What is your definition of cleaning? You need to know, because that is why your customers hire you.
Let's keep it simple.
Cleaning is the removal of unwanted matter from an environment. Our customers hire us to remove dirt, residues, offensive odors, spots, stains and other contaminants from surfaces and objects such as carpets, tile, upholstery, ductwork, etc.
Agreed?
The opposite of cleaning would be bringing unwanted matter into an environment. Have you ever had a customer ask you to do that? Sounds ridiculous doesn't it?
Imagine a carpet cleaner working in a home. He tracks dirt onto the wood floors. He spills concentrated prespray on the kitchen counter and doesn't clean it up. He touches and bumps into the walls, leaving smudges and scuffmarks. As he drives away, you notice a puddle of dirty wastewater on the driveway. Unbelievable! Would your company ever be that irresponsible?
"Never!" you say. "We are always careful with the floors, walls, trim and contents. Our wastewater is contained and properly disposed of. We are very careful with our chemicals."
All true. But, how much thought do you give about what you leave behind in the air your customers breathe? Most cleaners don't think about it at all. In fact, there are more than a few ways that you can dirty up the air while you clean up the carpet.
The value of vacuuming
The majority of the soils in carpet are dry particulate soils such as pet dander and dead skin, hair, dust mite waste, pollen, dirt, mold spores, food particles, insect parts and all kinds of other contaminants.
When we clean, we should be removing these soils with a vacuum cleaner first. Yet, there are many carpet cleaning professionals who leave this important first step to the customer.
But, let's assume that you are one of those "rarely-spotted-in-the-wild" carpet-cleaning professionals who always prevacuums the carpet. You may still create an unhealthy situation for your clients.
How? By using a vacuum cleaner with inadequate filtration — or one that is not solidly built — thus allowing particles to escape into the air.
The smallest, most irritating particles remain airborne for hours, only to be inhaled by your customers. This can create serious problems for people with allergies and asthma. Besides, all of that dust will settle eventually on furnishings, flooring and other contents.
This is hardly what your customer is paying for.
Get rid of those cheap vacuum cleaners. Without going into vacuum cleaner specifications, use a quality CRI Green Label Certified commercial vacuum cleaner with excellent filtration. You can search www.carpet-rug.org for a list of Green Label vacuum cleaners.
Once you have a good vacuum cleaner, stick with high-quality replacement bags to prevent particles and contamination from being released into the air.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) guidelines recommend replacing vacuum cleaner bags when they are 1/2 to 2/3 full.
But since vacuum cleaner bags only cost $1-$3 each when you buy in bulk, change them after each cleaning. This prevents introducing allergens and — equally important — odors from one customer's home into another. Mrs. Jones does not want to smell Mrs. Smith's Rottweiler.
You can make this pay off for you by letting your customers know that you do this. It will be another way to add value and set yourself apart from your competitors. It is well worth the additional $1-$3 per job you will spend on vacuum cleaner bags.
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can come from a variety of sources such as gas furnaces, stoves, clothes dryers, automobile exhaust, wood stoves and fireplaces.
Exposure to carbon monoxide reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Young children, the elderly, heart patients, anemic or asthmatic individuals and those with weakened cardiopulmonary systems are at greater risk.
CO poisoning causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and weakness.
Higher levels produce sleepiness, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are often mistaken for the flu, so carbon monoxide effects may not be recognized until too late.
At very high levels, carbon monoxide exposure leads to confusion, loss of consciousness and death. CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in time, but even if you recover, CO poisoning may result in permanent damage to organs such as the heart and brain since they require so much oxygen.
There are several well-documented and truly sad stories of carpet cleaners who have died or even killed occupants of homes and businesses through CO poisoning.
If you use a truckmounted cleaning or extraction system, it is critically important that you make sure engine exhaust does not enter the building.
Park at least 25 feet away from the structure with the exhaust directed away from open doors or windows. Never run your machine inside a garage or building, even if doors and windows are open.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
The term volatile simply means that a material evaporates readily.
Although there are many organic materials that vaporize under normal conditions, of primary concern are those that are potentially irritating or toxic.
Dry-cleaning solvents, degreasers and many spotters are common sources of VOCs that professional cleaners regularly use.
If you have ever been exposed to high levels of these vapors, you may have felt light-headed or dizzy. Extended exposure may produce nausea, breathing difficulty, burning eyes, fainting or other symptoms.
But, these effects generally pass quickly if you get some fresh air. But what are the long-term effects of working and living with low-level exposure to these vapors?
Some organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals, and several are suspected of doing so in humans.
Volatile organic compounds can also be found in many professional cleaning and spotting agents, as well as deodorizers, protectors and disinfectants.
How can we do our job and limit exposure to VOCs, not only for our customers, but ourselves as well?
It is important that you always follow label directions as to dilution and application method.
Do not over-apply spotters — especially solvents. Never use solvent spotters as an overall prespray because vapors can build up to unsafe levels.
When applying solvent-based cleaners, protectors or spotters, allow plenty of ventilation.
Thoroughly clean, rinse and dry after using spotting agents, so that you don't leave harmful chemical residue.
When possible, use products labeled "low VOCs" or choose a safer, natural, non-toxic formula if available. Remember, just because it doesn't make you cough or sneeze doesn't mean it's safe for you to breathe.
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)
You know that most feel that smoking on the customer's property is a bad idea.
But you should also think twice before smoking in your work vehicle as well.
For most non-smokers, the smell of cigarettes is a nuisance. But there are some people who are very sensitive to cigarette smoke; just being near someone with smoke on their clothing can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and wheezing.
And don't kid yourself. If you smoke, it is on your clothes, your hair and your breath.
You have a right to smoke if you choose.
But remember, most of your customers are non-smokers. You should be aware of the negative impact it can have on them and their opinion of you and your company.
Of course, the best solution is to quit smoking. But if you are going to smoke, do so outside and away from your jobs, and give yourself a few minutes to "air out" before arriving.
Try driving with the windows down to get some of the odor out of your clothing and hair.
For your breath, you can eat a piece of fruit, chew gum or simply use a breath deodorant.
Making a difference
There are more than 50 million asthma and allergy sufferers in the United States alone.
On top of that, there are millions more with chemical sensitivities.
Some people have a keen sense of smell and simply find unpleasant odors more offensive.
Many of these people are your customers.
Keep this in mind, and think about the pollutants, allergens, toxins and irritants that you may unwittingly be leaving behind.
Bruce DeLoatch is an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)- approved instructor. He is an IICRC Certified Master Textile Cleaner and Master Restoration Technician. Bruce is co-founder of The Cleaner's Coach, a marketing and consulting firm, as well as marketing director for Truckmounts and Cleaning Solutions in Norcross, GA. His e-mail address is bruce@cleanerscoach.com.
