Cleaning for health

[RGH269]

I have been asked to participate in a health fair event and could use a little help from you guy's.

This will be hearing specialist, chiropractors, medical equipment suppliers and a few others. The lady that owns the place where I got my hearing aids asked me to participate, after asking me how carpet cleaning affected your health. When I rolled of several things of the top of my head she said she had no idea it was that technically involved. Anyway I have looked through my info I have in my office and looked at what's available through IICRC and CRI am looking for suggestions in case I have left something out.

Thanks!

 

[J Scott W]

There have been studies done by the EPA first in Denver and later in Raleigh / Durham area demonstrating the value of HWE cleaning.

A study in Europe showed the value of carpet to reduce allergies. Some allergist still tell people to remove carpet.

 

[The Great Oz]

You probably have all the background info you need.

If you're looking for suggestions for your presentation, keep it simple and short.

To disarm a heckler that wants to argue with you, agree that there have been scary news stories about carpet/carpet cleaning/stain protectants/whatever they've chosen to argue about. Let the group know that, unfortunately, those scary stories are mostly generated by people that have a profitable reason to spread a scary story, and the truth doesn't get the same media attention. Give them a way to save face by letting them know that even allergists will often pass along some wildly inaccurate information.

Have a hand out that hits your high points.

 

[Connor]

Jeff Bishop gave an example in one of his classes where they tested a buildings increase of absentee and illness occurrences that coincided with the removal of the carpeting.

 

[rhino1]

Don't forget that cleaning carpets extends the life of the carpet and keeps them out of the landfill. I used to have statistics that said how many tons of carpeting was thrown away every year, it was staggering. Most people who are interested in their health are also into recycling, low carbon living, etc. so it would probably be a good point to make.

Those considering hardwood floors would be surprised to learn how much oil and energy is consumed producing those "environmentally friendly" types of flooring.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Bobby;

The carpet is the "Filter" that traps the allergens and dust from the airflow.

Cleaning the carpet removes the allergens and dust from the home environment.

That is the "health benefit" that you want to point out.

This is the book by Mich. Berry (former EPA head):

http://www3.cobbcarpet.com/zen3/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=2435

Larry

 

[Ron Werner]

Here's the info I've posted on my website. http://gethappy.ca/allergies.html
My goal is to explain the benefits of carpet more than talk about all the jink it holds.

 

[machinejjh]

Make known the benefits of cleaning as it relates to indoor air quality.

 

[NobleCarpetCleaners]

I hope you do better then I did on this. I set up a booth at a health fair last year where hundreds of retired and soon to be retired state workers gather.

Had my HEPA rated Proteam vacuum cleaner, a bunch of visual aids that explain microns and dust. I talked about carpet from many different angles and some studies that have been done. It was 4 hours of talk talk talk talk talk and more talk. Gave out a huge stack of business cards, lots of post hits on my web site. Not one job.

If I do it again this year I will perform my real estate agency skit where I empty the contents of two vacuum bags into a seal-a-meal bag in my shop and display the bag (the usual load after vacuuming a 2,500 sq two story) telling them this is what the average cleaner leaves behind even before the HWE. A few before and after pictures, and offer to show pictures of waste water (just for the effect, I really don't end up showing them because they are discusting).

I get more business from the above skit then any other public speaking thing. I held back from this form of salesmanship at the health fair because I thought my knowledge of cleaning science and experience would be enough to move them to purchase. I should have offered a sign up sheet for a bull sh.. cleaning for health newsletter just to get a marketing list.

If all you want is to exbound on dust and dirt then for sure you will have tons of nerdy home owners who want to talk about mites and filth. If you want cleaning CUSTOMERS my advise is mix the bull sh.. of cleaning with a healthy portion of marketing.

 

[Ron Werner]

I'll have to try that. All I'll need is the soil from the average house.

 

[Green&Clean]

I am new at this game so I know little about the operating side. But this helps me provide a little bit of advice from the consumer side of things: No one is going to convince the consumer to clean their carpet when not needed. All you can do is be available and within reach when they need you.

 

[boazcan]

If I do it again this year I will perform my real estate agency skit where I empty the contents of two vacuum bags into a seal-a-meal bag in my shop and display the bag (the usual load after vacuuming a 2,500 sq two story) telling them this is what the average cleaner leaves behind even before the HWE. A few before and after pictures, and offer to show pictures of waste water (just for the effect, I really don't end up showing them because they are discusting).

x2

Did that a few years ago. Get 2 two jars for waste water. Let them hold one, let the other settle. It is cool to see all the junk that settles to the bottom. Gets lots of ewhhhs and awhhhs. I always wanted to weigh equal amounts of regular water and waste water to see the difference. Then you could figure the difference based on your actual water usage and tell them how much dirt/sheot you are taking out. They can see it and figure it out themselves.

p.s. Got two jobs out of it - didn't do it again.