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Monday, November 21, 2016

6 Tips for True Blue Clean Carpets

Ready or not, winter is coming. It’s time to get your carpets ready for the tough months ahead.

Tip #1. Know your warranty.

If your carpet is less than two years old, it’s still probably covered by a warranty. So before you start on a rigorous cleaning program, you should know what your warranty requires. For example, most carpet manufacturers want you clean your carpet a minimum of every 18-24 months in order to keep your warranty. And some are quite specific about the type of cleaning required. The warranty for STAINMASTER® Carpets, for instance, says that “you must have had hot water extraction performed by a trained, qualified carpet care professional at least as frequently as every 24 months.”

Tip #2: Use equipment with the CRI Seal of Approval.

Your equipment matters. That may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many people think that all equipment is pretty much the same. It’s for that very reason the Carpet and Rug Institute developed the Seal of Approval (SOA) program, “the carpet industry’s only scientific program to test and measure the effectiveness of cleaning products and equipment.” Evaluated on seven performance attributes—including soil removal efficacy, resoiling (the tendency for some cleaning products to actually accelerate soil attraction after cleaning), residual moisture, surface appearance change, and more—cleaning equipment with the CRI Seal of Approval is simply proven to be effective.

Tip #3. Act quickly.

Some of the best carpet cleaning advice we can give is to simply act as soon as a spill or soiling has happened. For example, dry soil removal is often not taken as urgently as wet spills, but if left neglected, dry soil can really set into the fibers of your carpet. The results you get will almost always depend on how quickly you start the cleanup. The same advice goes for a wet spill or moisture damage. Spot the area immediately; leaving it to dry will only increase the likelihood of permanent fiber staining. The Clarke® EX40™ self-contained extractors are the ideal machines for quick cleanups. With the optional hand tool and hose accessory on the Clarke EX40™, spot cleaning is a breeze.

Tip #4. Use a protectant.

A protectant essentially adds an invisible shield between spills and your carpet fibers. This allows for much easier weekly or post-event vacuuming. Protectants can also help your carpet withstand water and moisture absorption from wet and soiled shoes. Using a protectant won’t guarantee you can completely get rid of a stain; it just gives you more time to get to the soiled area before it sets in. Because once a stain sets into the fibers, there may be little you can do. Also, adding a protectant can void warranties with some manufacturers. Make sure you check with your particular manufacturer.

Tip #5. A stitch in time.

General wear and tear can lead to permanent damage in carpets, especially along skirting boards, door jams and elevator tracks. Even tiny loose ends can turn into big repairs if put off too long. So make sure to take care of those minor repairs before the winter months subject your carpets to even more abuse.

Tip #6. Keep on top of maintenance.

Protecting against the hard effects of winter is not just a one-time event; to truly protect your carpet, you must maintain and protect it continually. Increase your vacuuming and implement an interim cleaning regimen throughout the winter months, particularly when there’s a long stretch of bad weather or a big storm.

Planning ahead will help keep your carpet looking sharp all winter and contribute to the True Blue Clean of your whole facility.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Tips to Speed Carpet Drying

This article was originally published in ICS.

The carpet cleaning season has finally arrived. And as most carpet cleaning technicians know, one of the most frequently asked questions about carpet cleaning right after it’s done is "How long will it take for the carpets to dry?"

Suggestions to help reduce carpet drying times include:

Technicians should carry an assortment of air movers with them, including blowers, down draft systems, "whole room" dryers, stackable dryers, "kickstand" dryers, and angle adjustable fans.
Proper wand technique is imperative - perform extra dry passes while "wanding," and be sure to overlap just-cleaned areas.
Pull the wand back an extra few inches after closing off the solution flow; this will pick up any excess water left at the end of the wand stroke.
Install air movers in each room as it is completed; move and add fans to each room as they are cleaned.
Activate ceiling fans if present in the facility.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Carpet Care: Five Tips to Proper Wand Usage

This article was originally published in CleanLink.

The wand on a carpet extractor plays a far more important role in effective carpet cleaning than many carpet cleaning technicians and cleaning professionals may realize. Some more advanced wands can speed up the entire cleaning process while also allowing carpets to dry more quickly and more thoroughly-if the wand is used properly.

Experts agree that proper wand usage is key to successful carpet cleaning, and offer the following suggestions for proper wand usage:

Start in a far corner of the room, move from left to right, and work toward the exit. (The direction may vary due to room specifications.)
Once on the carpet, pull the wand's trigger to allow water (solution) to flow onto the carpet. Then move the wand forward.
Release the trigger and pull the wand backward to remove moisture from the carpet.
Return to the starting point, repeat the process, and begin moving the wand to the left, overlapping the area that was just cleaned.
Repeat the process until all areas are cleaned.

The wand on a carpet extractor plays a far more important role in effective carpet cleaning than many carpet cleaning technicians and cleaning professionals may realize. Some more advanced wands can speed up the entire cleaning process while also allowing carpets to dry more quickly and more thoroughly-if the wand is used properly.

Experts agree that proper wand usage is key to successful carpet cleaning.

"Some carpet cleaning technicians refer to working with a wand as 'dancing with the wand'-and in many ways, it is like a dance," says Doug Berjer, National Sales Manager for CFR, makers of continuous flow recycling carpet extractors. "However, you've got to know the proper steps for this dance to come out right."

Berjer offers the following suggestions for proper wand usage:
• Start in a far corner of the room, move from left to right, and work toward the exit. (The direction may vary due to room specifications.)
• Once on the carpet, pull the wand's trigger to allow water (solution) to flow onto the carpet. Then move the wand forward.
• Release the trigger and pull the wand backward to remove moisture from the carpet.
• Return to the starting point, repeat the process, and begin moving the wand to the left, overlapping the area that was just cleaned.
• Repeat the process until all areas are cleaned.

"It is not uncommon for streaks to develop during the extraction process," says Berjer. "Often this is because the wand left excess moisture on the carpet, which can be corrected by going over these areas once again."

Berjer says older wands tend to cause streaking problems more frequently, while more advanced wands flush and remove moisture from carpet fibers more thoroughly, thus minimizing this problem. - See more at: http://cleanlink.com/news/article/Carpet-Care-Five-Tips-to-Proper-Wand-Usage--16349#sthash.RUXF3A5h.dpuf

The wand on a carpet extractor plays a far more important role in effective carpet cleaning than many carpet cleaning technicians and cleaning professionals may realize. Some more advanced wands can speed up the entire cleaning process while also allowing carpets to dry more quickly and more thoroughly-if the wand is used properly.

Experts agree that proper wand usage is key to successful carpet cleaning.

"Some carpet cleaning technicians refer to working with a wand as 'dancing with the wand'-and in many ways, it is like a dance," says Doug Berjer, National Sales Manager for CFR, makers of continuous flow recycling carpet extractors. "However, you've got to know the proper steps for this dance to come out right."

Berjer offers the following suggestions for proper wand usage:
• Start in a far corner of the room, move from left to right, and work toward the exit. (The direction may vary due to room specifications.)
• Once on the carpet, pull the wand's trigger to allow water (solution) to flow onto the carpet. Then move the wand forward.
• Release the trigger and pull the wand backward to remove moisture from the carpet.
• Return to the starting point, repeat the process, and begin moving the wand to the left, overlapping the area that was just cleaned.
• Repeat the process until all areas are cleaned.

"It is not uncommon for streaks to develop during the extraction process," says Berjer. "Often this is because the wand left excess moisture on the carpet, which can be corrected by going over these areas once again." - See more at: http://cleanlink.com/news/article/Carpet-Care-Five-Tips-to-Proper-Wand-Usage--16349#sthash.RUXF3A5h.dpuf

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Attack Tough Carpet Stains

The Bext® Pro features a simple clam shell design, which permits easy component access and maintenance, while a 13 gallon solution tank enables you to tackle large jobs or easily maneuver in compact areas. Equipped with exclusive circuit finder technology on heated models, the Bext Pro easily identifies when the machine is plugged into separate circuits. The Bext Pro also offers self-contained storage for the power cord and a compartment for detergent bottles, hand tools and other cleaning accessories—providing increased cleaning convenience.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Tips For Removing Gum and Adhesives from Carpets

This article was originally published in Clean Link.

Spring’s here, and that means many commercial facilities will be cleaning their carpeting. It also means that gum, adhesives, and similar soiling that found their way onto carpets now need to come out.

Removing this type of soiling can be a challenge. Even when it appears that gum or adhesives have been removed, they sometimes reappear a few days later. This is because some of the sticky residue remains in the carpet.

To remove gum and adhesive residue from carpets, read the following suggestions:

Scrape: Scrape off as much of the gum/adhesive as possible. Freezing the gum and “chipping” it off is also an option.
Heat: After scraping the matter from the carpet, a sticky residue usually remains. Often this can be removed with hot-water carpet extraction or steam vapor applied over an absorbent towel (the residue transfers to the towel).
Chemicals: Either a non-volatile dry solvent, a volatile dry solvent, or a gel solvent can be used to remove any remaining residue. Allow for dwell time, and then agitate the area using a scraper. This works the solvent into the residue. Rinse with hot water and detergent.

Other options include placing a paper towel directly on the adhesive. Then place a clean cloth over the paper towel and iron over it until all the adhesive is lifted onto the paper towel. Sometimes applying a cloth soaked in water and vinegar and placing it on the problem area overnight may also remove the adhesive.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Your Soil Is Showing

This article was originally published in Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

Just like any other floor surface, carpet takes a beating from foot traffic. And, if a facility has extended hours of operation and a high occupation density, the carpet can receive quite a bit of abuse. However, building occupants do not walk on all parts of a carpet; they track soils indoors in specific patterns that quickly develop into traffic lanes.

Facilities that take a proactive approach and clean their carpets on a consistent and regimented basis rarely need to worry about traffic lane soiling. But, locations with lower operating budgets, insufficient staffing relative to foot traffic or those not making use of floor matting tend to view traffic lane soiling as problematic.

If you remove dry particulate soils from carpets frequently and thoroughly, less intensive cleaning will be necessary. Especially in entrances and hallways, foot traffic is intensified and fibers become prematurely worm, matted down and rapidly soiled. If not cleaned properly and frequently, traffic lanes can be a real eyesore to an otherwise clean carpet.

So, the question is: “How can traffic lane soiling be remedied or even prevented in the first place?”

The answer is not universal to all facilities and can change with the seasons. Read the full article here to learn about four key factors in you carpet care procedures.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Top Ten Soils in Carpets Identified

This article was originally published in CleanLink News.

The key job of carpet cleaning is to remove soils from carpets. However, there are actually several different types of soils and contaminants found in carpets, and knowing what type of soil is in the carpet is frequently the first step in effectively removing it.

Because of this, this month's U.S. Products Carpet Cleaning Advisory focuses on the top ten soils that most often end up in carpets and how they got there in the first place.

Sand, clay, and other "gritty" materials
Natural fibers such as lint from clothing
Gum
Petroleum, oil, and grease
Human hair and skin
Dust mites, fleas, and other insects
Organic soils and materials (minerals and soils from landscaping areas, for example)
Airborne carbon and automotive exhaust
Spilled food or beverages
So-called "miscellaneous unknowns"

To tackle these soils, learn about various carpet cleaning solutions that are available to you.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Vacuuming During Day Cleaning

This article was originally published by Contracting Profits

If I want to use a vacuum for day cleaning: How quiet does it need to be?
In this article, industry manufacturers answer common questions asked by building service contractors.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED certification requires that a vacuum be under 70 dBA in order to qualify for the IEQ credit. This should be sufficient for most schools and hospitals. In facilities where peace and quiet are critical, a vacuum with two modes can be used, a power mode for after hours cleaning, and a quiet mode that runs at just 51 dBA for daytime. A normal conversation is around 67 dBA, so these vacuums are practically invisible to building occupants.

— Jacalyn High, director of marketing, ProTeam, Boise, Idaho

At minimum, day cleaning operations require quiet, commercial-strength vacuums that operate below 70 decibels, so staff can clean day and night with less impact on the workers around them.

— David Parkes, general manager, Sanitaire, Charlotte, N.C.

This is dependent on the facility that is being cleaned. Every facility that goes to day cleaning wants a lower sound level, which all manufacturers are striving to achieve. The challenge is the trade off, since reducing sound levels also reduces cleaning effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner; in most cases, small motors and reduced air flow are required to achieve needed sound levels for day cleaning.

— Brad Nyholm, product manager: commercial/dealer for Hoover/Royal Brands, TTI Floorcare North America, Glenwillow, Ohio

Learn about Clarke carpet vacuum cleaning solutions at: http://www.clarkeus.com/products/carpetvacuums.aspx

Monday, June 18, 2012

The Evolution of Green Carpet Cleaning

This article was originally published by Housekeeping Solutions

Looking at how green cleaning established itself in the jan/san industry, it's easy to see that much of its evolution began with chemicals. The goal was to encourage chemical manufacturers to develop products that are both effective and compiled from ingredients that have a reduced impact on the environment. Facility managers now also want the ingredients to be more sustainable, which generally means being derived from renewable resources instead of being petroleum based.

Once manufacturing caught up with these end user demands, green cleaning soon expanded beyond chemicals to include equipment and cleaning processes. Vacuum cleaners with advanced air filtration systems, chemical-free cleaning systems, low-moisture floor machines, certain restroom cleaning equipment, and even chemical-dilution systems have all become key components of departmental green cleaning strategies.

Another part of the green cleaning evolution specifically targeted carpet cleaning, which became greener and healthier with the aid of new technologies and cleaning and maintenance strategies. One such strategy is to base carpet cleaning more on need than on specific cleaning frequency.

For example, even though many building managers want carpeting in executive offices cleaned every month, these areas are not heavily soiled. Not only is monthly cleaning unnecessary, it is also costly and can have adverse implications on the environment. These areas would benefit from a deep cleaning only two to three times a year.

Looking at frequency is just one way facility managers are greening their carpet care. Learn more about greening carpet cleaning and green equipment by reading the full article: http://www.cleanlink.com/hs/article/The-Evolution-of-Green-Carpet-Cleaning--14166