CAV-12 Dust Control System

The CAV-12 Vacuum is designed with the sanding contractor in mind with it's high suction, high filtration and low noise level at 57 dBA.

Key features include:

• Powerful 120V motor provides 127 CFM and 92" of water lift
• 3-stage filtration keeps the vacuum motor clean and ensures long life
• Ultra-low 57 dBA for enhanced operator comfort
• 25' of 1.5" crush resistant hose for long life and durability
• Standard vacuum tool kit comes complete with 13' of 1.5" crush resistant hose, 1.5" hose fittings, two-piece curve wand, felt tool, brush tool, round dusting tool, 11" plastic crevice tool and accessory bag
• Deluxe vacuum tool kit comes complete with 25' of 1.5" crush resistant hose, 1.5" hose fittings, one-piece curve wand, metal felt tool, metal brush tool, round dusting tool, 11" plastic crevice tool and accessory bag

When Making Green Marketing Claims, Tread Carefully

This article was originally published in Hardwood Floors. 

The popularity of eco-friendly products touches nearly every part of the U.S. economy, and the hardwood flooring industry is certainly no exception. Consider Americans’ keen interest in alternative flooring products such as those made of cork or bamboo, or the rising demand for traditional flooring products certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Likewise, consumers these days are far more receptive to the environmental drawbacks of carpet: A generation ago, few people other than scientists knew about VOCs (volatile organic compounds), but today some Americans are concerned about the possibility that their living room rugs are harboring allergens and releasing dangerous compounds.

Thanks to the green movement, the hardwood flooring industry is constantly playing both defense and offense on the environment. Companies are under the gun to highlight whatever eco-friendly qualities their products might possess, and they feel the need to compare their own products against various alternatives available in the marketplace. As the hardwood flooring industry engages in these green marketing efforts, though, it must carefully consider the risks associated with doing so. In today’s regulatory environment, even seemingly modest claims can carry legal risks. Indeed, in recent years the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been more closely scrutinizing marketers’ green claims under the FTC Act, which gives regulators the mandate to ferret out unfair, deceptive or unsubstantiated environmental claims.

Read the full article here to learn more about green guides, certifications and seals in the hardwood flooring industry.

Green Cleaning: A Team Effort

This article was originally published in American School & University.

The custodial green team is extremely important to success, whether starting a new green cleaning program or improving an existing one. The process itself has been well-defined. Assessment tools and awards programs are in place. Product manufacturers offer a wide range of products that meet performance requirements and are cost-effective compared with traditional products. And the distributors of cleaning products make the products widely available and can provide procedural and other training for custodial staffs.

For those schools and universities establishing a custodial green team for the first time, it is important to begin by considering the game plan, which includes the scope of the program, as well as the members themselves. Although input from the members can inform the finalization of the scope and the specific projects they may undertake, management should consider any boundaries before establishing the team and inviting individual members.

Thoughtful consideration before beginning will help avoid an unnecessary disconnect between what the administration expects and the team’s ability to have the flexibility to pursue issues that are important to them.

For those with existing green teams, ongoing consideration should be given to the changes in the facilities themselves, staffing levels, products and vendors. In some cases, the scope of the green team will change; for example, expanding beyond just cleaning to incorporate initiatives on pest management, recycling, composting, energy, water and other activities. These expanding issues may require different skill sets or representatives from other departments who may be affected by the new programs.

Read the full article here to learn more about green cleaning efforts.

Focus® II MicroRider™

The Clarke Focus® II MicroRider™ is a small, easily maneuverable machine that is designed to clean the areas that are inaccessible with larger riders—including those with limited access or tight corners. Yet, with a 26 or 28 inch deck, the Focus II MicroRider offers a wide cleaning path for maximum productivity in your larger cleaning areas.

Features and benefits include:

• BOOST® Technology with chemical-free floor finish removal makes the rider a dual-function scrubber
• SafetyGlide™ scrub deck ensures quality cleaning results with 100% water pick-up
• Easy operation with Safe-T-Steering™ increases operator safety
• Quiet operation makes daytime cleaning and cleaning of noise-sensitive areas viable
• Optional Chemical Mixing System automatically delivers the correct mixing solution to the brush deck
• Comfortable driver compartment with customizable features can be optimized for virtually every operator

Click here to learn more about the Clarke Focus II MicroRider. 

Preventing The Causes Of Slips And Falls

This article was originally published in Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

Although most likely to be identified as the primary cause of a slip-and-fall accident, please note that flooring materials, maintenance and hazards contribute to only about half of the problem.

That is to say, regardless of how safe the floor is, the remaining 50 percent of slips, trips and falls are attributable to four other areas.

These four contributing factors include:

• Footwear
• Fraud
• Hazard identification
• Training

Therefore, a prevention strategy should focus on a comprehensive approach that addresses all causes.

However, we must not neglect the vital topic of safe or unsafe floors as it relates to cleaning and maintenance.

Certain floor care practices also contribute to slips, trips and falls. Among these contributors to unsafe surfaces are:

• Using too much or too little of a floor care product
• Using the wrong cleaner for a particular surface
• Not following label instructions
• Not rinsing the floor care product, if required
• Not brushing the floor thoroughly, if required
• Not having or adhering to a routine floor maintenance schedule

Read the full article here to learn more about floor maintenance products. 

American 8 & 12 Drum Sanders

The American 8 & 12 Drum Sanders are the worldwide benchmark for professional drum sanding equipment. Its rugged cast aluminum construction, powerful motor and unique operating and drum leveling controls combine to make the most aggressive and most productive drum sander available.

Key features include:

• Totally enclosed 7.5 HP (peak) motor runs cooler and eliminates internal dust build-up.
• Drum Pressure Control allows infinite pressure variation for all types of wood.
• Heavy-duty vacuum fan and high filtration dust bag provide efficient dust recovery and containment.
• Unique "feathering" drum lowering handle eases operation.
• Dynamically balanced drum reduces vibration and chatter marks.
• Three wheel options for sanding on all types of wood.

Remove Salt Residue From Floors Fast And Easy

This article was originally published in Bald Guy Clean.

Winter weather brings with it additional areas of concern for cleaning professionals. The cold and snow add steps to many cleaning routines and present different challenges to maintaining the cleanliness of facilities. One of the most common is trying to remove salt residue from floors.

Removing salt residue from floors is difficult because the soil on the floor has changed and the cleaning chemicals have not. Most floor cleaning chemicals or neutral cleaners are designed to remove typical dirt and grime. When a substance as different as salt or calcium chloride becomes the main soil overnight, it requires a different approach.

Why Salt Residue Is So Hard To Remove

The makeup of most ice melting products is based around calcium chloride or salt, because of its effective melting properties and because it is relatively cheap. The problem when it comes to floor care is that it has a high pH, just like floor stripper.

To remove salt residue, it has to be neutralized, changing the pH to neutral or 7. Otherwise, it just smears around the floor and becomes a sticky mess. The stickiness can come from two causes.

1. It has such a concentrated amount of residue which is sticky.
2. It has begun to dissolve the floor finish. Either way, your floors are now attracting dirt and making them very hard to clean. 

If let go too long, the finish will have to be stripped and re-coated.

Read the full article here to learn how to remove salt residue.