ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from July 2006

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from July 2006

Putting a price on value: smell that? The scent of economic slowdown is on the wind, and you know what that means. You can hardly pick up a magazine or turn on the television without someone trumpeting the latest ways to "save when you spend," "cut your costs," and how to "do unto others as they do unto you--for less!".(Editorial Comment)
July 1, 2006... The Fed's June meeting has come and gone, and in all likelihood (at least at press time) interest rates received another quarter-point bump in wary observation of rising inflation. Sink the great beast before it can do real damage, aye matey!...

Are you getting enough fiber? The importance of fiber identification in fabric and carpet cleaning may be reflected in the fact that it usually one of the first topics in entry level classes like CCT or UFT.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
July 1, 2006... Different fibers react differently to bleach, sunshine, soils, pH, and even oxygen, so the type of fiber you are cleaning will be a major factor in the process you choose and the cleaning agent you select. A substance that has no effect on one...

An update on microbial growth.(IEQ Q & A)
July 1, 2006... Q: When the S500 refers to 72 hours for microbial growth, is it referring to mold or bacteria and does the timeframe change if we are in a hot, humid climate? A: Actually the S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage...

Maximum use for the mini: Mrs. Jones was in the kitchen cooking dinner. I was busily engaged cleaning her imported deluxe sculpted velvet couch. Having just come back from the van with my heavy-duty 2,000 CFM centrifugal blower, I placed it blowing against one of the cushions for quick drying.(The Gadget Man)
July 1, 2006... If you're like me, you want to know how the upholstery is going to turn out before you leave the house. The only way to do this is to make sure the majority, if not all of the upholstery, is dry before you leave. The last thing you want is the...

Do you need "accredited" mold certification?
July 1, 2006... Within the cleaning and restoration industry, third-party accreditation of certification programs has never taken place. Even the most prestigious and commonly held certifications for carpet and upholstery cleaning, water damage restoration,...

Beat your competition to the punch.(marketing methods)
July 1, 2006... We all know the importance of targeting the right customer, at the right time, to sell your services. However, many of you may not keep up with the latest marketing trends, including online marketing. Are you aware that more than 70 percent of...

New water-restoration standards are complete: heard the latest? The IICRC has published the first update to their S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration.(Rx for Restoration)
July 1, 2006... Since the focus of the IICRC Standards Committee early in 2000 was the writing of the S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation--published in December 2003--the 1999 edition of IICRC S500 was placed on the back burner...

One-man vs. two-man crews: crunching the numbers.
July 1, 2006... In my last article I discussed one-man vs. two-man crews, and my on-the-job research running a multi-city carpet cleaning operation for a major department store strongly suggests that one-man crews have a major advantage in terms of building...

U.S. Products introduces chemical solutions.(Products)
July 1, 2006... U.S. Products introduces Formula #800, a non-flammable synthetic solvent with surfactants, color brighteners and deodorants, and Synergizer, a booster/enhancer for all dry cleaning solvents that "rivals the brightness and cleanliness of a...

Dri-Eaz makes moving equipment easier.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Dri-Eaz's Unimover is a new, lightweight hand truck designed to hold HEPA 500s and all Dri-Eaz TurboDryers, including Aces and the new line of Saharas. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The double structure design allows restorers to securely...

The Tri-Nado takes the quiet approach.(Products)
July 1, 2006... The ROOTS Tri-Nados, a new line of tri-lobe truckmount vacuum pumps from Dresser Roots, have an exclusive Whispair discharge jet plenum design that allows cool air to flow into the cylinder. The design permits continuous operation at vacuum...

Cleanco adds new freshwater tank to line.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Cleanco Truckmounts has added a 120-gallon freshwater tank to its truck-mount accessories line. The Aqua Storage Freshwater Tank is designed with direct feed and auto shut-off features, shelves for 10 1-gallon jugs, eight trigger-spray bottles,...

HydraMaster coupler makes 2-year warranty possible.(Products)
July 1, 2006... HydraMaster's patent-pending BUCS coupler design on the Boxxer 427 "is so well designed that they are offering a two-year warranty on the entire drive train (blower/coupler/engine)," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Butler takes on tile and grout.(Products)
July 1, 2006... An alkaline-based tile, grout and hard-surface cleaner with corrosion inhibitors, Maximum Tile, Grout and Hard-Surface Cleaner from The Butler Corp. is exclusively formulated for the removal of oils, soils, soot and caked-on grease from tile,...

Spartan unveils some Green Solutions.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Spartan Chemical Co. introduces Green Solutions High Dilution Disinfectant 256,a dye-free, fragrance-free disinfectant with a dilution of 1:256 for more economy. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 256 kills pathogenic organisms on hard,...

Peroxy Soft goes in for the kill.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Moldstat Peroxy Soft from Theochem Laboratories is a liquid-creme cleanser containing "a highly fortified bacteria-killing hydrogen-peroxide formulation," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Peroxy Soft "quickly removes soap scum,...

Oxy-Force gets a name change.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Nilodor is reintroducing its Oxy-Force Ready-to-Use spotter under the new name Oxy-Force Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Spotter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Powered by stabilized hydrogen peroxide, Oxy-Force Multi-Purpose Cleaner & Spotter...

P & G enhances hard-surface durability.(Products)
July 1, 2006... The P & G Pro Line Finished Floor Care Program "provides great-looking floors with exceptional durability to help extend the time between recoating and refinishing," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The line includes P & G Pro...

PDmB releases DUAL-VIEW software.(Products)
July 1, 2006... PDmB's DUAL-VIEW Photo Report Software is a report-generating software program that provides quick and easy side-by-side photo comparison. Included in the software are EZMark highlighting tools that allow pointer arrows, ellipses, and zooming...

Injectidry says "hush it!".(Products)
July 1, 2006... Injectidry now offers a silencer for its HP60 Drying System. Hush-It, as the silencer is known, "knocks off decibels of noise," providing homeowners with the quieter drying process that they desire. Circle 226 on the Reader Inquiry Card. ...

Kent offers up a closer clean.(Products)
July 1, 2006... The Kent Razor Blade compact rider scrubber "increases productivity and cleans areas that bigger, bulkier scrubbers can't reach," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A tight turning radius of 59 inches allows maximum...

National Chemical Labs wants to care for your carpet.(Products)
July 1, 2006... National Chemical Laboratories introduces Carpet Care Solutions. A complete line of carpet care products incorporating two exclusive encapsulation technologies--crystal ECT and powder EPT--Carpet Care Solutions "will solve your most challenging...

Backpack vac offers comfort and cleaning performance.(Products)
July 1, 2006... The Advance Adgility backpack vacuum "maximizes operator efficiency and cleaning ability with its small size, light weight and ergonomic shape," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Adgility features three levels of filtration...

Restorator removes odors.(Products)
July 1, 2006... The Restorator from Vaportek is a portable electronic device that "quickly, safely and effectively eliminates malodors," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Restorator is intended for applications where quick results are...

Portable grid helps extract dirt from area rugs.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Luv-A-Rug introduces the RugRack, a metal grid that boosts the dry-soil separating ability of a RugBadger. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RugRack is a flexible, rust-resistant, galvanized steel grid that unrolls on the floor. The area rug...

CAT PUMPS introduces new valve.(Products)
July 1, 2006... CAT PUMPS introduces the MAG-JET Valve for jetting. The MAG-JET uses a special SS magnetic valve and a corrosion-resistant magnet to hold on inlet valve open, creating a strong pulse-jetting action "to power nozzles through the toughest clogs."...

Namco looks to cut chemical costs in half.(Products)
July 1, 2006... Namco's cleaning technology will "cut in half the cost of your carpet cleaning chemicals," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Magnum Blue with D'limonene is pre-sprayed on the carpet with a pre-sprayer or wand with the vacs...

Conventions & trade shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)(Calendar)
July 1, 2006... SEPT. 21-23: CONNECTIONS CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW Las Vegas. Call (888) 881-1001 OCT. 4-7: ISSA/INTERCLEAN USA Chicago. Call (800) 225-4772 FEB. 6-9: SURFACES Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6323 Now you can read about all...

Therma-Stor, Injectidry team up for quicker drying.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Therma-Stor's Phoenix Guardian HEPA and Injectidry's Adaptidry combination are now available "for quicker drying of walls, ceiling and hardwood floors," the companies said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Guardian has a four-stage...

Prochem catalog now available.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Prochem's new Summer 2006 product catalog is now available. In addition to the complete line of chemicals, truck-mounts and portables, buying tools are included throughout. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Truckmount and Wand comparison charts...

FLIR announces new capabilities for thermal imagers.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... FLIR Systems will deliver full radiometric jpeg image storage as a new upgrade to its InfraCAM and BCAM thermal imagers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The upgrade will allow users to make any temperature measurement of any pixel after the...

Dri-Eaz unveils new restoration kit.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Dri-Eaz is offering an all-in-one moisture measurement system designed just for restorers. The kit includes the full-rage MMS Plus and the Hammer Probe. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "The restoration kit is invaluable when evaluating the...

HydraMaster introduces new carpet protector.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... HydraMaster introduces Repel & Protect, "the industry's most advanced carpet protector," according to the company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new fluorochemical technology offers "exceptional protection from oil-based stains," and the...

Butler introduces Maximum Liquid Enzyme.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Butler's Maximum Liquid Enzyme is a concentrated pre-treatment in an easy-to-use liquid that instantly dilutes in water to penetrate, break down, digest and decompose caked-on proteins, fats, oils and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Activate improves bleach application process.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Deardorff Fitzsimmons Corp. introduces the Activate 5.25% Institutional Bleach Dilution System, featuring a two-bottle trigger sprayer that automatically dilutes 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite with water to a 5,000 ppm solution as the...

Betco moves to disinfect, deodorize and more.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Glybet Surface and Air from Betco kills bacteria on hard surfaces and sanitizes and deodorizes the air, "the pleasant lemon scent refreshes the entire room and completely eradicates foul odors," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Tornado aims for improved productivity.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... The BR 40/25 cylindrical brush automatic floor scrubber from Tornado features a compact brush roller and is designed to fit into the tightest spots. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The cylindrical action "deep cleans porous floors and grout...

Spot removal assistance courtesy of Harvard.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Harvard Chemical Research announces the introduction of its Professional Spot Removal Kit. Containing eight specialty treatments that will "enable the cleaning technician to safely remove 98 percent of all spots and stains commonly...

MasterClean bridges the gap.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... MasterClean Products introduces the patent-pending Snap N Lock 2 vacuum hose connector and inline filter adapter. The Snap N Lock 2 is available only through distributors. Circle 188 on the Reader Inquiry Card. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

NBS sets up a Goldshield against microbial contamination.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... A recently introduced technology, marketed by NBS Technology LLC under the name Goldshield, is "the world's first water-stabilized antimicrobial formulation providing a long-term residual disinfecting action," according to NBS. Goldshield...

New heat process may be restoration "silver lining".(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... ThermaPureHeat, developed by E-Therm, uses superheated dehumidified air to disinfect, decontaminate and dry out buildings in much the same way heat is used to pasteurize milk and kill bacteria in wine. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Steam Way publishes new catalog.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Steam Way has published its Equipment & Chemical Catalog, 44 pages of truckmounts, portables, chemicals and accessories intermingled with reference and product application guides, cleaning procedures and more. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Tennant introduces single-system scrubber-sweeper.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... Tennant Co. introduces the M20 Scrubber-Sweeper, "the cleaning industry's first-ever integrated, single-system scrubber-sweeper," according to the company. The M20 eliminates the complexity of traditional scrubber-sweepers by combining a...

John's Custom Machine brings Big Daddy to bear.(Products, Tools & Equipment)
July 1, 2006... John's Custom Machine introduces Big Daddy, "the most powerful truck-mount available, powered with a GM350 V-8," the company said. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Components include a Tuthill 6008 blower, CAT 5CP pump, stainless exhaust HX...

Back-to-school floor care.(Commercial Floor Care)
July 1, 2006... Few places present the challenge of maintaining floors in a high-traffic, low-budget situation like schools. These facilities--from the elementary school level through college--are bombarded with hundreds of sneaker- and boot-clad feet and...

Tile and grout maintenance in clay-component restrooms.(Commercial Floor Care)
July 1, 2006... I recently received a call concerning maintenance for ceramic tile in restrooms. A manager of a building service contractor company was charged with cleaning several restrooms for a newly acquired account. The restrooms were of various...

Preserving Hurricane-damaged documents.(Commercial Floor Care)
July 1, 2006... The New Orleans Notarial Archives maintained a one-of-a-kind collection of documents at its 1340 Poydras St. location--some dating to the 1700s--including slave records and land grants, as well as a letter from Jean Lafitte to Washington, D.C.,...

The law of "consequences".(To Your Success)
July 1, 2006... "Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the entire lump?" --Galatians 5:9 It is an immutable law of physics: "For every action there is a reaction." Or at least there should be. When we deal with both our children and our...

Running for a cure in San Diego.(Industry News & Information)
July 1, 2006... "Cleaning Up Cancer" was the theme for the cleaning and restoration industry's team of runners and walkers participating in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, June 4 in San Diego. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

AquaStar sponsors Green Seal Standard.(Industry News & Information)
July 1, 2006... AquaStar has announced its sponsorship of the Green Seal Green Cleaning Services Standard. "We are pleased that Green Seal is embracing the tools and technologies used in professional cleaning via a comprehensive green cleaning...

BSCAI sponsoring new seminar series.(Building Service Contractors Association International)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The Building Service Contractors Association International, in partnership with its distributor/manufacturer sponsors, unveiled a new seminar series titled "Am I Really Making Money?" The seminars pick up where BSCAI's "Bidding &...

HydraMaster rolls out new demo truck.(Industry News & Information)
July 1, 2006... Now rolling to a town near you, HydraMaster has unveiled "what might be the most elaborate demo truck in our industry." A 30-foot 2006 Chevrolet Kodiac 550 diesel cutaway with a completely customized box, the demo truck sports many...

Bridgepoint modules approved for IICRC Apprentice program.(News)
July 1, 2006... Bridgepoint's Jump Start Technician Training Modules, interactive computer CD training based on Microsoft Power Point, are one of the first "distance learning" programs to be approved under the new IICRC Apprentice Level Recognition program,...

ASCR offers safety tips for hurricane volunteers.(News)
July 1, 2006... The Association of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration has published guidelines to help volunteers returning from rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast return to their homes "safe and healthy." The guidelines describe the major...

Unicell awarded Customer Assurance status for Sprinter.(News)
July 1, 2006... DaimlerChrysler Corp. has advised Unicell that it meets all the requirements for the former's Customer Assurance Program for box bodies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unicell van body plants in Buffalo, NY and Toronto, Ontario are now...

Brown named national sales manager.(News)
July 1, 2006... Betco Corp. has promoted Scott Brown to national sales manager. In his new position, Brown will provide strategic direction of Betco's distribution sales channel. Brown began his career at Betco in 1999 as a regional manager, moving up to...

New Cobra already an award winner.(News)
July 1, 2006... The King Cobra 500 from U.S. Products is one of the first portable extractors to earn the Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute, the company said. Seal of Approval Certification is awarded based on the amount of soil and...

BLUEline acquires Vortex technologies for dealer network.(News)
July 1, 2006... BLUEline Equipment Co. has acquired the Vortex name brand, patents, all manufacturing, sales and rights to promote the brand through the BLUEline Dealer Network. "BLUEline Equipment Co. has always been considered a top-of-the-line...

AdvantaClean lends a helping hand.(News)
July 1, 2006... The Assistance League of Charlotte, a nonprofit organization serving at-risk children, recently noticed some moisture on two of its walls in the middle of a renovation. Concerned that there might be a potential mold problem, the ALC called...

plm.com releases Loss Recovery schedule with Standards.(News)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... William Yobe & Associates, Web site administrators for plm.com, have updated the site's supply chain listing of vendors that provide drying equipment rental, document drying, electronic/electrical equipment restoration, fuel suppliers,...

IICRC S500 now ANSI-approved and available.(News)
July 1, 2006... The IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, featuring 86 new pages of standards and an expanded 280-page reference guide, has been approved by ANSI and is now available in hard copy and in an...

FLIR, ITC announce InfraMation 2006.(News)(Brief article)
July 1, 2006... The seventh annual InfraMation 2006 will be held at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, Oct. 23-27. "Ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about infrared and thermal imaging applications," InfraMation offers the latest techniques in thermal...

Spartan Chemical celebrates 50th anniversary.(News)
July 1, 2006... Spartan Chemical Co. celebrated its 50th anniversary May 10. Recognized as an international leader in the manufacture of brand name chemical specialty and maintenance products since 1956, the "vision of Spartan's entrepreneurial founder, E.T....

Dow Biocides, ANGUS open customer application centers.(News)
July 1, 2006... Dow Biocides and ANGUS Chemical Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical Co., are opening eight regional customer application centers around the world to align their business growth strategies with direct market and customer focus. ...

Reaching your prime market: the key to successfully marketing your cleaning or restoration service business is to make sure your message is reaching the right people.(Building a Profitable Business)(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... Most business people realize that their services are best "targeted" to a specific segment of the marketplace. In other words, since you can't be all things to all people, be the ideal thing to some. The challenge then becomes identifying just...