Green Equipment
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Green Equipment
The Carpet and Rug Institute is to equipment as Green Seal and Environmental Choice is to chemicals. The Carpet and Rug Institute provides certification programs called Green Label Program for vacuums and extraction equipment. Testing and other certifications are still in their beginning stages of development.
Vacuum Cleaners
It is important to look at both its ability to capture the soil as well as its ability to retain the dust.
Carpet Extractors
The bigget concern for carpet extractors is over wetting the carpet. At a minimum, the carpet should be dry within 24 to 48 hours, which is important for several reasons:
- As long as a carpet is wet or damp, it's a safety hazard - Stepping from a damp carpet to a hard floor creates a potential slip-fall incident
- Wet or damp carpets and upholstery are breeding grounds for bateria, mold and fungi - The faster the fabric dries, the less opportunity there is for substantial growth
- Any moisture left in the fabric (more moisture equals longer dry times) is by definition dirty - The soils were emulsified and suspended in the water. If the water isn't removed, neither is that soil. Therefore, the longer a fabric takes to dry the dirtier the carpet is
Automatic Scrubbers
Automatic scrubbers should be designed to minimize the amount of water used in the cleaning process as well as reducing the amount of cleaning chemical required. This may be accomplished with new technologies that use foam or microfiber pads which reduce both water and chemical consumption. Effective squeegee design helps recover more water and prevent a trail of soiled solution that need to be captured and removed with a hand mop.
Buffing and Burnishing
Buffing and burnishing equipment should include active vacuum attachments to capture the dust created during burnishing and prevent it from being inhaled. If you can, reduce the need to buff or burnish by choose floor finishes that don't require burnishing, develop ongoing maintenance programs, and use entry matting programs that reduce floor care requirements.
