ICS Cleaning Specialist articles from September 2003

ICS Cleaning Specialist archives from September 2003

New items on the menu: it's not unusual to see the occasional guest contributor appear in the pages of ICS. In fact, it's something we encourage.(Editorial Comment)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... Placing the additional feature here and there throughout the year gives us the chance to see what types of articles, along with our usual excellent selection, catch the attention of our readers. Publishing a magazine for an audience that has no...

Pricing problems and professionalism: talk about an insurance claim going south. I got a call the other day from an IICRC-certified firm.(Rx for Restoration)
September 1, 2003... Seems the company had completed a Category 1 (clean source) Class 2 (saturated flooring) water restoration claim, successfully drying in-place both the carpet and pad in two thirds of this 1,700-square foot, slab-on-grade home with a couple of...

Connections? Who needs connections? I have often heard the cleaning industry escribed as being comprised predominately of independent owner-operators, a collection of "One-Man Bands," if you will.(Building a Profitable Business)
September 1, 2003... It's been my experience that, more often than not, these "independent" cleaners are really not totally self-sufficient. In fact, they actually work within a very carefully structured network of specialists, contacts, and connections. ...

Troubleshooting olefin Berbers: when I first began writing this column 10 or so years ago, one of the first things I addressed was the cleaning of olefin Berber carpets, as they appeared to offer such a challenge to the on-site cleaner.(Carpet Cleaning Basics)
September 1, 2003... Now we're in a new millennium, but the problems with Berber carpets seem to continue. This may become more of an issue as more and more consumers become enamored with Berber. The complexities of cleaning Berber carpet can generally be...

Franchises: avoiding disappointment or disaster.
September 1, 2003... In general, a franchise is a legal right to engage in a particular business activity under the name, and using the processes of, a franchiser or parent company. Franchises can be attractive in that they offer a "turnkey" approach to entering...

Bridgepoint instructors get put on the "Fast Track".(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Bridgepoint Systems recently brought all of its 13 instructors together to train them on teaching the new Fast Track Marketing and Management System, a new system of training company owners "in the business skills necessary to succeed in our...

White Magic appoints new vice president.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... White Magic Inc. has appointed Frank Kuse as vice president, distributor support. The newly formed position will provide technical and service training along with all phases of support to the company's distributor network. Kuse has more...

Products attain ETL SEMKO listing.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Therma-Stor announced that its Phoenix 200 MAX dehumidifier has been ETL listed and conforms to UL STD 1995 and CAN/CSA STD C22.2 No. 236. In addition, the company's Phoenix Guardian HEPA system and Phoenix Mini-Guardian HEPA system have been...

Ultrasonics International introduces new brand identity.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Ultrasonics International has introduced a new brand identity through the use of an updated logo and graphics. The resulting materials will "retain much of the same look and feel" of the Ultrasonics International brand while "better...

SolutionsFests being held throughout the year.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... Steam Way International's SolutionsFests are five-to-six hour events book-ended by two specific training sessions providing hands-on product application training. The training programs are led by members of Steam Way's True Blue Training Crew,...

Steamin Demon receives perfect score in lab assessment.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... The Steamin Demon High-Flow Extractor rated a perfect score in an independent lab assessment conducted by Professional Testing Laboratories in Dalton, Ga., according to H&H Direct Sales. PTL tested cleaning efficacy of every type of carpet...

H2Orange2 win state's approval.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... H2Orange2 Concentrate 117, manufactured by EnvirOx, L.L.C., has won approval by the state of Massachusetts as an "environmentally preferable cleaning product for state contract in five product bid categories." The initial contract, awarded...

Peterson celebrates 10 years with Rotobrush.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... Scott Peterson has been Rotobrush for 10 years. He began his career in 1993 assembling machines, and within five years went from working in production to the position of vice president of production. He is an integral part of new product...

ASCR, Ronald McDonald House form partnership.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... Members of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration have launched a new program to donate their expertise in cleaning and restoring indoor environments to Ronald McDonald Houses. The program will be administered jointly by...

Butler appoints new sales representative.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Butler Corp. has appointed Louis Mendes to house territory sales representative. Mendes will represent the company in the demonstration and sale of The Butler System in the Midwest, Southwest, Northwest and California. Mendes began his...

Ashkin discusses asthma, "green" cleaning in Chicago.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Stephen Ashkin recently met with leaders involved in the design, construction and upkeep of Chicago's public schools and state and local offices to discuss green cleaning and the role of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED-EB (Leadership in...

2004 ISSA board to assume office during general meeting.(Industry News & Information)
September 1, 2003... As a result of elections that closed Aug. 7. the International Sanitary Supply Association, Inc. has announced its 2004 board of directors. The 2004 board will assume its duties at the ISSA general meeting to be held Friday, Oct. 17 at 9:00...

Tornado appoints new director of sales.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Chicago-based Tornado Industries announces the appointment of James Hlavin to the position of director of sales. Hlavin has been involved with sales management for the past 20 years, and has spent the greater part of his career in the office...

Three Green Solutions products gain certification.(Industry News & Information)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Three products from Spartan Chemical Co.'s Green Solutions line have met Green Seal's environmental standard for industrial and institutional cleaners based on their reduced human-and aquatic toxicity and reduced smog production potential ...

HydraMaster breaks up the grease.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... HydraMaster Corp. introduces Grease Breaker, a solvent booster designed to get out tough, greasy, oily soils. It can be added to any carpet-or upholstery pre-spray, and breaks down tar, oil and grease for what the company describes as "easy...

Bridgepoint races to the End Zone.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Bridgepoint Systems has released End Zone, a dual-purpose extraction formula billed as a companion product to the company's Zone Perfect pre-spray. End Zone is dual purpose because it provides "full-strength cleaning power and pH neutralization...

Advance Advenger goes soft.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... For soft floors, the Advance Advenger offers the AquaRide SE, what the company describes as the "first-ever multi-tasking rider carpet sweeper/extractor." The AquaRide SE is designed to replace two tasks with one and increase productivity time,...

S. Morantz introduces Li'l Bubba.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... S. Morantz Inc.'s Morantz Li'l Bubba is an ultrasonic cleaning system designed for cleaning all types of items, the company said, including parts, electronics and electrical appliances. The inside-tank dimensions are 36"x20"x18". The Li'l...

Confined, cluttered cleaning gets hip.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Euroclean introduces the Hip Vac vacuuming, designed to make cleaning confined and cluttered areas easier to clean. The powerful motor and lightweight design "increase productivity by up to 74 percent," according to Euroclean. The Hip...

HydroTech lends a hand.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... HydroTech introduces the HT-120SM hand tool for hard-to-access areas, vertical surfaces, commercial kitchens, countertops and more. The HT-120SM is designed for use in conjunction with the HT-1500 psi portable extractor. The HT-120SM is...

Prochem reaches for new peaks.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Prochem is beginning the production of the new PEAK truckmount. A smaller version of the company's Everest truckmount, the PEAK features a liquid-cooled, 25 HP Kohler engine, tri-lobe blower, last-step chemical injection system and a patented...

Steam Way takes "First Action" in the "Onslaught".(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Steam Way International's First Action Spotter and Onslaught Plus Pet Odor Deodorizer, packaged in "grocery store-type packaging," are intended to provide professional cleaners with two products to resell to their clients. Circle 236 on the...

Tornado whips up new series of FloorKeepers.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Tornado Industries introduces the Long-Range (LR) Series of FloorKeepers, a scrubber/dryer floor care system designed with input from retailers and contract cleaners. Available in 28-and 32-inch models, the LR Series has high-tech digital...

Performance takes hard surface cleaning to new level.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Performance Truckmounts 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 150 on the Reader...

Proctor & Gamble introduces commercial cleaner line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Proctor & Gamble Professional introduces 23 new floor care, carpet care, daily cleaner and specialty cleaner products to augment its current daily cleaner line. Marketed under the P&G Pro Line brand name, the new products "significantly broaden...

Calendar of industry events.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
September 1, 2003... Conventions & Trade Shows OCT. 2-4: CONNECTIONS 2003 Las Vegas. Call (888) 881-1001 OCT. 14-17: ISSA/INTERCLEAN-USA 2003 Chicago. Call (800) 225-4772. JAN. 28-30: SURFACES 2004, Las Vegas. Call (972) 536-6343. MARCH 9-13:...

CTI releases POP packaging.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... CTI has designed and released point-of purchase packaging for the new Pro Solve Gel tubes. Each case folds into a countertop display tray to conserve space and simplify shelf stocking, the company says. Circle 197 on the Reader Inquiry Card....

Butler offers line of cleaning products.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... The Butler Corp. offers a line of Maximum Strength Cleaning Products, 24 different formulas including carpet-and fabric-cleaning products, specialty products for spot removal and deodorization, and more. The Butler Maximum Strength...

Hydro-Force introduces battery-powered sprayer.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Hydro-Force introduces the Battery Pak Sprayer, a high-performance electric sprayer operated by a heavy-duty DeWalt 12-volt rechargeable battery and featuring full-size Flojet 50-psi pump. A new addition to the design reinforces the extended...

Ultrasonics brings contents to the forefront.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Ultrasonics International introduces the 4800 XD Contents Processing System. Designed specifically for contents restoration applications, the 4800 XD features a 135-gallon capacity tank, three content parts baskets and two auxiliary side tanks...

Documentary explores solutions to mold.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... BioHazard Educational Productions has produced "Toxic Mold Solutions," an educational documentary. Interviews with more than 40 IAQ-industry professionals from a variety of fields, including medicine, research, industrial hygiene, remediation...

Janitorial products added to catalog.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... The new online catalog from Clean Craft Products, Inc. at www.cleancraft.com features "thousands" of new janitorial and maintenance products to go along with Clean Craft's own carpet cleaning product line. Circle 230 on the Reader Inquiry Card....

Jon-Don launches custom newsletter program.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Jon-Don has launched the Business Builder Custom Newsletter program, a kit that comes with a ready-made customer newsletter designed "with homeowners in mind." A fresh newsletter arrives each month for personalization. In addition to the...

Omegasonics releases two new portable systems.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Omegasoncics introduces two new portable ultrasonic cleaning systems. The Fire Pro 2800 (28-inch tank) and the Fire Pro 3600 (36-inch tank) offer "the performance and flexibility to handle on-site and well as in-house fire restoration and mold...

Butler offers in-line recovery system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... The Butler Corp. offers an in-line recovery system designed to filter debris prior to any recovered water entering the recovery tank. The in-line filter is designed for use with any Butler System, or any truckmount system equipped with a 2- or...

Newsletter CD makes a big bang.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Big Bang Marketing Group introduces its new newsletter marketing collection on CD. The collection includes 20 newsletters in Microsoft Publisher format, 60 custom logos, more than 100 newsletter articles, clip art and more. Circle 231 on the...

3M Commercial Care introduces new product line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... 3M Commercial Care Division is introducing a full line of Scotchgard- and 3M-brand products that create the 3M Carpet Care System. The line is designed to "Clean and Protect," according to the company, by utilizing a combination of products to...

White Magic unveils automatic pump-out system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... The White Magic external automatic pump-out system operates on a 12-volt DC current and pumps 3.5 gpm against the vacuum. The system has no effect on vacuum pressure or on the dynamics of the carpet-cleaning unit, according to the company. ...

Omegasonics introduces ultrasonic cleaning system.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Omegasonics introduces the Omega Fire Pro 4800, a system the company describes as "the largest, most versatile fire restoration system available for fire and smoke restoration contractors." The Omega Fire Pro 4800 features 4000 watts of...

S. Morantz rolls out the Li'l Mighty One.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... S. Morantz Inc. introduces the Morantz Li'l Mighty One Ultrasonic Cleaning System. According to the company, the Li'l Mighty One increases cleaning capability due to its unique pneumatic lift, "which makes cleaning large items simple by...

Delmhorst introduces new moisture meter.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Delmhorst's new BD-2100 Moisture Meter is the only meter on the market that features a scale to measure the MC percent in gypsum, the company says. The meter features a digital readout, three scales (gypsum, wood and reference), averages up to...

HydraMaster offers Maxx diesel.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... HydraMaster offers the diesel-powered Maxx 450D. Featuring a three-cylinder, 23.5 horsepower engine turning a Tuthill 4005X Tri-Lobe blower, the Maxx 450D comes standard with an ADC diverter heat control system, Last Step chemical system, and a...

Clarke scrubs up with Wash & Rinse.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Clarke introduces a new Wash & Rinse extraction system "for carpets so dirty that the original color is hidden or for carpets that get dirty faster once they've been cleaned," the company says. Wash & Rinse puts down soapy water, scrubs...

Hydro Tech unveils compact portable extractor.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... HydroTech introduces the HT-1500, a compact portable extractor specifically designed for hard-surface cleaning, providing 1,500 psi. The HT-1500 is equipped with auto-fill/auto-dump; heavy-duty, high-performance Hydro pumps; built-in safety...

EZ Moves adds to furniture-moving line.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 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...

Air mover offers solutions for restoration drying.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... The Max Force air mover from Dry Air Technology, originally designed for commercials contractors, has found a home in residential drying applications as well, the company says. The Max Force is "ideal for creating negative air pressure...

Steam Way introduces AquaCoat.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 1, 2003... Steam Way introduces AquaCoat, a residential wood floor matte finish specifically tested and formulated for residential wood floor refinishing by cleaning contractors. AquaCoat contains 40 percent more solids than some competitive matte...

WD-40 takes aim with Spot Shot.(Products Tools & Equipment)
September 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 Tools & Equipment)
September 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...

Avoiding the "road in-between".
September 1, 2003... "Why is everybody else doing great and I'm such a loser?" is a common lament in this industry. Frankly, few carpet cleaners ever achieve that beautiful but elusive goal, "success." It's been well said that success is a journey, not a...

Indoor environmental quality: questions and answers: the primary focus of this column is to address indoor environmental quality, or IEQ, issues.(IEQ Q&A)
September 1, 2003... Notice the use of the phrase indoor environmental quality instead of indoor air quality (IAQ). The indoor environment is more than just the air space within a building. The Indoor Environmental Institute has described the indoor environment as...

Carpet chemistry from the kitchen: I'm sure there are carpet cleaners who have heard at one time or another about a mystical cleaning compound that "does it all" in removing dirt, grime, and stains with the use of materials taken off the kitchen shelf.(Focus on Chemicals)
September 1, 2003... It's hard for many to imagine that food products can be classified as chemistry, but when you get to down to the basics, the chemistry in foods is the reason we eat the way we do. Every bit of food we eat is based on taste, texture, smell, eye...

Marketing is a full-time job: most cleaning-firm owners devote the bulk of the time marketing their business and services during certain times of the year. Specifically, the slow months known as winter.(Notes from the Trenches)
September 1, 2003... This is all well and good, but how out the traditionally busy times of spring and fall? Many owners have taken the no-need-to-spend-time-and-money-now approach; "The phone will ring anyway;" "I'm busy enough," and the timeless "I'll promote my...

The ICS product & literature guide.(Product & Literature Guide)
September 1, 2003... The ICS product & literature guide is a special section devoted to profiling new products and literature for the cleaning and restoration industry. It is intended to give readers a brief opportunity to find out what is emerging in the...

The impact of the IICRC: even after all these years, it is still inspiring to realize the impact that the IICRC has been making in the industry.(IICRC President's Corner)(Editorial)
September 1, 2003... Recently, I was telling a group of people how it was getting harder to come up with new column ideas month after month. One member of the group said I should write about the upholstery- and carpet-mill tour we had just returned from. I was a...