Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 - (Page 13)

green laUnDry (continued from page 9) Surfactants work to loosen, emulsify, and suspend soil, as well as to enhance the wetting ability of water. Environmentally-preferable surfactants will readily biodegrade to less toxic and less persistent or bioaccumulative chemicals. Alkylphenol ethoxylates are common nonionic surfactants frequently used in laundry detergent formulations. Due to their persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic nature, alkylphenol ethoxylate-based laundry detergents should be avoided when selecting an environmentally-friendly laundry detergent. Research has shown that while the ethoxylate part of the alkylphenol ethoxylate biodegrades, or in other words, breaks down quickly, the parent alkylphenol biodegrades more slowly.4 In separate studies, alkylphenol has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor in both laboratory animals and fish.5,6 Instead of using a laundry detergent containing alkylphenol ethoxylates, look for laundry detergents that contain linear alcohol ethoxylates (LAEs). In contrast to alkylphenol ethoxylates, LAEs will biodegrade quickly into compounds, linear alcohols, and carboxylic acids that typically have much lower environmental concerns.7 LAE-based detergents are also readily cold water dispersible. The growing trend of relying on cold water during the wash cycle to maximize energy efficiency, makes LAE-based detergents much more preferable. To further enhance a laundry detergent’s biodegradability and overall environmental profile, look for products containing either linear alcohol ester ethoxylates or alkyl polyglucosides (APGs). The ester linkages in linear alcohol ester ethoxylates allow for even faster biodegradation rates compared to regular linear alcohol (continued on page 24) Beth Risinger The following interview, conducted by Beth Risinger, Publisher of Executive Housekeeping Today, with Melanie Mance, Director of Advertising for Spartan Chemical Company Inc., provides an inside look regarding Spartan Chemical’s pursuit of a brand new market segment of laundry care products. Melanie Mance Risinger: Ms. Mance, why did Spartan make the decision to enter into the welldeveloped and mature laundry market now? Mance: “After 52 years in business, Spartan made the decision to enter into the laundry market because our goal is to create a line of products based on modern and contemporary chemical technologies that would benefit most, if not all, end-users and that could be used in most water conditions. Clothesline Fresh™, Spartan’s new, complete line of laundry care products, was developed for the professional end-user who manages or directs housekeeping and laundry programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities; or those that supervise staffs ranging from a few, to several hundred people, and all with various budgets. They can also be used by anyone who desires quality, environmentally-preferable laundry products that excel in most types of water conditions and formulated to be compatible with high-efficiency equipment.” Risinger: Will these products fit into the Green Movement? Mance: “True to our product development focus, the line contains new, award-winning Green surfactant technology that was not available five years ago. Plus, they contain biodegradable water softeners that not only aid in the washing process, but also boost detergent performance. This new innovative line contains a non-toxic, biodegradable chelating agent that won the Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential (EPA) Green Chemistry Challenge Award. This award recognizes the agent’s excellent chelating ability, biodegradability, and outstanding accomplishments in Green chemistry.” Risinger: During the decision-making process, was everyone on board for this new initiative? Mance: “Yes, of course here at Spartan, but actually, our distributor network had been asking that we get into the laundry business. So, we sought out to do what we do best—give the customer what they are asking for. With that thought in mind, Spartan introduced Clothesline Fresh™ laundry care products in December 2007. To support this new venture into the laundry care business, we recognize one of our greatest assets is our business relationships, such as with the members of the International Executive Housekeepers Association. Also with our distributors, those who day in and day out provide timely delivery, training, and local service that is second-tonone and our Regional Managers, who are on the front line every day and are the individuals that are in the field solving problems for distributors and loyal end-users alike. For over 50 years, this business model has performed very well and the same can be said for the introduction of Clothesline Fresh™. Our Regional Managers ensure that all the products we are producing are given the support that they deserve each and every day.” Risinger: What types of initiatives have been developed to market this new concept? Mance: “In order to ensure that everyone really understands how our new product line works, Spartan has been hosting educational Laundry Seminars that provide information on procedures, marketing, and troubleshooting. In fact, we recently held a seminar April 6-8, 2008, coordinated by Abbey Davidson, with 55 in attendance! This new venture into the laundry care business is one with vision and determination. Our goal is to get the right product at the right time to the end-user.” W May 2008/Executive Housekeeping Today 3

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008 Contents Executive Corner From Ivory Halls to Four-Star Resorts The Ten-Dollar Test Toward Customer Satisfaction Frugal Housekeeper How Green is Your Laundry Not All Microfiber is Created Equal Feature Article - I.E.H.A. Investigates: Issues in Hotel Housekeeping 2008 Candidate Information IHW Product Information The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Product Highlights Inside the Industry New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members CEH/REH Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - May 2008

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