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May 3, 2012 on 5:41 pm
What Gloss Level Should I Use On My Floor? When selecting a gloss level for wood, laminate or vinyl flooring consider these factors… High-gloss provides a bright finish that reflects the most light which will highlight scuffs, scratches and other marks. Heavy foot-traffic, high-heel shoes, rolling carts and pets will show wear on a high-gloss finish. With frequent routine maintenance a high-gloss shine can be successfully maintained. Matte (or Satin) finish has the lowest available shine because it absorbs the most light. The shine is often referred to as being a “natural” shine. This low luster makes marks, scuffs and scratches less noticeable. Matte or satin finish level requires less maintenance and re-coating than high or semi-gloss finishes. Semi-gloss or (Low-gloss) provides modest shine to a floor while requiring less maintenance than its high-gloss counterpart. Semi-gloss has more pizzaz than a matte finish. When deciding on gloss level for a floor, consider the following:
Here are some top brands of flooring finishes: Wood/ Cork: Bona Hardwood, Basic Coatings, Bruce Fresh Finish, LOBA® Stone/ Tile/ Laminate: Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate, Aqua Mix, DuPont™ StoneTech® Resilient/ Vinyl/ Linoleum: Mannington Award Series®, Diversey, Congoleum, Armstrong Once ‘n Done, Forbo Marmoleum, Domco Sure Shine, Lonseal Lonfinish, Metroflor, Hilway Direct, Spartan
April 26, 2012 on 2:59 pm
How do I clean off black spots from grout on Quarry Tile
Aqua mix Grout Haze Clean Up has long been used as an aid in the final cleanup stage of grouting.
It can be used in the cleaning of black pigment from cementicious grout from quarry tile.
It was always frustrating as we never had a simple solution. We’d tried acids and tried high alkaline strippers with unsatisfactory result from both.
Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean up was used, undiluted, and found that the stubborn black pigment stain that had gotten into the quarry tile came off instantly and with minimal effort from a white scrubbie pad.
Best of all, it is not harmful to new grout nor to old grout.
How do I clean off black spots from grout on Quarry Tile? It was always frustrating as we never had a simple solution for this. We’ve tried acids and high alkaline strippers with unsatisfactory result from both. Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean Up has long been used as an aid in the final cleanup stage of grouting. It can also be used in the cleaning of black pigment from cementicious grout from quarry tile. Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean Up was used, undiluted, and we found that the stubborn black pigment stain that had gotten into the quarry tile came off instantly and with minimal effort from a white scrubbie pad. Best of all, it is not harmful to new grout nor to old grout. Compliments of Aqua Mix Sales & Service Team
August 25, 2011 on 8:00 am
Hey, Don’t Blame the Carpet, an article in Hotel Industry Magazine’s online publication, features Host Dry Carpet Cleaning System. The article highlights the benefits of using a dry carpet cleaner such as Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning.
Host is effective for cleaning a small area or an entire room with a dry extraction powder that dries quickly, eliminates mold & mildew issues and reduces allergans. Applications include hospitality, healthcare, commercial & residential. Host is Green Seal Certified, recognized by US EPA Design for the Environment (DfE), earns LEED credits and is approved by the Florida School Plant Managers Association (FSPMA) for carpet cleaning products based on performance, safety and environmental criteria.
July 28, 2011 on 8:00 am
Turns out, it wasn’t a dog that got into his stuff but a raw egg. He had the bright idea to transport an egg in his backpack for use as a target on the shooting range … needless to say the egg didn’t quite make it. Instead, it got “scrambled” inside his backpack. So, we had his backpack, rain gear and few other items that had a nasty stink that two regular wash cycles couldn’t conquer. I didn’t want to use bleach because it might damage these items that require a delicate wash cycle.
It turned out that my son’s timing with this mess couldn’t have been better! 1877floorguy.com had just received the first shipment of new Odorcide 210 Products for Cigarette Smoke, Fire&Flood and (the one I needed) Laundry!
Next day I brought home a 16oz accumix bottle of Odorcide Laundry and we gave it a try. Directions on the bottle told me how much to add to the wash load depending on the severity of the odor. I let my son squeeze the right amount into the accumix reservoir and we added it to the wash cycle. After one gentle wash cycle (gentle because we were washing a backpack and raingear) the bad odor was completely gone! A fresh scent was noticeable and it wasn’t flowery either, just a mild, clean smell, not overpowering. I later used Odorcide Laundry for his sneakers which had a pungent odor from sweaty feet. It was so bad that it greeted me when I entered his room. Again, one wash cycle and the smell was GONE! In the past I had used bleach in the wash to rid sneakers of bad odors, but this worked so much better! So… for all the not-so-fresh-smelling stuff in your life, I highly recommend the Odorcide 210 Family of Products! Intended for use in Residential & Commercial applications, it is safe for use on a wide range of surfaces such as carpet, wood, laminate, upholstery, most fabrics and ceiling tiles. Safe also for use around people and pets. Can be applied using a sprayer, fogger, via immersion and in laundry machines.
Choose the Odorcide that best suits your needs: Dumpster & Chute
July 18, 2011 on 2:50 pm
This broad spectrum disinfectant cleaner is proven to effectively eliminate and protect against harmful bacteria, viruses, mold & mildew including MRSA, E-Coli, H1N1 & more using new chlorine dioxide technology. Safe for people, pets and the environment, clear, odorless, not caustic or corrosive. Vital Oxide is a non-irritant to skin, requires no protective gloves or gear during use and leaves no residue where it is applied. Safe on a wide range of surfaces including fabrics, carpets, laminate, glass, sealed concrete and ceramic tile including shower curtains, under sinks, in basements and crawl spaces – anywhere mold, viruses or bacteria can be found. Vital Oxide is even an effective additive in laundry machines to disinfect linens, clothing, etc during normal wash cycles.
Use Vital Oxide wherever bad odors, mold, mildew or bacteria are present. Use in Schools, Hospitals, Restaurants, Hotels, Homes, Gyms and on Sporting equipment. MSDS, Registrations & Certification Documents are available on our website.
May 16, 2011 on 3:30 pm
We’ve had many customers ask for a comparable replacement and have been recommending Hilway Direct, Matte Floor Finish. The Hilway Direct product is a hard-wearing, highly resistant acrylic floor finish for use on vinyl, linoleum, rubber, cork and other hard surface flooring. Like Taski Vision Matte it is applied post installation and exhibits quality performance in application, sheen, scuff resistance and ease of cleaning.
Hilway Direct floor finish is also available in Satin and Gloss.
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March 21, 2011 on 2:59 pm
If you‘re not familiar with LEED, go to the US Green Building Council website ,LEED Rating System page and browse their website to get a full understanding of the program. Using GREEN floor cleaning & maintenance products can add points towards LEED Qualification for Existing Buildings. Building types include – but are not limited to – offices, retail stores, libraries, schools, museums, religious institutions, hotels and residential buildings of four or more habitable stories. At 1877floorguy.com, you can purchase GREEN Spartan Chemical products such as Green Solutions All Purpose Cleaner 101 Concentrate. We also stock GREEN floor cleaning and maintenance products from various manufacturers for different types of floors including wood, laminate & carpet. If you’re looking for additional guidance toward GREEN floorcare products, call us at 1-877-floorguy (1-877-356-6748).
March 16, 2011 on 6:06 pm
If you‘re not familiar with LEED, go to the US Green Building Council website ,LEED Rating System page and browse their website to get a full understanding of the program. Using green floor cleaning & maintenance products can add points towards LEED Qualification for Existing Buildings. Building types include – but are not limited to – offices, retail stores, libraries, schools, museums, religious institutions, hotels and residential buildings of four or more habitable stories.
At 1877floorguy.com, you can purchase GREEN Diversey products such as Stride Neutral Floor Cleaner and we can provide pricing for many Diversey products, even if they are not listed on our website. For a quote, call 1-877-floorguy (1-877-356-6748).
February 1, 2011 on 2:46 pm
The first line of attack in keeping snow, ice & ice melt products off of a floor is to have clean walk-off mats at each entry door. If possible, keep a mat in the garage, warehouse or covered porch to catch water and debris from shoes before they enter the living or working space. Have another mat inside the entry door where shoes & boots can be removed when they are wet. Even if shoes don’t seem wet it is best to remove them this time of year because ice melt products such as rock salt, ice melt pellets and sand become stuck in the treads of shoes and track throughout your home or business. Keep a dry rag or paper towels near the entry to conveniently wipe up puddles right away. Prevent small particles of dirt & debris from scratching hard surface floors by sweeping or vacuuming frequently. Carpets can be especially challenging because particles of debris fall into the carpet fibers and are not always visible. Vacuuming carpet routinely is especially important this time of year because the ice melt particles could damage the carpet fibers. Have an appropriate cleaning product on hand to spot clean residue left behind from melted rock salt or ice melt pellets before they have a chance to damage the floor. Different types & brands of floors require different cleaning products so choose the cleaning materials that are right for your floor. Here are some of the best sellers in our store that might fit this need: Mannington Ultra Clean, Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, Congoleum Bright ‘N Easy No-Rinse Cleaner (pre-mix in a spray bottle), Wilsonart Laminate Floor Cleaner (only avail as concentrate, mix in a spray bottle), DuPont™ StoneTech® Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector, Host Carpet Dry Cleaner. If you don’t find the right product for your floor, browse our website by floor type or brand or call us for assistance at 1-877-FLOORGUY (1-877-356-6748). To sum up winter floor care, do the following on a daily basis:
Follow these tips to keep your floors looking good all winter long!
January 11, 2011 on 5:32 pm
We’ve separated Congoleum Residential & Commercial into two separate sections on our website to make shopping easier for you! Still under Vinyl Floor Care Products-
Congoleum Residential inludes all of the Bright ‘N Easy Floorcare Products for use on
Congoleum Commercial includes the Congoleum Commercial Floorcare Products intended for use on Congoleum Commercial-Grade Sheet Vinyl and Commercial Vinyl Floor Tile including Flor-Ever Plus, Alternatives, Choices and CX Series.
1877Floorguy.com has floorcare products to clean & maintain all types of residential and commercial floors. Not sure what you need? Call 1-877-356-6748.
December 1, 2010 on 6:02 pm
We frequently get emails from customers with common and unique floorcare questions. We answer these questions directly to the customer who asks and we post many of them on Facebook and (more briefly) on Twitter. If you find the following linoleum & vinyl floorcare tips helpful, “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions. We post Q & A’s a few times each week. Q: Is the Armstrong Genuine Linoleum Polish a high shine or a satin finish shine? A: Armstrong GLP is a MEDIUM-HIGH FINISH so it’s in between high & satin. Try it in an inconspicuous area before treating the entire floor to see if you like the sheen.
Q: We have a Mannington Adura® Floor in our kitchen that is very hard to keep clean. Every few months it needs a deep cleaning, which means me on hands and knees using a brush — very hard work. I am wondering if the Mannington Heavy Duty Cleaner would help this. How would you recommend this product be used? A: This product will help as it is more aggressive than a daily cleaner and should be used only every few months or so depending on the traffic in your home. Read the article, Mannington Adura® Vinyl Floor Care & Cleaning Guidelines, to learn more about cleaning & maintaining Mannington Adura®.
Here’s one for the industry- Q: How far into the floor does the flash cove need to be when it butts up against the floor which is a different color? A: There are no set “”rules”" regarding flooring that is coved meeting the field material. Based on my experience, I suggest the coved material should have min 6″” (more commonly 8”) from the wall /vertical surface. This allows enough material, beyond the cove stick, to be flat on the floor for 100% contact with the floor and adhesive. Remember to “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions. We post Q & A’s a few times each week.
December 1, 2010 on 5:43 pm
Includes questions regarding Bona, Bruce, Uniclic, Quick Step, Award Wearmax. We get emails all the time from customers with common and unique floorcare questions. We answer these questions directly to the customer who asks and we post many of them on Facebook and (more briefly) on Twitter. If you find the following hardwood & laminate floorcare tips helpful log onto Facebook and “Like Us” or Twitter and “Follow Us” for answers to all types of flooring questions. We post Q & A’s a few times each week. Q: I cleaned my hardwood floor with Orange Glo and it left an ugly residue. Is there anything that will get this off? A: Click on this link for directions that will help you remove the Orange Glo from you floor, Removing Acrylic Polishes from Hardwood Floors & Other Hardsurface Floors.
Q: When I take up the rugs from my hardwood floors I can tell that the wood under the rugs is lighter than the rest of my floor. Is this due to sunlight? Is there anything I can do to darken the light areas? A: Yes, exposure to daylight does cause wood to darken. The areas covered by rugs aren’t able to darken. Remove the rugs completely or move them every so often so these areas get exposed to daylight.
Q: My Uniclic-Quickstep Laminate Floor (installed ‘07) has worn very well however the cleaner I am using, given to me by the contractor who installed my floor, leaves an oily film. What do you recommend to clean the residue and shine the floor as it should? A: Quick Step has floor care products to clean and maintain Uniclic Floors. As far as restoring any luster that may have been lost with the wrong cleaning products, try Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Floor Polish to restore shine. We suggest that you test all products in an inconspicuous area to be sure they bond properly and give the right sheen before you treat the entire area.
Q: Bona Hardwood Floor Refresher says that it CANNOT BE USED after Bona Hardwood Floor Polish has been applied to the floor. Does that mean if the polish has EVER been used on the floor? What if I use the cleaner (for a thorough clean) and then Refresher even though I have used the Bona Polish in the past? If not, what can I do to bring the shine back to my dull hardwood floor? A: This is a great question that we get often. If Bona Polish has been applied to the floor, EVER, you CANNOT use Refresher BECAUSE it will leave a white film or haze on the floor. You CAN apply Bona Polish, Low or High Gloss, again to rejuvenate your hardwood floor. This can be done periodically to bring the shine back to your floor. Frequency depends on the amount of traffic on your floor so it may be every few months or every few years.
Q: A couple months ago I ordered a Quick Step Floor Care Kit for my Quick Step Laminate Floor. The cleaner and mop work very well. I have noticed, however, that Bona also sells a laminate floor cleaner. As long as my laminate floor is Quick Step, should I stick with the Quick Step Quick Clean, or will Bona work just as well? A: Flooring manufacturers often formulate their cleaning products to provide optimum care for the floor they are intended to maintain and using these products will uphold your floor’s warranty should you ever need it. Other cleaning products may contain ingredients potentially harmful to your floor. Quick Step and Bona are both quality laminate floor cleaners however in this case we recommend you stay with the QuickStep Floorcare Products.
Q: I have an Award Hardwood Floor with the Wearmax Ceramic Finish. I have ordered the recommended Wear Max Cleaner from you in the past and see that it is now discontinued. What should I use to clean my Award wood floor? A: Recommended replacement is Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. Use a Microfiber Mop with the cleaner. Mop package comes with a dusting pad which can be used dry to dust the floor periodically & before mopping.
Q: I’m looking to buy a Bona Professional Floor Mop. Do you carry this product? It looks like you carry just about everything for the “Bona System”. A: Likely you’re looking for the 18″ Professional Mop which is sold in a kit. In addition to that we carry several Bona floor mops on our website in the Bona Mops, Pads & Covers Section including a 15″ Residential Mop Set and an all-in-one Spray Mop.
Q: I have 8 year old Bruce hardwood floors throughout my home. It seems that I have, over the years, used products that have built up on the wood floor leaving a film. What cleaner do you recommend to remove the film then keep the floors looking great? A: Bruce has their own line of maintenance product recommend for use on their wood floors. Presuming your floor is urethane coated hardwood, you’ll want to use the Bruce Hardwood & Laminate Cleaner, avail in 2 sizes- 32oz Spray & 64oz Refill. This cleaner should lift the residue on your floor and leave it residue and streak free. You’ll likely need to put more pressure on the mop than you typically would and go over it a several times if the buildup is heavy from years of other cleaners. Bruce also has Fresh Finish Floor Polish that will refresh the shine on your floor once it is thoroughly cleaned.
Q: How do I get an MSDS for a product on your website? A: Many of our products have an MSDS link located at the end of the product’s description. If you are viewing a product that does not have an MSDS, contact us via email at help@1877floorguy.com or call 1-877-356-6748 and we’ll forward the information to you.
Remember to “Like Us” on Facebook or “Follow Us” on Twitter for answers to all types of flooring questions! We post Q & A’s a few times each week.
July 29, 2010 on 6:17 pm
A lot of information is available about Forbo Marmoleum Floors that will tell you it is a natural, sustainable Linoleum flooring material made from a blend of wood flour, jute, rosin, and linseed oil. You’ll find out that Marmoleum is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-static, has high wear-resistance, becomes more durable over time and has low maintenance requirements. Forbo’s durable 2-part Topshield factory finish is widely publicized and effective. All of this is true FACT about Marmoleum. I wanted to know more about cleaning and mainting Marmoleum, beyond the manufacturer’s written instructions, so I conducted a telephone interview with Forbo’s Technical Services Manager, Frank Wiggins, Installation Training Coordinator, Becky Korinchock and Technical Services Assistant, Jennifer Malloy who clearly explained some lesser know facts about caring for a Marmoleum floor. Routine Cleaning Type of Cleaner Scratches
Stains Initial Care 1877Floorguy.com sells Forbo Marmoleum Cleaner & Finish. Professional, Experienced Customer Service can answer your floor maintenance questions at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6758). Use coupon code FGBLOG for a 10% discount when placing your order. This coupon code cannot be combined with other discount codes.
July 29, 2010 on 6:16 pm
Dull & Dirty After Cleaning Dark Circle Under the Dog’s Water Dish Yellowish Cast GENERAL TIPS: 1877Floorguy.com sells Forbo Marmoleum Floor Cleaner & Polish. Professional, Experienced Customer Service can answer your floor maintenance questions at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6758). Use coupon code FGBLOG for a 10% discount when placing your order. This coupon code cannot be combined with other discount codes.
June 30, 2010 on 4:12 pm
Lonseal Resilient Vinyl Flooring provides easy to follow maintenance programs for each type of flooring they manufacture along with troubleshooting guidelines for common problems. Outlined here are typical problems, causes and solutions. For the more serious issues, when it may be difficult to discern the cause, you may want to consult with the factory or your local sales agent before proceeding with a remedy. Black scuff marks and scratches are typically caused by hard plastics or rubber on shoes, carts, rolling beds (in hospitals) or from painted items dragged across the floor. To remedy these marks, removed thick residue with a dull putty knife, carefully so as not to cut into the floor, then rub the marks with a white scouring pad moistened with diluted LONCARE. Scuffs, scratches or gouges are caused by tracking of dirt and debris, by dragging (or dropping) heavy items, such as furniture, on the floor or by use of inappropriate pads or brushes. Apply floor protectors to the feet or bases of furniture (chairs, tables, etc) that sits on the floor, place walk-off mats at doorways, sweep or dust mop routinely (frequency will depend on use) to remove dirt particles that can scratch the floor, and check all equipment before machine cleaning or buffing- pads & brushes should be clean and in good condition. Always use a dolly, cart or furniture slides when moving heavy objects. Low or uneven surface gloss level can be caused by several conditions. Check for correct dilution ratio of LONCARE to water, dirty mop water or dirty equipment such as mop head, buffing pads or brushes. Correct the issue and clean the floor again with correctly diluted LONCARE and clean water & equipment. Also check your pads or brushes to ensure they are the correct type. If these simple corrections are made and the problem remains, there may have been an error during initial floor preparation (refer to Initial Care Instructions) or there may be insufficient finish (LONFINISH or LONSATIN) on the floor. In this case thoroughly cleaning and recoating the floor is required. You may need to completely strip and recoat depending on the severity of the problem. Cloudy, Sticky Finish can occur if phenolic-type disinfectants or high pH cleaners are used to routinely clean the floors. Clean the floors only with Neutral pH Cleaner such as LONCARE (except for instances where higher pH cleaner is recommended for removing specific types of stains or residues) and if disinfectant is required, use a quaternary-based disinfectant. Powdery or Scaly Finish can be a result of several factors. First, check your pads and brushes to ensure they are suitable for the type of finish on your floor’s surface. Pads and brushes that are too aggressive will accelerate wear of the finish. Other causes may be layers of incompatible finish materials on the floor, not enough wait time between coats of finish during finish application, or prep work was not properly executed prior to finishing. Any of these issues will require strip and refinish according to Lonseal Instructions. Some types of floors need a more flexible finish, such as gym floors, and powdery or scaly appearance may be the result if the finish on the floor is too hard for the type of use it gets. In this situation, the finish will need to be stripped completely and a more suitable finish should be applied. This is a situation where I would recommend consulting with Lonseal or your local sales agent before proceeding. Yellowing finish is a result of continuous use of dirty mop, buffing pads or tracked-on contaminants. To eliminate discoloration, strip and refinish the floor and ensure all maintenance equipment is kept clean and dirty water is changed frequently during cleaning. Floor mats at doorways will reduce the contaminants being tracked onto the floor. Routine or daily cleaning will pick up the contaminants before they become widespread. Ink or Dye stains should be scrubbed immediately with a high pH cleaner, such as GP Forward or denatured alcohol. Don’t use solvents. Not all stains can be removed however cleaning a stain soon after it occurs will improve the result. Slippery Floors can often be minimized by placing walk-off mats at exterior doorways or in strategic locations to capture tracked-in moisture, dirt or contaminants that may be causing the problem. Liquid spills, leaks or condensation will make a resilient floor slippery. Locate and eliminate the source of the liquid, blot or pick up liquid with wet-vac (depending on the severity) and rinse with clean water to remove any residue. If moisture is being tracked in from exterior doorways, walk-off mats will minimize the problem. If accumulation of dust and dirt is causing the floors to be slippery, sweep and dust mop frequently and use walk-off mats at doorways. Contaminants, such as soap residue, grease or furniture polish overspray, can also cause the floor to be slippery. These contaminants will likely leave a film that will clue you in to the source. Use a higher pH cleaner, such as GP Forward, to lift the contaminants off the floor then return to routine cleaning with LONCARE. If possible, eliminate the source of the contaminant or reduce its effect on the floor with strategically placed floor mats. If a contaminant is widespread and the higher pH cleaner does not resolve the problem, a complete strip and refinish may be required and controlling the source will be crucial. Note: Mats should be non-staining, preferably not rubber-backed. If mats have rubber backing, use acrylic spacers to avoid rubber coming in direct contact with the floor since rubber-backed mats can cause brownish staining on the floor. 1877Floorguy.com sells Lonseal Care & Maintenance Products. Professional, Experienced Customer Service can answer your floor maintenance questions at 1-877-Floorguy (1-877-356-6758). Use coupon code FGBLOG for a 10% discount when placing your order. This coupon code cannot be combined with other discount codes. Information contained in this article was provided by Lonseal’s Technical Manual for Interior Flooring Products.
June 21, 2010 on 5:25 pm
Cork is a resilient, eco-friendly flooring material that has a unique aesthetic appeal and can reduce stress on your feet and legs when you spend a lot of time standing on the floor (as compared to other hard surface floors). Cork is not as commonly used as other types of flooring materials, such as wood, vinyl and laminate. Because of this, not everyone knows how easy it is to maintain a Cork floor. Here are some basics for Cork floor care that will get you started in the right direction. A Cork floor should be swept frequently enough, depending on the amount of traffic it gets, to remove loose dirt and debris off the floor thereby reducing the instances of microscopic scratches that occur when these particles become ground or rubbed into the floor. Microscopic scratches will dull the appearance of your floor. Always sweep your cork floor prior to mopping or use a vacuum on the “hard floor” setting. Note: Vacuums with metal beater bars or in poor condition can damage cork so check your machine before vacuuming. Place mats near exterior doorways to limit dirt and debris tracking on your floor. Avoid rubber or non-porous types of backings on mats because they tend to trap moisture that could damage your floor. Clean up spills right away with a soft cloth because, like hardwood floors, moisture is not cork’s friend. To clean up after a spill, if it’s something other than water, use a spray cleaner to remove any residue left behind. Wipe the cleaner until it’s dry. This will be the same product that you use to clean the floor. Use manufacturer approved cleaners on your cork floor to uphold your warranty on a new cork floor. Check your manufacturer warranty for specific time frames and details. If you don’t know the flooring manufacturer, there are products approved for use on cork floors such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Basic Squeaky Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaner. These are spray cleaners that spray directly onto the floor then mop with a microfiber mop. Both, Bona & Basic, have a mop kit that includes cleaner and mop. Replacement mop covers (Bona, Basic) can be purchased separately. Bona also has a spray mop for all-in-one cleaning. If you are uncertain about what product to select, ask the retailer. A knowledgeable retailer, local or internet, will be familiar with cork and what types of cleaner or finish is compatible. Basically, you’re looking for a cleaner with neutral pH and that leaves no residue. 1877floorguy.com is available by phone during our normal business hours at 1-877-356-6748. Minimize scuffs and scratches. Save your floor from furniture scratches by using felt pads under furniture legs and bases. This is a MUST DO to protect the floor from scratches especially on tables and chairs that are frequently moved! Be aware of spike-heeled shoes or shoes with worn-out or excessively heavy heels that can dent and damage the floor. Remove shoes or ask others to do so in order to save your floor. These rules apply to any hard surface floor in your home. When moving large pieces of furniture or appliances on cork, don’t drag! Cork will scratch or gouge if a heavy or sharp object drags across it. If possible, lift objects to move them. If items are too heavy to lift, such as hutches or large appliances, use tools to assist you such as EZ Moves felt bottom slides. This will save your floor and your back! Again, good practice for any hard surface floor. Follow these basic rules, along with the Manufacturer’s Care Instructions, and your cork floor should look good for many years. Finishes can sometimes be applied to cork for added protection in high traffic areas. To be sure you select a compatible finish, we recommend you call us at 1-877-Floorguy or contact the flooring manufacturer for guidance before you purchase and apply a finish. If you buy from 1877Floorguy.com, use coupon code “FGBLOG” for a 10% discount off your order. Check our website under Cork & Rubber Floor Care for some manufacturer recommended care products or our Hardwood Floor Care section because many wood care products work well on cork floors. For assistance from one of our knowledgeable agents, call 1-877-Floorguy, with your questions.
April 27, 2010 on 6:03 pm
 USS Ronald Reagan The USS Ronald Reagan has an impressive Museum aboard the ship with an outstanding floor designed with stars and wavering stripes in red, white & blue. This beautiful floor, created with Amtico Stratica, was installed seven years ago.
Unfortunately, a company tried to field apply a UV cured version of Poly Urethane. As shown in the one photo, the finish starting failing about 3 years ago with small blisters.
 Everyone thought they would lose the entire floor, but after carefully scraping and peeling the finish off, the Dr. Schutz Application Team was able to prep the old Amtico Stratica floor and apply Dr. Schutz WaxNoMor Gloss.  Faced with high humidity, lack of ventilation and a cold deck floor, drying time between the 2 coats of WaxNoMor was doubled from 2 hours to 4 hours and cure time before foot traffic was extended from the standard 12 hours to 16 hours to accomodate these conditions. Even with the additional waiting time, the project was completed, start to finish, in less than 3 days achieving a result that made the old floor look new again!
The photos below show the floor in the USS Ronald Reagan’s ship Museum finished with Dr. Schutz WaxNoMor Gloss.
  
April 22, 2010 on 3:37 pm
With the SlipNoMor Finish, this floor is now ADA Compliant for Slip Resistance and has an appealing Satin sheen that will be easy for the bank to maintain.  WaxNoMor with SlipNoMor Additive on Nurazzo Foyer Floor  Close Up of SlipNoMor on Nurazzo SlipNoMor is an additive to Dr. Schutz WaxNoMor. PNC Bank chose the satin finish however three sheen levels are available. WaxNoMor provides an extremely durable finish with reduced maintenance requirements, scuff and stain resistance. The Dr. Schutz family of products works together to complete and maintain a floor finish application, from prep to cleaning & maintenance. If you think Dr. Schutz SlipNoMor or WaxNoMor might work for an application in your business, call SchutzNA directly to discuss your project at 1-877-272-4889 x 1.
March 3, 2010 on 4:53 pm
This article is an overview of some need-to-know info for applying WOCA Oiled Floor Products. Before starting your job, read the full product application instructions that can be found in WOCA Application, Care & Maintenance Instructions- Detailed Instructions for Use and on specific WOCA Product Pages. Keep reading here for some general tips… 1. Prevent rags from self-igniting by soaking all oil soaked rags in water after oil application and before discarding. Rags are safe to discard only after they are soaked in water then air dried. Be sure to buy your WOCA products from a reliable, proven Seller who will provide customer service and product information. This will help to ensure you are getting all of the products you need to complete your project. 1877Floorguy.com is an Excellent-Rated web store with representatives who will take the time to answer your questions and make sure you’ve got the right supplies for the job. See the 1877Floorguy website for free freight on orders $200 or more or use coupon code FGBLOG for a 10% discount. 1877Floorguy.com is dedicated to providing customers with easy access to flooring manufacturers’ recommended floor care and maintenance products at the best possible prices with superior customer service.
February 18, 2010 on 4:03 pm
Wood floors have long been popular in Europe and America though the way Europeans and Americans finish and care for their wood floors varies from one side of the Atlantic to the other. Europeans trend towards low sheen, natural looking wood floors often achieved with an oil finish. Americans typically purchase urethane coated wood floors because of the desire to have their wood floors look eternally shiny and new, no imperfections and no scratches. European wood floors are lived-with and American wood floors are lived-on. “The difference?” you ask. While easy to maintain with spray and mop products, urethane coated wood floors, very popular in America, get microscopic scratches in the finish that dull the floor’s shine over time. The only way to truly regain that “brand new” look is to sand and refinish the entire floor. The best way to extend the “new” look of urethane coated wood floors is to be careful with traffic on the floor to minimize scratches. In other words, be careful how you live on your floor. Europeans expect imperfections will happen and accept this as part of the wood’s natural character and beauty that make it unique and inviting. Oil finishes are often selected because of their natural look and simple maintenance routine. An Oil Finished wood floor masks most scratches because, along with low sheen, the finish actually becomes part of the wood floor and penetrates the surface minimizing the appearance of normal wear. To live with a wood floor means embracing all of its inherent qualities and traits (accept that a wood floor will get scratches on it). While an Oil Finished Wood Floor may not be for everyone, it is an excellent opportunity for the consumer who is looking for a natural, comfortable wood floor that minimizes the appearance of scratches(and we all know that scratches happen), is a proven product that is easy to maintain over time, uses floor cleaners & maintenance products that contain no VOCs, environmentally friendly flooring materials and care products. It’s important to have a little background knowledge about oil finished wood floors. There are two primary types: non-hardening and hardening oil finishes. More commonly seen in the USA is non-hardening oil finishes, like Tung oil, which do not harden as they penetrate and dry and therefore do not provide the best protection against wear and stains. This article focuses on the other type, hardening oil finishes, which penetrate into the surface of the wood floor hardening as it cures to form a very protective surface that is an integral part of the wood. Oil Finish tends to be used when describing either type so be careful to learn more about the products you investigate to determine if they are hardening or non-hardening oils. If you’re considering an Oil Finished Wood Floor, WOCA is an excellent, proven product choice that has been manufactured in Denmark for over 30 years. WOCA Oil Finish is appropriate for home and commercial uses. WOCA oils are very different from non-hardening oils, as they contain very high amounts of solid particles, as high as 91%. This translates into a very high quality floor finish that is completely VOC free. WOCA contains primarily cold pressed vegetable oils and aromatic hardening oils that penetrate into the surface of the wood floor hardening as it cures to form a very protective surface that is an integral part of the wood. This type of Oil Finished Wood Floor is currently used on almost a third of all wood floors sold in Europe. WOCA oil finishing products are constantly researched and improved at the manufacturer’s own laboratories in Denmark, always meeting the highest possible environmental standards. WOCA wood care products are also approved and certified by independent laboratories, such as IBR, the German Institute for Biological Building Materials, and are in accordance with DIN-Norm 53-160. WOCA products also meet or exceed the most stringent VOC (volatile organic compounds) regulations in North America. WOCA products are VOC free! If you’re used to polyurethane or similar wood finished floors, there is learning curve when you switch to oil-finish however you’ll find, if you take the time to learn the care and maintenance process, you’ll spend less time and money on floor care. You’ll find that refinishing is rarely, if ever, required. This finish can be spot treated or repaired without disrupting the entire floor which means no down-time for your entire floor. Normal cleaning for a WOCA oil finished wood floor is easy using WOCA Soap, simply mixing it with warm water and mopping the floor periodically. As the floor is being cleaned, it is also given added protection against wear and tear. The WOCA soap contains soy and coconut oils, which dry as an invisible film on the surface of the floor and give added protection. Periodic cleaning and maintenance will make it unnecessary to ever screen or sand your entire wood floor. WOCA is the only oil finished wood floor that comes with a complete package solution for all finishing, repair and maintenance. For more information on WOCA oil finishes and WOCA care & maintenance products call 1-877-Floorguy. The owners and staff have long been in the flooring industry and have an uncanny ability to provide answers. They will guide you to the products and amounts you’ll need for finishing or maintaining your WOCA floor. 1877Floorguy.com carries the full line of WOCA products and ships anywhere in the USA & Canada so you can one-stop-shop. Use coupon code “FGBLOG” to receive a 10% discount on your first order with 1877Floorguy.com.
January 20, 2010 on 4:28 pm
Smells come from many sources and in a variety of strengths. For the really BIG, bad odors that don’t go away on their own…Odorcide 210 is the answer. This deodorizer is different than most for several reasons. What type of odors does it eliminate? How does it work? Where can it be used? How is it used? Did we try it?
Odorcide 210 is formulated for use in hotel rooms, public restrooms, daycares, schools and hospitals – strong enough for institutional use yet safe enough for home use. It’s available in several sizes so you can buy a small amount for home or a large amount for commercial use.
January 19, 2010 on 4:19 pm
ColorRize was chosen as a cost effective way to handle the aggresssive wear on the retail store’s floor. The wood floor, at Shu Uemura cosmetics, Bloomingdale’s, New York City, is challenged every day with heavy foot traffic. The store needed a way to improve the durability of this floor while maintaining style. They turned to Dr. Schutz ColorRize for use over their existing wood floor (saving time and money). The job was completed in two days and the area did not need to be dismantled. Result is beautiful! See for yourself!
Dr. Schutz has a family of floorcare that works hand in hand with existing or new flooring materials to create durable, slip-resistant surfaces. For more information on Dr. Schutz products, go to www.SchutzNA. or call 1-877-272-4889 Sales x1.
January 13, 2010 on 4:20 pm
SchutzNA aka Dr. Schutz, commercial flooring finishes, has just begun to penetrate the North American Market and the first rumblings indicate success with an innovative group of flooring finishes designed to solve problems in high-traffic areas of commercial, institutional and industrial buildings while maintaining the integrity of the floor. These products, WaxNoMor, SlipNoMor, MarkNoMor Finishes and ColorRize, each serve a unique purpose (the names say a lot) and can be applied to most types of hard surface flooring, new or existing, to reduce maintenance costs and improve performance. Dr. Schutz flooring finishes are used to improve durability of a floor, change appearance, adhere to ADA requirements, reduce maintenance, improve slip resistance or increase longevity. Any or all of these often add up to savings and solutions for building owners and managers. Dr. Schutz products are available on 1877floorguy.com or through a network of authorized commercial Distributors. Manufacturer certified Applicators are the only ones who should apply Dr. Schutz products because they have been professionally trained in the products’ use. These Applicators can be found throughout the US and Canada via the SchutzNA website or by calling 1-877-272-4889. Installations are currently underway in hospitals, schools, correctional facilities, warehouses, retail stores and restaurants throughout the US and Canada. Find more information about these products at www.SchutzNA.com. To get started with a SchutzNA products contact the manufacturer’s Sales Dept. On-the-job assistance is available in most areas. For a 10% discount on your Dr. Schutz order, use FGBLOG coupon code when you order from 1877floorguy.com.
January 13, 2010 on 3:32 pm
Removing mold and bacteria does not have to involve corrosive, caustic chemicals! Vital-Oxide kills bacteria and controls mold while at the same time the formula is gentle, safe in contact with skin and can be used on a variety of surfaces- fabrics, carpets (even wool), polyurethane wood floors, ceramic tile, laminate, sealed concrete, stainless steel, shower stalls, under sinks, in basements and crawl spaces and more–anywhere mold and bacteria is found. Vital-Oxide has even been proven to prevent mold on ceiling tiles for 7 months. Vital-Oxide is a broad spectrum disinfectant cleaner that is EPA registered (USEPA #82972-1), colorless and odorless, contains no harmful by-products for the environment, no ozone harming VOC’s and is 100% biodegradable. No special handling is required because of the safe nature of this product. The reason Vital-Oxide works so well is because it eliminates the source of odors. The uses are limitless because this product is safe for people, pets and the environment. Uses include Hospitals, Schools & Day Care, Restaurants, Hotels, Sports Equipment, HVAC Systems, Building Materials, Drip Irrigation Lines, Kennels, Auto Detail Shops and Households. Use it to clean up after pet urine, outbreak of flu or other illness, to eliminate mold and bacteria from sporting equipment, clean public bathrooms or athletic locker rooms, for general maintenance in a school during winter or spring break, in a hotel to disinfect linens during laundering. To get down to some technical terms, Vital-Oxide is broad-spectrum antimicrobial that has been proven effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Norovirus, Legionella pneumophilia, and E. coli in testing conducted by certified independent laboratories under GLP conditions submitted to the USEPA. This disinfectant and mold remover performs against a wide variety of bacteria, yeasts, viruses, fungi, spores, molds, mildews, and other microbes. It is effective at low concentrations and over a wide pH range by creating a molecular free radical with a chlorine dioxide molecule that has one chlorine atom and two oxygen atoms which create a magnetic like attraction that seeks out electron donors and selectively oxidizes harmful bacteria and mold. Chlorine dioxide (CLO2) and Chlorine both contain the same name however the by-products are vastly different from each other. Chlorine Dioxide, as in Vital-Oxide, is an environmentally sound alternative to chlorine bleach. Though both are oxidizing agents, the way they react with organic compounds is distinctively different. Vital-Oxide is not harmful if it comes into contact with a person’s skin and will not corrode the material to which it is applied. Vital-Oxide is a super-effective, ecologically sound cleaner & odor eliminator, with proven broad-spectrum, anti-microbial action. Take a 10% discount off your purchase of Vital-Oxide from 1877floorguy.com by using coupon code FGBLOG. Vital-Oxide is shelf stable for over one year & Ready To Use—no mixing required. Non-irritating to the skin and not corrosive to treated articles. Always test a small area for colorfastness before full use on fabrics or carpets.
December 15, 2009 on 3:31 pm
Residential Flooring Manufacturers devote many dollars to developing floor care and maintenance products specific to the floor(s) they produce. These products are carefully formulated, for each type of flooring the manufacturer produces to leave the floor residue-free, maintain the integrity of the floor’s surface finish without compromising slip resistance or shine and it needs to be the safest possible for people, pets and the environment. Important? You bet! Using the Manufacturer Recommended floor care & maintenance products on your new floor, in accordance with Manufacturer guidelines, will keep the floor you purchased looking great and it will uphold the Warranty on your floor if you should have a claim. The big question has long been, “Where can I buy the product recommended by the Manufacturer?” The flooring industry has a missing link when it comes to selling floor care & maintenance products. The flooring industry’s distribution chain, that has been in place for as long as I can remember, is from Manufacturer to Distributor to Retailer. This works like a well-oiled machine for flooring materials. Distributors buy in bulk from Manufacturers and the Retailers order from their Distributor to manage the amount of material they need to inventory. Since this works for flooring materials, it should also work for floor care & maintenance products, right? Wrong. More often than not, Retailers don’t carry the care & maintenance products that Manufacturers require to uphold their flooring Warranties. The truth is that they likely did when they first brought on the line of flooring because the Manufacturer probably had a spiffy display that was offered for the Care & Maintenance Products as part of their kick-off package however, when that initial supply was depleted, they never replenished the stock. This happens for several reasons. Flooring Retailers & Distributors have their focus on flooring materials, not care & maintenance products, because flooring material is their primary business and where most of their profits are generated. When they do try to track down the care & maintenance products they find that the Manufacturer is also more focused on the flooring products and they are not always able to obtain the care & maintenance products because their Distributor has trouble procuring them from the Manufacturer. You can see this doesn’t go very far in getting the products to the End Users. You won’t find the Manufacturer Recommended Floor Care Products in Big box stores either because there is not enough in volume sales for them. Each flooring product in the marketplace has approximately 3 floor care product sku’s (each item has a unique sku) associated with it. Multiply this by the hundreds of flooring products out there and the total equals too many different products for a big box store that focuses on high volume and low cost. The result- Customers, who buy new floors, become frustrated and may turn to easily available generic floor care products to maintain their new floor. This often backfires because the generic product may leave a cloudy film, etch the finish, create too much moisture, stain or dull the original shine. Depending on the product- cleaner, polish, stain remover, refresher, etc- the result of the generic product may or may not be reversible. Situations like this often wind up as Claims filed with the Manufacturer because the Customer believes the floor to be defective. They rarely see a Claim settle in their favor if they haven’t followed the Manufacturer’s care & maintenance guidelines. If only they could find the floor care products recommended by the Manufacturer to uphold their warranty… This is where the specialty e-store fills the missing link. 1877Floorguy.com carries over 1000 sku’s, specializing in Manufacturer recommended Floor Care & Maintenance Products. This website has such a large selection of Manufacturers and Products, organized by type of floor and by Manufacturer, that you will likely find the exact item you are looking for along with helpful tips or advise on how to use it. If you don’t find the answer on the website, call 1-877-Floorguy and one of the staff members, each has been doing this for 8+ years, will answer your questions and guide you with expertise. If you don’t see the product you’re looking for, ask! because 1877Floorguy.com is adding new products all the time. Best of all, most products are in stock and ready to ship next business day. To help you get started with the right maintenance products for your floor, use coupon code ”FGBLOG” for a 10% discount. Hopefully more Retailers will recognize that they can guide their Customers to 1877Floorguy.com to buy maintenance & care products for their new floor. This will make their Customers happy and they’ll go back to that Retailer again for new floors. We’ll never compete for the flooring materials business because our specialty is the products to keep floors clean and maintained. It has taken some convincing, within the industry, but Manufacturers are beginning to see the importance of breaking the supply chain mold to better serve the end users.
November 5, 2009 on 3:52 pm
The trend is obvious when you view the manufacturer links in Part I to this blog. Manufacturers are “greening” their manufacturing processes and their business cultures. Each touts the strides they have made towards environmental stewardship using words like “reducing VOCs, sustainable resources, recycling, improving indoor air quality.” These are all great steps towards a better environment that are measured by organizations that award approvals and certifications as a way for consumers to interpret the progress. Let’s continue our look at greener cleaners for different types of floor coverings with hardwood & laminate cleaners as our next stop … As part of the “all natural” Mohawk Floorcare Essentials line, approved by DfE, Mohawk has included a non-toxic Hardwood & Laminate Floor Cleaner made from natural, renewable ingredients. When a product, like this one, is given the DfE Approved label, it indicates that the product, not only, contributes to a lesser impact on both human and environmental health, it also works as well or better than other cleaners in its class. Bona, a company focused on wood floor care, continually strives to launch effective products with lesser impact on the environment. They do this by using recyclable materials in production and by developing non-toxic formulas, minimizing the harmful effects on people and downstream water pollution. Bona, a leader in the industry, offers a waterborne hardwood floor cleaner that is non-toxic, GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified, GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools, fulfills LEED points and meets CHPS and CA 01350 criteria for indoor air quality. The Bona cleaner is safe for the floor, family and environment and is effective in keeping your wood floor clean. In my home I use the Bona Spray Mop and Cleaner Refill Cartridges and my experience with this product has been great. Moving on to Tile & Grout Cleaners… Mohawk Floorcare Essentials has a Tile & Grout Cleaner. This, like the rest of the product line, is DfE Approved, made with natural ingredients and non-toxic. Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System, which we took a look at in Part I for carpet cleaning, has also been used successfully to deep clean grouted tile floors. The Host website has a good illustration of this. A test area is recommended before full use. Typical use is commercial or institutional. Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and LEED Qualified. Several new acronyms and organizations have been introduced in the sections above. Here is what they mean to you… GREENGUARD Environmental Institute focuses on indoor air quality. GREENGUARD is an industry-independent, non-profit organization that establishes standards and testing for indoor products. Their goal is to improve public health by helping manufacturers build safer products that will not pollute the air with harmful levels of dangerous chemicals or particulates. GREENGUARD awards several types of certification. GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified indicates that a product performs well in testing for low chemical emissions. GREENGUARD Certified for Children & Schools maintains an even higher standard for low-emitting interior use products and materials adhering to the performance guidelines in California Code Section 01350 (CA 01350) pertaining to indoor air quality. A product that meets CA 01350 is also LEED qualified and CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) approved. CHPS (Collaborative for High Performance Schools) helps to facilitate high performance learning environments that are not only energy and resource efficient, but also healthy, comfortable, well lit, and containing the amenities for a quality education. CHPS and CA 01350 are considered to be leaders in improving indoor air quality standards. I hope this blog leaves you more informed than you were before and gives you resources to use in determining what products are safest or most environmentally friendly. There is not one clear-cut answer because there are many approvals and certifications by various organizations and government agencies. Consumers need to use their best judgment in deterring which manufacturers or products are really doing something responsible for our environment and which are just blowing a lot of hot air (pardon the non-ecological idiom). There are many good products out there, several are mentioned in this blog and in Part I to this blog. My advice is to read labels, check websites and ask questions to draw conclusions about what is most effective in helping you to meet your “Green” goals.
November 4, 2009 on 4:08 pm
What is a green floor cleaning product? Is it about a manufacturer’s efforts to conserve natural resources and recycle? Does it mean that the floor cleaner will help you to conserve water or energy? What will be its effect on indoor air quality? Is it safe when it comes in contact with your skin? The more I’ve researched the vast topic of “green”, the more certifications and approvals I find. This “bit of information” I planned to share in my blog just kept getting bigger and bigger so I’ve decided to break it down into smaller bites for you. This is Part I. Look for Part II coming soon! Manufacturers of floor cleaning products are changing what they make and how they make it. As products change to meet consumer demand for “green”, industry and government have introduced a range of certifications, approvals and standards. It can be difficult to navigate through the acronyms and organizations that certify and approve products so here is a guide on a few that I’ve come across. I am not endorsing any one certification, merely summarizing the information so you can draw your own conclusions and better understand what each means. Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved, LEED qualified, and DfE Approved are “green” approvals I came across while looking into environmentally friendly carpet cleaning products. The organizations behind these approvals and certifications also evaluate other types of products as you’ll see in my next blog. “Green” takes on different meanings, depending on the type of approval or certification and the goal of the certifying organization. Host Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning System is a full line of carpet cleaning products from spot cleaners to 6lb or 12lb boxes of cleaner used in the Host Dry-Clean Machine. These Host products are Green Seal Certified, EPP Approved and can contribute points for LEED qualification. The inherent nature of this dry carpet cleaning system conserves water because none is needed, conserves energy because water doesn’t need to be heated and fans don’t need to be run for drying the carpet because the carpet never gets wet. Host Dry Carpet Cleaning System reduces the risk of mold and allergans, often associated with wet-carpet cleaning, thereby producing better indoor air quality. Shaw R2x Green Stain & Soil Remover is a carpet spot cleaner that is DfE Approved by the EPA (different approval than Host) and intended for use on stain resistant and wool carpets and water safe fabrics. Shaw, as a manufacturer, has made great strides towards environmental stewardship in their manufacturing process and improving indoor air quality by reducing chemical emissions in the products they make. You can read more about the Shaw Green Edge on their website. Mohawk Floorcare Essentials is a line of “all natural”, non-toxic products including Carpet Stain Remover, Carpet Care Kit and Odor Eliminator. These carpet cleaners, like Shaw R2x, are DfE Approved. Mohawk has a corporate environmental policy that emphasizes reducing, reusing and recycling materials in every aspect of their business. Mohawk continues to look for new ways to responsibly use raw materials and natural resources to reduce the impact on the environment. What does all of this mean to you? Green Seal Certified means that evaluation has been conducted by the non-profit organization, Green Seal, and that the product reduces impact on the environment and on human health based on its use of raw materials, manufacturing process and recycling or disposal methods for the product. Green Seal Certified also indicates that the product works as well as or better than others in its class. EPP Approved (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) tells you the product has a reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose. This comparison applies to raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, use, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal. The primary purpose of EPP Approval, given by the Federal EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), is to help agencies across the federal government comply with green purchasing requirements. The EPA website publishes a list of approved products. My experience has been that the list can be difficult to navigate so you may want to check the manufacturer’s website first if you’re looking for a specific product. LEED qualification is geared primarily towards commercial buildings. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is an internationally recognized green building certification system aimed at improving building performance as it pertains to energy savings, water efficiency, reduction of CO2 emissions, improved indoor environmental quality, and responsible use of resources and sensitivity to their impacts on the environment. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Floor cleaning products that are EPP approved also meet LEED requirements. DfE, Design for the Environment, focuses on a product’s direct effect on people and on the use of sustainable ingredients. DfE is another EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program that works with environmental organizations and industry. DfE’s, “Safer Product Labeling Program” promotes protecting families and the environment. Individual products are evaluated for their impact on both human and environmental health and for their ability to perform as well or better than other products in their class. That’s all for this blog. Stay tuned for Part II –Hardwood & Laminate Cleaners, Tile & Grout Cleaners, GREENGUARD, CHPS, CA01350…
September 29, 2009 on 5:47 pm
Whether your carpets need spot cleaning for a stain or a full cleaning throughout the house, you are likely interested in using a product that is safe for kids or pets and is environmentally friendly. You may wonder how HOST compares to steam carpet cleaning methods. HOST is found to be easier to use, requires no mixing or use of water, leaves carpets dry reducing mold and mold spores, no drying time required before walking on rugs, safe for use on all types of carpet (including wool), carpets stay cleaner longer and look better because the carpet pile doesn’t get matted down. Using HOST in commercial buildings contributes to points earned for maintaining building LEED certification because of it’s environmentally responsible process.
March 18, 2009 on 7:21 pm
RESTORING STRIPPED MARMOLEUM FLOORS Although there is no guarantee that this will work successfully, we have had success restoring Marmoleum that has been mildly stripped. Do not try this on the whole floor at first. Try a small spot in an inconspicuous area to see if this will work and then you can continue doing larger areas if successful. **** Clean with a 50% bleach solution (you can leave it on several minutes) If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call at the telephone number below. Forbo Flooring Systems
March 6, 2009 on 3:02 pm
March 6, 2009 For years Bona Kemi has been the leader in hardwood & hardsurface floor care & maintenance products. Obviously, if you have used the Bona Kemi products you have experienced their superior qualities that make wood floor & hard surface maintenance fast, easy and simple. The family of Bona Kemi products has also offered endless options in sizes, concentration and type of maintenance products.
June 4, 2008 on 4:13 pm
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED IN A NEW POST WITH IMPROVED LINKS FOR RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS & MORE SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS. CLICK THIS LINK TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE UPDATED POST: How to Remove Acrylic Polish Residue from Hardwood & Laminate Floors **********************************************
Directions for removing Acrylic polish and other wax residue like mop & glo and Orange glo from hard surface floors. Oil residue from using the wrong cleaners may require mineral spirits. Always consult the flooring manufacturer for their recommended cleaning methods. Preparation & materials: Directions: 2. Evenly apply the solution in a small section. A 3′ x 5′ area or smaller is recommended. 3. Allow the solution to sit for 30 seconds but no longer than 2 minutes. Then scrub the floor with the Bona Microfiber Mop. A non abrasive scrubbing pad may be used to loosen any excessive build up. A whitish appearance may appear. Remove all residues before moving to the next section. 4. Follow up with a second (clean / new) Microfiber cleaning pad and Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner or Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner, following the label directions. 5. Move to the next section being sure to rinse the Microfiber cleaning pad in the sink with warm water first. 6. Repeat from step one throughout the entire floor. Important Warnings & Advisements: *Always perform a small test in an inconspicuous area for good results before performing work. If any adverse or undesired reactions occur consult with a hardwood floor professional before continuing. *Be advised that complete removal of acrylic polishes may not be possible along board seams or on heavily textured (hand scrapped, natural tile) floors. *A second or even a third application may be necessary to produce best results. *The recommended procedure may not be sufficient to assure adhesion or performance of any additionally applied products including Bona Refresher products. *The recommended procedure is considered best practices and is not a solution for every situation. For extenuating circumstances, please consult with flooring professional before performing any work. *Always contact the polish manufacturer for removal instructions prior to performing any work. *Some polishes contain wax and therefore complete removal of the product may not be possible with any stripping methods. It is recommended to consult a professional to determine stripping and recoating possibilities.
February 12, 2008 on 8:08 pm
Keep Your Investment in Your Floor Call the Floor Guy at 1-877-Floorguy.com (1-877-356-6748) or visit us at www.1877floorguy.com for all your floor protector needs.
February 12, 2008 on 2:43 pm
Benefits of a Microfiber Mop
February 11, 2008 on 10:04 pm
Making Your Linoleum Floor Last
October 26, 2007 on 3:47 pm
Clean Stained Tile or Stone Flooring With Aqua Mix Product If you have a tile or stone floor that has been neglected for years or has been pounded by heavy traffic, unsightly staining has probably occurred. Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Clean is a product that is designed to clean stained tile and stone flooring. In addition to neglect and heavy usage, deep staining to tile and stone flooring may be caused by grease, body oils, mildew, algae, soap residue, and old waxes and finishes. The Aqua Mix product, Tile and Stone Deep Clean, will strip off synthetic and acrylic floor finishes. Many people are attracted to stone or tile flooring because of its natural beauty, it’s durability, and it’s reputation for being low-maintenance. However, stains will eventually mar stone or tile flooring that is not maintained and properly cared for over a period of time. Flooring of this type that is not properly sealed will become more susceptible to staining because it is a porous material. Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Clean will effectively pull stains porous flooring such as ceramic tile, granite, marble, porcelain tile, quarry tile, slate, terra cotta, travertine, and saltillo tile. In addition to natural stone and tile, this Aqua Mix cleaner is effective on grout and concrete tile. Cleaning deeply stained tile or stone flooring will add to the value and the beauty of your home. Having your floors cleaned professionally is an option, but an expensive one. For the homeowner looking for a more affordable way to clean neglected, stained tile or stone flooring, a product such as this one from Aqua Mix offers a do-it-yourself option. When deciding on the amount needed for the job, keep in mind that one gallon is diluted and makes six gallons of cleaning solution. This amount of Aqua Mix Tile and Stone Deep Cleaner will clean or strip a flooring area of 150 to 600 square feet, depending on the severity of the staining. Once the stained flooring is cleaned, the homeowners main goal should be to properly care for the floor such that this type of damage won’t take place in the future. The floor should be thoroughly sealed with a high quality sealer. Regular cleaning of the floor once it is sealed should include dry or damp mopping. Gritty materials should be removed regularly to cut down on wear and tear on the sealant. Vacuuming or damp mopping grit is preferable over sweeping which can damage the seal on your tile and let in moisture which will cause buckling and loose tile that is expensive to repair and/or replace. Aqua Mix is a company that sells a variety of products specifically for the sealing, cleaning, polishing, and overall maintenance of stone and tile flooring. Aqua Mix has been in the business of floor care products for over twenty-five years and has a name you can trust to keep your tile flooring looking gorgeous.
October 26, 2007 on 3:42 pm
Cleaning your Linoleum Floors Tired of looking at your dirty, dingy-looking kitchen floors, but not sure of the proper way to clean linoleum? The first step in preparing to clean linoleum is to find out if indeed your flooring is actually linoleum. Today, several sheet-flooring products are made from vinyl or vinyl blends; but because in the past most sheet-flooring was linoleum. Most people refer to all sheet-flooring as linoleum, however it may not be. Vinyl is made of all synthetic materials while Linoleum is made materials that are natural and these two types of flooring require different types of care. The word itself can be broken down to explain what materials it is made of; the “Lin” in linoleum comes from linseed and the “Oleum” is a Latin word that means oil. Because this product is made largely of linseed oil; it is important to know how to clean linoleum so you don’t ruin the surface. You want to make sure that you are using products that are intended to be used on genuine linoleum floors. There are a large variety of products on the market today that are perfect to use to clean. Linoleum floors should never be cleaned with strong alkaline cleansing products. Using products with a high alkaline content to clean linoleum can actually remove polish from the flooring, damaging the floor beyond repair. In preparing to clean linoleum, you will first want to thoroughly sweep and/or vacuum the floor. After sweeping the floor, you will want to prepare by reading and following the instructions on the product you have chosen to use to clean. Linoleum cleaners will have different instructions and dilution requirements. Use the diluted cleaner over your floor working in small areas and then moving on the next. Last step is to use clean water and go over your floor rinsing off the cleaner. Once your floor is allowed to dry, check it to see if it brightened up from cleaning. Even a clean, linoleum can look dull when it needs it needs to be polished. When polishing the clean linoleum floor, you will want to use a high-quality product made especially for this type of flooring because of the porousness of linoleum. Normally you will using a standard mop to clean linoleum floors, however depending on how deep the groves are in your flooring, you may actually have to use a brush with nylon bristles to remove any dirt from the groves when you clean. Linoleum can be a bit delicate and can scratch easily so you want to be very careful when you are trying to clean linoleum and use gentle pressure and soft bristles – however you also need to be able to get the dirt out of the grooves that might already be etched in your linoleum floor. Knowing the proper way to clean linoleum can help you to preserve the beauty of your linoleum floor for years to come.
October 26, 2007 on 3:32 pm
Why Is The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) So Important? Have you or has anyone that you know ever been involved in some sort of an issue or reaction having to do with chemicals? If so, then you are probably already aware of what a MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheet is. The basis behind the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) is to let everyone who is coming into contact with a certain product what each of the ingredients are. This can come in very handy if you are in need of mixing various chemicals together for any sort of a project. Thinking ahead to the possibility that there may be some sort of severe consequence can end up saving yourself possible trauma in the long run. In order to get an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for a certain product, you can generally find the information that you need either online, with the website of the company that makes it, or usually from giving a quick phone call to the National Poison Control Center. Not only will gathering the information for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) give you a list of all of the basics that make up the product, but it can also help to give you everything that you need to know in the event of a spill or a reaction due to contact with the skin, eyes or if it has been ingested. Any chemical or product that can cause harm when mixed with another product needs to have an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on file in your place of business. It is a requirement that is put in place by OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. If anything is in an area that can come into contact with employees in the workplace, an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) in place will give the necessary information to the first responders and medical staff on site for what needs to be done to treat any injuries. As you are in search of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for a particular product, you may find that it is listed either by the common name that it has or the scientific name. Every bit of information regarding flammability, first aid tips, reactivity, combustibility and volatility and the gravity of the product will be listed on the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The only thing that the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) does not provide is the reproduction process of the product so that you may not be able to duplicate it.
October 26, 2007 on 3:28 pm
Keeping Floors Buffed Is A Breeze With Johnson Wax Professional |
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Have you ever had something stink and no matter how many times you clean it, the smell is never quite gone? My most recent experience was with my son’s backpack. He returned from a Boy Scout camping trip with a “wet dog” smell in his backpack and on the items that were in the backpack.
Diversey’s Taski Vision Matte Floor Finish 
Winter snow and ice bring unique challenges to home & business owners. Among those challenges is maintaining safe, clean floors.
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