Friday, May 31, 2019

SOLVING PROBLEMS

All of us from time to time have trouble solving problems. We may stew about it or even cuss about it. But what we really need to do is discuss it.

Certain problems are of a nature that they need to be discussed with our Attorney, Accountant, Financial Advisor, Insurance Agent or other appropriate professional Advisor.

However, when you have a work related problem, have you considered talking it over with the people who work for you? Do you see what ideas or suggestions they might have? After all, they are out in the field every day and may have faced the issue you are having trouble with. And if you do talk to them, you should thank them for their ideas and suggestions whether you use them or not.

Many times, an owner of a Carpet Cleaning Company gets bogged down in the day to day operation and fails to utilize the potential of their employees. Nobody has all the good ideas, not even the owner. If you keep encouraging your employees to think about and try to solve a problem, then you will be pleasantly surprised. Everyone wants to feel they are part of the company and by asking their opinion, it will keep them engaged. While we can’t guarantee it, we are fairly confident that you will get one or more good ideas that will help. A good owner isn’t necessarily the one with the most valuable ideas. It may very well be the one who stimulates others to assist in solving problems.

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The Bane-Clene® Team.




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Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Understanding the Nature of Soil and Dirt



Understanding the Nature of Soil and Dirt

What is Soilrt



Helps Us to Understand How Extraction Cleaning Works

In order to fully understand how extraction cleaning works, it is necessary to understand what it is you’re trying to remove: soil or dirt.

Soil can be defined as an unwanted substance which detracts from the like-new appearance of a surface. The purpose of cleaning carpet is to restore this new appearance and to prolong the life of the carpet.

Soils fall broadly into five major groupings: surface litter, dry dust, grit, wet soils, and oily soils.

Surface litter is simply litter such as scrap paper, paper clips, staples, gum wrappers, string, cigarette butts, etc., left lying loose on the carpet by those who don’t bother to use a waste basket or ash tray. This kind of soil is usually easily removed.

Dry dust comes from the air, the outdoors, furnace soot, furniture and even the new rug/carpet deodorizing powders such as “Love My Carpet” that are sprinkled on the carpet. This soil usually remains on the surface of the carpet and, due to its electronegative charge, holds onto the carpet tenaciously, resulting in a dull, dirty appearance. Most of this soil is readily removed and kept at a minimum by vacuuming, but much of it (especially the heavier particles) end up deeply imbedded in the carpet, where it attracts oil and becomes more difficult to remove. This effect is especially visible around furnace vents, windows, doors and on curtains over or above furnace vents. Incidentally, the carpet deodorizer powder just mentioned is becoming a problem to those with inferior equipment. The powder not picked up by the vacuum turns into mud when it becomes wet, and good vacuuming is needed to remove it.

Grit consists primarily of sand, concrete dust, gravel and other abrasives usually brought inside on the soles of shoes. This is by far the most serious of all soils. As people walk over the carpet, their shoes rub the carpet fibers over this abrasive material, creating a sandpaper effect tearing fibers, wearing away surfaces, opening new soil collection sites, even damaging the backing. This soil is not totally removed by vacuuming or shampooing and gradually builds deep into the pile where it robs the carpet of its life.

Wet soils consist of spills, stains, and mud, and are usually easily removed. However, some wet soils such as milk, juices and urine change chemically with time into very difficult soils to remove.

Oily soils come from furnace oil, cooking oils, exhaust fumes, pollution and oily spills, and include chewing gum, tar, candlewax, glue, crayons and most paints. They are nearly always difficult to remove, usually requiring the use of Citrus APS™, Pro-Solve Liquid, Pro-Solve Gel with Power Gel, or Saf-T-Solv™, because they are water insoluble and have a very strong attraction for the carpet. The biggest problem with oily soils is that they act like a magnet, attracting dust and grit, making vacuuming less effective.

In summary, the gritty soil gets deep into the carpet, where it grinds away the life of the fibers. Dust attracts oily soils. Wet soils change chemically with time to make removal difficult. Oily soils attract more dust and grit. Bane-Clene® systems consist of just the right combination of equipment, chemical assistance and technique to provide the optimum cleaning of all these types of soil on all carpet fibers and with the danger factor eliminated.

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Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.

Date Published: February 17, 2016

Date Modified: March 25, 2019



Friday, May 24, 2019

MEMORIAL DAY MAY 27, 2019

The custom of honoring those who have fallen in battle by cleaning and decorating graves is an ancient and worldwide tradition. It was originally called “Decoration Day”.

In early rural America, this duty was usually done in late summer and became an occasion for family reunions. After the “Civil War”, the practice became more prominent as America’s need for a patriotic ceremony to honor its military dead. After “WW I”, the day was expanded to honor those who had died in all American Wars. The tradition of wearing red Poppies as a symbol of this day was actually the idea of an American, Miss Moina Michael.

The holiday, which is now observed on the last Monday of May, was originally observed on May 30th. It is considered the unofficial start of Summer. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of “The Indianapolis 500” which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from “Decoration Day” to “Memorial Day”, which was first used in 1882. However, it only became the most common name after “WW II” and was not declared a Federal Holiday until 1967. While the passing of an act in 1968 created 3 day weekends for Memorial Day and other holidays, it has also no doubt contributed to a general nonchalant observance by some people for this important day.

We at Bane-Clene® do not take that nonchalant attitude. We realize that our great country is just that because of the dedication and countless sacrifices of the men and women who have fought and died to keep us,

The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.

Memorial Day

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The Bane-Clene® Team.


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Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Noise Pollution from Carpet Cleaning Equipment



Noise Pollution from Carpet Cleaning Equipment

Noise levels



Bane-Clene Truckmounted Carpet Cleaning Equipment Is MUCH Quieter than the Competition!

Noisy automobiles with loud sound systems permeate nearly every neighborhood in America. Airplanes, motorcycles, boats, hot rods and race cars send up a nerve-deadening din that must ripple across the twilight zone.

Many communities have sound ordinances. Concern about noise in carpet cleaning equipment has sent Bane-Clene® engineers to the decibel meter to test our equipment for noise pollution. A boom box, trade-in gasoline-powered truck-mounts, a trade-in portable machine and a Bane-Clene® machine were used for the decibel tests. Bane-Clene® equipment fell well within OSHA standards.

Decibel (dB) Readings at Indicated distances Away from Equipment
Equipment Tested5 feet away50 feet away100 feet away400 feet away
Boom Box91.8 dB*78.7 dB69.6 dB63.6 db
Brand X - Gas Truck-Mount 18 Horsepower100.3 dB89.5 dB84.6 dB75.4 dB
Brand Z - Gas Truck-Mount 16 Horsepower98.7 dB88.7 dB78.8 dB72.6 dB
Brand Y - Portable (electric)86.9 dB79.3 dB73.2 dB67.9 dB
Bane-Clene® Truck-Mount75.1 dB69.9 dB63.1 dB59.6 dB

*NOTE: All measurements are in decibels(dB).

In addition, Bane-Clene truck-mount carpet cleaning equipment are muffled by the insulation of the van. When operated with the van doors closed, the sound of the carpet cleaning machine was barely audible. At 5 feet, the decibel level was only 71.2.

Related Truckmount Carpet Cleaning Equipment Articles and Information:

Related YouTube Bane-Clene Equipment Maintenance Videos:

  • Video: How to Install Bane-Clene Truckmount Carpet Extractor into van
  • Video: How to lubricate, change oil, grease the blower, back flush, maintain the Bane-Clene Truckmounted Carpet Cleaning machines

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Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.

Date Originally Published: March 1, 1997

Date Modified: March 3, 2019



Friday, May 17, 2019

SELLING IS NOT A DEBATE

Some people approach selling as if they were debating. Selling is not a debate - rather than trying to out talk a potential customer, you should be seeking a win/win solution. That way, when a sale is consummated, both parties benefit.

In the win/win approach, you show prospects that you are for them and on their side. Once you show them that you are concerned about their needs and problems, they are more likely to trust you as an adviser.

How can this type of relationship be developed? By being interested in your prospect and their business. By asking questions that show you want to satisfy their problems. By not assuming you have all the answers.

Some people are afraid to ask questions for various reasons.Some fear they may appear unprepared. If you have not properly prepared and are presented with questions you cannot answer, the odds of getting the sale are greatly diminished, if not completely lost. They are afraid that they will lose control of the discussion and get bogged down in irrelevant topics. Keep questions to the point and they become an important part of a presentation.

Questioning, listening and a sincere concern for a prospects needs and problems will put you on their side. And that’s the side you want to be on for successful sales. As mentioned before, selling is not a debate.

Related Carpet Cleaning Information:

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The Bane-Clene® Team.




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Wednesday, May 15, 2019

WHAT is DIRT or SOIL?



WHAT IS DIRT (SOIL)?

What is Dirt



Dirt is “a foreign substance on a surface.”

What is dirt? My dictionary calls dirt “any unclean material.” When I ask the question at a workshop, the most common answer is mud, filth, soil, sand. Occasionally, someone will define dirt as “a foreign substance on a surface.” My grandchildren have a sandbox with clean sand, but when it is tracked into my family room, it becomes dirt.

Mill oil (spin finish) accidentally left on a polypropylene (olefin) fiber by the carpet manufacturer is not seen during inspection. But when it becomes apparent after some foot traffic, it is definitely the culprit we call dirt.

The residue from rotary shampoo, dry foam and bonnet cleaning methods are definitely dirt when it begins to show by attracting soil from foot traffic. The crisp residue left by the powder method is a special kind of dirt. The residue includes materials like ground-up corn cobs, corn stalks, diatomaceous earth, clay, baking soda and minerals such as talc. These powders are, in reality, a foreign substance - Dirt!

Optical brighteners, frequently employed in carpet shampoos and bonnet compounds to give an artificial appearance of brightness and cleanliness, could also be considered another soil often turning the carpet permanently yellow.

Some carpet cleaning extraction equipment leave high levels of residue in the carpet. If the extraction machine has a poor recovery rate and a high dilution ratio, the result is a residue in the carpet that will attract and hold dirt particles. Have you ever noticed that most extraction machines have smaller recovery tanks than their solution tanks?

One shampoo scrubber/extractor machine boasts a 35 percent recovery rate (leaves 65 percent of the stuff behind!). With the Bane-Clene® system, an activated water solution at only 0.5% detergent in warm water is injected into the carpet at moderate pressure, with 95 percent recovered.

Many carpet retailers advise their customers to avoid having their carpets cleaned as long as possible because cleaning will cause them to get dirty more quickly - resoiling. These carpet sales people are still under the impression that this is true. Unfortunately, with many of the methods we discussed above, it is true. This error in thinking goes back to the “old days” of cleaning carpets with sticky shampoos that did in fact cause resoiling.

Each of these “soils” presents an interesting challenge. The mill oil or spin finish can be removed by pre-spraying a solution of TLS® 2000 (diluted one part TLS to ten parts water), followed by extraction. In severe cases, Energy Prespray Booster can be added to the prespray. The extraction solution should consist of 0.4 ounces of PCA™ Formula 5 to one gallon of water. Booster® may be added according to directions on the container. The extraction process is followed with a Brown Out® rinse.

Normal Bane-Clene® extraction will solve the problem of shampoo-bonnet residue (browning and foam). Add Anti-Foam Concentrate (AFC™ ) to the recovery system and apply Brown Out® after cleaning. For a carpet that is filled with powdered deodorizers like “Love My Carpet”, it is recommended to use a pile lifter before cleaning. Some of these materials will swell when wet and will lock in place unless pile is lifted.

Educating the carpet retailer in your community is the best possible service you could do for the consumers, who get their advice from this source. We have brochures that are designed for this purpose.

In summary, dirt or soil is anything foreign left in the carpet, even if it is called a cleaner. Good chemical cleaning agents, equipment and techniques will avoid the problem of this type of soil - dirt!

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Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.

Date Published: February 17, 2000

Date Modified: March 23, 2019



Friday, May 10, 2019

LOST CUSTOMERS

Most companies have lost customers; in business it sometimes happens. Some owners are philosophical about it. It’s bound to happen once in a while, so why worry about it?

However, a Carpet Cleaning Company which strives for high quality service and being a successful business will never be content with lost customers. Owners of these types of companies know that it takes far more time and resources to get new customers that to keep existing customers.

There are various reasons customers don’t come back. Here are a few:

  1. Death, it happens in all businesses.
  2. If customers feel that a company does not care about them, they will go elsewhere.
  3. Some companies are hard to to do business with. Are there long waits on the phone, or multiple prompts to answer before getting to someone who can help them? Or worse yet not returning calls?
  4. Unfriendly people. Are the people answering your phones rude and uncaring?
  5. The owner blames break downs of equipment and vehicles for late or missed service calls. People will go elsewhere if they feel a company has delays and interruptions.
  6. Poor professional image. Your literature, advertising, website etc., reflects a high degree of professionalism. But when you show up for the job your truck and equipment are dirty and your technicians are unkempt and disheveled.
  7. Staying in touch with customers. Unfortunately, no matter how good a job you do, sometimes customers just forget who did their cleaning. We are not like a restaurant, dry cleaner or other firms that customers frequent often. So it is important to stay in touch with them. Sending a “Just A Reminder” postcard is one way to do that.

Granted there are reasons for Lost Customers that cannot be prevented and are not your fault but be sure that you are not providing any reasons for customers to go elsewhere.

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The Bane-Clene® Team.




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Wednesday, May 08, 2019

Cut Your Prices for Cleaning Carpets and Other Services?



Cut Your Prices for Cleaning Carpets and Other Services?

Cut Your Carpet Cleaning Price?



A cut in price generally means a cut in quality

There is one thing that all businesses which fail have in common. Their last official act before they go out of business is to cut their prices and have a big sale.

When you consider cutting your price for any reason, consider some of the consequences. Cutting the price means that you must make many more sales in order to maintain your gross profit margin.

Another drawback is that people who expect high quality do not usually look at a low price as a major consideration in a buying decision. In fact, low price may turn off the person who is seeking a high quality service. There is no quicker way to alienate a customer than to advertise a lower price than was just paid to you for service.

A service cannot be built in advance, stored in a warehouse and put on sale. Services must be constructed one at a time and after the order is taken. Service cannot be mass produced or purchased in quantities that can result in volume or lower prices. A cut in price generally means a cut in quality, and this approach will lose long-term customers.

Cutting prices opens the door to a reputation as a price merchant. In the service industry, there is a market for that level of product, but a company cannot compete in both the low-price and the high quality markets. It must be one or the other.

A true cut in the price of a service means that there must be corollary cuts in overhead, quality, service or all three.

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Copyright: Bane-Clene® Corp.

Date Published: February 7, 2001

Date Modified: March 21, 2019



Friday, May 03, 2019

CLOSING THE SALE

It’s important to listen to each prospect carefully and adjust your presentation for closing the sale.

By being prepared with several closings, you can fit the close to the prospect. This also allows you to try to close more than once during your presentation without repeating yourself.

Here are some examples of closings and how they will work with different prospects and situations.

  1. The simplest close is to ask for the order. This works well with decisive people.
  2. With indecisive people, it’s better to make a close on a minor point. Instead of asking for the order, you might ask them if they want carpet protector applied.
  3. With people who are dependent and passive, you may want to presume the sale has been made and start asking for details. Such as what day works best for you or what time can we start? However, this definitely does not work with independent and dominant people; they will likely show you the door.
  4. If you are dealing with a person that appears motivated by logical decisions, then a pros and cons balance sheet approach will help. List the reasons for having their carpet cleaned (pros) on one side of a sheet of paper and what happens if they do not (cons) on the other side. The pros will definitely outweigh the cons.

While the above closings may seem simple, they can all work when applied skillfully under the right circumstances. Naturally, your proposal must appeal to the prospect to begin with. But after that, the buyer’s personality will definitely enter into the picture.

The more you take this into account, the better your chance of closing the sale.

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Thank you for reading Bane’s Blog®

Please read the latest issue of the Clene-Times® at www.baneclene.com/publications/.

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The Bane-Clene® Team.




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