mycleanlink

Getting Noticed.

Bob Croft — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:10:00 GMT

Just had a nice surprise. The Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce features my firm, CBN Building Maintenance, in the cover article, titled "Sustainable Profits", in its monthly magazine "Impact".

It details what we've long preached: the benefits of "Cleaning for Health" for not only the environment, but the bottom line. Our environmentally friendly chemicals, materials and techniques mentioned include HEPA vacs, microfiber technology, Green Seal chemicals and paper products, our Indoor Air Quality focus, our USGBC membership, and that costs for our environmentally preferred program are more than offset by labor savings achieved by more effective cleaning. Finally, we're growing in a down market. The article even features a nice photo of one of our folks in action, taken by our own Karl Wolz, who'se produced most of the great photos on this blog and on our website.

Not much to dislike about that sort of publicity. Glad we've kept our Chamber membership over the decades, in both good times and bad.

Fun, Looking in the Other Guy's Janitor Closet

Bob Croft — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:21:00 GMT

Quoted a large auto rental firm the other day; in the preliminary conversation, I mentioned the advantages of a "green" cleaning program, but the prospect replied, with pride, that his current service had already converted to green.

In touring the facility, I got a look in the janitor's closet. In evidence were three Green Seal approved cleaning chemicals, but also a string mop, feather duster, dust mop (filthy, as usual), scouring powder, no microfiber of any kind, and an upright, unfiltered, dumpable cloth-bag vacuum. Non-recycled paper towels, as well. Had some fun explaining to the fellow that any green program that I've ever seen involves a bit more than substituting some chemicals.

There's a whole lot of misinformation out there.

ISSA needs a category for urinal mats!

Jeff Crevier — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 03:44:00 GMT

I was looking at the ISSA's recent release where they list many manufacturers and their categories. I can easily find mops and brushes and chemicals and sponges but I can't find urinal mats. I am one of many manufacturers of urinal mats and can't understand why there's not a category for us. We sell enough urinal mats to deserve a category and our buyers would like to be able to find us easily. Within the last 2 months we sold just under 20,000 urinal mats and we can't get a category at the ISSA show. Does anyone have an idea of what we can do to get a urinal mat category in both print and at the shows so people can find us?

Until the whole world knows

Jeff

I REALLY Like Microfiber.

Bob Croft — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:15:00 GMT

Saw a study a while back claiming that the typical American family could discard 85% of the cleaning chemicals in their utility room by simply using microfiber cleaning cloths .

I find a similar situation in commercial cleaning. Microfiber scrubs better than a cotton rag or a sponge, and absorbs better; you don't need as much, or as strong, a chemical to loosen dirt, or to hold it in solution. Our rough rule of thumb, in comparing cotton cloths to microfiber, or cotton string mops to microfiber mops, is that we can "dumb down" the chemical by a step using microfiber. That is, we use a neutral cleaner rather than an alkaline, or water rather than a neutral cleaner. Further, on floors, we can use much less solution (which is weaker to begin with).

So: less chemical, milder chemical, less water. Better for the health of my crew, my client, and the larger environment. Cheaper as well. Not much to not like.

On the job injuries and increased productivity

TheFrugalHousekeeper — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:48:00 GMT

As you are aware cleaning professionals are being required to clean more space, in less time - especially in colleges, universities and K-12.

If you maintaing OJI records, what trend have you seen in the last 5 - 10 years?

As productivity is forced upwards, are the cleaning staff sustaining more injuries?

Thanks :-)

E-Verify misses 54% of illegals

Bob Croft — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:37:00 GMT

Saw an AP article on today's Arizona Republic website, quoting a research firm hired by Homeland Security, saying that E-Verify "wrongly clears illegal workers 54% of the time". The problem is that the system cannot detect identity fraud.

That tracks with our experience; it would seem that if one submits a name that matches the SS#, it doesn't much matter how many full time jobs or current credit histories that name and number are currently holding down around the country...

That's why we do a credit check, based on SS#; we can at least see who-all is using the name and number, and maybe figure out if the person we're looking at is at least the primary user of ;that SS#. Also, in addition to checking driving license and record, we have our back-grounding firm compare the photo on the applicant's license with the photo the State has on file, thus detecting the occasional high end fake license.

Don't really have anything against illegals, but it's remarkably hard to run a background check (court records, etc.) if you cannot establish the real identity of the applicant.

Waterless Urinals

mhenson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:15:00 GMT

Waterless Urinals

We have install 5 new waterless urinals facility and wanted to know what is the best practice to clean them and how frequent do you clean them. We use ZEP DZ-7 in our cleaning process is there a better chemical to use.

What to Consider When Purchasing Backpack Vacuum Cleaners

RobertKravitz — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:25:00 GMT

In 2002, when San Francisco’s famed Fairmont Hotel reopened after more than a year of extensive remodeling, one of the first things visitors noted was that acres of carpeting had been replaced with acres of hard surface floors. This is an example of a trend that has been occurring in all types of commercial and residential settings. Where wall-to-wall carpeting was common, hard surface floor coverings, such as stone and wood, are now taking its place.

For hotel housekeepers this can mean a major change in cleaning operations. Instead of vacuuming these acres of carpeted floors, they now need to be cleaned by both dust and damp mopping, which presents a challenge for hotel properties seeking to green their cleaning operations. When dry mopping hard surface floors, dust is generated and it can impact indoor air quality (IAQ) negatively. Furthermore, if harmful contaminants are on the floors, there is a possibility that these can become airborne and harm the health of the cleaning worker and others in the property—negating any other green efforts established at the hotel.

Because of this, what many hotel properties and other facilities are selecting to do is vacuum these hard surface floors whenever possible. And, many hotel administrators are selecting certain backpack vacuum cleaners with advanced air-filtration systems that help protect IAQ and a facility’s green initiatives. In fact, many green cleaning experts recommend the use of backpack vacuum cleaners because of how well this equipment protects IAQ.

Consider Environmental, Employee Health

However, selecting a backpack vacuum cleaner can be challenging as well as a big decision. For one, this piece of equipment is the most commonly used machine for any cleaning operation. The wrong machine can impact the effectiveness of many cleaning tasks. And, cleaning departments looking to maintain green status must be sure to select a high-performing backpack that protects the environment as well as the health of hotel workers. Another issue with selecting the right machine is the fact that there are now more U.S. and international companies than ever before offering backpack vacuums.

Below are some of the things to look for and evaluate when selecting a backpack vacuum.

• Costs: Especially now with the uncertainty of the economy, hotel properties are watching their budgets closely. Even if green is a hotel’s priority, cost is often the deciding factor. Backpack vacuums range in price from about $200 to more than $1,000. Managers should evaluate backpacks on a feature-by-feature basis and determine which cleaning solutions and features best fit their needs.

• Weight: Some of the early backpacks were about 15 pounds and wearing them became very uncomfortable in a relatively short time. The goal of green cleaning is to protect the environment as well as the user and, therefore, worker comfort must be viewed as a green issue and addressed when shopping for a backpack vac. Managers should look for machines weighing between 10 and 11 pounds. This has proven to be a comfortable weight for most users.

• Harness: The harness, which fits over the shoulders and around the waist of the user, has been the focus of considerable research and design. Look for machines designed with what is called a “comfort-fit,” with a padded, adjustable shoulder harness and belt. Ergonomically designed to work with the user, some systems even have tool storage on the belt to help facilitate worker productivity.

• Ease of use: The harness makes the backpack machine easier to wear. However, if the machine is bulky, too large, or poorly designed, it can still be uncomfortable to use, especially for a user of small stature. One option to consider is a smaller backpack—for instance a six-quart machine. These machines have all of the power and features of a larger backpack, but in a compact and easier to handle size.

• Noise level: One area of equipment that has needed to be improved is sound output to reduce noise pollution. A big drawback of early backpacks was their noise level. High sound levels can cause worker fatigue, irritability, and stress. Machines with a decibel rating of about 70 dB have proven to be quiet enough to cause minimal discomfort for the user.

• Air filtration: As mentioned earlier, many green cleaning experts strongly support the use of backpack vacuum cleaners because they can help protect IAQ. Some backpacks have a multiple air filtration system—some as many as four stages—that help capture and trap impurities before they can become airborne. For hotel properties, an optional HEPA filter increases this protection because it can capture and hold up to 99.97 percent of allergens and impurities, preventing them from becoming airborne. Just as with schools and medical centers, for a hotel property, selecting a backpack with a HEPA filter is strongly recommended.

Matthew Perry is product manager for Powr-Flite, a manufacturer of backpack vacuum cleaners and other professional cleaning tools and equipment for the cleaning industry. He may be reached at m.perry@tacony.com.

Do You Have or Use an Automatic Scrubber?

RobertKravitz — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:36:00 GMT

If you now own an automatic scrubber, we would like to know why you have selected the machine.

We invite you to take our one-question poll asking very simply, what is the main reason you have selected an automatic scrubber to perform floor care tasks.

All answers are confidential. We are told only the results which you will see as well once you vote.

To take the poll, please click on the link below:

http://micropoll.com/t/KpmEZBCdS

Thanks,

Robert Kravitz

Gum Cleaning Business With Innovative Gum Removal Machines

Daimer Industries — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:11:00 GMT

Discarded chewing gum can get stuck in any place - carpets, bus or train seats, parking lots, sidewalks, floors, walkways, streets, walls, tables, chairs, desks and many other areas. Businesses, municipalities and street departments, commercial and industrial facilities, and others have a hard time getting rid of chewing gum, as it can stubbornly hold on to surfaces and resist all attempts of being cleaned off. Additionally, the existence of chewing gum residues and stains in any business can actually deter customers, as it tarnishes the appearance of their facilities. Therefore, the removal of gum is essential. This is often easier said than done.

So, how do you actually manage the task of gum removal? Forget traditional methods or self-concocted solutions. Now there are advanced steam cleaners that utilize a combination of cleaning solutions, super-heated steam, vacuum extraction, and stainless steel brush accessories to quickly and easily remove wads of gum from a variety of surfaces, like concrete, brick, pavement, flooring, carpet, and more.

The most efficient gum steam cleaning machines for removing chewing gum use high temperature steam up to 320º F with pressure levels up to 120 psi. A gum removal squeegee with stainless steel brush attachment is also necessary. This allows for proper agitation to remove residues, while the stainless steel composition ensures longevity and durability. With this gum cleaning machines you can start your own gum cleaning business easily.

The most important component of any steam cleaner designed for gum removal is vacuum extraction. This advanced feature offers faster and considerably more effective results in removing gum than can be achieved by using the power of steam alone. Machines without extraction leave the residues on the surfaces, resulting in incomplete removal. The combination of all these features and the removal solution results in the high effectiveness of gum removal equipment. The gum removal solution and steam cleaner from a reputed supplier completely dissolves the gum, while the stainless steel brush works to loosen the deposit. The residue is then extracted, for complete removal.

While there are many models of chewing gum removal machines available on the market, remember that only high-quality machines sold by leading suppliers offer the best results in removing gum from virtually all kinds of surfaces. In addition, only the top-grade machines feature advanced, patented technologies to speed up the process like never before. Such outstanding models of gum removal equipment may also feature a HEPA filter to maintain the quality of indoor air.

Other important features of the best gum removal machines include removable heating rods and self-cleaning boilers. Additionally, advanced technologies like continuous refill and direct water feed capabilities allow you to work continuously without needing to stop, refill, and reheat.

When considering a steam cleaner and kit for removing chewing gum, consider your impact on the environment as well. The best suppliers provide green cleaning solutions for removing gum with their machines. These solutions can instantly dissolve hardened chewing gum even though they do not feature any harsh chemicals. Best of all, these solutions' biodegradable, non-toxic composition ensures safety for the user and the environment.

If you want to remove chewing gum at a rate of up to 500 pieces per hour, consider only high quality machines with the essential features discussed above.

Touch Free Roll towel dispenser vs Manual Roll towel dispenser for better hand hygiene

Johan_35 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:36:00 GMT

I am looking for advice and recommendations for which one is more efective touch-free or manual.

Tips on Selecting a Spray-and-Vac Cleaning Machine for the week of Feb 15, 2010

Angelo Poneris — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:29:00 GMT

Clean It; Remove It; but Don’t Breathe It

Recently, a major trade publication carried a featured article entitled, “Could Your Carpet Extractor Make You Sick?” The article was about an issue that is often discussed pertaining to vacuum cleaners but only occasionally mentioned regarding carpet extractors and even less frequently brought up when discussing spray-and-vac machines, otherwise known as no-touch cleaning machines.

The problem, the article pointed out, is that extractors generate a large volume of airflow. In the process, they release exhaust. If health-threatening contaminants are on the floor surface being cleaned, there is a likelihood they will be contained in the exhaust, become airborne, and then be inhaled by the user as well as building occupants.

Because spray-and-vac/no-touch cleaning machines function in many of the same ways as do carpet extractors and are now playing an ever greater role in educational and medical facility cleaning, this could potentially pose a serious health problem with these machines as well. In other words, the machines can effectively and hygienically clean surfaces and remove contaminants, but many of these pathogens could also become airborne, negatively impacting health.

This is why cleaning professionals selecting a spray-and-vac machine should look for a system with a HEPA filter. Just as it does with a high-performance vacuum cleaner, the HEPA filter traps virtually all contaminants, preventing them from being released in the exhaust of the machine and becoming airborne. The air stays cleaner, the user healthier.

Angelo Poneris is the Customer Supervisor for Valley Janitorial in Hamilton, Ohio

Day Cleaning...Why?

LEEDAP_OM — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:24:00 GMT

Day cleaning has been receiving a tremdeous amount of traction lately and many project teams have begun asking questions about it. So we would like to know the motivation of those that have implemented it. Why? What was the motivation behind the decision? What have the results been and how has it been received by the building occupant?

Advantages of Choosing Green Car Cleaning Products

Daimer Industries — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:25:00 GMT

As environmentally friendly cleaning techniques continue to gain popularity, more people are looking for safe and eco-friendly alternatives that offer exceptional cleaning results without harming the environment. The increasing demand for eco-friendly cleaning machines and green cleaning chemicals have found use in various applications and industries, like industrial degreasing, office cleaning, and auto detailing.

Detailing cars and trucks generally involves the use of cleaning chemicals and abrasive detergents. However, there are advanced car wash systems that do not use any kind of toxic cleaners to remove virtually all residues from automotive exteriors.

With pressure levels at or below 1500 psi and super-hot steam temperatures of 330ºF, these steam car wash systems effectively clean vehicle surfaces without causing scratches or damage to the vehicle's painted exterior. In fact, these car cleaning systems allow you to eliminate dirt, soil, tree sap, mud, grease, oil, bugs, and other residues that can accumulate on the vehicle. Using super-heated steam, these mobile car wash systems can even melt away snow and ice. Low-flow auto detailing systems are also available. These machines boast a flow rate of 0.5 GPM to minimize the amount of water used, ideal for areas where water or drainage is limited.

Not only is effective pressure washing systems available for today's auto detailers, safe and effective green chemicals are also being introduced into the market. The advanced green technology and plant-based formulation gives green chemicals the cleaning power to eliminate the toughest dirt deposits from vehicle surfaces. The nano-sized particles present in green cleaners effectively breakdown the carbon bonds in dirt particles, effectively splitting dirt molecules into millions of tiny particles. These dissolved particles are then emulsified in water so that they can be easily rinsed away.

Leading suppliers now offer an extensive array of green cleaning formulas to meet the individual needs of various car detailing applications. For example, seasonal variants of green windshield washer fluid are available to reduce reliance on methanol-based formulas. These formulas include:

Windshield Cleaner for Summer

This green chemical is ideal for use in warm seasons or for use in regions where temperatures do not drop below freezing. Summer formulas are specially designed to lift and remove bug residues, bird splatter, mud, and other sticky residues characteristic of warmer climates.

Windshield Cleaner for Winter

These green cleaners include freezing point depressants and are designed to effectively eliminate mud, road salt, and other deposits that can adhere to windshields in temperatures as low as -15°F to -25°F. This concentrated solution also helps remove winter-related residues such as salt, ice, and snow.

Windshield Cleaner for All Seasons

All season formulations are great for cleaning off the summer-related residues as well as winter-related snow and ice from windshield. This is suitable for use in regions that experience both temperature extremes.

Other green formulas available on the market today include car washes, truck washes, carpet cleaners, upholstery cleaners, hard surface cleaners, tire shines, glass cleaners, and more. To achieve the ultimate auto detailing duo, pair an advanced steam car wash with a green car wash or truck wash solution. Both can be found online from the industry's top suppliers.

TOUCH-FREE HAND SOAP DISPENESER VS MANUAL DISPENESERS

Juanfer — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:02:00 GMT

HI, WE'RE CONSIDERING TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO OUR PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND WE NEED SOME ADVICE ABOUT HAND SOAP DISPENESERS, WHICH ONE IS MORE EFECTIVE TOUCH-FREE OR MANUAL,NEED ADVICE, THANKS.

Cleaning animal enviornments

Georgeb — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:52:00 GMT

I am looking for advice and recommendations for cleaning an animal hospital. Are the products and procedures vastly different from cleaning a human hospital? What are the disinfecting concerns?

Mobile Car Wash with Perfect Pressure Washer

Daimer Industries — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:11:00 GMT

Auto detailing is the process of cleaning the exterior and interior of vehicles. Many types of cleaning machines are used for this process, including pressure washers, steam cleaners, and carpet cleaners. Pressure washers, the most powerful of the aforementioned machines, are ideal for removing virtually all residues from vehicle exteriors. However, there are distinct specifications for selecting the right system for auto detailing applications.

Need For Specially Designed Pressure Washers For Mobile Car Wash

A vehicle's contains exterior is comprised of a wide range of surfaces, including the metal body, hubcaps, wheels, windshield, windows, and engine components. The hardness and durability of these surfaces varies. For example, engine components are durable and sturdy. Windshields and glass are hard, but brittle. The metal body of a vehicle is hard as well, but the paint can be damaged if exceedingly high pressure levels are used.

Therefore, an ideal machine for mobile car wash must be able to clean all types and varieties of surfaces without causing damage. Some of the latest models of pressure washers are suitable for this purpose. The following are some tips on selecting suitable pressure washers for cleaning automobiles.

Check Specifications

There are three main specifications for a pressure washing cleaners: output temperature, output pressure, and flow rate.

Output Temperature

Pressure washer cleaner can provide three ranges of temperature. Cold water output is water at room temperature. Hot water output refers to water at a temperature of 210°F. Steam output means water at a temperature of up to 330°F. For cleaning automobiles, a steam car wash is the best fit to increase the speed and efficiency of the cleaning process.

Output Pressure

The output pressure level of pressure washing ranges from 500 psi to 8000 psi, depending upon the model. Any pressure washer with an output pressure rating at or below 1500 psi is suitable for cleaning vehicles.

Higher pressure means increased cleaning efficiency. However, painted surfaces of automobiles can be damaged by pressure levels over 1500 psi. Therefore, one should find a balance between efficiency of the machine and safety of the automotive surfaces.

Flow Rate

Flow rate indicates the quantity of water that flows through the output of the machine per minute. It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate normally ranges from 0.5 GPM to 8 GPM. For cleaning vehicles, a flow rate of 2 GPM or less is suitable. Mobile car wash machines with flow rates of 0.5 GPM are available from top suppliers to reduce water wastage. This is particularly beneficial for mobile auto detailers traveling to their customer's locations to clean automobiles where water or drainage may be limited.

Cleaning Solution

Most distributors recommend using a cleaning solution with pressure washers, regardless of the model, to provide additional cleaning power. Green chemicals are best, as they enhance the power of pressure washers in an environmentally-safe, non-toxic manner. Look for green car wash formulas, truck wash solutions, tire shines, windshield washes, and other formulas from the industry's top suppliers.

Choosing the Best Commercial Steam Cleaner - A Seven Point Checklist

Dupray Industries — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 03:33:00 GMT

There are a few key elements to consider when you decide to buy a high-quality steam cleaner. Everybody knows the amount of cheap, Asian made models who destroy the name of very powerful cleaning tools. Hundreds of different models exist on the market, and a customer can easily get lost. However, the task of finding the perfect, best commercial steam cleaner is not that hard. Whether you need a steam cleaner for grout cleaning, spot removal, stain removal, gum removal, upholstery cleaning or any other steam cleaning task, the first step is to consider only Italian made commercial steam cleaner since they invented and perfected the technology for the last 30 years. These steam machines usually use pressurized saturated steam (with only 5 % water) and are used to clean and disinfect most surfaces.

Before making your choice on a particular machine, I suggest that you take good note of that guide, in 7 easy points :

1. A High-Quality Stainless Steal Boiler
The boiler is the heart of any steam cleaner. It must be very resistant and made with high quality materials, such as stainless steal.

2. Continuous Use
The best steam cleaners always have a dual-tank system : a pressurized boiler and a water tank that pumps the water into the boiler, to automatically refill the boiler without interrupting the machine.

3. Replaceable Heating Elements
It is important to look for models offering replaceable quality heating elements, as these heating bars usually fade with time and use. You should never have to change the whole boiler to replace an element. Dupray Industries and Italian manufacturer Tecnovap offer that technology.

4. Detergent tank (external or internal)
Offered only on a few commercial and industrial models, this function allows the operator to press a simple button to inject a jet of detergent in conjunction with the steam. Detergent helps with hard decreasing jobs and gum removal.

5. Steam Temperature
The steam temperature output by the machine makes a BIG difference in the strength of the cleaning.

The best steam cleaners will output temperature ranges from 155 °C to 180 °C. Under that boiling temperature, the pressure is just not powerful enough to ensure proper cleaning and sanitation. Never go for a machine that can't output at least 145 °C.

6. Steam Pressure
According to the principles of thermodynamics, steam pressure is closely related to its temperature. A minimum of 70 psi is standard for a quality home steam machine. Steam pressure can go up to 145 psi on certain industrial models.

7. Warranty and After-Sale Service
Any reputable distributor or wholesaler will stand by its products. The warranty is crucial and a good indicator or construction quality. Look for lifetime warranty on boilers, instead of just a few years.

We hope this guide has been helpful to you. If you need more steam cleaning information, please visit dupray.ca.

Right Pressure Washer for Mobile Car Wash

Daimer Industries — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:27:00 GMT

A pressure washer is a powerful cleaning machine available for industrial and commercial cleaning applications. There exists a wide variety of high pressure washers suitable for a number of different cleaning tasks like mobile car wash. Let's examine the different types and features to help you determine the right machine for your applications.

Types of Pressure Washers

Pressure cleaning machines are classified in many ways. Based on the temperature of their output, they can be either a cold water pressure washer, hot water pressure washer, or steam pressure washer. Similarly, based on the nature of the cleaning job, they are classified into commercial pressure washing machines and industrial pressure cleaning machines. Industrial systems offer higher pressure levels and flow rates for more demanding applications. The power method is yet another dividing factor for pressure cleaners. Today's systems can be powered by gasoline, propane, diesel, or electricity.

It is not easy to select the best pressure washing machine. Each system is suitable for different applications. The following are a few tips about the specifications that could help select the best machines for various kinds of cleaning jobs.

There are three key specifications defining the power of a pressure cleaning machine: output pressure, output temperature, and flow rate.

Output Pressure

Output pressure level is the force at which water exits the machine. It is expressed in pounds per square inches (psi). Pressure level is perhaps the most important specification as it determines the overall power of the machine. The pressure level varies from model to model, normally between 500 psi and 8000 psi.

Higher pressure levels are suitable for demanding applications, like degreasing or cleaning of heavy machinery, while lighter commercial applications do not need such high levels. Pressure washing machines used for auto detailing also do not need very high pressure levels. The output pressure of such machines should be 1500 psi or less.

Output Temperature

One can classify pressure washing machines into three types based on the output temperature: cold water, hot water, and steam.

Cold water machines eject water at room temperature, that is, without heating the water. Cold water output is ideal for cleaning soft surfaces, namely surfaces that cannot withstand high temperatures, and lighter applications that do not require the additional power afforded by heat. Cold water is not effective for degreasing applications without the addition of a degreasing chemical or green degreaser.

Hot water machines can provide an output temperature of 210°F. Hot water output has improved cleaning efficiency for difficult cleaning tasks, due to the increase in temperature. However, steam output offers the greatest cleaning power. High steam temperatures up to 330°F enable the dissolving and rapid removal of the most stubborn residues and grease. Most industrial pressure washer machines utilize steam output.

The best systems on the market today provide all three types of outputs in a single machine. Pressure washing machines that provide all three outputs are called tri-mode machines.

Flow Rate

Flow rate indicates the amount of water that flows through the nozzle in a certain timeframe. It is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate varies from model to model. Flow rates as low as 0.5 GPM are ideal for mobile car wash and auto detailing and applications where drainage is limited, while higher flow rate of 8 GPM are ideal for heavy industrial degreasing applications. Higher flow rates do increase cleaning power, since larger amounts of water are being exerted onto a surface.

While the above specification descriptions provide a general idea of what machines are designed for which applications, the best way to find the ideal machine for you is to speak with a product specialist from a trusted supplier.

Machine Repairs

Ivie Enterprises — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:35:00 GMT

With the economy in the state it's in at this time, we each are trying to find as many cost savings as we can. But neglecting that which puts money in our pockets is definitely not the way to save in the long run. Keeping your machines in good working order is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you can continue to generate income. Too many times, upper management forgets this, and lets their equipment get neglected, and then when it's time to use a particular machine it's a rush to have the machine fixed. This stresses the employees using the equipment, the management that wants a clean facility, and even stresses the over-worked repair technician. It can even increase the repair cost (say, you have a part shipped overnight - that's an additional $30 or more). So, by keeping your equipment in good working order, you are actually saving money in the long run.

What about those high dollar repairs? When a repair is quoted, and the dollar amount seems staggering, a simple cost analysis can steer you in the right direction. Normally if a repair is going to cost 70-75% of a new machine, it may be more cost effective to replace the machine. You can possibly keep the old machine for parts, or even trade it in towards the new one. Many people balk at the cost of batteries (this being one of the most costly repairs), try thinking of it as if you are buying gasoline for two years. It won't take the sting away, but may make the purchase just a little easier.

What did the Customer say...?

ncherry — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:55:00 GMT

We as marketers, as well as our fellow salespeople, tend to lose sight of what we are really in business for. It may to develop really cool products and assume that the world is going to have an absolute need for our widgets. Or it may be our objective to sell anything possible, even if it is out of our scope, just to get the sale and artificially inflate the numbers. Listening to the customer is a key ingredient to success. Some may argue that they listen to the customer all the time, for example, a janitorial products sales rep probably listens to his/her customers all the time when taking orders or doing demos or even fielding complaints. Taking a sales approach to finding the true Voice of the Customer (VoC) may become distorted because a salesperson is so worried about numbers and making commission that they may distort the information on both ends that they are communicating. This doesn’t really constitute disseminating the true Voice of the Customer. Management needs to be committed in leading the charge in taking the deep dive with the customer. You may have structured your organization with a sales approach, however that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take measures to find out what is happening with your customers or potential customer in the marketplace. How do you get around that crux? Customer Satisfaction Surveys. This is a very powerful way to get some objective feedback from the market to see where you actually are in the minds of the your target market. Need to Find out by asking the right questions:

- Finding out where the pain (need) is

- Find out what keeps them up at night (business wise….)

- Finding out what their true objectives are, not necessarily finding out that a product is not just not working, but Why

- Finding out where they are in their buying cycle and what their procurement is, has it changed

- What challenges do they face in their job, there are always staffing issues, too much space to clean with limited resources.

There is a lot of information out there in the product development and management trade literature about the VoC and how to extract valuable data from the customer. Such best practices include putting in a discovery phase to your Stage-Gate (Cooper) process or taking an ethnographic, (sitting down with your customer and watching them work) approach with your customers. This has become very popular in the market research arena. Once reserved for the social sciences, ethnography is an excellent approach for taking the deep dive and un-covering potential new uses for existing products or new inventions themselves.

For distributors this is important because you have a unique opportunity to really understand what is happening with your customers. Even with top-down sales you’ll be able to see what matters to these people, as opposed to running through the door selling everything in your warehouse and seeing what sticks. What matters to the decision makers at the top will most certainly differ from the people on the ground floor. Depending on who is writing the check (usually the people at the top) it is critical to understand what drives their decisions. Understanding how their buying process works and curtailing your message to that information is paramount.

Constantly trying to sell them anything and everything may be the wrong approach and that may a contributing factor to your dwindling sales. Constantly beating down doors is what the competition does, we want to separate ourselves from the competition.

Sure you may have a phenomenal relationship with your customers, they may come to you for everything. Well if you always operate on the same level with them you’ll never uncover the fact that they don’t need a particular product you are selling because it doesn’t fit in their program or their workflow. Maybe it is not you that they have a problem with, it could be the customer service or billing department in your organization. Sometimes quality information will come out in a survey that would never come out in a sales call.

By taking a gauge of what is going on with your current customers you may be able to improve on some of the issues that came out of the survey. You’ll be able to tailor future sales and marketing campaigns using your new data. You may see your customer in a whole new way. You may also be able to apply those same principles when prospecting for new accounts, because your new prospect may be procure products or have the processes as your current customer and you will then be able to approach that situation with a leg up on the competition because you understand the Voice of the Customer and what is happening in the marketplace and how people are using and procuring products.

Naysayers will claim that surveys are a waste of time and you should be out there selling selling selling. Well if you keep running into the wall and don’t know why then you are really wasting time. Putting together a 8-10 question survey on a survey website and emailing to your account base, then analyzing the data doesn’t take much time at all. The results are priceless. Maybe people are embarrassed to know the truth and won’t no how to deal with the truth, maybe they are afraid to spend the money to fix the issues. Oh well, business is business and understanding the Voice of the Customer is a key ingredient to success!

Chemicals - Keep It Simple.

Bob Croft — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:48:00 GMT

I get a look in a lot of my competitors' janitor closets, and at the kit carried from building to building by the occasional crew doing route work. Lots of unsafe chemicals; lots of unnecessary chemicals; lots of opportunity for confusion and injury.

We find that most buildings can be cleaned, most of the time, using only 5 chemicals - including cleaning (and disinfecting or sanitizing as appropriate) glass, carpet spots, touch points and restrooms. Johnson's Alpha-HP, a hydrogen peroxide based cleaner/sanitizer, is our main "go to" concoction; also in the kit is a disinfectant, a metal polish, a light de-scaler, and an aggressive spot and graffiti remover. The "once in a while" products - heavy duty bowl acid, solvent carpet spotter, gum remover, etc. - stay on the vehicle, never entering the client building unless needed.

Keeping the standard kit down to 5 chemical bottles lets us keep all the chemicals in the caddy atop the trash can - no squirt bottles hanging from one's pocket, or off the trash can rim, ready to be jostled loose and to spill chemical on the client's carpet. Or to be set down and left behind.

Fewer chemicals in the standard kit means less confusion (you don't grab the glass cleaner rather than the disinfectant because they are both light blue), easier inventory control, and a healthier environment for the janitor, the client, and...the environment.

Tips on Selecting a Restroom Cleaning Machine

Angelo Poneris — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:48:00 GMT

When selecting a no-touch cleaning machine, also known as a spray-and-vac machine, one of the first things you should do is simply look at it.

Many of the machines that have been introduced in the past couple of years are essentially carpet extractors that have been refurbished as spray-and-vac machines. As with many carpet extractors, they have a long, low horizontal body.

Although the body type may work well with carpet extractors or is necessary because of the ways such machines work, it is not the most practical or user-friendly system for a spray-and-vac machine. Instead, a more workable design is one that stands up.

There are several reasons why this is beneficial to the user, but at the top of the list is the fact that a vertically designed machine is simply easier to maneuver and transport. Many school districts, for instance, share no-touch cleaning systems at different locations. The vertical design allows the equipment to be easily maneuvered as if it were on a dolly by just one worker.

Similarly, a long horizontal machine can be very difficult to transport up and down stairs. And it almost always requires two technicians. Again, a vertical machine is designed for one-user transport.

Also something, which is often realized after it has been purchased, is that a long horizontal machine takes up a lot of valuable janitorial closet space. A vertical machine has a very small footprint, making it much easier to store. And finally, tall vertical orientation simplifies hose management (wrapping and storing hoses and cords).

Angelo

Excellent Carpet Care with Carpet Extractors

Daimer Industries — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:10:00 GMT

Carpets can add a touch of elegance and longevity to any business or building. For example, in addition to their contemporary appearance, cable carpets are extremely durable, highly resistant to wear and tear, and hide dirt and stains well. However, in time even the most durable carpets will reveal stains, dirt, and wear. The accumulated dirt from these carpets can turn out to be a difficult cleaning job without an advanced carpet cleaner.

Generally, vacuuming is considered a reliable method to keep carpeted surfaces clean. Vacuuming extracts dirt deposits on a carpet's surface. However, the key term here is "surface". Vacuuming only removes dust and dirt particles on the surface of carpets. Stains and residues within the carpet fibers remain untouched. Over time, these left-over residues emit pungent odors and wear carpet fibers. This is why many businesses resort to using powerful carpet cleaning equipment. By deep cleaning carpets with innovative technologies that aggressively attack dirt while remaining gentle on carpet fibers, these carpet cleaning machines help prolongs the life of carpets.

To make the most of carpet cleaning equipment, you must first learn the right way to clean carpets. The first step involves vacuuming away the dust and surface particles on carpets. Next, pre-spray the carpets with a natural cleaning solution to soften the stains and dirt. Now you can bring in the carpet cleaning machine for deep cleaning carpets.

A carpet shampooer works by first injecting water and additional solution, if desired, into the carpet. While agitating with the carpet wand, the machine extracts out the debris-laden water, solution, and virtually all stains and residues into the extraction chamber. If your carpet shampooer features an extraction capability, it will help you extract the dirt particles and moisture in the carpets.

The durable and powerful carpet extractor are available from leading distributors are built from top-grade components and feature advanced cleaning technologies. Depending on your specific cleaning requirements, you can choose from various models ranging from light-duty systems to heavy-duty industrial versions.

One key factor is temperature. A heated portable carpet cleaner generates very high temperatures, up to 210°F, to more readily dissolve and eliminate dust, dirt, grime, allergens, and stains. Powerful carpet shampooers also offer exceptional cleaning capabilities when it comes to removing stains caused by ink, blood, lipstick, chocolate, tea, wine, or coffee. Additionally, they are also suitable for aut detailing interiors or cleaning upholstery by swapping out the carpet wand for a specialized upholstery tool.

Another key feature is low-flow technology. These machines eject less moisture without affecting the cleaning power; thus your carpets dry quickly and are ready for use in a matter of hours. Low moisture content also reduces the risk of mold or mildew development on carpets.

Contact a reputed supplier today and find the right carpet cleaning machine for your business.

Competition - How can we compete?

acsbrandy — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:23:00 GMT

We are a small business in a relatively small city (Savannah, GA) and have been around for more than 20 years so we’ve seen the good and the bad in this industry. Lately, however, we have been struggling to compete. Being in business for as long as we have, we’ve come to understand the struggle it is to find and keep good employees, keep our customers happy, and all this while staying within a set budget. The question we keep asking ourselves is this, “How is it possible?” How is it possible that a company could come in and under bid us by 100’s of dollars when we are at the very edge of profit already? How is it possible that another cleaning company can afford to do business at such rates? What more can we do for our customers so that they can understand the value and service they are receiving from us? How can we compete?