Slate floors

Within the past few months, I've fielded over a dozen calls or emails about how to clean or (more accurately) restore slate floors. I hadn't had this many request for slate floor restoration in the past several years, so I wondered why I'm having so many now.

I think I know.

Here in the Pittsburgh area, many homes were built with slate foyers in the 60's and early 70's. People cleaned them the best they could, and often put floor finish on them to give the stone some shine. Years of VCT floor finish application (not a recommended practice) eventually leave these floors even more dull, and sometimes yellowed.

The reason people seem to be wanting to have these floors cleaned is likely because they either have decided to stay in their home longer than they expected, or because of falling home values they are trying to "spruce up the house" and know that a dull, discolored entry area creates a negative first impression.

I think this is a good sign for our industry. First, its a service that you should be providing (I'll give you some tips in my next blog entry), and second, even if you don't choose to restore slate, it proves that people are finally moving into the "clean rather than replace" psychology that usually goes with an economy in recession.

What services do you offer that can help to make your customer's home more pleasant in which to live, or will make the home have the most possible value when its up for sale or rent?

Some Spotting FAQ's

Q – Jim, what about T-Rust rust remover? Does it work? Is it worth the money? Is anything better or as good but cheaper.

A - T Rust would be my personal choice. There are cheap mineral acids that might work, but you take risks of pulling dye from nylon and wool with such products.

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Q – Jim, is that spotting kit(CS03A) really worth the money?

A - I like this spotting kit a great deal, but you could probably do better by making your own, less complicated one, based on today's stain removal standards.

Here is what I would have in my kit:
* Stain Zone
* Red One
* All Solv
* PIG
* Gel Break
* T Rust
* Avenge
* Filter Out

All are products I would have in a kit. I would also have a spotting spatula, tamping brush, a steamer or iron to activate the Red One and also a Spot Lifter Water Claw.

More FAQ's

Q – Jim, Can I switch out Power Point liquid concentrate for Point Blue powder concentrate?

A - Yes. Power Point is a great easy to dilute, liquid cleaner. Point Blue, being a powder, is a bit more work to dissolve, but powders are always more aggressive cleaners, work better if the water is hard (such as well water), and can have better degreasing qualities where high amounts of petroleum or fat are present.

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Q – Hey Jim, Could I substitute Power Break pre-spray for Traffic Slam pre-spray? -- or is it too strong for lighter commercial traffic?

A - Power Break is a very aggressive product that is used mostly on restaurant and apartment carpets. Traffic Slam is designed for the fine, oily particulate soils that make commercial carpet so difficult to clean. You can use these products interchangeably, but you'll find with Traffic Slam you'll have less chance of wicking on your commercial glue down carpet. Most of your decision should work around the type of work you do more often: Greasy food service and rental property or commercial carpet subject to normal traffic and spills.

Q – Hey Jim, You recommended the spotter, Stain Zone. What about Avenge?

Stain Zone is a new advanced technology oxidizing (bleaching) stain remover that is safe for all synthetic carpet fibers. You just spray it on a stain that doesn't come out in normal cleaning (especially coffee or urine and other unknown yellow or brown stains) and over minutes or sometimes hours the stain simply fades away. You don't need to rinse afterward.

A - Avenge is an excellent "general purpose spotter", designed to remove spots when a full cleaning is not planned or needed. You'll remove most spots in cleaning because of the efficiency of our superior traffic lane pre-sprays, but if you need to spot without cleaning, or if you have a stubborn spot that contains a lot of sticky sugar, fine particulates (like copier toner), or similar spots, Avenge is definitely a good choice.

Upholstery Tools and Equipment

Here is a question I recently received:

I am getting back into business, but I want to focus on upholstery cleaning. I no longer have a truckmount, so I will be using my portable(a Kleenrite 214).

The Kleenrite tool is comfortable, but very wet. My question is: will the new hydrokinetic tool be effective with a portable, or is its design primarily for truckmounts?

Also, how long is the hose on the Hydrokinetic tool?

If it is not appropriate for use with a portable, do you have a suggestion?

Thank you for your help!


Hello Phillip

Welcome back to the cleaning industry. There are so few Fine Fabricare Specialists available in most market areas that we are actually training furniture retailer employees in the spotting and cleaning of fabrics. I see that market as a very good one for you to explore as an independent specialist.

Unfortunately, none of the dry tools perform well with low pressure/low vacuum units such as the Kleenrite 204. If you need a dryer tool, you might consider a different tool that shears into the fabric at an angle, and is further from the fabric than the jet on the Kleenrite tool is.

The one I would recommend would be the "Easy Reach Tool"
http://pembertonstore.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=9aw45

Ultimately, today's fabric specialist are purchasing small portables with higher pressure and vacuum that better accomodate the Hydrokinetic tool. Kleenrite makes a great machine that suits this purpose called the Sphere:
http://pembertonstore.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=sphere

Please feel free to contact me back at this email address if I can help
you in any further way.

Are There Green Products that Work?

I receive some of the best questions about our industry in email fashion. Starting with this question, I will be posting a series of questions and answers that cleaners and restorers pose to Lee or myself.

What is the best "Green" truck mount detergent you have found. Would like to find a product that cleans as well as Dry Slurry, but is "eco-friendly".

Thanks,
Alex-


Hi Alex

Finding a "green" cleaning product that will perform like your "old reliable carpet cleaning detergent" (Dry Slurry) will be a challenge. The things that cut grease (solvents) and soften water (phosphates) are will not be found in a "green product".

That said, the manufacturers of green cleaning products have done a very good job of getting "nearly as good as" with alternate formulations, and we're getting great feedback on both the Prochem Axiom products and the Bridgepoint Green Balance products.

Of the two, only one makes a powdered emulsifier. The Axiom Clean Powdered Emulsifier is a good cleaner, but will cost about 15% more than Dry Slurry. Other than this product, the liquid presprays and detergents from both Prochem and Bridgepoint actually cost less than the "non green" products that they replace.

Ultimately, in deciding to use products that do not soften water as well, and do not contain grease cutting solvents, you should look to using soft water in your cleaning equipment, and to use equipment that generates as much heat as possible, as heat helps to cut grease with less need for aggressive solvent additives in the formulation.

Jim

Winterfest 2009 News

PEMBERTONS ANNUAL WINTERFEST AGAIN PACKS SPECTRUM CENTER


Now in its eleventh year, Pembertons' annual Winterfest trade show once again posted impressive attendance numbers and earned high marks from guests among the companies who packed the Spectrum Banquet Center for this end-of-January cleaning and restoration industry tradition.

According to Winterfest veterans, this Pembertons' exclusive event continually sets high expectations.

Mark Cermak, a Winterfest regular, agreed that it is a must-see event. "Once again... an absolutely fantastic Winterfest. Enjoyed once again the pleasure of seeing so many friends and making many more. It's already on our calendar for January 2010!"

Attendees began arriving at 7:30 a.m. to enjoy continental breakfast, get early looks at the new exhibits, and find friends to sit with during the presentations and catered lunch. These early birds helped consume dozens of doughnuts & Danish, gallons and gallons of coffee, as well as fresh orange and apple juices.

Lee Pemberton, as has been the tradition, kicked off Winterfest's program with a startling view of today's consumer and how the current "econoclast" coupled with the destruction of trust has shaped current and future consumer attitudes, reshaping the world for cleaners and restorers.

Lee spoked strongly about the need to focus on "Educational Marketing" to rebuild consumer trust in each individual market area. One guest summarized Lee's comments this way. "It never ceases to amaze me how progressive Lee is. Lee firmly stated "Turn off your television sets! Pay attention to the things you can control or change and don't be paralyzed by the media"!

The Winterfest programs always break at noon for a sumptuous catered lunch. This year it featured endless fried chicken, meatball entrees, vegetables, potatoes, salads, and beverages. A perennial favorite, the wine and cheese bar, opened at 2:00 and served wine, beer, cheese and hors d'oeuvres until 4:00.

By 3:30 p.m. the room was packed with cleaners and restorer's anxiously waiting to see if they would be the winner of one of the 3 Grand Prizes. All told, $11,000. worth of prizes were awarded at Winterfest 2009!

You will find Winterfest pictures located here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/cleanlee0522/Winterfest2009PrizeWinners#slideshow

Cleaning Products and Your Customers Concerns

There has never been as much concern (and confusion) about the best products to use to clean carpet as there is today. At one time, you simply chose a product that performed well at a fair price.

Then came restrictions for stain resistance, CRI approvals, and the various "green" certifications that exist. Now cleaners must attempt to balance performance, conflicting "certifications", and the consumer's ever increasing concerns about health and environmental issues.

How should you determine what to use?

The answer should be: What does my customer need?

If your customer has concerns about environmental issues, or as a part of that concern shows concerns about the contents of the product for their own health and safety, consider products that are considered "green" or "anti allergen" in nature. While most products that do not have these designations are equally safe, reassuring label content will put your customers' minds at ease.

If you have a business relationship with a carpet retailer, and that retailer would like the assurance that you're using product that has been tested and approved by the Carpet & Rug Institute, the association that most carpet manufacturers belong to. Such products are also useful if you've been referred to solve a cleaning related warranty claim by a carpet manufacturer.

In most cases, however, your customer wants their carpet to be as clean as possible, to feel soft to the touch, and to stay clean for a reasonable span of time before the next cleaning is necessary.

Your product choice then should be products that you have confidence in yourself, that have stood up to your own rigid standards, and that keep your customers happy and coming back to you for more service in the future.

Standards of Clean YOUR Customers Insist On!

Over the past 23 years, much has been written and taught about the chemistry, equipment and techniques required to clean carpet. Much of this information is valid, and by following it, professional cleaners will find they can get better results and keep customers calling them again for repeat or additional services.

However, the most important aspect of product and technique choice is not the guidelines of a manufacturer or association, but instead those results that please YOUR customer.

What does your customer want out of a carpet cleaning job?

1. Clean Carpet. That should be obvious, but no cleaner should overlook the obvious fact that the customer called because the carpet was dirty, and perhaps smelly as well!

2. Dry Carpet. Your customer doesn't want carpet that stays wet for days. Wet carpet is inconvenient, a potential slip hazard, attracts soil, and is a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. And many customers are also afraid that wet carpet contains hazardous chemicals.

3. Carpet that STAYS Clean. Few things are as frustrating to the commercial or residential customer as paying to have carpet clean, and have it look just as bad or worse within days or weeks.

Meet THESE standards of performance, and you'll have loyal customers for life.

I'll discuss these issues in more depth in upcoming blog entries.

Unexpected Feedback on Color Repair Class

Our company has sponsored color repair classes every other year or so over the past several years. This particular class is hard to fill, as not many cleaners seem to want to perform this service, or do not believe that they can be successful in doing so.

While I hold the instructor that we used for this last course in high regard, I didn't expect that the responses from these students would be much different.

I was mistaken!!!!

Here are some comments from two of the students who attended the Color Repair Technician class that Jeff Cross taught here on December 2nd and 3rd, 2008:

"Jeff offered the most education and hands on color repair practice in any such workshop that I have ever been involved with. I learned more in two days about color repair than I have in the last fifteen years of attending such classes!"
Frank C

"I had no experience in color repair and wanted to add it as a service to my customers. Jeff Cross made it easy to understand and less intimidating than I thought it would be. It was hands on, which makes it easier for me to go to a customers house with confidence."
Jeff M

The first comment was from a fifteen year veteran of color repair, the other from someone who had never performed the service prior to the class. Both men left with confidence based on Jeff's approach of simplicity, and hours of well supervised, hands on practice.

We'll put some pictures from the class up here soon.

Oh, and we'll not be waiting two or three years to have this class put on here again. Look for Jeff to be back later in 2009.