Category: General

What is the best Covid 19 Carpet Cleaning Method?

With all of the different carpet cleaning methods offered, it can get very confusing choosing a company to perform the service. Hot Water, Dry Compound, Charged Water, Eco-Friendly/Non Toxic. What do I do? Let’s take a closer look at the different kinds of methods.

The Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) www.carpet-rug.org tests many different cleaning systems that use a variety of methods and cleaning solutions. The carpet cleaning systems tested include:

Deep Cleaning Extraction Systems

There are many soil removing carpet cleaning systems rated at different levels. The tiers are Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze. Generally, the best cleaning systems are typically truck mounted, using a combination of hot water and/or orbital or mechanical brush. The objective is to sanitize the carpet by removing contaminates.

Interim Cleaning Systems

These are cleaning systems that generally are used for appearance cleaning. Typically portable machines, they are most commonly used commercially, not in the home. These can be mechanical brush, dry compound or orbital bonnet type cleaning machines.

The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends following the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations for US households with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019, which can be found on CDC.gov. For soft or porous surfaces, such as carpeted floors, rugs and drapes, the CDC recommends “removing visible contamination if present and cleaning with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.”

The Carpet & Rug Institute also tests cleaning solutions. Cleaning Solutions that have CRI Seal of Approval environmentally friendly labels meet strict testing protocol that conform to there own testing or one or more of the Eco-Friendly testing agencies. A couple of these groups are EPA’s Safer Choice www.epa.gov/saferchoice and Clean Seal www.cleansealapproved.com.

Carpet, Rug and Upholstery cleaning companies that have certifications or meet specific industry standards set by the manufactures should be a consumers preference. IICRC www.iicrc.org and CRI carpet-rug.org/testing/seal-of-approval-service-providers/hire-a-carpet-cleaning-professional/certifying
or approve firms and their employees.

When choosing a company or an individual:

Look for companies and cleaners who are involved with these organizations, writing the standards or volunteering to improve certification classes and exams. carpet-rug.org/resources/cleaning

• Ask for a “Free” estimate by a cleaner who visits your home or business.
• Ask for recent reviews or references.
• Understand what your price includes. (no hidden charges or up-sells)
• Make sure that either you or the cleaner does a thorough vacuuming prior to cleaning. (Very important in achieving maximum soil removal)
• Make sure there is a “satisfaction guarantee”.

**Remember… If you chose to clean your carpets yourself, take your time, do your research on the machine you are renting, never use more cleaning solution than specified and make sure you take extra sses to remove as much residual moisture as possible. For more information call 410-647-2800 or email ECO Interior Maintenance at helpdesk@ecointeriormaintenance.com

 

Environmentally Friendly & Green Carpet Cleaning

The benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning for homeowners negate the use of harsh, aggressive cleaning chemicals used in the past. Many carpet detergents and spotters contain chemicals that can damage or weaken carpet fibers during the cleaning process. As a result, the carpet cleaning process actually may shorten the life expectancy of your home’s carpets.

Today’s tested and/or certified eco-friendly cleaning solutions are:

• Environmentally Friendly
• Safe For Kids and Adults
• Safe for pets
• Extends the Carpet life
• Anti-allergenic

Eco-Friendly Testing

You would think that most cleaning products these days have been through a rigorous testing program. The fact is, that many of the products that are sold today may not be really green. They just claim to be. This is commonly referred to as “Greenwashing”. Additives that makeup some cleaning agents, like fragrances, solvents, enzymes, surfactants, and optical brighteners are not always good for you or the carpet. In many cases, even if the right combination of ingredients is blended by a manufacturer, inappropriate dilution ratios or maintenance procedures can inhibit the cleaning performance. Therefore, potentially creating a toxic environment that damages carpet fibers and their backings.

Green testing groups include associations and organizations like:

• The Carpet & Rug Institute
• EPA’s Safer Choice
• Green Seal

Eco-friendly carpet cleaning products typically are manufactured following sustainable production practices and use organically-derived, safe, toxic-free, and biodegradable components that will not adversely impact the ecosystem or your family’s health. Products are usually plant-based or low VOC/non-toxic cleaning solutions that are tested, approved and/or certified. In addition, carpet cleaning machines and vacuums are tested for their performance, noise levels, and sustainability qualities. Typically cleaning solutions will have a green label on the bottle designating the certifying entity.

Safe Cleaning Solutions for Kids, Adults, and Pets

Sustainable cleaning products help to ensure that cleaning sensitivities are minimized. While most people concern themselves with the carpet cleaning method, vacuuming with a quality vacuum is imperative prior to the cleaning. According to studies, this removes 79% of all the particulate in the carpet. Using certified, tested or approved carpet cleaning solutions is one of the benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning for homeowners. ECO-friendly logos help provide assurances that your pets and small children are safe.

The Best Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning method

Hot Water Extraction is the best eco-friendly type of carpet cleaning if you are cleaning only once a year. Using eco-friendly cleaning solutions will help reduce hypoallergic reactions that some people encounter during cleaning. Rinsing the carpet free from contaminates using the hot water extraction method has been proven by the Carpet and Rug Institute to be the most efficient and effective way to clean. It always makes sense to stay off the freshly cleaned carpet for a couple of hours if the carpet has been deep cleaned or restoratively cleaned. Speed drying can help dry the carpet in a few hours.

What are the benefits of eco-friendly carpet cleaning?

Carpet that has been properly maintained will last for a long time. With proper cleaning frequency, harsh carpet cleaning solutions are not necessary. Occasionally accidents happen and products are spilled on carpets that require the use of specialty cleaning solutions. These may not be “green” products. I would advise hiring a professional at this point. Often consumers will set spots & stains and do permanent damage to their carpet when they try everything to get them out. Carpet should be replaced if odors persist, the seams are fraying beyond repair, the backing has started to wrinkle and delaminate or the professional cleaner can not restore it to an acceptable appearance level.

There are at least 6 benefits of cleaning VCT or vinyl composite tiles in commercial buildings. To enjoy these benefits, a professional cleaner must evaluate the floors condition and develope a cleaning or restoration plan. Good communication between the facility managers, occupants and the cleaning company is required to start and complete the job safely. For instance, you should plan the job during times when occupants are less likely to be present. In addition, tape-off, block-off and put wet floor signs down in entranceways and connecting hallways to kke people off of the floor. This helps to prevent slip and fall accidents.

Here are six benefits of cleaning VCT professionally.

1. It enhanses the overall appearance of your workplace.
2. It improves the indoor air quality of your work space.
3. Makes it easier to maintain and harder to damage.
4. It saves time and money if it is done right the first time.
5. It can reduces sick leave in your building.
6. It improves employee morale and job performance.

How do you clean VCT in commercial buildings?

The initial preperation procedures usually begin with the removal or protection of baseboards and furnishings. This is followed by sweeping, vacuuming, stripping and waxing. Professional VCT cleaning and restoration always requires a strict set of :

• procedures
• patience
• expertise
• equipment and
• the right final finishes.

There are usually 3-6 coats of finish applied after the floor is stripped. The drying time and floor preperation between coats is very important. Conditions must be controlled during the finish application. Once the VCT floor cleaning is finished there should be at least 24 hour curing time before its use.

To experience the 6 benefits of cleaning VCT by a vendor you can trust call ECO Interior Maintenance. 33 years experience. We will clean & restore any size commercial VCT floor. Free Estimate today.  Satisfaction Guaranteed. 301-261-1966, helpdesk@eco-im.com

 

VCT Cleaning usually involves floor preparation followed by stripping and waxing the surface. Depending on the condition, most floors can be restored to their original luster.

VCT Strip and Wax floor cleaning requires patience, expertise, the right finishes, the right equipment and a strict set of procedures. Following these requirements, in the proper sequence, will save you time and money.

ECO-Friendly stripping agents are typically odorless. Many of the finishes have different ranges in price and in quality. Trusting your floor cleaning company is a essential.

If you want to improve the appearance of your VCT call a VCT Strip & Wax Cleaning expert. Eco Interior Maintenance. 33 years experience. Locally owned and operated. 301-261-1966

Sometimes people try to clean spot on carpet that just can not be removed. Recently I was asked to go inspect a spot that no cleaner had been able to remove. Typically this means that the cleaning process performed by the owner of the carpet or the facilities department did not work. Many times multiple cleaning solutions and methods are used that can either set dyes or distort the carpet.

In this case it was something different. Nothing was going to work to clean this spot out because it was not a stain, spot or spill. Take a close look at the picture to the right. What do you see? Take a look at the door. It has a brass kick plate and door push. Now look at the light sourse in the picture to the left. The light is shining off the brass push plate and kick plate. You will never clean a reflection out of the carpet.

Here is another picture below of how it looks from the other direction below:

In this particular case. The condo board member said excessive adhesive under the carpet was coming through. The property manager was complaining about the cleaning job. The cleaner wasted alot of time and could have caused damage to the fibers tring to get it out and the retailer was brought in to look at a manufactures defect who asked, “Who spilled the bleach?”

Morale of the story: Before you try to clean a spot on carpet out, look for shadows and light reflections first. Stand in the way, turn off or cover up light sourses. Often you will be amazed at what just disappears, or what was never even there in the first place.

** see some common questions on how to remove spots from carpet www.ecointeriormaintenance.com/resources/carpet-cleaning-tips. The Carpet & Rug Institute is another resourses: See www.carpet-rug.org/resources/technical-bulletins-and-papers/#maintenance-of-carpet

 

 

 

 

Who said that cleaning LVT was easy?

Cleaning LVT or Luxury Vinyl Tile can be a challenge. Many cleaning contractors often struggle to maintain it. LVT  is becoming a popular specification by designers and retailers for flooring in homes or offices. Often it is sold to the end user as a “low” or “no” maintenance floor. Truth is all flooring systems need maintenance.

Soil can build up and cause irreversible damage to the wear layer (the top protective layer of the LVT). Furniture legs and tables that are dragged over the surface can cause scratches that can not be removed or easily repaired. It makes sense to make sure the bottom of furniture legs have felt or smooth plastic tabs.

When LVT planks first arrived many manufacturers did not recommend the use of any aftermarket finishes. Today most manufactures recommend specific products that can be used to clean and protect their floors. Maintaining LVT does not have to be expensive.  Typically it will require more than just a mop and a bucket.

Flooring has to be properly specified. The color, type of material and the type of finishes play a part in its use life . If you can not apply a durable protective finish to resilient flooring the end result may be early replacement.

Commercial tile & grout requires special care.

We have all walked into a restroom needing tile & grout cleaning that smells like a monkey cage.  This is usually caused by poor maintenance of the tile floor. A professionally maintained tile & grout floor requires a customized plan that includes proper;

• training
• equipment & tools
• cleaning solutions
• and professional expertise

Soil, oils, detergents and floor finishes get trapped on tiles and in the grout causing unhealthy bio-films to build up on locker room and restroom floors. These bio-films can be breading grounds for odor causing bacteria.

Locker rooms and bathrooms are typically cleaned using detergent-disinfectants. These tile & grout cleaning agents can sometimes be over used or specified incorrectly causing a residual build or damage to the floor.  Steam, mechanical agitation, pressure and aggressive cleaning solutions are often required to remove build-up. Knowing how to apply restorative tile & grout cleaning agents safely, efficiently and effectively takes years of practice.

Fresh mops and frequently changed out mop water is absolutely necessary. Mucky mop water adds to tile surface soiling and grout degradation. Unsealed grout can be porous enough to soak up cleaning chemicals, causing premature damage to the grout. No matter if you are performing tile & grout cleaning daily or doing maintenance restorations, time consuming final rinses are essential to maintaining clean healthy commercial bathrooms and locker rooms.

Don’t waste no time or money …Call ECO Interior Maintenance ..Washington DC, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland

So how did ripples, waves or buckling carpet appear at your home or office?

Carpet ripples, waves and buckling typically are associated with a stretch-in installations over pad. The main reasons they appear are:

1. Installer does not use a power stretcher during installation. (uses only knee kicker)
2. Carpet was not acclimated in the home or commercial facility before installation
3. Carpet has padding/cushion that was not installed properly or is the wrong specification
4. Tack strip/threshold failure because of installation or tack strip specification
5. Secondary backing latex failure (manufacture related)
6. Heavy objects rolling or pushed over carpet and pad.
7. Improper glue use or application (Double glue/direct glue down installations only)

Power Stretcher

A power stretcher is a required tool needed to install a broadloom carpet (12-15 foot wide and comes in a roll). Carpet will on an average stretch 1.5 inches per 12 ft. length. Some installers may be able to get this using a knee kicker however the Carpet and Rug Institute Installation Guidelines require the mandatory use of a power stretcher. Often ripples will appear over time if carpet is not stretched in place, drum tight, during the initial installation. If ripples, waves or buckling appears it can cause delamination of the primary and secondary backing, dimensional stability issues or the necessity to re-stretch the carpet again at a later time.

Carpet Acclimation

According to 9.0 of the commercial & residential CRI 104/105 guidelines, “It is recommended that carpet and installation materials be allowed to acclimate in the installation area for a minimum of 24 hours at a temperature of 65-95oF (18-35oC). Carpet must be adequately protected from soil, dust, moisture and other contaminants. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for acclimation.” This can often be a problem if the carpet is being installed on a really humid day or if it is raining and carpet sits in truck most of day before installation or carpet is cut on driveway then installed.

Carpet padding

If the carpet is too thick, not dense enough or is not installed properly (at least 6 inch offset from carpet seams) carpet ripples, carpet waves or carpet buckles can appear. This again is typically an installation issue. Try to get padding that has at least an 8 lb density and no more than 3/8 inch thick.

Tack-Strip/Transition strips

Tack-strip/Transition strips come in several different shapes and sizes. Some is made for installation over concrete and some for wood. Some is thicker than others. Some accounts for step down levels. An inadequate installation of tack-strip could cause carpet to come loose creating a carpet conducive to rippling, waves or buckling.

Secondary Backing, Heavy Objects or Double glue

There are multiple other ways that ripples, waves or buckling carpet can occur. Most of them are related to installation but occasionally there is not enough latex on the back of the carpet, someone has pushed heavy objects over the carpet or there are glue failures between primary, secondary or double glue down installations.

Fixing Ripples, Waves and Buckling carpet

Fixing carpet ripples, carpet waves or carpet buckling can sometimes be difficult when heavy furniture, polls, vents and corners are in the way. In most cases a professional installer or a repair specialist can fix carpet ripples if they are caught soon enough. Commercial double glue down installations that ripple are not typically fixable. Cost can range from $75 hr to -$300 hr. **Always take pictures and report back to the retailer if you see ripples within the fist year after installation.

Call 410-647-2800 or email Eco Interior Maintenance for more information. helpdesk@ecointeriormaintenance.com

-published by Doug Bradford CEO, LEED AP, SCI

Doug Bradford is one of the founders of Eco Interior Maintenance (DC, N. VA, MD) and Strategic Restoration & Maintenance (Central Florida). With over 30 years experience, some of his accreditation include: USGBC LEED AP, Chairing for 10 years the writing of the ANSI IICRC S100 International Textile Floor Covering Cleaning Standard, Content contributor for the Carpet & Rug Institute, RIA CR, Senior Carpet Inspector, Resilient Inspector and Mold Remediation Technician. He has developed cleaning products that clean, disinfect and protect textiles and hard surfaces for the cleaning industry, has been an instructor, an industry speaker, industry consultant to major corporations & textile manufacturers and has published articles in nationally recognized cleaning magazines.