Cleaning (e.g., dust management, soil removal)
This will involve developing a Cleaning Performance Index (CPI) based on soil removal over time (specific soil removed in a given time period on a specific surface = a CPI number) with the aim to determine a standardized method to benchmark cleaning effectiveness.
CPI will be a product/process benchmarking tool and a 1-10 rating system for assessing performance of cleaning products and processes.
Begin with processes where anecdotal and limited empirical data already suggest efficacy and superiority of methods/tools. Examples:
- Vacuuming vs Dust Mopping a hard floor
- Wet Extracting vs Damp Mopping a hard floor
- Dusting with a Damp Cloth vs Feather Dusting
Methods would utilize the most commonly encountered surfaces.
Naturally, there are times when a product has a higher CPI for certain soils and lower CPI for other types. On hard floors, dust mops, for example, have a higher CPI than most vacuum cleaners for removing large clumps of visible dust, but a lower CPI for removing particles embedded in grout lines which are better removed by vacuuming.
Granted, determining the soil removing ability of each tool or process relative to surface types is a daunting task, but the cleaning profession should take the lead in this vital area.