Building service contractors (BSCs) work diligently to uphold the appearance and cleanliness of facilities like commercial offices, airports, convention centers, schools, and more. Many of these buildings feature carpeted areas that require a great deal of attention to keep dirt and stains from soiling floors. Thankfully, there are numerous carpet cleaning tools that BSCs can leverage to simplify the carpet care process. For example, Whittaker’s Color Positioning SystemSM (CPS) is a patented carpet appearance management tool. It assesses accumulated dirt in the carpet by taking measurements with a Tristimulus Colorimeter. Read on to learn more about the benefits of CPS and how to apply it in your operation.
Carpet Cleanliness Measurement: How Colorimeter Readings Work
Clean carpet fibers have a numerical reading of zero with a Tristimulus Colorimeter. As they become soiled, the numerical reading from the device increases. Whittaker’s patented CPS validates the need for cleaning before carpet “looks” dirty. This helps BSCs avoid complaints from facility managers and even building visitors.
Many service providers can benefit from conducting readings at the outset of their contracts to note the carpet’s current condition and set a baseline. Readings take just 10 minutes per area, enabling staff to efficiently determine the current soil loads within carpet. If the meter displays an assigned target number that the BSC and facility manager have agreed upon as a key metric, employees will act. This may come in the form of performing vacuuming or encapsulation cleaning, and then determining the post-cleaning reading.
Service providers can easily perform scheduled readings over specified time periods to determine soil levels. They can then demonstrate value by sharing these readings with their clients. For instance, a sharp dip after an initially high reading at the beginning of a contract showcases how a BSC has quickly improved the appearance of carpet compared to the previous cleaning provider. Then, multiple low readings throughout the year highlight that a BSC is expertly upholding the appearance of carpet and is committed to delivering consistent service and satisfaction.
How the CPS Supports Better Carpet Care
Knowledge of carpet’s current level of soiling is extremely useful in designing and following through with an effective carpet cleaning program. Maintaining carpet at the right frequency based on factors like weather and foot traffic patterns can potentially double the lifespan of carpet. Reducing the need for frequent carpet replacement not only reduces costs for facilities, but it also limits disruptions and landfill waste. For BSCs, exceptional carpet care can help secure contract renewals and even recommendations that lead to new business opportunities.
If the Colorimeter showcases consistently low readings, BSCs will have greater confidence in their employees’ dedication to vacuuming and performing routine carpet care tasks, like addressing stains. However, if there is a pattern of higher readings, this may suggest that the carpet care program requires strategic adjustments. For example, perhaps the facility needs additional matting installed to capture moisture and soils near entrances. This will keep shoes from tracking the majority of these contaminants onto carpet. Another possible fix is that the carpet needs to be cleaned more regularly to keep it from appearing unclean.
It is also important for employees to use the Colorimeter thoughtfully. For example, not all carpeted areas of a building will have the same level of soiling on any given day, even if they are cleaned at the same frequency. Carpet near entrances and elevators will have higher soil levels than carpeting in less frequented areas. Securing readings for carpet throughout a facility can provide useful insights on foot traffic and help BSCs determine an appropriate cleaning schedule for the different areas and floors within a building. High traffic areas may require daily cleaning while carpet with lower readings can be addressed once or twice per week to enhance efficiency without sacrificing cleanliness.
Wowing Facility Guests with Carpet Appearance Management Tools
Facility occupants and visitors expect cleanliness when they walk into a building and its various spaces. From main entrances to corridors to meeting rooms, these areas need to always look their best. Flooring is a major feature of every building that can have an impact on public perception. Clean carpet projects a sense of care and professionalism, making it important for BSCs to regularly maintain it.
With the Color Positioning System, service providers have useful metrics at their fingertips that they can leverage to keep carpet cleaner. Additionally, because Colorimeter readings determine with objective, measurable proof whether a carpet program is being executed as promised, they are extremely valuable in discussions with current customers as well as prospects.