ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from May 2008

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from May 2008

New look, new information, new options: any regular visitors to the ICS Web site may find this a bit passe, but after a serious overhaul, the new-look ICS Online was unveiled last month for public consumption.(Editorial Comment)
May 1, 2008... Now, were this simply a case of putting lipstick on a pig before sending it off to the dance, I wouldn't bother mentioning it (and you probably wouldn't bother reading about it). But that's not what's happened; fact is, ICS Online has hit its...

Spot & stain removal: for the professional textile cleaner, the part of the job most scrutinized by the client is spot and stain removal.(For The Professional Textile Cleaner)
May 1, 2008... The client has high expectations and would like the carpet to come out looking brand new. As professionals, we understand that certain chemicals and dyes cause permanent damage to carpet fibers. In light of this, as a professional textile...

Do I really need an IR camera? Q: I've noticed some of our competitors using infrared cameras. I'm interested in buying one, but I am not sure that there is a real advantage in having to spend so much money on something that I can accomplish with a moisture meter.(IEQ Q&A)
May 1, 2008... A: Infrared cameras are sometimes called IR or thermal imaging cameras. You may not have noticed that prices have dropped considerably in the last few months, putting thermal imaging technology within the financial reach of many more companies....

Stone floor maintenance: travertine: I recently received a call from a perplexed technician regarding a stone floor on which he was working. He indicated he had polished the floor with diamond abrasives, and that overall the floor had excellent gloss but, try as he might, he could not polish out the traffic lane in the entrance.(Hard Floor Maintenance Opportunities)
May 1, 2008... When I asked him to identify the floor, he said it looked like sandstone, but thought that it might be marble. At this point I was the one who was perplexed, so I agreed to meet him at the building and have a look at this challenging floor. ...

Putting on the mouse ears.(To Your Success)
May 1, 2008... "If you can dream it, you can do it." --Walt Disney Walt Disney became a 20th century icon (and a very rich man) based on his uncanny ability to envision what people desired and to do so even before they knew they wanted it. His...

Positioning--the very best way to find great employees: this month I want to take a bit of a detour on our little road trip called networking.(Marketing Strategies That Work)(Personal account)
May 1, 2008... The past four months my focus has been on networking as it relates to marketing. This month, I want to show you how becoming a master networker can bring you great employees as well. Right now it's the beginning of May. If you are like most...

UVConnections.com brings you into the light.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new BLAZE-XL128 flashlight, nicknamed the Goliath, is the latest concept released by UVConnections. com. The company says it is the largest UV flashlight in the market place and, with 128 high-quality UV LEDs,...

Bi-O-Kleen Industries goes after stains and odor.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... New from Bi-O-Kleen Industries, Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator's live enzyme-producing cultures attack pet, food, and beverage stains, organic waste, and odor until they are gone, digesting them back to nature, safely and naturally, the...

Century 400 deploys the Ninja.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Century 400 introduces the Ninja 1200-PSI Hard Surface Extractor. Designed specifically for use with a variety of surfaces including tile and grout, cement, stone, concrete, and other solid surfaces, the unit "is a...

BonaKemi improves waterborne finishes.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BonaKemi USA announces the launch of a new and improved, Greenguard-certified Bona Strong to its line of waterborne finishing products. The new Bona Strong will remain a two-component, waterborne wood floor...

Butler introduces Maximum All Carpet Protector.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Butler Corp. introduces "an exclusive concentrated water-based carpet protector that creates an invisible barrier against water and oil-based soils and spills. Its adhesive-like properties coat and then lock onto...

Kimberly-Clark Filtration unveils gas-phase filter media.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... New filtration media from Kimberly-Clark Filtration Products delivers "excellent particulate filtration performance with added odor removal technology to deliver clean, fresh, odor-free air, thanks in part to its two-layer construction," the...

Conventions & Trade Shows.(Calendar of Industry Events)(Calendar)
May 1, 2008... MAY 15-17 Connections Conference and Exhibition Orlando. Call (888) 881-1001 SEPT. 8-11 ISSA/Interclean N. Am. 2008 Las Vegas. Call (800) 225-4772 SEPT. 23-26 Connections Convention and Trade Show Las Vegas. Call (888)...

Butler introduces truckmount detergent.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Butler's Maximum Truckmount Detergent is "a concentration of surfactants, foam controlling agents, corrosion inhibitors, deodorants and color stabilizers for use as a primary rinse for suspended soils. Recommended...

Cold Jet introduces new aero series of dry ice blast cleaning systems.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cold Jet, LLC introduces the new Aero Series of dry ice blast cleaning systems. The Aero systems provide advanced economical dry ice cleaning in an environmentally friendly format for a variety of industries. ...

HydraMaster welcomes new member to the family.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... The new Boxxer 318 from HydraMaster "takes the entry-level truckmount to new heights," the company said. The company combined features from the Boxxer 421 and SpitFire 3.2 to create this new machine, featuring an overhead valve 18hp Briggs...

Dri-Tec dries the tough stuff.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The DriTec Pro 150 desiccant dehumidifier from Dri-Eaz "combines powerful drying in a compact size for tackling dense materials and specialty jobs." The DriTec Pro 150 includes a range of user-friendly features...

CleanTelligent puts BearCom on bull run.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] BearCom Building Services has seen a huge increase in sales with the online tracking system CleanTelligent, the company said. "Sales have improved over 400 percent since implementing CleanTelligent," says BearCom...

U.S. Products takes dual cleaning to new heights.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The all-new Agitator 16 and Agitator 18 portable self-contained carpet extractors from U.S. Products "take dual-surface cleaning to new heights," the company said. Certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute, the...

John's Custom Machine adds to product line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] John's Custom Machine steps up its product line with composite waste tanks, fresh water tanks and mix tanks. The tanks feature "numerous advantages over aluminum or stainless tanks, including 50 percent weight...

Experian launches ContractorCheck Pro.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... Experian recently launched ContractorCheck Pro, a new combination report package that provides home-improvement professionals with access to their ContractorCheck report. This includes a full year of business credit report access and monitoring...

New floor finish provides low-odor alternative.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... JohnsonDiversey Inc., recently announced the introduction of FrescoMax TM/MC, a durable, low-odor floor finish solution. "FrescoMax's low odor properties and quick dry time empowers cleaners, enabling them to finish floors while building...

Tornado introduces new spotter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tornado's PS Series Professional Spotter is "lightweight, quiet, and compact, with an ergonomically designed lift grip handle for easy maneuverability and transport," the company said. As with a carpet extractor,...

Dresser ROOTS package features upgraded blower, quieter operation.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new factory-engineered blower package, designed to be smaller, lighter, quieter, more powerful and more energy efficient, has been introduced by Dresser Roots The Dresser ROOTS EasyAir X2 is a pre-assembled,...

Unsmoke field guide simplifies product selection, application.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... Unsmoke-Microban has made life easier for disaster restoration professionals with a new, free, compact full-color guide designed to be used as a reference tool in the field. The guide is organized by tasks, such as mold remediation or smoke...

Making magic at The Ground Floor.(Products Tools & Equipment)
May 1, 2008... The Ground Floor's Acid Proof Magic "M" is acid proof with a matte finish. It is for concrete countertops, matte-finish limestone, tumbled marble, or any other stone where a high shine is not desired. It will slightly deepen, or enhance the...

Sticky-tabs are changing the way the industry is tabbing furniture.(Product of the Month)
May 1, 2008... Sticky-Tabs are changing the way the industry is tabbing furniture. The days of struggling to tab furniture are over. Sticky Tabs are easy-to-apply, sturdy, 3" x 3 1/2" plastic tabs with removable adhesive on one side. Sticky-Tabs come in a...

Air filtration across the nation air.
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For years it has been recognized that carpets act as filters or traps for all kinds of filth, from soil and pet stains to a variety of chemicals. Even a clean water-damage event will begin to "reactivate" biological...

Four to the door: what for? If you have no idea what "Four to the Door" means, rest assured I am not suggesting four technicians show up on every job.(The Gadget Man)
May 1, 2008... Our subject today really comes down to getting carpets and floors dry as quickly as possible, and much of that is tied to airflow. We will cover "Four to the Door" a little later. Many carpet-cleaning companies, including at least one...

Dri-Eaz course participants offered drying guide at special discount.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2008... For a limited time, paid participants in Dri-Eaz restorative drying courses may purchase a copy of the New Guide to Restorative Drying at a special discount price. A product of more than 25 years of accumulated restoration knowledge and...

New franchise outlets added in 2007.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2008... Stone Restoration Services LLC, a franchise business specializing in the restoration, cleaning, maintenance, and repair of all natural stone, based in Birmingham, Mich., announces the opening of eight new locations. The new locations...

Jon-Don spring CAD dates announced.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2008... Jon-Don is honoring its loyal customers with special "Customer Appreciation Days" at several locations across the country this spring: May 9--Atlanta, Ga.; May 13--Tampa Bay, Fla.; May 20--Roselle, Ill.; May 22--St. Louis, Mo.; July...

Dow Emulsion Polymers announces "refreshed" business approach.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2008... Dow Emulsion Polymers has announced a new business approach. "We're known as such in every industry and market we touch. The business strategy has evolved to include industries outside of our traditional participation in the paper and...

Sis named to new post at HydraMaster.(Industry News & Information)(Phil Sis appointed vice president of engineering and operations)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Phil Sis has been appointed vice president of engineering and operations for HydraMaster North America, Inc. He will be responsible for engineering and operations at HydraMaster, as well as engineering new product...

RIA announces 2008 leaders.(Industry News & Information)
May 1, 2008... At its 63rd Annual Convention and Exhibition in Grapevine, Texas, the Restoration Industry Association announced its officers for 2008. Rusty Amarante, CR, of Belfor USA in Exton, Pa., will lead the association as RIA president. Jeff Jones,...

Nilfisk-Advance acquires HydraMaster.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Nilfisk-Advance has acquired all the assets of HydraMaster, the Washington-based designer and manufacturer of truck mount extractors, rotary floor care systems, cleaning accessories, and carpet and fabric care chemicals. "We are very...

Heaven's Best awarded top honors for the third year in a row.(Industry News & Information)(Brief article)
May 1, 2008... Heaven's Best has won the 2008 Franchisee Satisfaction Award presented by Franchise Business Review for the third year in a row. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Once again, we are honored to receive the Franchisee Satisfaction Award. For three...

How to get more water damage work! More floods.(Product & Literature Guide)
May 1, 2008... There is no magic bullet to get more water damage work. It takes systems, consistency and the attitude to succeed. More Floods has everything you need to be successful in the water damage business. We help you get a consistent result over and...

Multi-Surface Machine.(Rotovac Corporation)
May 1, 2008... Rotovac's Rotovac 360 cleaning machine, which works with any portable or truckmount extractor, has two heads that clean carpet and tile. The Carpet head has 3 spray jets and 3 smooth-glide vacuum slots, while the Hard Surface head has 3 spray...

The perfect add-on money-maker!(Rotobrush)
May 1, 2008... Offer air duct cleaning to your existing customers or use it to attract new ones, and watch your profits grow FAST. Get everything you need: one-person operated, video-assisted systems * marketing tools * training * 24/7 tech support *...

Grow your business with IICRC certifications: every year in late January, IICRC representatives travel to Las Vegas to attend Surfaces, the largest floor covering trade show in the country.(IICRC President's Corner)
May 1, 2008... Several volunteers staff the IICRC convention booth in support of the hundreds of IICRC registrants who attend Surfaces and earn Continuing Education Credits. We also make new contacts with companies and organizations that might benefit by...