Green Cleaners

Michael - You have asked some very good questions. Our Company has been involved in "green" for several years now and i must admit that generally speaking the professional caqrpet cleaning industry has done a good job of sitting on both sides of the fence. Those that recognize the value it brings have embraced it - those that  are used to cleaning with nuclear power haven't and more than likely won't.

You say that many in your county are green conscious. They are not alone. It is estimated that 15 - 20% of the population is now chemically sensitive, asthma is exploding as are other respiratory ailments. I can tell you from my work with Governments at both the provincial and federal levels tells me that the changes that are coming are here to stay in public buildings. People who operate in the public domain recognize the issues that we face. The scientific evidence is in fact overwhelming.

Having said this - at the residential level most of this goes out the window. A cleaner has just one shot to impress the customer and so is inclined to use their favorite "firepower" because it workks really well.

Green solutions generally speaking clean the average soil but do not respond as well to trashed out carpets such as found in restaurants or other areas. The new DFC products work very well in the bonnet and encapsulation arena's. If there is a main theme here it simply - lets minimize our exposure (and the customers) to the nasty stuff only when necessary. The nasty stuff will never go away - there will always be a need.

However, you are bang on if you market and promote the use of safer chemistry to your customers. i assure you your customers are ready for it. 

I might also suggest that the EPA is not the greatest place to get info. They do not write standards. Just as the IICRC is recognized for writing standards in the cleaning and restoration industry the most recognized green standards are: Environmental Choice (Canada), green Seal (USA) European Flower (Europe) and the CRI (USA). The latter does not write standards but they do run scientific tests on products to insure they meet the criteria they have set up.

Most standards are environmental standards - there is one called CCD146i that is a health standard. This one certainly makes most sense to me as most of the cleaning products certified are all about saving the fish at the expense of the people.

If you want more unbiased factual info i have lots of it. let me know