April 2016

newslink

ncca

The official journal of the National Carpet Cleaners Association

Features:

Let Us Pray Water And Wood Dealing With Stains PictureŠBrintons Bell Twist Dusky Rose

April 2016

Contents

Published monthly by:

03 From the Editor 04 From the President 06 Did our industry really begin over five hundred years ago?

10 How long will it take to dry?

13 Argy bargy is what destroys family firms 14 Dealing with tea and coffee stains 16 Let us spray 18 Water and wood 20 Chemspec and Dri-Eaz join forces 20 Promote your business with Thomson Local 22 The formula for carpet cleaning success 24 European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards 2016 - Celebrating industry excellence in professional cleaning Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Association or it’s officers or members. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the statements within this publication, we cannot accept responsibility for any errors, or omissions, or matters arising from any clerical or printing errors, and whilst every care is taken of manuscripts and photographs submitted to us, we can accept no responsibility for any loss or damage. ŠCarpet Cleaners Association Ltd 1994 (Trading as the National Carpet Cleaners Association). No part of this Newsletter may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the Carpet Cleaners Association Ltd.

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The National Carpet Cleaners Association, 62c London Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 5DH. Tel: 0116 271 9550 E-mail: admin@ncca.co.uk Website: www.ncca.co.uk

Editor Nicky Law Editor in Chief Keith Robertson Design Editor Nikki Law President/Admin Director Nigel Lay Technical Director Paul Pearce Company Secretary/1st Vice President/ Training Director Glyn Charnock Corporate Director/2nd Vice President Allan Simmons Membership Director Martin Johns Marketing Director Keith Robertson Director Dave Wheadon Co-opted Director David Weaver Co-opted Director Tim Colenutt www.facebook.com/nicky.law.315 www.twitter.com/NCCA_floorcare_

From the Editor

W

e would like to remind you all that we are still running our monthly photo competition.

This is the ideal chance for you to save money on your next NCCA training course!

Winning pictures will be added to our existing image library to utilise within future issues of Newslink. All YOU need to do is send us your cleaning related photographs and a brief description of the image/s supplied, together with your company details.

You may enter one photo (or one group of related photos) in any one month, and subjects covered could include: hard floor/upholstery/leather/curtain/rug or carpet cleaning, carpet repair, spot and stain removal, spills and stains, unusual fabrics and fibres, or anything else that you feel may add value to our existing image library.

If a photo, or group of photos, is good enough to reproduce in Newslink, the member submitting the image/s will win a £10.00 voucher towards a future training course. These vouchers can be used accumulatively. So, if you win a voucher EVERY month, you could make substantial savings on your next course booking/s!

If six or more contributions (good enough for reproduction) are received in any one month, they will be judged by the NCCA office staff and the owner of the best image will win an additional £25 voucher towards a future training course.

For full details, including competition rules, please refer to page 4 of the FEBRUARY edition of Newslink.

Alternatively, phone me on 0116 271 9550 and I will talk it through with you.

Mark Blazey (of TopMark Cleaning in Norfolk) will be taking part in the 2016 London marathon.

The London marathon is one of the great British sporting events, Nicky Law combining elite athletics, mass Newslink Editor participation and record-breaking fundraising in one race. Mark, who will be one of more than 37,000 runners pounding the pavement this year, is undertaking this tough challenge to raise money for the well-established charity 'Children with Cancer UK'.

Children with Cancer UK is one of the UK's leading funders of research into childhood cancer. They are currently funding around 50 research projects at centres of excellence around the country. These projects are investigating a broad range of childhood cancers - helping to achieve better understanding in order to prevent, and improve treatment of, these diseases.

Mark would like to thank everyone who has helped him in his fundraising so far, and says “Children with Cancer UK is a major force in paediatric oncology.

Since it began in 1988, this amazing charity has raised over £190 million to help the fight against childhood cancer. Fifty years ago only a quarter of children diagnosed with cancer survived. Today, more than 80 per cent of young patients can be successfully treated.”

Children with Cancer UK relies entirely on donations to continue their work, so every penny really does count.

NCCA member takes on marathon challenge On an entirely different note, we are proud to announce that, on Sunday 24th April, NCCA member

If you would like to help Mark in his fundraising, it's not too late, simply go to: www.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkBlazey1

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From the President

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Nigel Lay

ith the new season's sunlight showing the dust and grime which has accumulated over the winter months, many people are now embarking on their annual spring clean. The good news is that this often includes the cleaning of their carpets and upholstery. The bad news, however, is that some people try and do this themselves.

At this time of year I always receive calls from members of the public enquiring how much professional cleaning costs compared to 'do-ityourself' methods. I always discuss with them the pitfalls of D.I.Y cleaning and remind them that, while hiring a machine themselves may seem cheaper, professional cleaning is relatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of replacing their soft furnishings.

Explaining the problems involved in D.I.Y cleaning methods is usually a successful deterrent in discouraging this approach.

Obviously, not everyone will take the professional route, but I personally get a lot of work from people who suddenly realise that they may not be capable of obtaining the right result.

It is a fact that education is one of the simplest ways of securing a sale. So... in order to help you explain the pitfalls of D.I.Y cleaning to your own customers, we have written an article (see opposite) for you all to utilise. This can be used in your leaflets, newsletter, social media and on your website... basically wherever you want.

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To obtain the original document, which can be cut and pasted into your own marketing material, please contact Nicky at the NCCA office on: 0116 271 9550 or email: nicky@ncca.co.uk and she will forward this on to you. ................................................................................

C

CUT OUT AND KEEP

The Big spring clean!

It’s time to Spring Clean!

Well, it looks as if spring is here at last!

After being cooped up in a stuffy house all winter, it's finally time to fling open the windows and let in the bright spring sunshine.

Unfortunately this is when you notice the dust, grime and everyday soiling that has permeated your home during the dark days of winter. It's now time to shoo away the cobwebs and take on your annual spring clean, but where do you start?

Washing down paintwork, de-cluttering and dusting are tasks that can easily be accomplished by most people, but what about the cleaning of your soft furnishings?

It doesn't take very much of the new season's sunlight to show up the spots and stains which have splattered your carpets and upholstery over

the past few months. That lovely Axminster/Wilton carpet seems to have acquired some added features to its pattern and your three-piece suite is definitely a shade darker than it was last year.

So, what should you do?

Well, don't be tempted to try and clean your soft furnishings yourself. While the 'do-it-yourself' approaches are less expensive, they are never as effective as professional cleaning and involve a considerable amount of time and hard work. It is also very easy to make mistakes resulting in costly and irreparable damage.

Here are six reasons why you should NEVER attempt to clean your carpets and upholstery yourself: 1) Failure to remove all soiling - If you bought the cheapest carpets and upholstery you could find, then renting a small machine might be all you need. No question, it will get out some of the dirt - but the key word here is 'some'. It will not remove allergens, dust mites or many of the deep-down contaminants that can cause your soft furnishings to wear out prematurely.

2) Using the wrong cleaning method and solutions - Not all carpets and upholstery are the same. Depending on the materials used in their construction, and how they are made, different items may require different treatments.

Using the wrong cleaning method or solutions for your particular soft furnishings could easily result in permanent damage.

3) Heat damage - The intense heat generated by the 'steam machines', that can be purchased in many of the retail chain stores throughout the country, can cause the twists within the yarn in twist-pile carpets (which are heat-set during manufacture) to become unwound. It can also easily damage the nap on upholstered furniture.

4) Failure to rinse properly - Some home cleaning methods will utilise a detergent.

Unfortunately, when these systems are used by someone who is untrained or unskilled, it is common for the cleaned items not to be rinsed properly (leaving chemical residues behind).

These residues rapidly attract new soiling to the fibres and fabrics. More worryingly, however, unrinsed chemicals can be detrimental to your health and well-being, causing rashes, breathing problems and the worsening of existing allergies.

5) Over-wetting - Some fabrics and fibres will shrink if they are subjected to too much moisture and, in the case patterned fabrics and fibres, dye bleed can occur. Over-wetting also runs the risk of mould or mildew problems (another cause of health issues) if the item takes a long time to dry.

6) Failure to protect a freshly cleaned carpet from furniture - A common hazard of D.I.Y cleaning methods are stains caused by furniture coming into contact with wet carpeting. Many kinds of wood furniture will release some of the dyes in their stain if left in contact with a damp surface. 'Do-it-yourselfers' are more likely to encounter these problems because they often don't remove all the furniture from the room when cleaning, and they often don't have ready access to the foam blocks and foil-backed cardboard squares that the professionals use to keep the furniture off the carpet until it is dry.

The best way to retain the appearance of your soft furnishings, and extend their life, is to have them regularly deep cleaned (at least once every two years is recommended) by a professional carpet cleaning company with the equipment and skills to do job properly and without causing damage.

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Did our industry really begin over five hundred years ago? Keith Robertson Were there carpet cleaners in One of James V’s tapestries (from the ‘Hunt the Unicorn’ series) the 16th Century?

Although we refer to ourselves as 'carpet cleaners', because many of us are also prepared and equipped to clean upholstery, wall panels, possibly curtains and even tapestries, most of us will also view ourselves as fabric cleaners.

In the 1500's carpets were a labour intensive, hand-made luxury item that only the very rich could enjoy, so it is unlikely there was a group of craftsmen who specifically cleaned or maintained only rugs and carpets. reign of King James V, who ruled in Scotland for On the other hand, it is interesting to note that 30 years between 1512 and 1542, we learn that there was a group of tradesmen known as the eventually he had around 200 tapestries and 'tapestry men'. other hangings. However, this is still less than To put their role, or job, into context it is important to remind ourselves that (historically) it 10% of the number owned by his English contemporary, King Henry VIII. was common practice in Scotland for pieces of Tapestries were a practical way not only to furniture, carpets and tapestries to be moved make living areas more comfortable and less from castle to castle, or palace to palace, to be in austere, but also to insulate and protect place wherever the monarch was residing. bedchambers from the effects of the damp, cold No doubt this was because Scotland was a Scottish weather. relatively poor country. By the time we reach the

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The 'tapestry men' (or tapissiers) would take down the tapestries, pack them up, then move them to their new home and put them into place. They would also look after the condition of the tapestries, making repairs as they became necessary. For example, prior to the January 1540 coronation of James V's wife, Mary of Guise, there is a record of eight pieces of tapestry being specially repaired and others relined with new canvas.

There is one particular record of tapestry cleaning when Mary of Guise's brother, the Marquis de Maine, visited. Although in this case it wasn't the tapissiers who carried out the cleaning, but six apprentices. Mary of Guise had her own chambers decorated with fine tapestries and carpets, so from time to time the tapissiers or their apprentices would be required to clean the carpets too.

As a point of interest, the 'Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland Vol. 7' (which covered the years 1538 to 1541) refers to embroiderer George Strathauchin as King James's 'tapiser' - a position rewarded with an annual salary of ÂŁ40 plus free lodging. Not a bad living for those days!

When Edinburgh was attacked in 1544 (under the instructions of Henry VIII) the tapestries, and no doubt other precious items, were removed from the Palace of Holyrood. They were then taken to Edinburgh Castle and placed in the care of Regent Arran's Wardrobe servant, Malcolm Gourlay.

More beautiful tapestries from the same series

This was a good decision as Holyrood was badly damaged. No doubt the tapestries and other fineries required a good deal of cleaning before Mary of Guise once again made use of the palace.

In England, at the same time, King Henry VIII was known to have over 2000 tapestries and wall hangings. Like his father he employed an arrasmaker (tapestry weaver), as well as tailors, to line Continued on next page

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the tapestries. The place where the craftsmen worked repairing and lining tapestries, and where the cloth was stored, was known as the Great Wardrobe. It is presumed that cleaning would also be part of their duties.

brushynge were the cloth lightly”. Inventories show that brushes were regularly supplied to the Kings Wardrobe which were used to remove dust and particulate soiling.

Today the most expensive historic tapestries are sent to Belgium for specialist cleaning. Although

One of King Henry VIII’s many tapestries

There were strict rules to prevent these tapestries from soiling. Nevertheless, hanging in large draughty rooms with open fires and candles, they would get dirty quite quickly.

In about 1460, John Russell (usher in chamber and marshal in hall to Humphrey, duke of Gloucester) created a handbook of contemporary manners and domestic management, which he titled the 'Book of Nurture'. In this book he included specific instructions on how to brush tapestries. His instruction was to “With the end of a soft brushe ye brushe them cleanly. And yet our moche

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specialist techniques are used to ensure fabrics are not damaged and colours do not run, they still (on particularly dirty fabrics) intersperse the treatment with the use of brushes.

We do not know much about the use of water or other liquid cleaning agents in the 15th century, so we are unable to debate how similar (or not) other cleaning processes might be.

My mother taught me about the use of bread when cleaning fabrics, so I was interested to find that there was a publication by Wendy Hefford, titled 'Bread, Brushes and Brooms': Aspects of Tapestry Restoration in England, 1660 - 1760. I

Diary Dates 2016

should add that the use of bread is now frowned on by conservators.

It is perhaps a good thing that tapestries are no longer fashionable because it is still unlikely that many people could afford them. On the other hand, fabrics in general are easy for most to purchase. And, although our homes are not as large and draughty as the castles and palaces of the 15th century, we still enjoy the additional comfort that fabrics provide, whether upholstery, curtains, carpets or rugs.

Perhaps you have always believed we were part of a noble profession but, if not, you can now see there is evidence that we are. I can't promise that your name will still be known in 500 years like some of the 16th century tappisiers. However, if you do good work you can rest assured that your name will (at the very least) be 'good'.

Member Referral Report Since publishing a referral statistics report in the last issue of Newslink there have been 86 recommendations for full members provided by the NCCA. This number is made up of 26 referrals from the NCCA office and 60 potential customers contacting members directly through the NCCA website.

NCCA COURSES Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 13th - 14th May 8th - 9th July 16th - 17th September 18th - 19th November Advanced Spot & Stain Removal 24th June 27th October (NEW DATE - DATE CHANGED) Health & Safety for the Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner 19th April (NEW DATE - DATE CHANGED) 26th October (NEW DATE - DATE CHANGED) Leather Identification & Cleaning 17th November All above courses held at NSPCC Training Centre, Leicester unless otherwise stated.

Visit: www.ncca.co.uk for booking forms and further details.

CARPET CLEANERS CARNIVAL (CCC) 2015 Wicksteed Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire 10th September IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: PAUL PEARCE) Held at Alltec Network, Hertfordshire Tel: 01763 208222 Carpet Cleaning Technician 13th - 14th September 8th - 9th November Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician 24th - 25th May 20th - 21st September 15th - 16th November Commercial Carpet Maintenance Technician 17th - 18th May IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at National Flood School, Surrey Tel: 01252 821185 (Dates to be arranged) IICRC COURSES (TUTOR: ADAM JANKOWSKI) Held at Chemspec Europe Ltd, Yorkshire Tel: 01274 597333 (Dates to be arranged) Visit: www.iicrc.org for further details on all IICRC Training Courses.

“How long will it take to dry?”

Derek Bolton (Honorary Member)

H

ow often have you been asked this question by one of your customers?

The drying of carpets and soft furnishings is a very important issue for the average customer. This is often because they are wondering how long it will be before they can get their home/workplace back to normal.

Many cleaning Opening windows (conditions permitting) assists greatly in companies are drying times well aware of this concern and, for this reason, 'quick drying time' is often used as a selling point in their advertising. We've all seen it at some point… that bold statement…'CARPETS AND SUITES DRY IN 1 HOUR!' Of course, it is true that in some instances a carpet/upholstery fabric can actually be dry in one hour. However, it is worth bearing in mind that there are many factors which can affect this.

These include: ŸThe fibres contained within the carpet/fabric. ŸHow the item is constructed.

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ŸThe degree and type of soiling present. ŸThe method used to clean the item. ŸThe effectiveness of the equipment used. ŸThe environment in which the item is situated. ŸThe competency of the cleaning technician.

Soft furnishing fabrics and carpets are discussed thoroughly on almost all training courses. It is important to know exactly what you are cleaning, the characteristics of the fibres and how the item is constructed. Without a clear understanding of these factors you are heading for trouble.

Equally as important is the assessment of the type (and degree) of soiling present, together with a knowledge of the amount of time that has lapsed between cleans. Some people have a

regular cleaning regime which makes life a little shouldn't be an issue. It's the same with easier… unfortunately, however, the vast majority chemicals. Stop and think about the income you don't. will receive from that gallon of chemical you've Once the item's construction, fibre/fabric type purchased (and yet still carpet cleaners quibble and soiling levels have been assessed you will over pennies… the mind boggles!). then be able to select the most suitable method, So anyway, at this point it's probably fair for me to equipment and assume that chemicals to most of you are undertake the using some cleaning impressive and quite correctly. sophisticated All the above equipment. Do factors can bear in mind, affect drying however, that in times. order keep your Fortunately for drying times to us there are some excellent a minimum (and machines (and to clean effectively of accompanying course) this tools) available Regular mechanical maintenance of your equipment is extremely important equipment must these days, be operating at peak efficiency at all times - in which have improved both the cleaning AND the other words, you MUST regularly service your kit! drying process.

I am sure that there are many cleaning technicians My first extraction machine had a 60psi pump out there who just carry on using their machines and one two-stage vacuum, and cost in the until one day they just…. STOP! You need to region of £1600.00. These days you can purchase remember that (just like cars), unless your twin vacuum machines with variable pressure machinery is serviced its performance will pumps at roughly the same price. And yet you gradually deteriorate. This loss of performance is still hear budding carpet cleaners moaning about often so gradual that it is not noticed until it is too expensive equipment! When you consider the revenue that can be achieved within just a couple Continued on next page of years of using your machine, the price really

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late! So… clean out your equipment after each job (especially check the filters) and make sure that you carry out regular mechanical maintenance too.

Old style ‘snail’ dryers are effective, but should be used with care... ... poor placement could be embarrassing!

drying process considerably.

There are many types of Air Mover on the market these days. Old style 'snail' type airmovers (designed for drying out flooded carpets) are effective but should be used with care. Poor placement can be embarrassing... have you ever managed to blow someone's artwork off their wall? Pods, large and small, that push out air over a 360 degree radius are more common these days. Some cleaners prefer the axial fans, which are more open, with wire guards. Basically, you can use whatever takes your fancy as long as it does the job.

Lastly, as you can see from many of the points above, a very important (and common) factor in reducing drying times is obviously YOU! But… don't worry, as long as the lessons learned are adhered to it shouldn't be difficult to do a good job AND get things dry quickly.

New NCCA Members Caulfields Carpet Cleaning Llanelli, South Wales

An extremely useful bit of kit for reducing drying times is obviously an Air Mover (turbo-dryer).

Together with a warm atmosphere, this piece of equipment will help to lower the humidity levels within the immediate environment, enabling the evaporation of moisture from the cleaned item to take place more effectively. This will speed up the

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Flexi-Clean Cheadle, Cheshire Airedale Carpet Cleaning Keighley, West Yorkshire Doneandusted Cleaning Services Southport, Merseyside

Argy bargy is what destroys family firms

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VER 172,000 of the UK's 3 million familyrun businesses are expected to fail and disappear within the next 12 months.

This is one of the startling facts revealed by research into family owned small businesses, which are recognised to provide a vital and important contribution to the UK economy.

Other statistics include that: 타9.2m jobs are provided by family-run businesses in the UK; 타40% of total private sector employment is within family businesses; and 25% of the UK's output is produced by family타 run businesses.

All small businesses face challenges, but family businesses will often have other challenges such as succession, family conflict and disputes, in addition to the same day-to-day issues as other business structures.

At the beginning of every day all of the people involved in the family business must leave their other roles - father, mother, son, daughter, brother and sister - at the door.

The situation can become even more complex when extended family members are involved in running or being employed in the business.

Having established a business it is not unusual for the first generation to be worried, concerned or even reluctant to let go and hand over the reins to the next generation. Sometimes this is because of a weak or poorly defined structure or

even lack of confidence in the skills of younger members in the business. The result is an undefined succession and exit plan or, in many cases, these plans don't exist. Unfortunately, the first time that a parent or founding member mentions retirement, or an exit, is often when they have become tired of the pressures of running a business and want to set a date in the near future to just walk away.

Another issue is that the younger generation sometimes has different ideas regarding what direction the business should take.

Understandably, the first generation founder is protective of their business or may sadly just be resistant to change. These differences can cause massive problems and conflict.

The need for a clear vision that drives business strategy and planning is even more important in a family business, as is the need for a Constitution Agreement which sets out roles and responsibilities and other rules.

Article republished by courtesy of Contract Flooring Journal (CFJ)

Advertise with us!

You can advertise FREE OF CHARGE within the classifieds section of Newslink. For further information call Nicky Law on: 0116 271 9550.

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Dealing with tea and coffee stains NCCA Library

E

veryone spills a drink from time to time, or drops toast and marmalade (sticky side down of course!) onto a carpet or a three piece suite.

The problem is that professional cleaners are not usually foremost in the thoughts of the customer during the initial stages of panic.

The drinks most commonly spilled seem to be tea, coffee, red wine and beer. Tea and coffee can create some challenges for the professional cleaner, so the first thing to do when faced with these types of stains is to complete a survey.

The natural dyes (tannin) contained within tea and coffee can differ depending on whether the drink is decaffeinated or flavoured. The temperature of the drink at the time of the spillage, and whether it contained milk and/or sugar, are also important factors to consider. Hot tea and coffee will penetrate deeper into the substrate, swelling the fibres and exposing the dye sites to the staining material.

The fibres then cool, trapping the stain and making it more difficult to remove. Dairy products (specifically the protein element) become more difficult to deal with the longer they are left in the

substrate, and sugar can caramelise into a hard deposit.

Once you have assessed the stain, you should then ask if anything (and if so 'what?') has already been done in an attempt to remove it. Don't forget that customers can sometimes be quite economical with the truth.

Next, you should establish what fibres and constructions are present in the item/s you have been asked to clean. Natural fibres are more absorbent than synthetic fibres. They can also be

more easily damaged by spot and stain removal processes.

On completing your survey, always discuss with your customer what sort of result may be achieved (and remember‌ NEVER guarantee to remove a stain completely), inform them what risks are involved and test all the products you intend to use in an inconspicuous area.

It's always a good idea to clean the whole area first, as many spots will come out (or at least lighten) from this process and this will reduce the

intensity of the stain removal product that you will require on any residual stains.

Deal with any remaining stains carefully. Use products with particular note to the limitations imposed on you by the fibre type and construction, and don't forget to check backing materials for potential colour bleed/migration.

Finally, when you are pricing the job, do bear in mind that some stains can take as long to deal with as cleaning a whole carpet/suite. So... make sure that the price you quote reflects this.

Let us spray

Ken Wainwright

F

ar and away the most popular, convenient and cost effective way of applying our cleaning agents to the textile being cleaned is via a sprayer.

For upholstery and fabric cleaning, it is usually a simple choice, either a fan jet or an adjustable cone spray tip with the solution being applied as a finer mist. The sprayer capacity is down to technician Fan Jet preference.

For carpets, however, the choice isn't so simple.

Different groups of products have differing application requirements.

Our industry standard, for many years (with the occasional exception), has been to use an 8004 fan jet. This permits product to be applied at an 80° fan angle at the rate of 0.4gallons (US) per minute @ 40psi. This specification is used for both the manual 'pump-up' and electric powered sprayers. This size is widely used for applying most brands of carpet pre-spray and protector.

The adjustable cone spray tip is less effective for our needs.

Many carpet cleaning companies have now embraced detergent-free technology. These products typically require a lighter application when being used as a pre-spray for the rinseextraction cleaning of carpets. Although a sprayer with an 8004 jet can be used, the speed of application needs to be greater in order to

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prevent over application. Such a technique is likely to be a little haphazard, and maybe a little careless at times, leading to a greater risk of over-spraying onto furnishings and décor.

Perhaps the most popular detergent-free prespray is the Microsplitter. These products are typically applied at about 50% of the volume of a detergent product. The easiest way to accurately apply a Microsplitter is therefore to use a fan jet of half the flow of the 8004. So, an 8002, 80° fan with a 0.2gpm flow rate is the ideal fitment.

I find that Active Colloid and Polymer products benefit overall from the same application as a Microsplitter, except in the more heavily soiled areas where another pass of the sprayer is beneficial. This equates to an application rate of 50% the volume of a detergent with local areas requiring 75%.

An unexpected bonus I have received from this simple operation of changing the spray tip with my detergent-free products, is a significant improvement in drying times. Using my top-of-therange electric portable extraction machine, carpets are typically touch-dry in less than an hour.

It should be noted that the above applies only to rinse/extraction cleaning. When a low moisture system is used, an 8004 fan jet (or as recommended by the product's manufacturer), should be fitted to your sprayer.

For inline sprayers, popular with Truckmount users, the supplied high-flow jet should still be used.

Advertise with us!

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MAKE AN IMPACT AND GET NOTICED IN 2016 ADVERTISING STRAIGHT TO THE PEOPLE THAT COUNT!

Newslink is circulated to OVER 600 CARPET, UPHOLSTERY AND HARD FLOOR CARE BUSINESSES every month, together with over 100 industry related companies. It is also forwarded to new start-ups who contact the NCCA. Advertising in Newslink will take your products and services straight to the people that count!

Whether you wish to pre-book in advance for a specific month/s, or block-book for the entire year, now is the time to do it. And don't forget, when booking a whole year you will receive an incredible 40% DISCOUNT! So avoid further delay and BOOK NOW. For further information call Nicky on: 0116 271 9550.

Water and wood

Terry Guilford (The Ultimate Floor Sanding Co)

A

sk any floor restoration company to name the ONE vital ingredient necessary for them to carry out their work and their answer will be the same. Whether they work on carpet, stone, vinyl, or just about any other surface, the answer will be WATER. Water (the 'universal solvent') is absolutely vital in bringing back most floors to their former glory and yet, in the case of wood, it is of very limited use and potentially can be very destructive.

In the course of training and advising floor sanding companies in the UK and Ireland, some of the most common problems that I come across are caused by moisture. Some are obvious, but others are less so, and today I want to talk about the various issues.

Starting at the bottom and working our way up (no jokes please... it's a family magazine!), many issues are caused by sub-floor problems and these mostly revolve around incorrect or old/damaged damp proof membranes. Many old wood block floors were bedded in bitumen. This was not only the adhesive that held the blocks

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Wood floor ‘cupping’

down but also the method of damp proofing, as in most cases the concrete itself had little or no primary damp proof membrane. With age the bitumen becomes brittle and the blocks become loose, but generally the layers of bitumen on the sub-floor and back of the blocks will suffice in preventing moisture. However, if you repair the floor with modern adhesives it is important to make sure that they are not only compatible with bitumen but also that any potential dampness is investigated and taken care of.

Another common cause of dampness is a leak in an adjoining room, which travels underneath the floor-covering in that room, then makes its way into the area underneath the wooden floor.

Modern conveniences such as dishwashers, washing machines and showers are very often the

culprit, and this type of problem can go unnoticed for a long time... sometimes leading to the complete destruction of the timber floor!

A third common cause of moisture damage in wood is a downward problem. Quite often, plant pots that don't have plastic trays beneath them are the issue. However, more frequently it is incorrect cleaning. Day-to-day cleaning of wood flooring requires very little moisture. A small amount of neutral pH cleaner and the sensible use of a quality microfiber mop are all that is required to keep wood floors looking good.

Heavily soiled restaurants and bars may require more intensive cleaning, but very wet cleaning should only be undertaken by professionals with rotary machines and wet pick-up equipment working on small areas at a time.

Finally, and less common, is moisture damage caused by excess air humidity. As discussed in an earlier article, wood stays in equilibrium with the moisture in the air. So, if there is too much moisture in the air there will also be too much in the wood. Excess humidity can occur naturally, but generally our 'old friends' the shower, tumble drier or even cooking can be the cause.

Fortunately the answer is usually cheap and easy… open a window!

So the question is, how does excess moisture in a wood floor manifest itself and how can we recognise it?

Well, before carrying out any work on a wooden floor it is very important to do some fundamental and rudimentary checks. The first and most obvious thing to look for is cupping or crowning

of the individual planks or staves. Any distortion either way is a clear sign that there are issues with the floor. Another thing to look out for is either excess tightness in the spacing of the boards, or the opposite… excess gapping (don't forget that a floor that is too dry is also a problem). In the event of either cupping or over tightness of the floor it is imperative to check that there are sufficient expansion gaps at all points around the perimeter.

The biggest concern for anyone lacquering a wooden floor is working on one that is already very tight. Why? Well, what do you think happens if you add moisture to a floor that has no expansion gaps and is already cupped? If you are lucky it just pops up, if you are unlucky… goodbye wall!

Another common problem is ‘ghosting’ or whiteness in the finish. Although minerals within the wood structure can cause this, it can also be due to excess moisture.

As you can see, it is vitally important to know about the site conditions before carrying out any work. It is a fact that the level of knowledge about wooden flooring and the standard of wood floor fitting in the UK are extremely poor. And problems that are caused by poor fitting or maintenance are often made worse by sanding and finishing! If you don't want to be made responsible for someone else's mistakes, you need to be aware of them.

For anyone serious about making a living out of wood floor restoration, a moisture measuring kit (consisting of wood moisture metre, air humidity metre and floor and air temperature metres) is incredible valuable.

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Chemspec and Dri-Eaz join forces

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o provide the cleaning and flood restoration industries with a single source for all of their equipment and solution needs, on Tuesday 1st March 2016 Dri-Eaz Products and Chemspec Europe joined forces to become Legend Brands Europe.

Both Dri-Eaz and Chemspec have long served the product needs of professional and commercial cleaners, flood restoration contractors and hire outlets. Dri-Eaz is a leading provider of airmovers, dehumidifiers, air scrubbers and other equipment for drying and indoor air quality. Chemspec Europe provides top-rated solutions for cleaning carpets, upholstery and hard surfaces. In addition, Legend Brands Europe will introduce ProRestore deodorisation and fire/smoke damage restoration products and the Versaclean line of cleaning

equipment to the UK and European market.

Together, as Legend Brands Europe, they say they will supply all that's required for the best results in cleaning and restoration, from their offices and distribution centre (based in Newport Pagnell).

Legend Brands Europe is part of Legend Brands, a global leader advancing cleaning and restoration in North America, Europe and Australia, as well as other countries throughout the world. The Legend Brands family includes DriEaz, ProRestore Product, Sapphire Scientific, Chemspec and VersaClean. Legend Brands is headquartered in the US.

Promote your business on thomsonlocal.com with their NEW Trade Association product…

Thomson Local are pleased to be able to provide a new, innovative product specifically designed for NCCA members.

With consumers being more and more focused on calling businesses who are trustworthy, credible and reliable, their scheme endorsed product allows you to promote your business on thomsonlocal.com with standout artwork, giving you the ideal opportunity to attract new customers to your business.

Included in their new Trade Association product is a listing on thomsonlocal.com with a profile page,

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allowing you to communicate with new and existing customers around your unique products and services. You will also receive an additional listing on an exclusive page specifically for NCCA members only.

From as little as £29 per month you can enjoy all the benefits of their new Trade Association product today.

To find out more call: 03330 145 045 or email: info@thomsonlocal.com quoting “Scheme 1” in the subject line.

The formula for carpet cleaning success

David Coker

I

've recently started eating at a new Indian restaurant on a regular basis. And I've been telling all my friends how much I like it there.

Recently my wife and I took some friends along to this restaurant (for a buffet evening) and, again, we had a great time. However, although our friends also had a good time, they told us afterwards that the food could've been better. It wasn't until they said this that I realised it was true. I mean, the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't exceptional either. Why then did I enjoy it there so much?

Well, it's because people will ultimately choose to do business with people they LIKE. It's been said that “People will forget what you say. People will forget what you do. But people will never forget how you make them feel.”

And that's what it was…. the service was so friendly and the staff so nice that I loved it there.

They really appreciated us as customers. It was a great EXPERIENCE. I liked them because of how they made me feel. And because I liked them I wanted to do business with them again.

Isn't it interesting that how I felt more than made up for any shortfall in the quality of the food?

So… the key to success, it would seem, is to be likeable by making your customers feel good. And everybody likes someone who appreciates them.

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It makes relationships stronger. So, how can you make that happen?

Well… two of most powerful words in the English language are 'thank you'. Saying 'thank you' shows that you appreciate the other person.

It makes them feel good and it makes them like you. This, in turn, makes them want to do business with you again.

I clearly remember buying my first mobile phone over twenty-five years ago. The salesman who came to my house concluded by genuinely thanking me for the business. I still remember it.

I remember exactly where I was and how I felt.

Some cleaners only focus on cleaning methods or psi or inches of mercury. But to be successful, you're really in the business of ethically manipulating feelings. So, charge more so that you can afford to provide an exceptional service.

Make sure that you really serve your customers'

needs and make them feel good. Then use that extra profit to increase your customers experience by sending 'Thank You' cards and by keeping in regular contact with newsletters etc.

Show them that you really value and appreciate their custom. If you concentrate on how you make your customers FEEL, they will reciprocate by liking you and giving you their business.

NCCA Member Benefits Adelante Merchant Services 01628 820500 BeValued - Home Options (specialist claims management - insurance work) Call Shaun Mulvey on 01323 418432 Control Account PLC 01527 882901

The correct insurance As a carpet cleaner it is important that you ensure you hold adequate insurance (in fact some insurances are a condition of NCCA membership).

Check with your broker that you are covered for: ! Public Liability - this covers you in the

event that you cause an accident, or if a member of the public (i.e., your customer or members of their family) trip over a lead and injure themselves. ! Employer's Liability - if you employ staff

you MUST have this cover. ! All Treatments Risk - this covers you for

any chemicals you use (providing the manufacturer's instructions have been followed). It provides cover for the item you are working on. Make sure that you have this cover, it is extremely important.

The client may blame you for an unrectifiable problem, which may appear as the result of a clean, even if it is not your fault.

Hibu (previously Yell) Ask for Corporate Advertising Department 0808 100 7890 HMCA (free legal & counselling helpline) 0117 934 2600 HMCA (medical health cover) 01423 866985 Payatrader 01296 660177 SiteWizard (website creation) 08450 608860 Thompson Local Call 03330 145 045, or email info@thomsonlocal.com quoting “Scheme 1� in the subject line TrustMark (Ring NCCA Office) 0116 271 9550

Corporate Member Benefits 20% off RESEARCH and CITRUS products for all NCCA members at Cleaners Warehouse!

Go to www.cleanerswarehouse.co.uk (A registration page has been set up on the site for NCCA members)

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European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards 2016 - Celebrating industry excellence in professional cleaning

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he European Cleaning Journal (ECJ) has launched the first pan-European awards programme for the professional cleaning sector. The European Cleaning and Hygiene Awards 2016 will celebrate excellence across all parts of the sector, with the inaugural awards ceremony taking place in Barcelona on September 29th of this year.

The professional cleaning sector employs millions of people across Europe and plays a vital role in health, wellbeing, image and perception.

However, until now there has not been a panEuropean awards programme to recognise and reward standards of excellence in all of its areas and at all levels.

The high profile awards will take place at the luxury, five-star Majestic Hotel in Barcelona and offers fantastic business networking opportunities with key influencers, business owners and industry leaders. The awards will also provide educational prospects with roundtable discussions and a conference.

Submissions are welcomed from building service contractors, distributors, facilities managers, manufacturers and individuals, and provides organisations with an excellent opportunity to thank contractors, by nominating them for an award.

Speaking about the launch of the prestigious awards, Dianna Steinbach, Director of EMEA Services at ISSA said: “The European Cleaning

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and Hygiene Awards event will be a prominent occasion in the professional cleaning sector calendar, recognising industry innovation and success. The recognition that comes with an award win of this calibre is immeasurable.”

The event's industry-leading sponsors include Diversey Care, Truvox International and Ceris Burns International, and the educational partner for the conference and awards is ISSA. The award categories are: ŸBest Use of Technology by Contractors in their Cleaning Programme. ŸCommitment to and Investment in Training. ŸExcellence in Client/Contractor Partnerships. ŸDistributors - Excellence in Added Value Initiatives. ŸSustainability - Best Practice in Implementing Principles Throughout the Business. ŸWorkforce - Excellence in Employee Relationships, Training Diversity & Inclusion, Rewards Programmes etc. ŸBest Initiative Raising the Profile and Perception of the Professional Cleaning Sector locally or on a wider level. ŸGround-breaking Technological Innovation of the Year.

NCCA Corporate Members + Allied Insurance Services Ltd: 0844 8156211 (I)

ŸInspirational Leader of the Year. ŸGreatest Individual Contribution to Driving up Standards Within a Cleaning Operation.

Lifetime Achievement Award. Ÿ For the full list of criteria and entry guidelines or to book your place at the awards, please visit www.ecj-awards.com or contact Daniella JarvieThomas at Environment Media Group by emailing daniella.t@letsrecycle.com or calling +44 (0)20 7633 4524.

+ Alltec Network Ltd: 01763 208222 (C/M/F/T) + Amtech UK: 01444 232211 (C/M) + Ashby's Cleaning Equipment: 01795 436999 (C/M/E) + Bio Productions Ltd (inc. Stapro): 01444 244000 (C) + Camberford Law (insurance brokers): 0208 315 5000 (I) + Chemdry Franchising Ltd: 01482 872770 (C/M/Fr) + Cleanerswarehouse Ltd: 01772 434333 (T/C/R/M) + Cleaning Systems UK: 01334 656787 (C/M/T/F) + Cleansmart Ltd: 0115 8240034 (T/C/R/M/K) + Cleantec Innovation Ltd: 0870 733 7733 (T/C/W/M) + Crisp & Brite: 01509 881137 (C/M) + Dry Fusion UK Ltd: 01772 433711 (C/M/T/W/Fr) + Furniture Clinic Ltd: 01207 279964 (C/Tr) + Get Booked Up Software: 01405 813665

TrustMark Statistics for March 2016 During March the category of Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners on the TrustMark website was searched a total of 5468 times!

TrustMark membership within the Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners category is ONLY available to NCCA members. So, put simply, that's 5468 times NCCA members' company details were searched last month by consumers looking for a carpet and upholstery cleaner on the TrustMark website.

Why not join TrustMark this year?

Don’t miss out! If you’re not already a member, why not join TrustMark in 2016?

To see joining criteria go to ‘Benefits and Schemes’ in the members’ area of the NCCA website.

If you would like to apply to become a TrustMark member please ring the NCCA office on 0116 271 9550 or email: admin@ncca.co.uk

+ Gleaming Insurance (insurance brokers): 0845 4740068 (I) + Hi-Tec Cleaning Group: 02866 341416 (C/E/F/M/T) + Host Von Schrader Ltd: 01244 289256 (M/C) + Legend Brands Europe Ltd: 01908 611211 (C/M/T/F) + LTT Leathercare: 01423 881027 (T/Tr) + McGregor Lloyd (insurance brokers): 0121 706 0616 (I) + NSL Restormate: 01670 590099: (M/C/Tr) + Nu Life Stone Care Ltd: 0161 480 7284 (M/C) + Print & Deliver Ltd: 01628 633336 + Prochem Europe Ltd: 0208 974 1515 (C/F/M/T) + Rainbow International: 01623 422488 (M/C/Fr) + Restoration Express: 01252 726106 (M/C/T/A) + Robert Saunders Marketing Mentor: 08450 537129 (K) + Safeclean: 01235 444700 (Tr) + Sebo UK Ltd: 01494 465533 (M) + ServiceMaster Ltd: 0116 275 9000 (M/C/Fr) + Stainshield Ltd: 01372 841467 © + Textile Cleaning Solutions: 01934 521155 (M/C) + The Ultimate Floor Sanding Co.: 00353 91846488 (M/C/Fr) + The WoolSafe Organisation: 01943 850817 + Vaclensa: 0161 728 1800 (M) + Worldwide Cleaning Support: 01279 422220 (C/M)

C - Chemicals / M - Machinery / W - Wholesalers / Fr - Franchises / I - Insurance / K - Marketing / T - Technical Services / F - Fire Retardents / A - Auxiliary Services (Restoration Cleaners) / E Supply/Repair of Curtains and Blinds / Fi - Finance / Tr - Training.

CLASSIFIEDS EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Chemspec hose reel for truck mount (plastic) £200. Contact aquadriinfo@btconnect.com for further information or contact Andy on: 07970 544806.

CARPET CLEANING MACHINE FOR SALE Prochem Steempro 2000 Powermax - twin vacuums, 150 p.s.i. solution pump, serviced regularly.

Vacuums have been replaced regularly. Comes with 25ft vacuum and solution hoses, also a twin jet swan-neck wand. Price £695.00. Call Steve on 07973 264783 (Farnborough, Hants).

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Due to retirement the following items for sale; 2 Sebo vacuum cleaners and bags; Sebo Duo; stainless steel spray can; 2 black fans; Ashbys Power Brush (hardly used/as new condition); Ashbys V2 water heater (almost as new); carpet dryer with stand; 74 feet one and a half inch vacuum hose, 26 feet water hose, 64 feet 1 inch hose (all hoses unused/new and good quality), 2 new hose bags; large range of unopened chemicals; brushes; plastic sheets and towelling; numerous miscellaneous items. Contact Philip on 01865 882345 (Oxford) or Email: philip8823@gmail.com JOB VACANCY (CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING TECHNICIAN) We are looking for an experienced, full time, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Technician to work for an independent specialist business in Norwich, Norfolk. Please contact Danny on 07716 475415 to discuss further.

RETIREMENT BUSINESS SALE (POA) Easy hours. Highly profitable. Long established.

Large scope for expansion. Fully equipped (truck mount). Low overheads. Includes stock for 6 months. Loyal customer base. Many maintenance contracts. Passive monthly income. Marketing programme. Relocatable on south coast (Solent area). NCCA registered. Established website.

Equipment included for carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning and hard floors. Full training supplied. The complete package… Phone Ken on 01329 316078 for more info (answer phone, I will call you back).

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EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - IDEAL FOR NEW BUSINESS Everything you need to start carpet cleaning, including: Ashbys Ninja adjustable up to 400psi with Dry Cleaning Functionality built in, 2 x 25m vacuum hoses, 1 x silencer hose, 1 x wand, 1 x upholstery tool, 1 x dry cleaning solvent tool. Sebo Duo agitator.

Sebo Vacuum BS36. 1.5hp blower dryer. Truvox high speed buffer. Prochem Stain Removal kit. 2 x 6 litres pressure sprayers. 1 x 1 litre upholstery/spot sprayer.

1 x vinyl mat for Ninja and 1 terrapaulin sheet. Huge array of chemicals including: Prochem: Power Burst, Defoamer, Pre Spray Gold, Natural Carpet Cleaner, Fabric & Fibre Rinse, Browning Prescription and Odour Fresh; along with Ashby's: Supreme Anti Grease and Extra Fresh. Box of other bits including: shoe covers, brushes, polystyrene pads, measuring jugs, dry compound. All in excellent condition. Selling as my second business is consuming all of my time.

Selling for £1950. Contact Richard on 07903 841534.

WANTED - SHADOWING OPPORTUNITY Manchester based technician looking for opportunity to shadow another carpet technician. Already familiar with all cleaning aspects and done over 30 jobs in past year. Just looking to gain more confidence in the process. Compensation for your time will be provided. Contact Kamila Logozny on 0161 4084457.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 3 Ozone plates 4'' x 6'' to fit Jetazone 600 ozone generator - £15.00 for the 3, plus £5.00 p & p. Please phone Pete Collins on 07885 804560.

CARPET CLEANING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Host freestyle machine for sale, complete with 3 sets of brushes. Machine is approximately 10 years old but little used - £1500 o.n.o.

There are also (as nearing retirement) various other bits and pieces as for sale. Contact Stephen on 07766 327327 (Essex).

TOOLS AND CHEMICALS FOR SALE One 5.4kg tub of host powder (unopened). Retails at around £29 - only £12. Also Kleenrite curtain cleaning tool - £25.00. Contact Lester Gale (oxfordshire) 07949 207777.

CLASSIFIEDS CLEANING AND RESTORATION EQUIPMENT 2 turbo dryers, 1 whole room dryer, 2 Dry Fusion machines with pads, 1 hard floor buffing machine, 2 dehumidifiers (Dri-Eaz). Offers accepted around £2000. Email Mike James on mjames1963@sky.com EQUIPMENT FOR SALE s/hand Extracta Scrubba Deluxe. Heavy duty motor.

Height and handle adjustment. 13" cleaning width, twin brushes (requires Extracta cleaning machine to couple to, or can also be connected to TruckMount). Ideal for large areas. Surplus to requirements. £375. Buyer collects or we could meet. Call Tim Stockdale on 01904 413612.

SUCCESSFUL CLEANING BUSINESS FOR SALE Well-established and very successful business in Birstall, Leicestershire, is now being sold. Local repeat client base of over 2000 mostly domestic (and some commercial) clients and excellent yearly turnover. Fantastic opportunity for local person(s) who would like to be their own boss and not be dependent on others for their income. Full training in all aspects of cleaning and restoration and a proven marketing package can be included in the sale. Some I.T. skills would be an advantage, but all other areas can be taught. Telephone Gary on: 07745 592132 for further details.

BUSINESS FOR SALE Established London based hotel and commercial carpet, upholstery and curtain cleaning business for sale. Impressive list of long established clients together with highly skilled long serving operators and an extensive range of equipment.

Year ending October 2015 200k plus turnover with excellent profits. Sale due to retirement. For further information call Mark on 07825 661980 or email markpetchy1@gmail.com PROCHEM LEGEND SE (Petrol) TRUCK MOUNT CARPET CLEANING MACHINE FOR SALE Recently new front face panels. Runs and performs well. Well serviced. Comes with wand, solution hoses and vacuum hoses, and ready to work. Also a demand pump if you are running a tank - £3995.00 + VAT (ONO). Please contact XTRACLEAN on: 01760 337762 or email: sales@xtraclean.uk.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE Texatherm system with HT030S digital tank, and 50 pads, plus minitex & 7 minitex pads, plus 4 x 5ltrs of new solutions. Tank is like new. The TC170 machine is in excellent condition with a brand new power cord, just looks battered a bit! Airflex Mini hot water extraction machine in excellent condition, good quality wand and hand tool. Sebo BS36 vacuum cleaner. Sebo agitator (virtually new), and air dryer, red and white buckets, plus lots of solutions etc. Victor Lynx 20" buffer in excellent condition (without the vacuum). Numatic twin speed rotary - as new, only used once (such a waste!). Old Victor 400 rpm rotary with solution tank - quite old and battered. Lots of brand new floor pads still in boxes (various sizes and colours).

Lots of unopened floor strippers and floor cleaners (a variety of makes). Possibly a B & G cold fogging machine (also like new). Sale due to retirement. Tel: Jacqueline Cobban on: 07563 672882.

CARPET CLEANING EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 1 CFR Pro 400 carpet cleaning machine and wonder wand for sale - £900.00. Please call Peter Sullivan on 07866 905424.

RETIREMENT SALE Midlands based, family run, carpet and upholstery cleaning business for sale. Will consider offers for just the database or with electric truckmount, accessories and 2013 van included. Currently smallscale marketing leaves enormous potential for growth. Village location with a large, local catchment area close by. Training, support and relocation help available if required. Call 07968 175166.

The Association advises that all goods are checked to be in a satisfactory condition, and comply to electrical and health and safety standards, etc.

It is recommended that equipment serial numbers should be checked to ensure the seller is the legitimate owner.

The Association accepts no responsibility or liability arising from any transaction or dispute between the buyer and seller. page 27

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