a residence where fires are most likely to occur, it is the kitchen. (Rx for Restoration).
July 1, 2002... While kitchens contain many different items, we'll focus on several of the most common and the procedures for their restoration. Dishes and Glassware The single most common category in kitchens includes dishes and glassware. Most are...

How is the IICRC doing? (IICRC President's Corner).(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
July 1, 2002... The IICRC recently added four new training courses, two in hard surface inspections and two in restoration. These courses are a direct reflection of how the cleaning and restoration industry has been changing. There is a much greater emphasis...

Unbelievable! Graffiti Off makes site cleanup easy. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Unbelievable! looks to make site cleanup easy with Graffiti Off. The acetone-based formula is designed to remove paints and stains from concrete, brick, stone, metal; Plexiglas, glass and vinyl. Graffiti Off is non-toxic, non-corrosive and...

Hydro-Force offers Belt Packs to the professional. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Hydro-Force offers single and double Belt Packs that the company says are great for the professional cleaner and restoration specialist. Small equipment can be conveniently stored for sporting, measuring, moving, trimming and other jobs, the...

Magic Wand and Steam Action introduce Sam-II. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Magic Wand Co. and Steam Action introduce the Sam-II, complete with a #6.5 liquid-cooled blower and 20 inches of lift. The Sam-II is based on an all-stainless steel frame. Four stainless-steel heat exchangers can produce up to 240 degrees...

Cat Pump unveils 5CP Plunger Pump. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Cat Pumps unveils the new 5CP Plunger Pump, a high-performance pump in a compact, lightweight frame. The pump delivers 6 GPM up to 2000 psi and features a corrosion-resistant split manifold for easy servicing. The pump is designed for...

HydraMaster releases truckmount brochures. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... HydraMaster is releasing new brochures of its popular truckmount lines and systems, including the Boxxer, 2002 Maxx and the CDS OverDrive clutch drive system. Each brochure features images of components in large, four-color photos...

Dri-Eaz's Dragon brings on the heat. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Dri-Eaz rolls out their newest specialty tool for restorative drying, the Dragon K85 Mobile Furnace. The Dragon introduces heat to any water-damaged area, without adding moisture or fumes, to help speed up drying times for water damage in...

Delmhorst aims for accuracy with Accuscan. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Delmhorst introduces Accuscan, a pin-less moisture meter for restoration contractors and IAQ and mold remediation specialists. The Accuscan features an easy-to-read analog readout, a 0-100 color-coded reference scale for non-wood building...

Camden Products works for mold prevention. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Camden Products introduces Anti-Growth, a multi-use surface-based product designed to prevent mold and control its reemergence. A quaternary product encapsulated into a resin that is applied like a sealer for time-released control of re-growth,...

Rubbermaid offers lightweight vacuum for heavy problems. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Rubbermaid Commercial Products introduces the Dual Suction System Lightweight Vacuum. Weighing 9 pounds excluding the cord, the vacuums 16-amp motor works for cleaning both carpeted and hardwood floors. The dual-fan suction system provides two...

PowerClean reformulates enzyme pre-spray. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... PowerClean Industries has reformulated its enzyme pre-spray. According to the company, Bio-Klenz is faster acting than before, utilizing a five-strain blend of enzymes in addition to a fast-acting, citrus-based solvent. Bio-Klenz carries a...

Dri-Eaz launches redesigned web site. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Dri-Eaz Products has launched its newly redesigned web site at www.dri-eaz.com. According to the company, the new design offers easier navigation, quicker access to product information, online warranty information, expanded parts lists and...

Viper Industrial injects its "Venom". (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Viper Industrial Products introduces the Venom floor machine. Packaged as a complete kit, the Venom features a 1.75 HP motor with interchangeable 17- and 20-inch shroucis and 16- and 19-inch pad drivers for dual applications. The package...

Magic Wand goes back in the water. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Magic Wand Co. goes back in the water with Jaws II The Agitator. The all-metal, rust proof tool with 18 cutting teeth safely rips apart wax and gum from carpeting, according to the company. The Agitator is 6-inches long. Circle 219 on the...

PRO Team releases Running Vac with HEPA filtration. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... ProTeam now offers the RUNNING VAC canister vacuum with HEPA filtration. The vacuum features large rear wheels and a single-pivoting front caster. The new model exemplifies ProTeam's "Cleaning for Health" trademark, the company says. The...

Jon-Don publishes "Secrets to Success" magazine. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Jon-Don has published, "SECRETS TO SUCCESS," an educational magazine providing information on the cleaning and restoration industry, available at no charge upon request. The magazine includes articles on specific marketing and sales...

Oreck XL brings carpets back to life. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... The Oreck XL vacuum features pile-lifting roller brushes designed to groom carpet fibers as they loosen deeply embedded dirt. The 8-pound machine features the company's Helping Hand Handle to help eliminate stress and strain on the user's elbow...

Nobles Foam Scrubbing Technology cuts down on workload. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Nobles introduces FOAM SCRUBBING TECHNOLOGY (FaST) for the commercial floor cleaning industry. The FaST system utilizes a surfactant mixed with water and air to produce a scrubbing foam. The foam returns to its liquid state by the time the...

Alto introduces Wash & Rinse extraction system. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Alto's Clarke Technology has released the Wash & Rinse extraction system for carpets. The system puts down soapy water, scrubs the carper with a cylindrical brush and rinses the carpet with clean water. According to the company, Wash &...

OdoBan eliminates problem odors. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Clean Control Corp. introduces OdoBan Odor Eliminator & Disinfectant. According to the company, instead of masking odors, OdoBan eliminates them by disinfecting and deodorizing fabric and surfaces. A multi-purpose cleaner, disinfectant and...

Tuthill Pneumatics releases updated BlowerXpert software. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Tuthill Pneumatics Group has updated BLOWERXPERT, the company's online software for customizing blower design. BlowerXpert version 6 includes the ability to size rotary blowers and vacuum boosters at multiple stages, keep multiple project...

HydraMaster pre-spray shakes things up. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... HydraMaster recently introduced Quake, a heavy-duty pre-spray and traffic lane cleaner. According to HydraMaster, Quake is excellent for emulsifying heavy grease and oil soils. The combination of olvents and high pH alkaline cleaning agents is...

Gale Force moves air like a hurricane. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Jon-Don and Dry-Air introduce the GALE FORCE air mover. Marketed as the next generation in air movers, the Gale Force enables users to plug in up to six units in a single 15-amp outlet. Engineering the fan blades at the back of the unit,...

Hydro-Force enhances Spinergy formulation. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Hydro-Force Manufacturing has released an improved formulation of its Spinergy, 2 acid cleaner. According to the company, the new formula makes Spinergy 2 even more effective on manmade ceramic, porcelain and quarry tile. Spinergy 2...

Dri-Eaz filter defends air. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Dri-Eaz previewed the DefendAir EX, a HEPA air scrubber, at the ASCR convention in Palm Springs, Calif. earlier this year. The 49-pound DefendAir EX features HEPA efficiency, ABS housing and variable CFM operation. Circle 193 on the Reader...

Nobles launches burnisher. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Nobles has replaced the Integrity Burnisher with the UltraShine Dust Countrol Burnisher, which features an adjustable folding handle, a free-floating head, automatic vacuum actuation, a pad pressure knob, an amp meter, a flexible dust skirt,...

Hydro-Force improves Gekko. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Hydro-Force Manufacturing now makes the Gekko, a tile and grout tool, with a stainless steel wand. According to the company, the new wand provides greater strength and durability than the older aluminum model. The Gekko works with...

ProRaceR debuts. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Hydro Tech recently unveiled the ProRaceR, a hard surface cleaning tool. ProRaceR features a 1/8 HP electric motor, a 19-inch Clean & Capture cleaning path, immediate extraction and forward thrust. The cleaning machine works with truck...

Orbis Opti-Speed premieres. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Truvox International Inc. has unveiled the Orbis Opti-Speed, a rotary floor cleaner and polisher. The Orbis Opti-Speed runs at 225rpm and features an ergonomic handle, an offset motor, dual safety interlock buttons, and a decoupled drive...

PMF waves new wand. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Production Metal Forming recently unveiled W15802CC, the company's newest wand. The 12-inch dual jet stainless steel wand features a comfort grip assist handle with a vinyl sleeve for hand protection from heat. The double bend want also...

Bridgepoint's Bio-Charge gets rid of odors. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bridgepoint Systems introduces BioCharge, a highly concentrated bacteria/enzyme formulation designed for use with Bridgepoint Premium Odor Counteractants. The company says BiaCharge will remove virtually any chemical or organic source odors,...

Steam Way launches SelectTeam website. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Steam Way International is launching a new web home for their SelectTeam business management and marketing assistance program at www.selectteamplus.com. Circle 243 on the Reader Inquiry Card The site includes instant access to training...

CompleteSeal protects fabric and carpet. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... CompleteSeal is a multi-purpose fabric and carpet protector designed to resist staining and soiling by keeping soil on the surface of the fiber. According to the company, CompleteSeal can be used on top of every type of mill-treated fabric...

Betco introduces two-step mold reduction program. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Betco Corp. introduces Restrain, a two-step program designed to address mold problems in facilities and businesses. Restrain Peroxide Cleaner is designed for restroom, carpet and surface cleaning. The cleaner is non-flammable and non-corrosive....

Northland offers new portable. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Northland Products has released the Intrepid carpet and hard-surface extractor. The Intrepid features a 15-gallon solution tank with a lifetime warranty on the polyethylene housing, a hinged design and in-line heating that maintains a...

StoneTech introduces professional care kit. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... The Tile & Stone Care Kit from StoneTech Professional includes a 24-ounce ready-to-use spray bottle of Revitalizer, the company's daily use tile and stone cleaner plus sealer; one 32-ounce bottle of Impregnator Pro heavy-duty stone, tile and...

Tekdea introduces Cushion Caddy. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Tekdea introduces the Cushion Caddy, designed to hold upholstery cushions in place for easier cleaning. The Cushion Caddy's design helps to eliminate lower back pain experienced when cleaning cushions as well, the company says. The Cushion...

Unsmoke cleaner now approved in California. (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Unsmoke-Microban introduces Microban QGC, an EPA-approved disinfectant, fungicide, virucide, mildewstat, deodorizer and heavy-duty cleaner, is now approved for use in California. According to the company, Microban QGC inhibits the growth of...

Vortex website updated with FAQ. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Vortex has updated their website with a Frequently Asked Questions section. The FAQ includes photographs of the machine as well as derailed responses to common questions about operation and usage. The site will be upgraded on a regular...

Bramton looks to eliminate odors "Outright". (Products Tools & Equipment).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Bramton Co. has reformulated Outright, one of the first bacteria/enzyme formulas in the carpet cleaning industry. Outright contains a synergistic blend of naturally occurring bacteria strains. According to the company, the patented formula...

Alto premieres its "Bext" series yet. (Products Tools & Equipment).
July 1, 2002... Alto's Bext series of on-board hot water the newest, most innovative designs from Clarke Technology to produce the most productive heated box extraction equipment on the marker, the company says. According to Alto, the onboard heat...

Reaching out and staying in touch: imagine the following happening to you; a homeowner mentions to her neighbor that carpet cleaning is on her agenda that week. But she just isn't certain whom to phone. (Notes From the Trenches).
July 1, 2002... Her neighbor replies that she had her rugs cleaned several months ago and was extremely satisfied with the job. "They did wonderful work," she said. "Very professional! This guy made my dingy old carpeting look like new!" The homeowner...

Face to face: choosing the right tools. (To Your Success).(carpet cleaning business )
July 1, 2002... "Man is a tool-using animal... Without tools he is nothing, with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle (1795- 1881) It has been more than 10 years since I sold my cleaning/restoration business, yet I still get a touch of nostalgia when...

Concepts in carpet chemistry. (Focus on Chemicals).
July 1, 2002... I would love to see what cleaning chemicals are in use 50 years from now. There will probably be new carpet fibers that repel soil types more effectively for these cleaners to work with. Perhaps future diets will change those carpet soils for...

Wish you may, wish you might: are you a cleaning business owner who wants to "get there" without having to do the work on the way? (The Training Corner).
July 1, 2002... I have come to the conclusion, after years of confusing and often disappointing results, that training is much more complex than I ever realized. In the May issue of ICS I discussed my discovery of a sizeable segment of small-business...

Protimeter transition complete. (Industry News & Information).(General Electric acquisition)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Protimeter North America's transition to a subsidiary of General Electric is complete, according to company officials. GE Industrial Systems acquired Protimeter, a manufacturer of hand-held moisture meters, late last year as part of...

LMCCA restores carpet at annual outing. (Industry News & Information).(Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Low Moisture Carpet Cleaners Association (LMCCA) held its annual outing May 12-13 in Dalton, Ga. The LMCCA membership used various low moisture cleaning systems and methods to restore a hotel carpet that the management had slated for...

CFI/PCUCA Convention scheduled for August. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... The 2002 convention and trade show of the Carpet & Fabricare Institute (GEL) and the Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Association (PCUCA) is set to held in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 15-17. The convention's theme, "Discover the...

Bane-Clene 40th anniversary open house well attended. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bane-Clene held an open house on April 27 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the company. Loyal customers came from across the United States to celebrate with the Banes. The large attendance at the event was especially rewarding for the Banes...

IICRC well-represented at IEQ conferences. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) was well represented at two major Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) conferences this past month. The organization's experience in remediation practices and their...

Steam Way announces Sizzlin' Summer Sales Contest. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... Steam Way International has announced the Sizzlin' Summer Sales Contest for the company's 9100LX truck mounted cleaning plant. Customers who purchase a 9100LX from May 1-Aug. 31, 2002 are eligible to win valuable prizes. Prizes include 50...

Prochem initiating "Word of Mouth" campaign. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... Prochem is launching a consumer-targeted media campaign designed to educate the homeowner on various cleaning methods and on what carpet manufacturers say about carpet maintenance. The campaign will be supported by newspaper articles,...

Delco sponsors picture contest. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... Delco Cleaning Systems of Fort Worth, Texas is sponsoring a "Power Washing" picture contest. Entries must depict the power wash industry and be submitted in accordance with the contest rules. The first place winner will receive $1,000....

DRC holds spring conference and trade show. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... The Disaster Restoration Contractors 2002 Spring Conference and Trade Show was held in Toronto, Canada, April 26-27. Highlighting the list of operational concerns was the ongoing issue of mold remediation. A number of sessions addressing the...

Bridgepoint HQ addition complete. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Bridgepoint Systems corporate headquarters recently underwent a renovation, emerging with a 25,000-square-foot addition to the main campus. The Salt Lake City-based company says the addition allows for more warehouse space, offices, and a...

DuPont launches Surface Protection Solutions web site. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise has launched a web site for its SURFACE PROTECTION SOLUTIONS business at www.surfaceprotectionsolutions.dupont.com. The site provides detailed information on its entire product line, as well as those...

Steam Way to hold Extravaganza 2002 symposium in September. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2002... Steam Way International will hold its EXTRAVAGANZA 2002 business symposium Sept. 27-29 in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Topics will include "How to determine advertising effectiveness," "There's a fungus amongst us," "How to determine your real cost...

DKI member company raises more than $26K for cancer center. (Industry News & Information).(Disaster Kleenup International Inc.; Green Construction Services)
July 1, 2002... A Disaster Kleenup International, Inc. member raised $26,800 for a Florida cancer center. Green Construction Services of Lakeland, Fla., presented a check to the Children's Cancer Center of Tampa Bay in May. The money represented net...

To Clarify: April ICS 2002. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The "Yellowing Problems Associated with Residential Vinyl Floors" article in the April issue included the statement that "Unfortunately, a rubber-backed carper mat may stain the floor a yellow that is almost impossible to remove." Author...