The Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval program for carpet cleaning equipment and supplies has seen significant activity in recent weeks, with the addition of 18 new solutions and two new deep-cleaning systems. The current total of SOA-approved products stands at 355 solutions, 84 extractors, 96 systems and 333 vacuums, or 868 in all.

Solutions
In the Solutions category, the new SOA products come from the following companies:

Interline Brands of Jacksonville, Florida earned SOA certification for its Renown Dry Encapsulation Carpet Cleaner, Renown Multi-Enzyme Spotter & Deodorizer Cherry Almond Fragrance, Renown Multi-Enzyme Spotter & Deodorizer Clean & Fresh Fragrance and Renown Carpet Rinse & Neutralizer.

A newcomer to the SOA Solutions program, Corr Distributors, Inc., of Tonawanda, New York, adds four new products to the SOA rolls: CORR Prespray & Extraction Cleaner, CORR Rinse and Neutralizer, CORR Encapsulating Carpet Cleaner and CORR Triple Action pet stain and odor remover

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, RemovIT Products earned SOA approval for its GRE encap - Green Encapsulant Cleaner. This is the company's fifth SOA-approved product.

Another newcomer to SOA, Clearfield Wholesale Paper Company, Inc. of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, adds four new products at this time: Proven Systems Encapsulating Carpet Cleaner, Proven System Triple Play Multi Enzyme Spotter, Proven System Carpet Extraction Cleaner and Proven System Carpet Rinse and Neutralizer.

A manufacturer based in Long Beach, California, Organic Cleaning Compounds earned SOA approval for four Fox-brand products: Fox Launching Fuel pre-spray, Fox Fuel in-tank, Fox Launching Fuel Liquid pre-spray and Power Plus Powder pre-spray products. These are the first products from this new SOA-approved manufacturer.

Bissell Homecare, Inc, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, adds its Bissell Carpet Cleaning Powder spot remover to the SOA program. CRI welcomes Bissell to SOA Solutions.

Each of these products has passed a series of stringent tests performed by an independent laboratory in order to make the list of cleaning solutions. The tests for spot removers, pre-sprays and in-tank solutions include protocols for efficacy (removing stains), resoiling (whether the product attracts soil at an accelerated rate), pH (excessively acid or alkaline products can affect dyes and fibers), optical brighteners (can adversely affect color, appearance and performance) and colorfastness to light (residues on pile yarn can accelerate color change).

Systems
Four new systems add further depth to the SOA line-up.

Rug Doctor, from Fenton, Missouri, adds its Mighty Pro® with Rug Doctor Oxy-Steam® 2X and Mighty Pack® with Rug Doctor Oxy-Steam® 2X to the program at the Platinum level.

Welcome to Complete Floor Solutions of Cincinnati, Ohio, which adds its Cintas Carpet Cleaning Systems and Complete Floor Solutions Cleaning Systems to the SOA Systems program at the Platinum Level.

In the Seal of Approval program, the deep cleaning system is the combination of a machine and a particular cleaning solution, following a set procedure. The cleaning solution is tested under the protocol for the solutions testing and then a set procedure is designated and followed. The product is then tested, like the extractors, for soil removal, water retention and texture retention.

Congratulations to all the new SOA participants!

For a complete list of SOA-approved products visit http://www.carpet-rug.org/commercial-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/index.cfm



For more information, contact Pat Jennings at pjennings@carpet-rug.org or 706.428.2123