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Telephone: 01242 226662
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Invest in Your Business with Flexible Equipment Financing
Flexible Financing Available on All Equipment/Packages Over £500
We understand that not everyone has the immediate cash available to purchase new equipment outright, and for those starting a new business, setup costs can quickly add up. That’s why we’ve partnered with independent finance experts, The Oxford Funding Company Ltd, to offer you a simple and convenient way to spread the cost of your equipment through finance or leasing.
Leasing is a popular option for businesses, and here's why:
Key Benefits to You:
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Get the equipment you need now and spread the cost over 2-5 years.
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Tax benefits: You can claim back 100% of your lease payments.
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Quick and easy setup: Finance is fast to arrange.
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Fixed interest rates: So you can plan your budget with certainty.
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Ownership: The equipment is yours at the end of the term after a small final payment.
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No cost to you: The broker’s services are free, and they’ll shop around to find you the best available rates.
Interested?
For more details, simply reach out to us (sales@restormate.co.uk or 01670 590099) or contact The Oxford Funding Company Ltd (OFC) directly. OFC is a trusted name in the industry, with a 5-star Google rating and a reputation for providing straightforward, reliable service. They’re an independent broker, meaning they’ll work with multiple lenders to secure the best deal for you.
You can contact them at:
Telephone: 01242 226662
Email: mail@thefundingco.co.uk
Website: www.thefundingco.co.uk
The process is quick, hassle-free, and there’s absolutely no obligation to proceed if it’s not the right option for you.
More about:
finance, finance equipment, finance options, oxford funding company
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Essentials to have on Van
When it comes to providing the best carpet cleaning service, the right equipment can make all the difference.
Whether you're working in residential homes or high-traffic commercial spaces, here are the essential items every carpet cleaner should have on their van:
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Tacky Tabs
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Measuring Beakers
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Furniture Blocks
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Commercial Grade Upright Vacuum Cleaner
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Pump Up Sprayer 5L
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Pump Up Sprayer 1.5L
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Pile Brush
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Terry Towels
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Scraper/Spotting Spatula
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Spotting Brush
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Waterproof Sheet/Laminated Dust Sheet (for under machine, chemicals etc)
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Safety Sign (essential when working in commercial premises)
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Suitable PPE - Gloves, Goggles, Face Mask etc
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Spotting Kit
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Hair Dryer
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Iron
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Pipettes
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Syringes
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Coat Hanger (to keep floor length curtains off damp floor)
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Spare Parts (Quick Connects & Vacuum Motor)
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Simple Tool Kit (including correct size Spanners to work on machine and quick connects)
A well-equipped van is a vital part of a carpet cleaner’s success. By having these essential items, you ensure not only a great cleaning result but also a safer, more efficient working environment.
By carrying a few spare essential parts, like the Quick Connects and Vacuum Motor, should these fail in the middle of a job you won’t be wasting precious time travelling to get these changed.
With the right equipment, you’ll be prepared for any job. Whether it's a stubborn stain or a busy commercial space. It is worth investing in these essential items and elevate your carpet cleaning business to the next level.
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Understanding PPE: Why It’s Essential for Safety and Protection
What is PPE and why is it important?
PPE is any protective gear which will help protect you from physical, chemical, biological and environmental hazards. This includes gloves, masks, goggles, respirators, safety footwear and full-body coveralls, etc.
Why is PPE important?
PPE serves as a barrier against contaminants, reducing the risk of injury or illness.
Many safety standards require the use of PPE on job sites to protect workers.
Wearing things like shoe covers or having a separate set of indoor shoes prevents you from contaminating your customers floor coverings by bringing in dirt and/or bacteria from outside. This helps show your customer that you care about their property.
Types of PPE for different jobs
Carpet Cleaners:
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Gloves to protect hands from cleaning chemicals, dirt and allergens.
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Face Masks/Respirators to prevent inhalation of dust and cleaning chemical fumes.
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Safety Footwear such as non-slip, protective footwear, to prevent accidents while walking on wet or slippery surfaces. These could be overshoes or a separate pair of shoes for indoor use only.
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Knee Pads are useful for comfort and safety when working on floors/stairs or indeed when kneeling to work on upholstery.
Fire and Flood Restoration:
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Respirators to protect against inhaling smoke, mold spores and chemicals.
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Gloves and Protective Clothing to avoid exposure to hazardous materials, sharp objects and waterborne pathogens.
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Safety Boots such as water-resistant, puncture-proof footwear, to avoid injury from broken glass or nails.
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Eye Protection like safety goggles or face shields to protect from debris, smoke or chemicals.
Trauma Clean-Up:
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Full-body Coveralls (Hazmat Suits 4/56 Protection) to protect against bloodborne pathogens and other biohazards.
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Gloves: Medical-grade gloves to prevent direct contact with bodily fluids.
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Respirators or FFP3 Disposable Masks: To block harmful pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria.
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Overshoes and Eye Protection: To avoid exposure to hazardous materials or bodily fluids.
How to properly use PPE
Using PPE correctly is just as important as wearing it. Firstly, you must ensure you are selecting the correct PPE. For example, a Standard Coverall will protect you against liquid and dust particles but won’t offer protection against blood. You must wear PPE consistently and don’t just skip wearing it as a job/task seems low risk. You must ensure your PPE fits correctly as, if it doesn’t, it may not provide the necessary protection. Ensure your PPE is in good condition with no holes or defects before wearing. Lastly, you must dispose of your PPE correctly. Biohazard suits, gloves and masks should be discarded in designated containers, while reusable items like respirators need to be cleaned and disinfected. We recommend that you keep the respirator in an airtight container.
When to use PPE
Some form of PPE should be worn on all jobs. Examples are:
- Overshoes when inside a customer’s property.
- Gloves when handling chemicals.
- Coveralls when dealing with a fire or flood.
- A mask/respirator when dealing with trauma clean up.
The Consequences of not using PPE
Neglecting to wear PPE can result in serious consequences, such as:
- Increased risk of injury or illness: Exposure to harmful substances or hazardous environments can lead to long-term health problems or immediate injuries.
- Legal repercussions: Failure to comply with workplace safety regulations can lead to fines, lawsuits or loss of business.
- Damage to reputation: Clients expect professionals to prioritize safety. Failing to use proper PPE can result in lost trust and damaged business relationships.
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Winter Precautions - Protecting Equipment & Chemicals
Now that we’re in winter, it is the time to be thinking about how to protect your equipment and chemicals from freezing temperatures.
Any equipment containing water can freeze, which can result in serious damage, especially to machine pumps and valves on handtools and wands.
Best option, if it’s at all possible, is to place a heater in the van. An oil filled radiator is recommended as opposed to a fan heater. Any heaters with moving parts can fail and catch fire.
If you are unable to run electricity to your van, then a van mounted diesel heater is a good option. Failing this, all equipment should be removed from the van and stored in a warm place. Even an unheated garage or shed may not be adequate to prevent damage.
Just covering machines in a quilt or blanket won’t actually add heat.
Machines, wands, handtools and hoses are all at risk.
As well as equipment, your chemicals can also be in danger of being damaged by cold temperatures, not necessarily freezing.
Most at risk are those containing Polymers such as Protectors, Sealers and Encapsulation products. However, freezing is not good for any liquid product, as ingredients could separate out. Even those powders which are slightly moist can be damaged.
If you have to store chemicals in an unheated garage or shed, at least take some simple steps to try and prevent damage.
Don’t store them on a cold surface, use some insulating material to stand them on to minimize heat loss to the ground. Or, even better, use insulated box or container.
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The Hidden Enemy also occurs during Winter months!
Every Spring we post our advice about raised humidity and problems with carpets not drying and consequently starting to smell. Well this problem can also manifest itself over the Winter months as well!
This is especially so in unheated rental properties where you carry out cleaning and the door is shut behind you. No heat and no ventilation to help dry out the carpets.
The same protocol applies. Never re-clean as that is just heaping more moisture onto the problem.
Best solution would be to spray with Envirosafe then install a small Dehumidifier and a fan, that’s if there is electricity!
Alternatively a low moisture encapsulation clean may be more appropriate.
More about:
Humidity, drying carpets, smelly carpets, winter
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The Hidden Enemy: How Humidity during the Summer months can affect carpet cleaning.
Yes, it's that time of year again folks.
After what seems like months of constant rain, it looks as though our summer is finally here. And with summer comes warmth and higher humidity!
We are at that time of year when we start getting lots of phone calls from customers saying they’ve cleaned a carpet and their customer has contacted them a few days later saying the carpet is smelling.
What causes this is the high humidity in the air, which prevents the carpet drying quickly, as humid air can’t absorb any more moisture. After a few hours, tiny Mould and Mildew Spores deep in the carpet pile start to germinate and grow. As they grow, they off-gas a musty smell.
Some cleaners are still making the mistake of going back and re-cleaning the carpet. This is the worst thing you can possibly do as you are just adding more moisture and will make matters even worse.
These Moulds and Mildews require moisture to thrive so will go on giving off an odour until the carpet is completely dry, which in the humid months, June – September, can take up to a week, sometimes even longer.
Berbers and Saxony (long pile) type carpets are the most susceptible to these problems.
How can you avoid it?
You can use Dri Pods or Air Movers to dry the carpet at least some of the way before leaving the property or leave a Dri Pod in situ and pick it up later.
Sometimes rinsing with a suitable product with anti-fungal properties, such as
- Envirosafe (https://www.restormate.co.uk/envirosafe)
- or Craftex Micro Kill (https://www.restormate.co.uk/micro-kill) can help to mitigate this problem.
ORDINARY DEODOURISERS/MASKING AGENTS AND ANTI BACTERIAL DEODOURISERS WILL NOT WORK.
If you want to use deodourisers during the cleaning process then we would recommend using
- Alltec's Odour Clear range (such as Odour Clear Fresh Linen - https://www.restormate.co.uk/fresh-linen)
- or Restore Odour Neutraliser (https://www.restormate.co.uk/odour-neutraliser)
- or Restore Ocean Fresh Odour Eliminator (https://www.restormate.co.uk/ocean-fresh-odour-eliminator) which are also anti-fungal.
To remedy an existing problem, install dryers and spray carpet with Envirosafe or Micro Kill and brush well in and simply leave.
Please note this is a different scenario to when the carpet has actually been over-wetted. In this situation the backing, underlay and sub floor can all become wet leading to serious issues. In these instances, all the various layers need to be treated and dried out and, in extreme cases, the underlay may need replacing.
More about:
Humidity, carpet, cleaners, moulds and mildews, summer
