Cleaning services glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a cleaning service provider in Columbia.
- What are hoarding cleanup levels?
- Hoarding cleanup levels are a 1-5 scale that restoration professionals use to assess the severity of clutter, contamination, and damage in properties requiring specialized remediation.
- What does bonded and insured mean for cleaning services?
- A cleaning service that is bonded carries a surety bond guaranteeing honest conduct and employee background, while being insured means it carries liability coverage for property damage or injury that occurs during work.
- What is a chemical wash or soft wash?
- Chemical wash, or soft wash, is a low-pressure cleaning method that applies specialized cleaning solutions to remove algae, mold, mildew, and other organic growth from delicate surfaces like roofs and siding.
- What is a cleaning checklist or scope of work?
- A scope of work is the written list of specific cleaning tasks, frequencies, and areas a service provider agrees to complete in a contract, distinguishing what is included versus what costs extra.
- What is a HEPA filter?
- A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is a type of air filtration that captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger, commonly used in vacuums and air purifiers by cleaning services to remove dust, allergens, and fine debris.
- What is a janitorial supply closet audit?
- A janitorial supply closet audit is an inventory review that verifies stock levels, tracks consumption of cleaning supplies like paper products and soap, and ensures restocking compliance in commercial facilities.
- What is a microfiber cloth?
- A microfiber cloth is a synthetic textile made from extremely fine polyester and nylon fibers that split into multiple strands, creating a porous surface that traps dust, bacteria, and oils far more effectively than traditional cotton or terry cloth.
- What is a squeegee?
- A hand-held tool with a rubber blade set in a metal or plastic channel, used to remove water and cleaning solution from glass surfaces in a single pass.
- What is a surface cleaner attachment?
- A surface cleaner attachment is a disc-shaped accessory that connects to a pressure washer and rotates to clean flat outdoor surfaces uniformly without leaving marks or uneven patches.
- What is a VOC (volatile organic compound)?
- Volatile organic compounds are carbon-containing chemicals that readily evaporate into indoor air at room temperature, often released by conventional cleaning products and other household materials.
- What is a walk-through inspection?
- A walk-through inspection is a joint review between the cleaning professional and client to verify work scope before the job begins or confirm completion afterward.
- What is a water-fed pole system?
- A water-fed pole system is a telescoping pole that delivers purified water through a brush head to clean windows and glass surfaces at height without requiring ladders or scaffolding.
- What is biohazard cleanup?
- Biohazard cleanup is the professional removal and decontamination of blood, bodily fluids, and pathogenic materials from spaces affected by crime, trauma, or unattended death, performed under OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards.
- What is bonnet cleaning?
- Bonnet cleaning is a surface carpet cleaning method that uses a motorized rotary pad to agitate and absorb soil from the top fibers, typically employed for maintenance between deep cleaning cycles.
- What is deionized water cleaning?
- Deionized water is purified water with minerals removed, used in cleaning to prevent spotting and streaking on glass and hard surfaces.
- What is dry carpet cleaning?
- Dry carpet cleaning is a low-moisture method that applies compound or encapsulation to break down soil without saturating carpet fibers, allowing the carpet to dry within a few hours instead of requiring overnight drying times.
- What is encapsulation cleaning?
- Encapsulation cleaning is a low-moisture carpet cleaning method where liquid polymer solutions crystallize dirt particles into solid residue that vacuums away after drying.
- What is extraction cleaning (hot water extraction)?
- Hot water extraction is a carpet cleaning method that injects heated water and cleaning solution into fibers, then uses suction to pull out water, dirt, and detergent residue.
- What is GPM (gallons per minute)?
- GPM (gallons per minute) is the volume of water delivered by a cleaning system per minute, measured in gallons, and when combined with PSI determines the cleaning force and speed of a job.
- What is Green Seal certification?
- Green Seal certification is a third-party standard that verifies cleaning products are formulated with reduced toxicity, low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and minimal environmental impact.
- What is IICRC certification?
- IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is an independent, nonprofit organization that certifies technicians in carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and water damage restoration through standardized training and examination.
- What is PSI (pounds per square inch)?
- PSI (pounds per square inch) is the unit of measurement for water pressure force in pressure washers, determining cleaning power and surface compatibility.
- What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
- Cleaning removes visible dirt and debris, sanitizing reduces germs to safe levels per FDA standards, and disinfecting kills nearly all pathogens using EPA-registered chemicals.
- What is water damage restoration class and category?
- Water damage categories (1-3) measure contamination level from clean water to sewage; classes (1-4) measure the evaporation rate based on materials and affected area size, used by restorers to plan carpet and upholstery recovery.