Remove More Dirt from Your Carpets

Removing dry soil from your carpets is one of the most important components of good carpet maintenance. Removing the dry soil will not only extend the life of your carpet, it will also improve your indoor air quality and maintain your carpets appearance. You need to make sure that you have the correct equipment when performing regular maintenance on your carpets.

The Green Label Testing Program The Green Label Testing program was developed for use with vacuum cleaners by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). The goal of the program was to develop performance standards for vacuums which included keeping surfaces as clean as possible, not emitting dirt and dust back into your indoor air, and protecting carpet quality.

Three key criteria used by the Green Label program in order to determine to effectiveness of a vacuum cleaner. These criteria are: Removal of soil Keeping dirt and dust contained within the vacuum and out of the air. Improving the overall appearance of a carpet without causing any damage.

Carpet and vacuum cleaner experts designed the tests that are used for determining the certification of a vacuum cleaner. These tests were further examined by scientists who have experience in indoor air quality and maintenance.

Soil Removal This test protocol requires that the vacuum make four passes over a test carpet. It will then measure the total amount of dirt removed and compare it to predetermined specifications.

Dust Containment This test protocol will measure the total amount of dust particles that are released by the vacuum. Areas that commonly release dust into the air include the roller brush, the filtration system, and any other leaks in the vacuum. The standard for passing this test is that a vacuum not release more the 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air.

Carpet Retention This test protocol looks at a years worth of normal usage and demands that a vacuum cleaner not negatively impact the appearance of the carpet.

An official CRI Green Label can be displayed on vacuum cleaners that meet all three of these test protocols. CRI tests a variety of different types of vacuums including upright, canister, walk behind, and wide area.

The Right Machine for the Job Checking to ensure that a particular vacuum carries the official CRI Green Label is just the first step in ensuring that you are purchasing the proper vacuum for your application. You also need to look at the particular areas that need to be cleaned and find a vacuum cleaner that fits best. Vacuum cleaners are designed to work best under particular conditions so you want to get the one that best matches how you will need to use it.

You will get excellent results and improved productivity from a wide area vacuum if you regularly need to clean large open areas of carpet. For example you can clean around 3,000 square feet per hour with a standard 14 inch upright vacuum, while in the same amount of time a walk behind vacuum can clean 40,000 square feet. The added benefit to using the walk behind vacuum is that it is capable of lifting the pile in those high traffic areas that are vulnerable to crushing and matting.

One of the best choices for areas such as offices, conferences rooms, break rooms, and lobbies is the two motor upright vacuum cleaner. This type of vacuum cleaner will both remove dry soil and carefully groom the carpet fibers. To assist with cleaning vents and furniture most two motor upright vacuum cleaners also come with a removable hose and several different accessories.

The needs of the particular vacuum operators should also be considered when purchasing a new vacuum cleaner. Vacuums that will be used by employees for long periods of time should include ergonomic features to keep employees healthy and safe.

Vacuums that are not ergonomically designed and used for long periods of time could lead to workplace injuries. Most vacuum operators would rather not be forced to use a type of vacuum cleaner that is likely to result in serious injury.

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