hard and intricate or porous surfaces that are difficult and time consuming to clean and disinfect. Rick Hoverson, president of Advanced Vapor Technologies LLC, is frank about the fact that he doesnʼt know how it all works, but he does know that independent lab and on-site testing and performance prove that the Thermo Accelerated Nano Crystal Sanitation (TANCS ® ) process gives rapid results and is effective in killing a broad spectrum of microorganisms. As Hoverson puts it, “Not all steam is cre-ated equal. This is truly a green disinfectant process that uses no chemicals of any kind.” Spray And Vacuum Systems Recent tests by independent laboratories have found that spraying surfaces with plain tap water, followed by vacuum removal of the solution, removes 99.9 per-cent or more of all microorganisms and soils present when used as directed. Tom Morrison, Kaivac Inc.ʼs vice presi-dent of marketing, explained that the critical elements of effective cleaning and sanitiz-ing with spray and vacuum systems com-bine the use of water pressure, vacuum removal and a squeegee. Morrison went on to explain that by using plain tap water only as opposed to adding chemicals to the spray stream, workers are able to reduce the time it takes to clean a restroom by as much as 40 percent or more. From a realistic standpoint, Morrison cautions that the process is not suitable for all locations: “If you have serious antimicro-bial outbreaks, grease or extremely heavy soil and years of buildup, a disinfectant, detergent or degreaser will be more effec-tive and speed up the process. If surfaces are in bad shape or extremely sensitive to moisture, this type of system shouldnʼt be used. For restrooms that are in good shape, you wonʼt find a faster or better process than spray and vacuum cleaning, and now it can be a totally green, chemical-free process.” Chemical-free Scrubbing And Stripping One of the latest developments in green floor care is the introduction of floor finish scrubbing and stripping systems that do not require the use of a detergent or stripper to remove finish from floors. A leading company in this technology claims the process is six times more effi-cient than conventional pad scrubbers and can get better results more quickly with less pad wear and pressure. As the technology matures and is further supported by science, the environmental movement will continue to have a major impact on how and what we use to clean commercial facilities in the years ahead. Green chemicals and cleaning will con-tinue to evolve and grow in popularity as more people become aware of the benefits of new and evolving technologies. CM Wm R. Griffin is the president of Cleaning Consultant Services Inc. For more information, please visit www.cleaningconsultants.com. The Custodial profession has never been so important to the efficiency of an organization and a healthy environment. Modern buildings made of modern materials require modern equipment, chemicals and techniques in order to keep them sanitary, safe and in proper operating condition. They also require a high degree of knowledge and skill from the custodial teams that clean them. The vast variety of floor surfaces alone, requires extensive knowledge if we are to adequately protect a company’s investment in their assets. CMI’s Custodial Supervisor Training and Certification Course pro-vides the knowledge and skills your supervisors need to efficiently and effectively manage the operation with minimal environmental impact. Teach the people, management and administrative skills of successful custodial supervisors and watch staff morale and productivity increase. For more information, contact: Sharon Hillis at 518.640.9163 or [email protected] www.cminstitute.net www.cmmonline.com 39
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