ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from March 2002

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from March 2002

On IICRC-certified instructors. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2002... To The Editor: A group of individuals came together recently in Vancouver, Wash., each a true expert in their field. A glance at the list shows that each is an Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification-approved (IICRC)...

Bulletin board a good source of information. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2002... To The Editor: I constantly try to get more of my friends in the business to frequent this board. Some do as lurkers, which is o.k. But I wish they were more active. This board is the best source of information for cleaners anywhere. Why?...

Getting the facts straight now. (Editorial Comment).(mold remediation)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2002... It seems that the Insurance Industry is gearing up for its 'War on Mold,' given the happenings in Texas these days. There, state Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor appointed a 19-member Advisory Task Force for Mold-Related Claims. The...

The pH myth. (Carpet Cleaning Basics).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... If these monthly columns had names I think this one would be called "The pH myth." In talking with cleaners and observing discussions on bulletin boards, such as the ICS Cleaning Specialist Bulletin Board, more cleaners believe that residues...

Out, out damned spot: When you approach spot removal, the most important point to make to the owner is that they recognize that it is their spot, not yours. However, it's up to you to do everything you can to remove it. (Focus On Chemicals).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Spots, classified as surface discolorations, do not penetrate the fiber but literally stay outside the fiber. Obviously, a spot on a fiber that is coated with a discolorant is easier to remove than one based on staining, at least in accepted...

Steps to take in expanding your business.(carpet cleaning)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... If you're like most carpet cleaners, you are looking for ways to maintain or expand the flow of revenue during the winter months leading into the spring, and turning them into a consistent source of ongoing revenue. In northern climates...

A Vacuum cleaner for every need.(overview of all types of vacuum cleaners)(Industry Overview)
March 1, 2002... When it comes to purchasing a vacuum cleaner, there are as many choices as there are uses. Although we often think of a vacuum cleaner as a way to remove dry soil from a rug or carpet, many of today's vacuum cleaners can be used for a wide...

Your customer: After 9/11. (The Training Corner).(carpet cleaning firms should focus on the customer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Enhanced, unreasoning fears have become the norm -- along with greatly diminished trust of anybody or anything unknown, unfamiliar or new. A trend that has been growing steadily for the last 20 years has accelerated into a tidal wave. It's...

Landing commercial property accounts: There are no fast rules, except: Know your business first.(commercial property cleaning service firms give advice)
March 1, 2002... Large commercial properties are the anchor accounts for many floor-cleaning contractors. How do you get them, and how do you keep them? ICS Cleaning Specialist magazine spoke with several large property managers to find out. Their tips will...

'New' hands-on school debuts. (Industry: News & Information).
March 1, 2002... Chuck Dewald, developer of the Vortex Drying System, recently remodeled his Emergency Hands-On School in Morristown, Tenn. to include stadium-like, sloping seats. The school is a 900-square-foot, two-bedroom "flood house," which includes a...

Premier trains Triple S. (Industry: News & Information).(Premier Group)(Triple S Carpet and Drapery Cleaners)(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... Triple S Carpet and Drapery Cleaners recently enlisted Clark Lovrien of the Premier Group to improve the company's sales and management skills. According to Lovrien, Premier offers a systematic approach to sales and management combined...

TCA holds carpet cleaning symposium. (Industry: News & Information).(Textile Cleaners of America)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... The Textile Cleaners of America (TCA) will present the industry's first commercial carper cleaning symposium on April 4-5 at the Omni Hotel in Broomfield, Colo. ICS Cleaning Specialist and Commercial Floor Care magazines will sponsor the event....

Modernistic, Koppang honor franchisees. (News).(Modernistic Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning)(Koppang Franchise Development )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... Modernistic Carpet Cleaning and Koppang Franchise Development have named Jim Gatza and Doug Schuster Co-Franchisees of the Year for the Modernistic franchise network. Gatza is the owner and president of the Modernistic franchise in...

Pioneer names pres. (News).(Pioneer Eclipse Corp. )(Byron R. Snyder )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Pioneer Eclipse Corp. has named Byron R. Snyder president and CEO of the company. Snyder replaced Yoshio Misumi, who now serves as company chairman. Snyder joined. Pioneer Eclipse in 1982. He most recently served as company executive vice...

Giant promotes Smithson. (News).(Giant Industries Inc.)(Kellie Smithson)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Giant Industries Inc. has promoted Kellie Smithson to towel division manager, where she will work to maintain current account sales and trade shows, establish new accounts, contact customers and inform customers of new towel promotions and...

DKI ropes Texas. (News).(Disaster Kleenup International Inc.)(A-Town/Hi-Tech Inc. )(Brief Article)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2002... Disaster Kleenup International Inc. has expanded its network in Texas with the addition of A-Town/Hi-Tech Inc., to its membership. A-Town/Hi-Tech Inc. currently serves customers from three locations in Wichita Falls, Amarillo and Lubbock. ...

Correction to ICS Truckmount Guide. (News).(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2002... In the ICS Cleaning Specialist Truckmount Guide in the January 2002 issue, "PowerPak v2" should be listed as Recoil- 2HP in the Cross American Corp. listing.

Record number visit IICRC Surfaces booth. (News).(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification trade show)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... More than 125 IICRC-Certified Inspector and Cleaner registrants - a record number - visited the IICRC booth at Surfaces 2002, the global floor covering marketplace, and inquired about advanced and additional training certifications. By Signing...

Bill Yeadon joins Jon-Don team. (News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Jon-Don announces the addition of Bill Yeadon to their Partners for Success team. Yeadon will put his 25 years of experience to work for Jon-Don customers, creating learning opportunities designed to help cleaning companies go "from good to...

C&A endorses Steamin Demon extractor. (News).(Lithonia Lighting Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Collins & Aikman (C&A) has endorsed the Steamin Demon II High-Flow extractor for its vinyl-backed carpet tiles and broadloom products. The Steamin Demon II is a high-flow portable carpet extractor capable of recovering 94% of the water...

Business diversification: Trap or opportunity? (To Your Success).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... There are many diversification opportunities; just find them. "The optimist sees the doughnut, but the pessimist sees the hole." McLandburgh Wilson My wife Sioux always called them "big boy's toys." I called them business tools...

Properly handling complaints will head off the headaches: Every cleaning professional deals with complaints, regardless of effort. But there is away to deal with them, to the customer's satisfaction. (Building a Profitable Business).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... An old adage says that a satisfied customer will tell an average of four others about a positive experience with your company, while an unhappy customer will tell an average of 14. However, when a complaint is handled properly and promptly...

AirScrubber debuts. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(Lloyd's advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Lloyd's has released the AirScrubber, a product that captures air contaminants, mold and fungal spores, bacteria, odors, and dust, according to the company. The AirScrubber can be used for vertical or horizontal operation and features 2.8...

Hydro Break stops traffic. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(Bridgepoint Systems advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Bridgepoint Systems has released Hydro Break, a liquid traffic lane prespray and bonnet cleaner designed to penetrate small crevices and pores. With a low-pH formula, Hydra Break can be used on oils and grease. According to Bridgepoint,...

ProTeam conquers 2001. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... ProTeam introduced several new products to its commercial line in 2001, including canister vacuums, such as the Running Vac and Wombat, and backpack vacuums, like the ProVac, Hummer XL and Li'l Hummer. ProTeam and Aerus/Electrolux also...

MasterBlend releases fiber protector. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... MasterBlend has released Repel Wool Fiber Protector, a powder protectant that is diluted and sprayed on wool. Repel is designed to prevent infestation and inhibit wool disintegration. Circle 233 on the Reader Inquiry Card.

Apple Air freshens air. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(Bridgepoint Systems advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Bridgepoint Systems has formulated Apple Air, an odor counteractant with an apple fragrance. According to the company, non-toxic counteractant stops odor and improves overall environmental air quality, is safe on all carpets and any surface...

HydraMaster unveils 2002 Maxx. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... HydraMaster Corp. has released its 2002 model of the Maxx truckmounts. The Maxx line is available in two models: the Maxx 450 and the Maxx 470. Both models feature the ADC heat control system. The 2002 models feature the Tuthill Dominator...

Namco dries carpet quick. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Namco recently introduced its Fast Dry Rinse, a product designed to leave carpet and upholstery clean. According to Namco, low pH Fast Dry Rinse allows carpets to dry two to three times faster than other cleaners. The rinse can also be...

Hydro-Force improves Gekko. (Products: Tools & Equipment).(Hydro-Force Manufacturing advertisement)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Hydro-Force Manufacturing now makes the Gekko, a rile 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...

CFI President's message. (Member News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Everyday we face challenges and receive rewards. Inspiration from others helps change the challenges into rewards. I know these two guys I will call Steve and Steve (their names have been changed to protect the innocent). Both are suppliers...

McGrevor offers quick-drying finish. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... McGrevor Coatings has released TimeSaver, a polyurethane finish that dries in two to three hours. According to the company, the quicker dry time is the same even in high and low temperatures and high humidity. The finish is available in...

Micro-Chem fights HBV. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Micro-Chem Plus Detergent Disinfectant Cleaner, manufactured by National Chemical Laboratories Inc., now kills the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Micro-Chem Plus is a germicidal, virucidal and fungicidal cleaner. According to the company, the...

Tennant improves sweeper. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... Tennant Co. has upgraded its 6500 Power Sweeper to include the Brush Wear Optimizer. The Brush Wear Optimizer features a color-coded, brush wear-level indicator on the brush holder arm. The 6500 Power Sweeper can clean a variety of...

Cerami-Sheen shines. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... National Chemical Laboratories Inc. recently released Cerami-Sheen, a daily ceramic tile cleaner that is part of the company's Stone Care Solutions Maintenance Program. Cerami-Sheen is a pH-neutral, concentrated cleaner for glazed and unglazed...

De-Zov-All from Harvard Chemical. (Products).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2002... De-Zov-All is a blend of d-Limonene and other powerful solvents. De-Zov-All is 100% emulsifiable in water, can be used as a spotter for grease, oil, tar, asphalt and lipstick on carpet, removes chewing gum from carpet and hard surfaces, and can...

Orbis Opti-Speed premieres. (Products).(Truvox International introduces Orbis Opti-Speed rotary floor cleaner and polisher)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 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...

Nobles launches SpeedGleam. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Nobles recently launched the SpeedGleam and the SpeedGleam Plus battery burnisher. The machines feature a hood scope for clean air intake, a storage compartment for accessories, new graphics, a rip-back pad change with safety switch, a control...

Motsenbocker's launches website. (Products).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... Motsenbocker's Lift Off has launched its interactive website at www.liftoffinc.com, which features product information, tips on cleaning applications, material safety data sheets; current regulatory information, and a search engine to help...

Association directors can make a difference: Ways to invigorate your chapter. (Member News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... They're heralded as beacons for their associations. They set up chapter meetings, regional education days, formulate association policy and procedure, and encourage others to join the ranks of those who believe in education through association...

Discover the wealth. (Member News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2002... CFI/PCUCA Joint 2002 Conference & Trade Show This summer the Carpet & FabriCare Institute (CFI) and the Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners Association (PCUCA) are joining forces to bring you the best conference & trade show for...