provided by: 
In the last few years, the Jan/San industry has undergone a real transformation in the way distributors work with their clients. At one time, many Jan/San distributors would call on their current and new clients and introduce them to a cleaning product or piece of equipment, describing its features and benefits and why it would work well in their facility. However today, many distributors are wearing an entirely new hat, according to James Hlavin, head of business development at Tornado Industries.
"They still show their clients new cleaning tools and products, but more and more, they are becoming cleaning consultants," Hlavin says. Much of this is due to the growing interest in, and conversion to, Green Cleaning. "Their customers are turning to them to guide, even spearhead, a facility's transfer from conventional to environmentally-preferable cleaning systems."
When it comes to floor care, this is especially evident. Many end customers, and indeed some distributors, are surprised to find out just how much of a negative impact floor cleaning, polishing and maintenance can have on the environment — especially waterways when wastewater is poured down drains. This is because some of the chemicals used in floor care are among the most powerful and potentially harmful in the industry, often containing zinc, heavy metals, carcinogens or reproductive toxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and many other potent ingredients.
Although these cleaning chemicals have performed admirably for years and benefited distributors well, new technologies have produced a number of environmentally-preferable floor care chemicals that have less impact on health and the environment. But, cleaning chemicals are just one component in a green floor care system. Using environmentally-preferable products and equipment and establishing a green floor care plan are also part of the system.
Green floor care products
Some of the other components in a green floor care system include the use of microfiber mop heads, vapor steam cleaners and environmentally-protective floor care equipment. Although some recent studies question how effective microfiber is at reducing bacteria and preventing cross-contamination, it is well-known that microfiber is very absorbent and usually requires less water and chemical than conventional string mops. Floor care is often water intensive, so using less chemical — whether green or not — is an important component of any Green Cleaning program.
Vapor steam cleaners have increasingly more uses and cleaning possibilities because of Green Cleaning. Since they use no chemicals at all, vapor steam cleaners are one of the most environmentally-preferable types of cleaning equipment. Medical facilities often will use vapor steam cleaners to clean floors because they help kill germs and bacteria, leave the floor essentially dry after cleaning and penetrate deep into tile, grout and porous floors with little or no scrubbing.
While these are all significant components in floor care, Hlavin stresses that floor machines — scrubbers, buffers and burnishers — are the most important tools in floor care and that they have become greener in recent years. "Studies show that cylindrical floor machines, which have counter-rotating brushes on each side of the unit, rotating at one thousand to fifteen-hundred RPMs and at three and a half PSI (pounds per square inch), use less water and chemical than conventional buffers and scrubbers," says Hlavin. "In addition, the brushes on these machines can be used over and over again, reducing waste."
Burnishers in a green floor care program differ and have passive vacuum systems to protect Indoor Air Quality. Operated by the machine's motor and not a separate unit, burnishers vacuum the dust and contaminants generated in floor work into the machine and trap them with high-filtration filters. Some of these machines have been evaluated and meet the stringent Indoor Air Quality requirements found in schools and healthcare facilities.
Selecting environmentally-preferable cleaning products and equipment is an integral part of any Green Cleaning system. However, without a green floor care plan in place, the system will not work efficiently. According to Hlavin, Jan/San distributors take on a consulting role with their clients and should be well-versed on green floor care systems, including the hows and whys of a green floor care plan.
The distributor's role
When Arthur Miller wrote the play Death of a Salesman in 1949, his main character, Willy Loman, was a traveling salesman trying to hawk his goods whenever and wherever possible. Hlavin relates Loman to Jan/San distributors. He says, "although certainly not as sad or pitiful, many Jan/San distributors of the era also viewed themselves primarily as salespeople, looking for new customers whenever and wherever they could find them."
Although the world of sales has changed dramatically over the years, Jan/San distributors' role and the importance of their work have raised respect and standing with their customers. Hlavin adds that Green Cleaning and concerns about cleaning's impact on health and the environment have elevated Jan/San distributors' stature even more.
"Green Cleaning has made us guides, leading our customers through the intricacies and necessities of a Green Cleaning program," says Hlavin. "While this is true with all facets of Green Cleaning, it is possibly most relevant in floor care because in most facilities, a green floor care program serves as a foundation for the entire Green Cleaning system."
Dawn Shoemaker is a communications professional working specifically with the cleaning and building industries. She may be reached at 773-525-3021.
author: BY DAWN SHOEMAKER