September 14, 2005—An x-ray analyzer gun used on Space Shuttle Discovery is now being aimed at more earthly matters—measuring how much soil is removed from household and commercial carpet, says the Carpet and Rug Institute.
CRI is now using x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology to measure precise amounts of soil removed from carpet samples. Using this technology, the Institute has announced the first companies to win certification for carpet cleaning extractors under its new Seal of Approval program.
Winning the gold Seal of Approval, signifying the highest amount of soil removal are truck mount extractors from: Sears Carpet & Upholstery Care, Lewis Center, Ohio; Mohawk FloorCare Essentials, Fayetteville, Ga.; Prochem, Englewood, Colo.; ZeroRez, Lindon, Utah; and CleanMaster, Mulkilteo, Wa.
Nine portable extractors from US Products, Coeur dAlene, Idaho, received the bronze Seal of Approval, indicating they meet above average soil removal standards. Rug Doctor, Plano, Texas, was awarded a bronze rating for its self-contained extractor.
A CRI technical committee sets the standards and products are tested at an independent laboratory. For more information, see the CRI Web site.
