Commercial Customers

Seal of Approval Testing Criteria

Cleaning Solutions - Spot Remover Testing Criteria

  1. Removal Efficacy
    2.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of spot and stain removal products is achieved by means of rating removal of specific staining agents when cleaned with the cleaning product. A parallel comparison using plain water for removal is used.

  • The cumulative total removal efficacy must be 10% better than water
  1. Resoiling
    2.

The propensity of cleaning product(s) residue to attract soil at an accelerated rate is measured by first applying the product to a section of the control material then using ASTM D-6540 Accelerated Soiling of Pile Yarn Floor Covering, to soil both the product treated and non-treated area of the control sample. The differential soil level between the product treated and control area of the sample indicates the level of accelerated soiling contributed by the cleaning product.

  • A maximum of a 1/2 step color change allowed based on AATCC Gray Scale.
  1. pH
    2.

Products which are extremely acidic or alkaline have been known to adversely affect dyes, treatments and fibers. Products with a more neutral pH are generally considered safer to use when cleaning carpets or rugs. The formula is tested by a standard pH meter following the manufacturers' recommended dilution.

  • pH between 4 and 10
  1. Optical Brighteners
    2.

The presence of optical brighteners in carpet cleaning products has been known to adversely affect long term appearance.

  • No optical brighteners
  1. Colorfastness to Light
    2.

Cleaning product residues present on pile yarn floor coverings have been known to adversely affect dyes and accelerate color change. The level to which a product residue contributes to color change is determined by exposing a product treated standard test carpet with an untreated control sample to accelerated light in accordance with AATCC Test Method 16. Accelerated color change in treated test carpet is considered unacceptable.

  • No color change

View the Seal of Approval Cleaning Solutions Test Program Protocols

Cleaning Solutions - Pre-Spray & In-Tank Testing Criteria

  1. Soil Removal Efficacy
    2.

Uniformly soiled control carpets are cleaned using specific extraction equipment and procedures then rated visually and instrumentally to determine the degree to which the cleaning product was able to restore the control carpet to its original appearance. Water only cleaning is used for comparison.

  • Minimum of a 1/2 step better than water only cleaning according to the AATCC Gray Scale.
  1. Resoiling
    2.

The propensity of cleaning product(s) residue to attract soil at an accelerated rate is measured by first applying the product to control material then using ASTM D6540 Accelerated Soiling of Pile Yarn Floor Covering, to soil both the product treated and non-treated control samples. The differential soil level between the product treated and control samples indicates the level of accelerated soiling contributed by the cleaning product.

  • Equal to or better than water according to the AATCC Gray Scale.
  1. pH
    2.

Products which are extremely acidic or alkaline have been known to adversely affect dyes, treatments and fibers. Products with a more neutral pH are generally considered safer to use when cleaning carpets or rugs. The formula is tested by a standard pH meter following the manufacturers' recommended dilution.

  • pH between 4 and 10
  1. Optical Brighteners
    2.

The presence of optical brighteners in carpet cleaning products has been known to adversely affect the fiber color, appearance and long term performance. The cleaning agent is evaluated for optical brightener content using fluorescence.

  • No optical brighteners
  1. Colorfastness to Light
    2.

Cleaning product residues present on pile yarn floor coverings have been known to adversely affect dyes and accelerate color change. The level to which a product residue contributes to color change is determined by exposing treated standard test carpet with a comparison untreated control sample to accelerated light in accordance with AATCC Test Method 16E.

  • No color change

View the Seal of Approval Cleaning Solutions Test Program Protocols

Cleaning Solutions - Carpet Pet Stain and Odor Remover Cleaning Products Testing Criteria

  1. Removal Efficacy
    2.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of spot and stain removal products is achieved by means of rating removal of specific staining agents when cleaned with the cleaning product. A parallel comparison using plain water for removal is used.

  • The stain removal efficacy must be equal to or better than water only cleaning.
  • The odor removal efficacy must be rated a minimum of 3 points higher than water only cleaning.
  1. Resoiling
    2.

The propensity of cleaning product(s) residue to attract soil at an accelerated rate is measured by first applying the product to a section of the control material then using ASTM D-6540 Accelerated Soiling of Pile Yarn Floor Covering, to soil both the product treated and non-treated area of the control sample. The differential soil level between the product treated and control area of the sample indicates the level of accelerated soiling contributed by the cleaning product.

  • A maximum of a 1/2 step change allowed based on AATCC Gray Scale.
  1. pH
    2.

Products which are extremely acidic or alkaline have been known to adversely affect dyes, treatments and fibers. Products with a more neutral pH are generally considered safer to use when cleaning carpets or rugs. The formula is tested by a standard pH meter following the manufacturers’ recommended dilution.

  • pH between 4 and 10
  1. Optical Brighteners
    2.

The presence of optical brighteners in carpet cleaning products has been known to adversely affect long term appearance.

  • No optical brighteners
  1. Colorfastness to Light
    2.

The level to which a cleaning product residue contributes to color change is determined by exposing a product treated standard test carpet with an untreated control sample to accelerated light in accordance with AATCC Test Method 16. Visible color change in the treated test carpet is considered unacceptable.

View the Seal of Approval Cleaning Solutions Test Program Protocols

Deep Cleaning Extractors Testing Criteria

To qualify for Seal of Approval, extractors must meet testing requirements for three important elements of performance. Each of these tests is explained in the brief overviews below:

  1. Standard Test Practice to Evaluate Cleaning Effectiveness of Carpet Cleaning Equipment Using X-Ray Fluorescence
    2.

X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is used to detect elements of each compound used to soil a control carpet, then to determine their concentrations after a cleaning process. XRF is a technique that detects elements by ionizing the constituent atoms and recording the characteristic energy signatures given off by the elements as they seek to regain greater stability.

Five compounds containing suitable elements for XRF detection were chosen with consideration given to particle size (Fe3O4 at < 1 micron to ZnO at < 74 microns), hardness, solubility, and surface characteristics.

Each compound is first applied to nylon pellets at 6 grams of compound per 1000 grams of pellets (3g/1000 for strontium carbonate). Fifty grams of each of the five compound coated pellets are used to soil a 400 square-inch carpet following procedures found in ASTM-D 6540. Each soiled carpet is vacuumed with a straight suction air tool before it is scanned using XRF to verify the starting concentration of each compound. All XRF scans are with the carpet on a conveyor such that in the 3-minute scan approximately 120 square inches of the 400 square inch carpet are analyzed. The soiled test carpet is then cleaned with the extraction equipment submitted for evaluation. Two wet and two dry passes at 1.0 foot / second are applied unless otherwise specified. Three samples per test are used and the average result for amount removed is reported.

  • Soil Removal Standard - Percent of soil removed after water only cleaning operation.
    • 55 - 69% to obtain SOA Bronze Certification
    • 70 - 79% to obtain SOA Silver Certification
    • 80 - 89% to obtain SOA Gold Certification
    • 90 - 100% to obtain SOA Platinum Certification
  1. Standard Test Practice for Determining Residual Moisture as a result of Water Extraction
    2.

This test practice is intended to determine the moisture left in a specific carpet as a result of simulated cleaning with a standard hot water extraction machine. The resultant difference in weight is measured and reported as ounces of residual moisture per square yard.

  • Residual Moisture in carpet immediately after cleaning operation.
    • ≤ 271 g/m2 (8 oz/yd2)
  1. Standard Test Practice for Determining Surface Appearance Change as a result of Wet Extraction
    2.

This test practice provides a laboratory test for the measurement of surface appearance change of textile floor covering as a direct result of multiple cleaning passes in a controlled environment.

This test practice is applicable to all residential/commercial cleaning systems. Six cleaning cycles are applied to residential cut pile carpet for residential specific systems. Eleven cleaning cycles are applied to commercial cut pile carpet for commercial specific systems. Texture appearance change is visually rated.

  • Appearance Retention:
    • No more change in the deterioration of the carpet pile surface than Standard CRI Photographic Reference Scale.

View the Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Extractors Test Program Protocol

Deep Cleaning Systems Testing Criteria

  1. Soil Removal Standard
    2.

This test practice utilizes the use of X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) to measure the average percent removed by weight of compounds used to soil a test carpet. This test practice may be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a cleaning event, an event in a process of several events or the entire system.

Method: X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) is used to detect elements of each compound used to soil a control carpet, then to determine their concentrations after a cleaning process. XRF is a technique that detects elements by ionizing the constituent atoms and recording the characteristic energy signatures given off by the elements as they seek to regain greater stability.

Five compounds containing suitable elements for XRF detection were chosen with consideration given to particle size (Fe3O4 at < 1 micron to ZnO at < 74 microns), hardness, solubility, and surface characteristics.

Each compound is first applied to nylon pellets at 6 grams of compound per 1000 grams of pellets (3g/1000 for Sr). Fifty grams of each of the five compound coated pellets are used to soil a 400 square-inch carpet following ASTM-D 6540. This test method uses a drum lined with the test carpet and is rotated a specified number of revolutions to uniformly distribute the synthetic soil into the carpet pile. Each soiled carpet is scanned using XRF to verify the starting concentration of each compound. All XRF scans are with the carpet on a conveyor such that in the 3-minute scan approximately 120 square inches of the 400 square inch carpet are analyzed. The soiled test carpet is then cleaned following the cleaning system procedures as specified by the cleaning system client. Three samples per test are used and the average percentage removed results reported.

  • Soil Removal Standard - Percent of soil removed following the system providers supplied instruction:
    • 55 - 69 % to obtain SOA Bronze Certification
    • 70 - 79 % to obtain SOA Silver Certification
    • 80 - 89% to obtain SOA Gold Certification
    • 90 - 100% to obtain SOA Platinum Certification
  1. For Accelerated Re-soiling Propensity of Pile Yarn Floor Covering
    2.

This test method is intended to determine the effects of cleaning equipment, chemistry and technologies on the re-soiling properties of a specified floor covering. A clean control test carpet is cleaned according to the client's directions. The cleaned carpet is allowed to thoroughly dry then soiled per ASTM 6540-2000. Additional control carpet is soiled per ASTM 6540-2000 that has not been cleaned. The differential soil level between the cleaned sample(s) and control sample(s) is evaluated using an appropriate laboratory instrument (spectrophotometer) using the AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change.

  • Equal to or better than water according to the AATCC Gray Scale
  1. For Determining Residual Moisture as a result of Deep Cleaning
    2.

This test practice is intended to determine the moisture left in a specific carpet as a result of simulated cleaning using a deep cleaning system.

The resultant difference in weight is measured and reported as grams per square meter and ounces per square yard of residual moisture.

  • Residual Moisture in carpet immediately after cleaning operation:
    • 271 g/m2 (≤ 8 oz/yd2 )**

      • ** When using pre-spray, allow up to 678 grams/m2(20.0 oz/yd2)

  1. For Evaluating Surface Appearance Change due to Repeated Cleanings
    2.

This test practice provides a laboratory test for the measurement of surface appearance change of textile floor covering as a direct result of multiple cleaning passes in a controlled environment.

This test practice is applicable to all residential/commercial cleaning systems. Six cleaning cycles are applied to residential cut pile carpet for residential specific systems. Eleven cleaning cycles are applied to commercial cut pile carpet for commercial specific systems. Texture appearance change is visually rated.

  • Appearance Retention:
    • No more than one step appearance change in the deterioration of the carpet pile surface.
  1. Colorfastness To Light
    2.

Cleaning chemical residues present on pile yarn floor coverings have been known to adversely effect dyes and accelerate color change. The level to which a chemical residue contributes to color change is determined by exposing a chemically treated standard test carpet with an untreated control sample to accelerated light in accordance with AATCC test Method 16. Accelerated color change in the treated test carpet is compared to the untreated test carpet after exposure.

  • No color change
  1. For Determining the pH of Cleaning Chemicals Intended for Use on Carpets
    2.

Chemicals which are extremely acidic or alkaline have been known to adversely effect dyes, treatments and fibers. Chemicals with a more neutral pH are generally considered safer to use when cleaning carpets or rugs. The formula is tested by a standard pH meter following the manufacturers recommended dilution.

  • pH between 4 and 10
  1. For Determining the Presence of Optical Brighteners in Cleaning Chemicals
    2.

The presence of optical brighteners in carpet cleaning products has been known to adversely affect fiber color, appearance and long term performance. The cleaning agent is evaluated for optical brightener content using fluorescence.

  • No Optical Brighteners

View the Seal of Approval Deep Cleaning Systems Test Program Protocol

Vacuum Cleaner Testing Criteria

  1. Two categories of SOA/GL Vacuum Cleaners to be listed on the CRI website:
    2.
    • Vacuum Cleaners Certified for Household Use
    • Vacuum Cleaners Certified for Commercial Use
  1. Household Use Vacuum Cleaner Program:
    2.
    • Performance Standard:
      •     Soil Removal   Dust Containment
      Bronze   40 - 49%   ≤ 100 µg/m3 of dust particles
      Silver   50 - 54%   ≤ 100 µg/m3 of dust particles
      Gold   ≥ 55%   ≤ 35 µg/m3 of dust particles
    • Texture Protection Standard: The vacuum should not affect the texture appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use.
    • XRF Carpet Test Samples:
      • 30 oz/sy residential loop pile carpet
      • 25 oz/sy residential cut pile carpet
  1. Commercial Use Vacuum Cleaner Program:
    2.
    • Performance Standard: Same as Household Use Program above.
    • Texture Protection Standard: Same as Household Use Program above.
    • XRF Carpet Test Samples:
      • 30 oz/sy commercial loop pile carpet
      • 30 oz/sy commercial cut pile carpet

Notes:

  • A Vacuum Cleaner must comply with the Texture Protection Standard before being considered for a Bronze, or Silver, or Gold SOA/GL certification.
  • A Vacuum Cleaner must comply with both the corresponding Soil Removal Standard and the Dust Containment Standard before being considered for a Bronze, or Silver, or Gold SOA/GL certification.

View the Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuums Test Program Protocols