Testing The Cleaning Industry Needs

The past year and a half has been filled with controversy and debate regarding the failings of the CRI Seal of Approval Program. While it was understood that the purpose of this program was to create a useful way to measure the performance of cleaning equipment, chemicals, and systems, the results of these tests have been questioned, if not completely rejected by, most independant industry observers.

Some findings of the study may yet have merit: As an example, it was found that the way airflow was either enhanced or restricted by extraction wand designs had more influence in the final test results than the water pressure, heat, and vacuum power that the extractor produced.

It has been proposed that wands themselves be tested, and as long as the test protocols are sensible, such tests would be welcomed.

Other needed tests include:

What products and processes work best on such oil loving fibers as polyester and olefin.

What differences in resoiling exist when extraction solutions contain alkaline detergents, acid rinses, or pure water alone.

How well fluorochemical treatments bond when applied after the use of either of the above extraction/rinsing methods.

I'm very interested in some "real world" tests that will be conducted later this month at an informal meeting of carpet cleaners, including recognized industry leaders, known by its participants as "Mikefest". While these tests are not being conducted in a test laboratory, the amount of care being shown in setting up the test variables and procedures is impressive.

I'll share the results of these tests here once they are made public.