Carpet Care Program For the Life of Your Carpet

Industry Awareness The most costly part of any maintenance program is: –Labor = 85% - 90% of the total M & O budget Current “best estimate” cost to remove one pound of dirt from a building is: –$ The most expensive cleaning product at your disposal is: –“Elbow grease” - labor

Routine Carpet Maintenance The three most important cleaning operations to extend the life of carpeting and to maximize its appearance are: 1.Vacuum 2.Vacuum 3.Vacuum

Vacuuming How often does the carpet need to be vacuumed? It depends: 1.On traffic load –Is it A main hallway? –Or a third floor, in the back, used once a month, conference room? 2.Location (soil load) –Is it an entry door from outside, to the kindergarten sand box? –Or a room that’s at the end of an 80 foot long carpeted hallway? –Is it a carpeted cafeteria or dining room?

Vacuuming At building entryways, most soil will be removed from shoes within the first 10 to 20 feet –If you don’t have time to vacuum the entire area, at least vacuum this “walk-off” area –If there is a traffic lane in an area, this should be your next area of focus –Don’t ignore the rest of the area, vacuum it as often as possible Don’t allow dust and “fuzz” to build up at the baseboard

Vacuum Cleaners Vacuum cleaners are designed to pick up dust. –History of the vacuum cleaner Suction cleaners Dust and debris - changing roles Indoor air quality issues –Empty the bag before it looks full Inefficiency costs time No more than 2/3 full –If you think your vacuum isn’t working as well as it used to… Empty the bag Clean the filters

14” Backpack Minutes Per 1,000 Square Feet 12" 1 Motor 14" 2 Motor 18" 2 Motor 27" Wide Area 8.1 Labor Comparisons for Vacuuming

Stop!!! GO BACK!! The last slide shows that a back pack is at least 3 times more productive than an upright we typically see THREE TIMES…if you start to add in the savings of dusting time gained by using backpacks you could easily save probably 5 times over a upright by the end of the first month!!

Production Analysis One person vacuuming x hr. per day. If you cut time in half, you save… So, 1 $12/hr., vacuuming 5 hrs ea / day; if their time was cut in half would save $9,144.00/yr. If the vac cost $500, the payback period would be 13.8 days. Labor costs saved for the year would be $8, Labor Hours saved = 635 Hourly Rate Vacuuming Time in Hours $6.00$914.40$1,828.80$2,743.20$3,657.60$4, $8.00$1,219.20$2,438.40$3,657.60$4,876.80$6, $10.00$1,524.00$3,048.00$4,572.00$6,096.00$7, $12.00$1,828.80$3,657.60$5,486.40$7,315.20$9,144.00

Carpet Problem Family Tree Chemical Organic Grease/Oil Dissolved Sugars Food Dyes Inorganic Petroleum Base Mineral Oil Base Dyes Waxes & Polymers Rust Physical Rips & Zips Seams Caster Ripples Tracked in Dry Soils Dry Spills Burns Gum Glue / Backing Thresholds Shoes, Noses & Transitions

Carpet Fibers Natural Wool or wool blends Cotton or cotton blends Silk or silk blends Most commercial, glue-down and typical residential carpeting is made from some sort of synthetic fiber Synthetic Residential High-end Commercial Commercial Residential Nylons Acrylics

Carpet Fibers Yarn Dyed Plastic is melted Extruded into fibers, spun into yarn Yarn dipped in a color vat Solution Dyed Colorant added to melted plastic Fibers extruded, spun into yarn

The Anatomy of Commercial Carpeting Slab Glue Vinyl/ Rubber Backing “Burlap” Backing Carpet Fibers

Spotting The difference between a spill and a stain is time. Blot, don’t rub, with clean cloth Agitate with a bone scraper or by tapping with a spotting brush Test any products first (inconspicuous area) Work from the outside to the center

Spotting Small spots may often be removed with minimal effort. –Spray the spot to moisten –Place a folded,clean cloth over the spot –Place a heavy object on the cloth –Go about cleaning the room, when vacuuming (or after minutes) remove the weight, turn the cloth over and step on it a time or two –Peroxide products such as SUPROX, do a great job with spotting

Machine Spotting Conventional bonnet cleaning –Deep Action Bonnets soaked in solution –2 hrs. dry time (more or less) “Dry” bonnet cleaning – to quickly improve appearance –Thin, terry bonnets – dry –Spray the spot until moist, not wet –Bonnet with dry bonnet, turn over and repeat until soil is gone – change bonnets if necessary –30 min. dry time (more or less) Carpet is NOT clean – it just looks clean Clean thoroughly when time permits

Machine Spotting Bonnet Spotting –Bonnet –Carpet Brush Dirt Napper Adjust-A-Glide Fast Extraction Combine the two for maximum results

Recurring Spots Recurring Spots Come Back Larger Than the Original Carpet Pile Floor Slab Backing & Glue  Spills happen  Soaks through to the slab and spreads  Cleaning moistens the carpet - begins to dissolve the material  As it dries, material “wicks” up

Bonnet Cleaning Quick Process - Little Down Time Pre-Spray Machine Clean –Deep Action Bonnets Thick – Deep Action Bonnets – for maximum absorption Thin – Terry for quick light cleaning Synthetic w/ Scrub Stripe to pre-scrub for extraction Rinse Frequently - An Absorbing Process Deep Action Mop, for Hard to Reach Areas Not Recommended for Cut-pile Carpeting –Follow manufacturer’s recommendations

Dry Foam Shampooing Dry Foam Shampoo Machine Surface Process –Traps Dirt in the Foam –Vacuum When Dry Use Vac With a Brush or Beater Bar Knocks It Loose – Picks It Up

Fast Extraction Quick, cleans deeply, 50-75psi, flushes out dirt Pre-spray Pull slowly Let dry Vacuum to lift pile and remove dislodged soil

Combine Bonnet Cleaning With Fast Extraction Follow bonnet cleaning with fast extraction –Bonnet clean with Deep Action or Carpet Pre-Spray –Extract with Clean Action II Heavy soils Entrances Heavy traffic lanes –Or pre-spray with cleaner & extract with Nutra-Rinse To restore pH – removes product residues To minimize clogged jets

Deep Extraction Large tanks – high pressure 100 – 200psi Some have a brush in a ‘ power head’ Extra pressure flushes to the base of carpet Pre-spray spots Can pre-spray entire area –Break up surface soil Use alone or after bonnet cleaning or dry foam shampooing –Will renovate badly soiled or neglected carpet

Labor Comparisons For Interim Cleaning Procedures Dry Powder Bonnet16" Extractor Dry Foam Time, In Minutes, Per 1,000 Square Feet

Precautions Do not over-wet carpeting –May separate pile from backing –May dissolve glue Wrinkles Ripples Bubbles Adjust brushes at correct height – Just until contact is made Do not dwell too long in one spot Use wet floor signs

Products Clean Action II HD Extraction Cleaner Deep Action Pre-Spray & Traffic Lane Cleaner Carpet Booster Gum-Go Liquid Gum-Go Carpet Spotter Carpet Spotter Gel Nutra-Rinse

Specialty Products Soil Stop Carpet Anti-Stat Carpet Sanitizer Rust Spotter Gel Carpet Debrowner Defoamer II Take Down Liquid Enzyme II

Clean-up of Body Fluid Spills on Carpet Block off area Put on PPE (double disposable) Contain the spill – apply absorbent material Pick up and dispose of waste including any absorbent materials used & outer gloves –Red bag if your facility has a red bag program –Double trash can liner Sanitize the area - which product? Which method? Discard or decontaminate PPE as appropriate Seal and dispose of red bags or liners properly Decontaminate equipment (use PPE) Remove & discard PPE; wash your hands Communicate with super- visor

Upholstery Test solution in an inconspicuous area If no extractor tool, hand spot Upholstery/stair tools –Metal or plastic –Semi-variable and low flow triggers & jets Cold water only Do NOT over wet fabric or padding Do NOT wet wood arms, trim etc. Allow plenty of time to dry

Stairways & Landings Normal traffic soil Tracked in substances & spills –Upholstery/stair tool –Blot, blot, blot… Asap The difference between a spill and a stain, is TIME

Gum Removal Do it daily! Gum-Go Aerosol – for new gum on the surface –Spray, let frost develop –Chip away with dull scraper –Pick up pieces before they soften & stick Liquid Gum-Go – for old gum (walked-in) –Apply –Agitate and remove with dull scraper or bone knife

Walk-Off Mats/ Carpet Protectors Fabric mats (carpet-like) –Vacuum daily –Extract regularly & frequently –Some “rubber” backings discolor VCT –Highly effective strategy for cutting cleaning time in buildings –Getting two steps on a mat will catch 50% of the dirt brought in a building –For $2.00 a week you can have a 4 X 6 mat in most cities –Do you think you can save $2 a week in labor if you have a mat that catches 50% of the dirt we bring in? ABSOLUTELY

Other Mats Under-chair protectors & runners –Fabric - treat like a walk-off mat –Plastic/vinyl Reposition daily - mop weekly Remove, vacuum carpet - monthly

Carpet Care Are there any Questions?

Quiz 1.The difference between a spill and a stain is. 2.The first line of defense against premature carpet soiling and wear is. 3.(T/F) All carpeting needs to be vacuumed daily. 4.Empty the vacuum bag. 5.The method of interim cleaning that requires the least drying time is.

Quiz 6.(T/F) You can’t use too much water to clean carpeting. 7.Using a neutralizer in an extractor will remove and keep the jets from clogging. 8.(T/F) Walk-off mats only need to be vacuumed to maintain them. 9.(T/F) It is possible to clean carpeting too often. 10.Carpeting requires a) more b) less labor to maintain than tile.

Answers 1.The difference between a spill and a stain is time. 2.The first line of defense against premature carpet soiling and wear is vacuuming. 3.(F) All carpeting needs to be vacuumed daily. 4.Empty the vacuum bag daily or when 2/3 full. 5.The method of interim cleaning that requires the least drying time is bonnet cleaning.

Answers 6.(F) You can’t use too much water to clean carpeting. 7.Using a neutralizer in an extractor will remove residues or mineral deposits and keep the jets from clogging. 8.(F) Walk-off mats only need to be vacuumed to maintain them. 9.(T) It is possible to clean carpeting too often. 10.Carpeting requires a) more b) less labor to maintain than tile.

Carpet Care Thank you for your participation