Too Much Green To Feel Blue

Author: David Whitman, CEO Whitman Global

Green cleaning what is it or is it not?

There seems to be a lot of interpretations as to what green cleaning really is. It seems as if everyone is trying to get in on the latest fad, and if manufactures are willing to pay, they can get the green label on their products and equipment. This can take place even if common sense tells you it really isn’t green. Some companies have been performing green cleaning long before it became fissionable because it made sense. Not only was it the responsible thing to do but it was safe for the client, their employees, and the technicians performing the work.

When it comes down to true green cleaning, it’s not the green label on the product or equipment that makes a huge difference, it’s the technician and the overall "performance." You can take the best labeled green product and equipment and depending on the technicians, they can negate all of it.

How important is performance to your clean and green experience? 

Why apply any finish to a VCT or Linoleum floors?

The first and most important reason to apply finish to your floors is for safety; with a good floor finish on the floor it will be more slip resistant. What kind of floor finish is best? A good qualityfinish with a high percentage of solids. Contrary to what many people think, matte finish and high glass finish can be very similar in terms of slip resistance. It all depends on the application, quality of the products and the cleanliness of the floors.

The second reason to apply and maintain a floor with a finish is to make cleaning easier and more productive when it comes to sweeping and mopping.

The third reason to apply a finish to a floor is to help is last longer. When there is finish on the floor you have a layer of protection on the floor. You have to wear off the finish before you can wear out your floor.

The fourth reason is for appearance, a good looking floor not only makes the facility look better, it also helps with employee's attitudes, they feel much better working in a clean environment.

Carpet Manufacturer’s Warrantees

With over 30 years in the carpet cleaning industry, I have learned a lot about carpet manufacturer’s warranties. My experience has taught me that these warranties can be misleading. When a carpet manufacture honors a warranty, it is usually in the first year after installation. If your carpet has a 10 year warranty, and in 5 you need repairs, you will end up paying for the 5 years you’ve already used the carpet. Carpet manufacturers also recommend certain types of carpet cleaning and imply that if you use any other method, you could void the warranty. This scares some carpet owners into using either the manufacture’s cleaners or their recommended cleaning method - even when the recommended method is not the best method for your carpet.

Making Your Carpet Last

So how do you choose a good carpet cleaner who will not void your warranty? First, look at how long they have been in business and the type of clients they serve. Visit the sites where they clean, especially the sites that have carpet 5 or 10 years old or older. Then talk to some of their clients. Most importantly, know that not all carpet cleaners are alike. You should trust the professional who is cleaning your carpet and trust that they will use the best method for your carpet - not just base it on what the carpet manufacturer suggests or even recommends. Be sure that your carpets will be cleaned the right way, on a regular program so that the life of your carpet will surpass the warrantee.

I was fortunate enough to have a very wise mentor who once told me, “You can have the best equipment in the world with a poor to mediocre technician, and you will get poor to mediocre results. On the other hand, you can have the worst equipment and give it to a good to great technician and get good to great results. It’s not the equipment; it’s the technician and the training.”

David F. Whitman
CEO, Whitman Global Carpet & Floor Care