Cleaning Machine: Steam is Hot - How to Heat Up Profits
What disinfects, cleans and deodorizes using only water, has proven its safety and efficacy in a range of facilities, and is a green, nontoxic, easy-to-use and versatile product that you can offer your customers? A steam vapor sanitation system.
When used as directed and with the proper equipment, a steam vapor system kills bacteria (including MRSA, VRE, C. diff spores — certain models show 5 seconds to complete disinfection), viruses (including swine flu) and mold in seconds rather than minutes, emulsifies grease and oil, and removes embedded contaminants.
Concentrated steam vapor permeates the surface and penetrates completely into low spots, crevices and micro-pores, enabling in-depth cleaning of walls, floors, carpet, hardwood, marble, granite, stainless steel, fiberglass, chrome, glass, countertops and more; leaving surfaces cleaner, dryer, and, in the case of floors, more slip resistant than many other methods - and often in less time.
Steam vapor systems are increasingly used in hospitals, retirement care facilities, schools and universities, industrial plants, the foodservice and hospitality industry, and in any situation that demands a sanitized environment with little or no chemical usage or downtime.
Benefits
• Very little scrubbing; the steam quickly dissolves both surface and embedded soil.
• Deep cleaning; steam vapor penetrates into areas and pores most chemicals cannot.
• Removes biofilms; steam vapor destroys disinfectant-resistant biofilms (colonies of germs present on many kitchen, restroom and other surfaces that produce a protective film to shield themselves from harm.)
• Minimal water usage (about 1.5 quarts per hour); less to clean up or to create hazards.
• Chemical-related injury and exposure are greatly reduced along with the need for MSDS management.
• Kills mold embedded in porous hard surfaces while removing the soils that feed the mold.
• Saves up to 30% on labor costs.
• Saves 80% on cleaning chemicals.
• Saves 90% on disinfectant costs.
According to Virginia Wilkinson, a housekeeping director at the Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort in Canyonville, OR:
“In a…three week trial, a dry steam cleaner was used to reclaim over twenty rooms from smoking to non-smoking. The process of using a steam wand to clean guestrooms had not been used before at this property and the results were remarkable. Tub surfaces responded beautifully, drapes were cleaned and deodorized while still hanging, mirrors shined with one pass with no streaking residue. Because there seemed to be so many advantages - economy (no chemicals required for most applications), efficiency, speed, environmental sensitivity, and personnel safety — the dry steam method was adopted permanently for the housekeeping department.”
Selling Tips
According to steam vapor consultant, Randy Zielsdorf, “the successful distributor needs to make a commitment to the product, be trained by an experienced user, and then use it personally. Knowing how to utilize the system often leads to a proper demonstration that effectively highlights the capabilities of the system and frequently results in a sale.
“More than that,” he continues, “it takes a thorough understanding of why a vapor system is a better choice than some traditional methods of cleaning, knowing how and why a steam vapor system works, and being acquainted with studies supporting its effectiveness."
“The distributor must be willing and able to travel to the customer's facility and do an onsite demo on a variety of surfaces under various conditions," says Rick Hoverson of Advanced Vapor Technologies. "Even more importantly, there must be a commitment to provide in-service training to the customer that purchases a unit. That is where greater value is established; a prospect will rarely see an adequate demonstration or get the needed training in a sales showroom. On-site training often takes a little more effort and time, but leads to greater customer satisfaction - and ultimately more sales.”
With all the benefits and possibilities of steam vapor, isn’t it time you learned more about and shared the advantages of this technology with your customers?
By Alan Bigger, director of facilities at Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., past president of APPA (Leadership in Educational Facilities), and a Registered Executive Housekeeper (REH) with the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA).
