ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from July 2003

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from July 2003

A midsummer night's theme. (Editorial Comment).(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... Ah, summer. Nothing quite like it. Year in and year out, the long hot summer provides a respite to replenish the reservoirs, recharge the batteries and look about for the next hot topic of the day. There's a bit of a lull right now. The...

The shape of the future: it's not often a new technology comes along that can change the shape of an industry. (Advertisement: New Technology from HydraMaster).(carpet cleaning system)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2003... HydraMaster's new DriMaster[TM] technology is so unique that it could change the way carpets are cleaned in the future. What else but unique would you call an extraction carpet cleaning system that has no jets and claims dry-times of only 1...

Always consider the big picture: I sometimes wonder how many cleaners turn down small, insignificant jobs without considering the impact it will have on their big picture. (Notes from the Trenches).
July 1, 2003... You know the type of jobs I'm talking about. "Could you come here for a small spot?" or "We just need a pillow from our sofa cleaned." Between the gas required to drive out to the house and the time involved, it probably makes more sense to...

Education and certification in the cleaning and restoration industry.
July 1, 2003... Education and certification: yesterday, today and tomorrow. By Lee Zimmerman When it comes to education and certification in the cleaning and restoration industry, it is important to look at where we have come from, where we are now...

Connections 2003: the ICS interview.(cleaning and restoration industry trade show)(Interview)
July 1, 2003... There is been a lot of buzz in the cleaning and restoration industry concerning the Connections 2003 Convention and Trade Show coming this October, much of which is producing as many questions as answers. ICS Cleaning Specialist rakes the...

Establishing a company training program. (Building a Profitable Business).
July 1, 2003... One very important, but often ignored, area of every company's business plan is a formal orientation and training program for staff. This program might be divided into three primary areas: new employee orientation to company policies;...

Steam Way introduces cleaning-tech catalog. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Steam Way International introduces its new Steam Way International Catalog, 52 pages of detailed information about the company's complete line of truck-mounted equipment and total support programs; carpet and upholstery care solutions;...

Vaportek product guide now available. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Vaportek has published a new product guide, "Simple Solutions for Tough Odors," featuring the company's selection of odor-control products. Vaportek's membrane- and disk systems are designed to provide what the company describes as "safe,...

3M kit provides respiratory protection. (Products).
July 1, 2003... The Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Division of 3M introduces the 3M Mold Remediation Respirator Kit. The kit contains everything needed for full face-piece respiratory protection for mold remediation, the company says, including...

Spartan offers two new floor finishes. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Spartan Chemical Co. offers two new floor' finishes utilizing polymer technology. White Sun is an 18 percent high-solids finish designed to amplify and improve the overall look of floors. iShine is a 25 percent high-solids formula the company...

Bridgepoint releases new pre-spray. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Bridgepoint Systems introduces Encapuclean, a new carpet pre-spray. Encapuclean "is a complete soil encapsulator for use in either brush-style cleaning or bonnet-style cleaning," the company said. Encapuclean uses a special polymer barrier...

Aluminum loading ramps make the link. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Link Manufacturing's Carpet Management Products division introduces the Model LT3O line of mounted aluminum loading ramps designed for the loading of automatic scrubbers. The ramp line's gradual incline is intended to allow the wheels to...

ERC fills cleaning needs. (Products).
July 1, 2003... ERC Wiping Products Inc. offers a complete line of terry towels for all carpet cleaning needs. Popular towels include a white 16-by-19-inch towel for carpet spotting, and a 20-by-30-inch bath mat the company describes as "ideal for steam...

WD-40 takes aim with Spot Shot. (Products).
July 1, 2003... The WD-40 Co. introduces Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover, designed to make stain removal "a snap for maintenance crews, janitors and sanitation professionals." Spot Shot removes stains and spots instantly without rubbing, scrubbing...

HydraMaster carefully plans its Last Step. (Products).
July 1, 2003... HydraMaster has added the Last-Step Chemical System to its CDSTM 4.6 and 4.8 Overdrive. Last-Step Chemical injection means no chemical passes through the water pump or heat exchangers, the company said. The patented Chemical Pulse Pump is...

Performance takes hard surface cleaning to new level. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Performance Truck-mounts introduces the Nitro-Maxx Power Hard Surface Cleaning Tool. The Nitro-Maxx "makes cleaning any hard surface a breeze," the company said. The Nitro-Maxx comes with a built-in psi gauge. Circle 219 on the Reader...

EZ Moves adds to furniture-moving line. (Products).
July 1, 2003... EZ Moves has added EZ Moves HS Hard Surface Furniture Slides to its line of furniture-moving products. The slides allow one person to move heavy furniture and appliances across hard surface floors, the company said. The Hard Surface...

3M introduces tougher Scotchgard formulation. (Products).
July 1, 2003... 3M introduces the new professional, in-home applied Scotchgard Protector for Fabric and Upholstery. "The reformulated Scotchgard protector combines 3M's innovative and breakthrough technology to meet consumer demands of today's market,"...

MPO offers precision cleaning station. (Products).
July 1, 2003... MPO Systems Inc. introduced its Model #2020 Precision Cleaning Station, featuring a stainless steel spray booth and component design, at the ASCR Convention in Savannah, Ga., March 11-14. The corrosion-resistant cabinet ensures the interior...

Tennant introduces new sweeper models. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Tennant Co. introduces the 6650 and 6600 Power Sweepers, designed for operation indoors and out, offering numerous features for high performance, operator comfort, maneuverability, dust control and efficiency. The 6600 features power...

Enviro-Mold looks to streamline processes. (Products).
July 1, 2003... Enviro-Mold IAQ Services has developed two new CDs for the mold remediation field. The Line-Item Pricing List contains more than 250 line items, and "is the same line item pricing preferred and accepted by all the major insurance companies...

SurgAcare offers cleaning, disinfecting options. (Products).
July 1, 2003... SurgAcare offers a line of products created using isopropyl alcohol, including antiseptic hand gel, disinfectant spray and disinfectant cleaner, that the company describes as "the only products that are non-toxic, biodegradable and compatible...

Natural stone floor care takes planning. (Hard Floor Maintenance).
July 1, 2003... Marble, limestone, granite, slate and other natural stone floors are being installed more than ever before. with these floors comes the need for qualified cleaners and restorers. The demand and market is there. One advantage carpet cleaners...

The finer points of... advertising.
July 1, 2003... I have been in the advertising and marketing business for about 25 years. Fifteen years ago I found myself amersed in the carpet care industry when I began creating advertising for a local carpet cleaning company, a company that grew to earn...

Crime-scene cleanup: it is estimated that only about 20 percent of death scenes are cared for by a trained company or staff. The other 80 percent is left to family, friends or someone else.
July 1, 2003... The world is an ever-changing place. In the last two years there have been a growing number of violent incidents occurring across the country. We have seen an increase in the number of suicides raking place, domestic violence is growing in...

Dri-Eaz and GE Protimeter form alliance. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Dri-Eaz Products officials announced that the company would form a strategic alliance with GE Protimeter. "We were looking for an established manufacturer who shares DriEaz's commitment to quality and innovation," John Ormsby, Dri-Eaz...

Steam Way to hold 2003 Extravaganza at Connections. (Industry News & Information).(Steam Way International Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Steam Way International will hold its annual Extravaganza during the Connections 2003 Trade Show and Convention in Las Vegas. The Extravaganza will be held Oct. 2 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. The one-day event will feature speakers...

Jon-Don holds annual truckmount symposium. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Jon-Don held its annual truckmount symposium at the company's Roselle, Ill. facility. May 1-2. Attendees who stopped by were privy to free workshops, truckmount demonstrations and a complimentary lunch. Representatives from several...

Butler appoints new sales representative. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Butler Corp. has appointed Armand Sousa as its new MidAtlantic/Florida sales representative. Sousa will be the company's representative for the demonstration and sale of The Butler System. He began his career with Butler as a system...

Study compares disinfectant to bleach. (Industry News & Information).(University of Maryland)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The University of Maryland recently completed a 2-year study comparing Sporicidin disinfectants and household bleach, according to Sporicidin. The study "concluded that Sporicidin is more effective than household bleach in controlling mold...

Performance welcomes new distributor. (Industry News & Information).(Performance Truckmounts to use Kleen Pro Supply as its newest distributor)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Performance Truckmounts has appointed Jim and Ray Perrine of Kleen Pro Supply in Sandy, Utah as its newest distributors. Kleen Pro Supply is a full-line distributor, and will install equipment, offer service and carry parts in addition to...

Seattle awards contract to R&D supply. (Industry News & Information).(Department of Executive Administration, Purchasing Services Divisision contracts R&D Supply Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Seattle Department of Executive Administration, Purchasing Services Division recently awarded a green cleaning contract to R&D Supply Inc., of Auburn, Wash. R&D will be supplying H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 for a number of cleaning...

MasterBlend announces appointment of distributor. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... MasterBlend has announced the appointment of The Powder House as the company's distributor for northern Idaho and western Montana. The Powder House can be found at www.thepowderhouse.com.

CFI's Los Angeles region holds monthly meeting. (Industry News & Information).
July 1, 2003... The Los Angeles region of the CFI held its monthly chapter meeting May 29. Hosted by Coastline Cleaning and Restoration Specialists in Signal Hill, Calif., the meeting focused on a marketing opportunity to expand into mattress cleaning. ...

Illinois cleaner without peer. (Industry News & Information).(Peerless Cleaners Inc. receives Outstanding Small Business of the Year award in Decatur and Mason County, Illinois)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Decatur, Ill.-based Peerless Cleaners, Inc., was recently voted Outstanding Small Business of the Year in Decatur and Macon County. Peerless Cleaners is a member of the American Biorecovery Association, the Association of Specialists in...

CRI distributing video to physicians nationwide. (Industry News & Information).(Carpet and Rug Institute distribute instructional CD-ROM)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Carpet and Rug Institute is distributing CD-ROM video containing a three-minute audio-visual presentation highlighting new studies regarding the relationship between well-maintained carpet and the likelihood of breathing problems related to...

PCCS to open new facility in July. (Industry News & Information).(Professional Carpet Cleaners Supply)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Professional Carpet Cleaners Supply will be opening its new 20,000-square-foot facility in Euless, Texas, in July. The new facility will house a new product showroom, a larger equipment service area, and more warehouse space for inventory of...

ASCR golf tourney raises $5,000. (Industry News & Information).(Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration 2003 golf event raised $5,000 for the Ronald McDonald House in Savannah, GA. The two-year total donated to Ronald McDonald Houses as a result of the tournament stands at $10,000,...

Clarke launches new company web site. (Industry News & Information).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Clarke, a division of ALTO U.S., has launched a new company web site focused on its North American business activities. Information on the company's products, employees and promotional activities can now be found at www.clarkeus.com. "This...

Winning vs. success. (To your Success).
July 1, 2003... Sam Walton, wal-mart founder. Everyone would rather win than lose. Losers have been mocked, ridiculed and punished for thousands of years, and this treatment isn't likely to change anytime soon. win vb: "to gain the victory in a...

Find and embrace a just cause. (The Training Corner).(corporations and community)
July 1, 2003... What does your company stand for? If it's largely to make more big-time money and pay yourself an outrageous salary and perks, don't count on employees, let alone your customers and prospects, to believe in you. But companies with a cause...

Remove the risk, reap the rewards. (Editorial Comment).(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... "Be careful!" Nothing sends a shiver down the spine of a 9-year-old like those two simple words. It's not the words themselves, mind you; it's the Murphy's-Law fact that they're issued by the child's mother immediately after his friends...

Safety from the bottom up.
July 1, 2003... Feet don't do your thinking for you, but they will let you know when you're slipping into trouble. And by the time you realize it, you could be sprawled across a slippery floor with bumps and bruises. With workplace injuries from slipping...

Removing sand from carpet.
July 1, 2003... Sand belongs on the beach, nor in your building's carpet. Even though sand is ally associated with beaches, it can be found as a component in the dirt that gets on the carpet in most commercial buildings. Careful maintenance planning is...

You and your clients: partners in safety.
July 1, 2003... Floor care is divided into four basic categories: initial, daily, periodic and restorative cleaning. Many companies specializing in the care of vinyl composition tile (VCT) in commercial buildings such as grocery stores, strip malls, retail...

Cleaning the carpet mills' way.
July 1, 2003... According to a recent ICS Cleaning Specialist market study, the annual median expenditure by cleaning professionals for carpet-cleaning chemicals is $4,750, with 26 percent of respondents spending $10,000 or more each year. With an...

Safety equipment for the commercial environment.
July 1, 2003... For commercial contractors and building owners, the most important reason for having safety guidelines and equipment is to keep workers and customers out of harm's way, thereby minimizing the possibility of liability. Many safety products...

Floor safety and maintenance.
July 1, 2003... There's more to floor maintenance than just having the floor look nice. If a floor is not maintained properly, it can contribute to a number of serious, painful, and expensive accidents, primarily from slips and trips. "In terms of slips,...

Using color to prevent slips and falls.
July 1, 2003... Slips, trips, and falls are much more serious than most people realize. About 14 percent of all accidental deaths are due to injuries sustained from a slip and fall, (1) accounting for the deaths of approximately 12,000 people each year. These...

Spartan offers two new floor finishes. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... Spartan Chemical Co. offers two new floor finishes utilizing polymer technology. 'White Sun is an 18 percent high-solids finish designed to amplify and improve the overall look of floors. iShine is a 25 percent high-solids formula the company...

Grippers for Strippers take hold of floor care. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... Jordan David introduces Grippers for Strippers, high-traction footwear designed to reduce slips and falls during floor stripping and mopping activities. Grippers for Strippers fir over work shoes and boots and are designed to increase...

Janitation Depot. Introduces Comparison Shopping. (News & Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... Janitation Depot is developing a new feature for its web site. "My Comparisons," as the feature is known, will allow customers to comparison shop on the Janitation Depot web site by selecting items of interest in a specific category and...

Steamin Demon Video Awarded Honors. (News & Products).(Cleaning the Steamin Demon Way)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The video "Cleaning the Steamin Demon Way" has been awarded three Telly Awards, according to the John Downey Co. The Telly Awards recognize outstanding non-broadcast video production. The video was awarded honors in the "How To,"...

Clorox introduces new Pine-Sol formulation. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... The Clorox Co. introduces "Don't Mop With Dirty Water Again!." Pine-Sol, a new innovation in the dilutable floor cleaner category. The new formulation keeps dirt from spreading back onto the floor by using a solid-liquid separation...

Tech introduces Everlast Safety Signs. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... Tech Products Inc. introduces the Everlast ANSI Safety Signs. The 1/4-inch thich polyolefin plastic signs "are more durable than any other sign in the world," the company claims. The words and logos featured on the signs are "molded in,"...

Machine makes corner-and baseboard cleaning "E-Z". (New Products).
July 1, 2003... T.Y Holdings, LLC introduces the "stript E-Z" baseboard, corner and edge-cleaning machine. A 20# electric orbital scrubber, the "stript E-Z" is designed to allow the operator to remove old wax, dirt and grime while standing in a safe and...

Betco introduces new battery-powered sweeper. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... Betco Corp. introduces the BPS26, a battery-powered sweeper with a 26-inch path. The company says the BPS26 is "effective in a wide variety of applications and multiple floor types," able to work on concrete, carpeting and more. The...

ProTeam takes the cord away. (New Products).
July 1, 2003... ProTeam offers a cordless version of the RunningVac for areas where electrical outlets are unavailable, or for when unencumbered mobility and speed are important. The vacuum has a constant run rime of 35 minutes, according to ProTeam, and...

3M introducing 23 new products. (New Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Commercial Care Division of 3M is introducing 23 new commercial cleaning chemicals to its line of cleaning chemicals. The newly expanded line offers cleaning solutions for a full range of needs, the company says, including hard floor...

Pioneer Eclipse brings out new high-performance line. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... Pioneer Eclipse introduces the CleanStar 27R ride-on auto-scrubber, offering a 27.8-gallon solution rank, a 34.4-gallon recovery tank and a 600w traction motor, among other features. The CleanStar 27R features a cleaning width of 27.6...

CleanMaster introduces indoor-safe truckmount. (News & Products).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... CleanMaster introduces the CM 402LP, a self-contained, fuel-powered truckmount the company says is engineered for safe indoor use, featuring "an exclusive safety system providing protection far building occupants against the build up of carbon...

Dupont unit changes name, expands focus. (News & Products).(The Invironmentalists)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... DuPont Flooring Systems, a business unit of DuPont Textiles and Interiors, has changed its name to The Invironmentalists. The change reflects a new category in the building interior marketplace that focuses on creating and sustaining interior...

Pioneer Eclipse offers new Mean Machines. (News & Products).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Pioneer Eclipse introduces the Mean Machine burnishers. Standard features as described by the company include: the RokBak deck for easy pad access from a standing position; a low profile design for easy maneuverability; soft tread, adjustable...

Study points to cushion improving commercial carpet cleanability. (News & Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A new study of soil removal from commercial carpet has demonstrated that carpet cushion, properly specified and installed under workplace carpet, showed significantly better test results compared to the same style carpet installed without...

Hurricane forecasters predict above-average season. (News & Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... A recent report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season will likely have above-normal levels of activity, according to Munters Corp. "It's important that building owners and managers...

Broom attachment series caters to multiple service vehicles. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... The SweepEx MegaPlus broom attachment series from TrynEx International is designed for the cleanup of all wet or dry materials, the company says, and features task packages catering to multiple service vehicles. With choices range from a...

Clarke unveils two new rider-scrubbers. (News & Product).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Clarke introduces two new rider-scrubbers, the Encore Mini-Max and the Encore Max. Both offer high-speed, single-pass cleaning on many different floor surfaces, the company said. The Encore Mini-Max offers three scrub decks -- a 26-inch...

New product puts granite in the spotlight. (News & Product).
July 1, 2003... National Chemical laboratories introduces Granite Star Granite Ciystallizer Spray N' Buff, part of the company's Stone Care Solutions maintenance program. Granite Star allows an operator to maintain granite as easily as spray-buffing the...

Betco hires the Workman. (News & Products).
July 1, 2003... Betco introduces its Workman series of wet-dry vacuum cleaners. The tank-style vacuums are available in 3-, 6- and 10-gallon sizes to "provide powerful performance for a variety of cleaning tasks," the company said. Each Workman comes with...

Seattle awards contract to R&D Supply. (News & Products).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2003... The Seattle Department of Executive Administration, Purchasing Services Division recently awarded a green cleaning contract to R&D Supply Inc., of Auburn, Wash. R&D will be supplying H2Orange2 Concentrate 117 for a number of cleaning...

North American safety products. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... VERSA-GUARD is a portable, freestanding, expanding barricade system providing effective safety, security and work zone identification. Versa-Guard has many unique features to perform the important job of warning workers and pedestrians of...

Royce Rolls. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... The Royce Rolls Ringer Co. has manufactured high quality housekeeping equipment since 1925. Many styles of stainless steel carts, mop buckets and wringers are available to meet any facility's needs. Pricing is factory direct to keep costs down....

Tennant introduces dual speed machines. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Tennant Company's commercial line of floor care equipment features over 50 products to meet any of your floor care needs. Tennant has over 130 years experience as the leader in industrial surface maintenance equipment. We offer the most...

CleanMaster. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... CleanMaster offers the popular Rexx and Raptor portable lines. The Rexx series comes standard with a durable 4 gallon roto-molded tank, lift-out recovery tank for easy dumping, and heated or non-heated models. The Raptor series range from...

X-O Plus odor neutralizer and cleaner. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Is a very effective general purpose cleaner that neutralizes odors instantly. X-O Plus provides unparalleled performance in odor control and is safe to use as a cleaner on any washable surface. All-natural X-O Plus provides a level of...

Von Schrader. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Carpet cleaning can't get any easier than this...or faster. With just three buttons and one forward pass, the Mach-12 Low Moisture Carpet Extraction System from Von Schrader will clean and extract up to 12,000 sq. ft. of carpet per hour, and...

Rotovac. (Product & Literature Guide).
July 1, 2003... The Rotovac employs a patented process of carpet cleaning called Rotary Jet Extraction [TM]. Dual, high-torque gear motors power 2 stainless steel cleaning heads in a counter-rotating motion over the carpet, allowing the Rotovac to be operated...

Advance. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Advance introduces the Terra 128B Sweeper Vac. This quiet, easy-to-use battery-operated vac improves productivity with one-pass cleaning on soft or hard floors, tough roto-molded design, and virtually no clogging. A 1.4 cubic feet over-throw...

Kent/eu roclean razor[TM]. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... The new Razor offers a cost-effective cleaning system that can handle your toughest cleaning demands and, yet, still fir today's tight budgets. Engineered for dependability, durability and ease-of-use, the Razor comes feature packed: offering a...

Argosheen restores carpets. (Product & Literature Guide).(advertising)
July 1, 2003... Booklet contains testimonials from users confirming that the Argosheen Method keeps carpets from uglying-out before they wear-out by removing deepseated room odors, removing spots beneath the surface, and restoring color. Argosheen contains...