ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from March 2009

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from March 2009

A vehicle for all seasons; no, this would not be a study of the year's best vans and trucks; such things are best left to car and driver, consumer reports and J.D. Power.(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
March 1, 2009... It's the latest delivery vehicle for your ICS Cleaning Specialist magazine I'm referring to: the ICS Digital Edition. We rolled out the IDE with the January issue. You may already be receiving it--if you are, we hope you're enjoying it--but...

Letter to the editor.(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2009... Dear ICS: I just got a chance to read the January issue. Steve Toburen's To Your Success Part II "Making Peace on the Restoration Home Front" was excellent! I have recently gone through the restoration of my parent's home with them due to...

Early warning systems for your business; in nature, the prey that survives never sleeps, never loses focus and never, ever becomes complacent.(To Your Success)
March 1, 2009... Flocks of birds, herds of gazelles and schools of fish all have "Early Warning Systems" that help them to take evasive action before a predator attacks. Today's entrepreneur is preyed upon by a host of "business predators," including...

Five costly mistakes made by cleaners: I ran a fabric cleaning business for about 15 years. I maintained a lot of repeat customers over the years, and I was very successful.(The Inspector Knows Best)
March 1, 2009... I attribute my business accomplishments to a few simple things: consistent hard work, persistence and trying very hard to avoid some costly mistakes I saw other cleaning companies do all the time. Today, the same mistakes I saw then are...

Disaster restoration & remediation; market study.(The ICS 2009)(Survey)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The ICS Disaster Restoration & Remediation Market Study is an examination of the opinions and preferences of restoration and remediation professionals concerning their business. The driving purpose behind the...

Your 9-Step marketing plan--step 6: welcome to step 6 of your 9-step marketing plan, the step that addresses the question on the tip of every carpet-cleaning professional's tongue: "How much should I charge?".(Marketing Strategies That Work)
March 1, 2009... So far in this series we've looked at: * Step 1: Set Your Sales Goals. * Step 2: Outline a Description of Your Service * Step 3: Position Yourself * Step 4: Identifying Your Target Market * Step 5: Competition Assessment...

Wrapping your head around social media.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] First, if you're reading this while updating your Facebook status, Twittering about the weird wear pattern you encountered today and checking Yelp for reviews on that new pizza joint down the block... then you...

The basics of desiccant dehumidification.
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Much confusion surrounds the use of desiccant dehumidifiers in the restoration industry. Some myths include: * Desiccants are for crawlspace drying only * Desiccants can only be used in cool conditions and...

Turn a critical eye on your own presentation; spring cleaning is now entering the minds of your current--and hopefully future--customers.(The Gadget Man)
March 1, 2009... Your phone will start to ring more as customers request what you have to give: professional cleaning. Just as your customers want "fresh and clean" in their homes, it may be time for you to start thinking along the same lines with your van...

Bridgepoint introduces new solvent.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] OINK from Bridgepoint is multi-purpose solvent formulated for use on carpet and fabric, designed to remove ballpoint pen, stamp pad, duplicating, marking, writing, felt tip and colored art inks. It also works...

The shape of things to come.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The word vortex can be defined as the shape of something rotating rapidly. That's perfect for describing the Vortex Axial Fan air mover from U.S. Products. The Vortex's 12-inch axial fan can be used to pull air out...

ESC means cost savings.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Electronic Speed Control system found on HydraMaster's clutch drive truckmount carpet cleaning systems saves you money at a time you can use it most. The ESC system reduces fuel consumption to approximately...

Butler offering pre-owned Butler Systems and vans.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Butler Corporation offers pre-owned vans and factory "reconditioned" pre-owned Butler Systems. "A pre-owned Butler System can be 'reconditioned' to practically its original performance specification and...

Free WiFi connectivity kit offered for HygroTrac.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... Through a special arrangement with Sprint and Cradlepoint, Dri-Eaz is now offering a free WiFi connectivity kit for the GE HygroTrac Remote Monitoring System. "Restorers like two things about the HygroTrac system: the remote insight into...

Hydro-Force brings versatility to the pump-out process.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Pumpout-V115 from Hydro-Force has the versatility that professional carpet cleaners and restorers are looking for. The portable pump-out will go where you like to pre-filter, and pump the waste water to the area...

Steam action supply takes the industry's Pulse.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Pulse Generator from Steam Action Supply "changes your steam from a stream to an agitating pulse. The Pulse Generator stops and starts steam 30 times a second, "creating pounding that's hard on dirt yet gentle on...

Tennant expands chemical-free cleaning.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... Tennant Co. announces that its ec-H2O technology is now available on several of its battery-powered rider scrubbers, including the Tennant T7 Micro-Rider, T15 Mid-Sized Scrubber and the Nobles Speed Scrub Rider. ec-H2O converts plain tap water...

Grandi-Groom celebrates 37th anniversary.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thousands of cleaning professionals "can testify to the effectiveness and importance of grooming and brushing with the Grandi-Groom." The Grandi-Groom "will make your favorite pre-conditioner more effective,...

Centrum Force introduces new Centri-Maxx.(Products: Tools & Equipment)
March 1, 2009... Centrum Force LLC has released a new version of Centri-Maxx. This industrial built rug wringing centrifuge machine has many features of its big brother. This new model comes with a 16-inch diameter, 10 1/2- to 12-foot-long cylinder. Unlike its...

Sand-free maintenance of wood flooring: my first experience with sand-free or low-abrasion maintenance for wood flooring occurred early in my career, in a public building on the national register for historical buildings.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
March 1, 2009... It was a 16,000-square-foot private residence of one of the early founders of a city in the northwest, built on a hilltop in the first decade of the 20th century. In the decades to follow the house was abandoned by the family, leaving it...

Calendar of industry events.(Calendar)
March 1, 2009... Conventions & Trade Shows MARCH 6-9:--2009 BSCAI Annual Convention & Trade Show, Chicago. Call (800) 368-3414 MARCH 9-12:--NADCA 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition, Orlando. Call (202) 737-2926 MARCH 10-14:--RIA 2009 Annual Meeting...

Prochem.(Must see Products Gallery)
March 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...

Butler.(Must see Products Gallery)
March 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...

Bridgepoint.(Must see Products Gallery)
March 1, 2009... OINK: the new multi-purpose solvent spotter from Bridgepoint. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formulated for use on carpet and fabric, OINK is multi-purpose solvent designed to remove ballpoint pen, stamp pad, duplicating, marking, writing,...

CRI withdraws support for Green Seal environmental standard.(Industry News & Information)(Carpet and Rug Institute issues carpet cleaning standards)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Citing shortcomings in the process used to develop the well-known environmental standard, the Carpet and Rug Institute has announced it will no longer recognize Green Seal's GS-37 Standard as a Green Certification for its Seal of Approval...

IICRC seeks full-time president to lead organization.(Industry News & Information)(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Breaking with long-standing tradition, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification intends to employ a full-time, paid president to oversee the organization and its operations. The president will report to the IICRC...

New limited warranty offered on El Diablo engine.(Industry News & Information)(Honda Engine Manufacturing Philippines Inc. teams up with MasterBlend)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MasterBlend, in cooperation with Honda Engines, announces the extension of the Honda Engine Limited Warranty on the El Diablo truckmount. The existing 2-year limited warranty has been extended to 36 months. This...

Interlink Financial Services introduces new pre-approval program.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Interlink Financial Services announces its new pre-approval program. Pre-qualified customers can receive a no-fee pre-approval for up to $50,000 in finance funds. The pre-approval program makes funds available when the cleaning or restoration...

First Choice Equipment Sales welcomes two.(Industry News & Information)(Stan and Krissy Hinton appointed)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... First Choice Equipment Sales has added Stan and Krissy Hinton to its team. The Penrose, Colo.-based company is a family owned and operated business that has been in the industry for 25 years, selling and servicing disaster restoration and flood...

Tornado adds product videos to Web site.(Industry News & Information)
March 1, 2009... Tornado Industries has added several demonstration videos to its Web site. The streaming videos, found on the site in "The Product Demonstration Video Library," are designed so that visitors better understand Tornado's product line, the...

Delmhorst Instruments the newest Interlink Supply national approved vendor.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Delmhorst Instruments is the newest national approved vendor for Interlink Supply, the company said. Delmhorst Instruments is a leading manufacturer of moisture measurement instruments for the restoration and remediation contractor. Made in the...

New trade association looks to advance education, promote the industry.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Cleaning and restoration firms from California, Nevada and Arizona have come together to form the Cleaning and Restoration Association (www.crassociation.org), a tri-state association that will allow its members to gain access to services,...

The WoolSafe course now available on-line.(Industry News & Information)
March 1, 2009... The IICRC recently approved the WoolSafe Fabric Care Specialist On-Line Training Course for two IICRC CECs. According to Ruth Travis, WoolSafe's North American director, "Previously the course was only offered in a face-to-face format with...

New open-sourced system reveals impact of cleaning on public health.(Industry News & Information)(Integrated Cleaning and Measurement )(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... Integrated Cleaning and Measurement is changing the perception of the cleaning industry and generating interest from individuals who want to pursue cleaning as a career. By employing the newest cleaning and measurement technologies and...

Dresser Roots introduces new Web site.(Industry News & Information)
March 1, 2009... Dresser Roots has incorporated popular features and frequently requested technical content in an easy to navigate, redesigned new Web site. Dresser Roots has added a range of new features to improve usability and research value. The...

George Cazares joins Interlink Supply--Seattle.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
March 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Long-time industry instructor and trainer George Cazares has joined the Interlink Supply--Seattle store team as a regional manager for Interlink Supply. Cazares has been involved in the cleaning and restoration...

A week in the life of the IICRC President; I recently had the opportunity to spend several days at the offices of KCI, the administrative arm of the IICRC.(IICRC President's Corner)(Personal account)
March 1, 2009... Tom Hill, the IICRC's executive administrator, set me up with a desk and a phone line so that I could work on IICRC business whilst there. One of the best parts of this visit was meeting and talking to the staff of KCI, many of whom I have...