Floor Care Terminology

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Abrasion - The action of wearing away a floor's finish film by friction.
Acid - Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH below 7.
Acid Cleaner - A detergent that partially or totally consists of one or more acids.
Acrylic - Type of polymer used in floor finishes which characteristically provides better abrasion and detergent resistance than styrenes.
Antioxidants - Additive used in floor finishes to prevent film degradation caused by increased oxidation during high speed buffing.
Bleeding - Refers to color loss of a floor tile due to the leaching out of pigments by over aggressive stripping compounds.
Blushing - A term applied to the whitening effect that sometimes occurs as a solvent finish dries.
Buffable - Usually refers to softer floor finish formulas which are capable of being repaired using conventional equipment.
Buffing - Polishing with a brush or pad.
Buildup - When successive coats of a floor finish are applied over an area where there is not a wearing down of the film, there is buildup.
Burnish - Usually refers to the use of higher rpm equipment when buffing a floor, and designates a type of maintenance program.
Carnauba - The hardest natural wax exuded from the leaves of the carnauba palm used in floor finish formulas.
Chalking - A phenomenon of certain coatings manifested by the presence of loose powder that results from the film itself, at or just beneath the surface.
Concrete Seal - A protective coating applied to a new or old concrete floor to harden, seal, and reduce dusting.
Coverage - The square feet of surface covered by a gallon.
Detergent - A synthetic cleaning agent resembling soap in the ability to emulsify oil and hold dirt.
Dry Time - The length of time required for one coat of finish or seal to properly dry prior to the next coat being applied.
Durability - The wearing quality of a floor finish.
Dusting - The term used to describe the effect of burnishing a floor finish film to the point of top layer degradation.
Emulsion - A mixture of liquids that do not blend, such as water and oil, and where by one compound forms minute particles which are suspended in the other compound.
Film - A thin coating or covering.
Finish - A coating or film which protects a floor from wear and abrasion and enhances its appearance.
Floor Machine - A power-driven machine equipped with a scrubbing or buffing brush used to clean or polish floors.
Gloss - Light reflected from a surface, specifically the mirror-like appearance of a floor finish film
Grout - Concrete or similar substance used between ceramic tile.
Hardwood Floor - Non-resilient flooring of maple, pecan, oak, beech, and various other hardwoods.
Heeling - Method of exerting pressure on one side of a floor machine to remove heel marks or heavily soiled areas.
High Speed - Usually refers to a range of floor machines which turn at between 500 and 1500 rpm. Important with regards to the prescribed maintenance programs established for end users as directly related to the floor finish applied.
James Machine - An instrument for measuring the static coefficient of friction of a surface (such as a floor)
Lambs Wool - Floor finish applicator consisting of a wood block, handle and lambs wool pad preferred by some for its smoothness in application.
Leveling - The ability of a floor finish to flow into a smooth film during the drying process. Mop streaks in the floor finish are a sign of poor leveling.
Linoleum - Linoleum is made from oxidized linseed oil or a combination of drying oils, wood flour, and/or ground cork, resins, and pigment.
Mechanical Cleaning - Removing of soil or dirt from a surface by manual scrubbing or by use of abrasives, as opposed to chemical cleaning.
Metal Interlock - Refers to the process of bonding between polymer units in the floor finish film through the use of metal ions (normally zinc) to cross link. Amine type strippers act as a key to unlock the metal cross link structure for easier removal.
Neutral - Neither acid nor alkaline.
Neutral Cleaner - Detergent with a pH at the 7 range in its concentrated form normally recommended for use on highly finished floors to provide cleaning without deleterious effects.
Non-Buff Finish - A hard floor finish designed to give high initial gloss that is not repairable by regular dry buffing, only spray buffing.
Non-Buffable - Generally refers to harder finishes that do not respond well to low speed machine buffing.
Optical Brighteners - Absorbs UV light sources and emits visible light which gives a brightening effect.
OSHA - (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) A government agency concerned with safety and employee health in the workplace.
Peeling - The pulling or falling away of pieces of coating from a surface.
pH - pH gauges the concentration or amount of hydrogen ions in an aqueous solution. pH scale from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral.
Porous - Full of tiny openings usually only seen under a microscope.
Powdering - Partial or total disintegration of the floor finish film resulting in a fine, light colored material. Lack of bonding which can be caused by an alkaline residue, improper floor temperatures, and/or humidity.
Recoat - Procedure incorporated in floor maintenance programs to increase the level of protection by applying an additional coat of floor finish. Often the most overlooked step.
Repairability - In floor maintenance, the property of being able to do feathering and add more finish to a spot that is damaged and then to buff or use other methods to bring both the repaired spot and the surrounding area to the same appearance.
Resilient Tile - Term used to describe a type of floor covering as opposed to hard floor surfaces. Includes, but not limited to pure vinyl, abestos, asphalt, rubber and vinyl tiles.
Restorer - Refers to both a product and a procedure for maintaining large floor areas. Typically the product is mopped on, left to dry, then buffed usually with high speed and ultra high speed equipment.
Sealers - Specialized formulations which quickly fill porous floors and provide protection from abuse and wear.
Spalling - The crackling, breaking or splintering of materials due to heat, especially with concrete or terrazzo floors.
Stripping - Using a scrub brush or a medium or coarse fiber pad and a strong detergent in a stripping solution to remove soil and previous protection coating, causing no harm to floor.
Tack Rag - A cloth moistened with a liquid to remove dust and lint from a surface before coating.
Terrazzo - Terrazzo has a smooth surface that consists of marble in a Portland cement matrix.
Ultra-High Speed - Usually refers to a range of floor machines which turn over 2,000 rpm.
Water Resistance - The ability of a floor finish to be unaffected by water spilled on it.
Wax - A protective coating applied to protect and enhance appearance.
Wax Stripper - A special detergent composition that removes wax and similar floor finishes from a floor.
Wear - Any mechanical action, such as foot wear, that causes a distortion of the surface of a floor coating film.
Wet Abrasion - A standard test to determine the effect of water on a floor finish with some abrasive action.
Wetting Agent - A material that increases the spreading of a liquid on a surface.
Wrinkling - Surface irregularity that may very from dull to pronounced.
Yellowing - A condition which describes the discoloration of a floor finish film caused by many circumstances.

Industrial Care Terminology

Acid - Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH below 7.
Alcohols (Industrial) - Common types used in cleaning products are Methyl, Ethyl, and Isopropyl. These are used to increase the solvency and cleaning ability without residue.
Alkali - Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH above 7.
Alloy - A formulated mixture of metals.
Biodegradable - Any substance which has the capability of being decomposed by naturally occuring microorganisms.
Catalyst - A substance that influences a chemical action in which it does not take part.
Caustic - Any strong alkaline material which has a corrosive or aggressive affect on living tissue.
Chlorinated Solvent - Degreasing solvents with lower flammability and greater solvent power than normal petroleum solvents such as mineral spirits.
Coolant - Any fluid used in the metalworking process to reduce heat and provide lubricity between the tool and the workpiece.
Corrosion - The electrochemical degradation of metals or alloys due to a reaction with their environment.
Corrosive - Any solid, liquid or gas that burns, irritates or destructively attacks another substance.
D. N. R. - Department of Natural Resources.
d-Limonene - A natural hydrocarbon solvent extracted from citrus products and usually smells like oranges.
Detergent - A synthetic cleaning agent with the ability to emulsify oil and hold dirt, containing surfactant which do not precipitate in hard water.
Dielectric - Any substance with very low electrical conductivity.
Diluent - The material that a concentrated product is diluted with.
Dip Tank Degreasing - the process in which grease, dirt and oil are removed from the metal parts by immersing them in a degreasing solution.
Disinfectant - Substance used on inanimate objects which destroy harmful microorganisms or inhibit their activity.
E. P. A. - Environmental Protection Agency.
Emulsion - A mixture of liquids that do not blend, such as water and oil, and whereby one compound forms minute particles which are suspended in the other compound.
Fire Point - The lowest temperature at which the vapors of a liquid will ignite in the presence of a flame or spark and burn continuously.
Flash Point - The lowest temperature at which the vapors of a liquid will ignite in the presence of a flame or spark.
Galvanizing - Coating of ferrous metals with zinc to add corrosion resistance.
Germicide - A chemical compound which kills microorganisms.
Hard Water - Water which contains ions of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca).
Inhibitor - Drastically reduces the corrosive effect of a product on metal.
K. B. Value - Indicates the relative solvent power and is used to test the aggressiveness of solvent products.
Lubricant - A material that reduces friction between sliding surfaces.
M. A. C. Rating - Maximum Allowable Concentration, generally the ceiling value used to determine the amount of solvent vapor allowed in a concentrated area for toxicity purposes.
M. S. D. S. - Material Safety Data Sheet, the form required by law which lists hazardous ingredients per a published manual that must be provided to those companies who distribute or use chemical products.
Oxidize - A chemical process where oxygen combines with other substances.
PPMs - Stands for parts per million.
Penetrant - The ability of a product to seek all areas of the surface sprayed, usually refers to a lubricant's ability to thin out sufficiently to cover contacting metal surfaces. To penetrate.
Petroleum Distillate - Hydrocarbon solvents derived from crude oil by distillation.
Phosphates - Inorganic salts used for water softening and detergency.
Scale - Mineral deposits precipitated from water such as calcium carbonate.
Soil Load Capacity - The amount of soil a chemical may hold in suspension before the soils affect the properties of the product.
Stability - The ability of a product to remain unchanged over periods of time.
Synergistic - When the total effect of two active components in a mixture is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Titration - A method of determining by volume the concentration of a desired substance or chemical.
Toxicity - Relating to a harmful effect by a poisonous substance on the human body by physical contact, ingestion or inhalation.
U. S. D. A. - United States Department of Agriculture in charge or issuing lists of compounds approved for use in areas which are federally inspected.
Vapor - A diffused substance suspended in the air.
Vapor Degreasing - The process in which a chlorinated solvent is heated in a tank. The heated solvent forms a vapor that condenses onto the cooler metal parts, which drips back into the tank cleaning the metal parts of soils.
Viscosity - The degree of thinness or resistance to flow by a fluid.

Carpet Cleaning Terminology

Acid - Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH below 7.
Alkali - Any substance, which when dissolved in water, yields a pH above 7.
Bleeding - This is a loss or transfer of color from one section of the carpet to another.
Browning - A yellow or brownish discoloration of the carpet's face, most often caused by excess alkalinity in the cleaning agent; activated alkaline residue or overwetting.
Circling - Circular streaks left on the carpet after a rotary shampooing because of improper technique.
Cleaning Agent - Detergent or emulsifying agent used in the carpet cleaning process.
Color Fast - A term to describe carpet fiber's ability to hold uniform coloration.
Clouding - Usually caused by overwetting. Residue from previous cleanings which is not removed and left too wet will wick up the carpet fiber and cause a cloudy appearence on the surface.
Crocking - This is a loss of carpet's excess color when rubbed in either the wet or dry state.
Defoamer - A surface active agent that is used in cleaning to reduce foaming. Usually introduced into the recovery tank of extraction equipment to reduce suds caused by shampoo left in the carpet.
Degreaser - An emulsifying agent used in the cleaning process to remove heavy oils or grease.
Deodorizer - Products specifically formulated to destroy, mask or modify unpleasant odors in the carpet.
Detergent - A cleaning agent that is capable of wetting, penetrating, emulsifying, and holding on to suspension soils to be removed.
Digester - A chemical agent, usually an organic bacteria, used to break down stains like blood or food.
Dry Foam Cleaning - A concentrated foam is used as the cleaning element and is dispensed through a dry foam machine. Shampoo is applied as a foam, therefore less wetting occurs.
Dry Rot - Disintegration of carpet backing which is caused by mildew.
Dry Spotter - A stain removal agent containing dry solvents. Used primarily for grease or oily type stains.
Mildew - Fungus growth that can occur on carpet fibers. Causes odor and fiber degradation.
Optical Brightener - Optical whiteners or fluorescent whitening agents used in cleaning process.
pH - A number in the range of 0 to 14 used to express the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Pre Spotting - Prior to the overall cleaning, pre spotting is done to remove stains or to pretreat traffic lanes.
Rotary Brush - A cleaning method in which a high foam shampoo is scrubbed over the fabric by a rotary brush. Best results are achieved if followed by cool water extraction.
Shampoo - A high foam detergent preparation usually used for rotary brush cleaning.
Soil Retardant - An agent that is applied to the carpet to retard or decrease the rate of soiling.
Spotter - A stain removal agent.
Stain Repellent - An agent that is applied to the carpet's surface which primarily acts as a water repellent.
Synthetic Fibers - Most carpet fibers being used today, in contract to animal or vegetable fibers.
Traffic Lane Cleaner - A heavy duty detergent specifically designed to pretreat and disperse heavy accumulations of soil in the traffic lanes.
Traffic Lane Paper - Paper, placed in areas, which must be open to foot traffic while the carpet is still damp.
Wet Soils - Usually the toughest since carpet is composed of absorbent fibers. The key to wet soil removal is quick action and be sure to blot, not wipe.

General Terminology

Abrasion - Wearing away or cleaning by friction.
Abrasive - A substance used to scour, scrub, smooth or polish. Abrasive particles are found in such products as cleaners, pumice stones, scouring pads and hand cleaners.
Abrasive Pads - There are three basic types. Metal are a mesh from #00 to #3 grade. Stainless steel are sililair to metal but generally coarser and the stainless steel will not rust. Carbon silicate are coatedover nylon, polyester or other materials.
Abrasion Resistance - The ability to resist removal or damage from mechanical action.
Absorbent - A material that attracts substances from a surface to the absorbent material. Widely used in carpet cleaning and concrete cleaning.
Acid - A water soluable substance with a pH less than 7 that reacts with and neutralizes an alkali.
Acid Hardness Chemicals - generally metal fluorosilicates, applied to concrete or terrazzo, which react with the free lime and calcium carbonates present to form silica quartz, a very hard substance. The result is concrete or terrazzo with a harder surface than that obtained without acid hardening.
Acrylic - Specific types of building blocks (monomers) used in creating polymers and resins. Acrylics add toughness, durability, and removal properties to the polymer or resin.
Active Ingredients - Ingredients, which promote claimed results. Usually, this term is associated with products registered with the E P A, in which case the active ingredients are those constituents which are recognized as providing the claimed pesticidal properties, e.g., insecticide, rodenticide, bactericide, etc.
Adhesion - The ability of a floor finish to adhere to the substrate by physical or chemical means.
Aerosol - An extremely fine mist or fog consisting of solid or liquid particles suspended in air. Also, term used for products which mechanically produce such a mist.
Alcohol - A class of organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl groups (OH). Alcohol is used in detergent formulations to control viscosity, to act as a solvent for other ingredients and to provide resistance to low and freezing temperatures encountered in shipping storage and use.
Algaecide - Product which destroys algae.
Alkali - A chemical substance with pH greater than 7 that reacts with and neutralizes an acid. Also called alkaline or base.
Alkali - Soluble Polymer A polymer, which can form a clear solution when, dissolved in a sufficient amount of base such as ammonia and water.
Amine - An organic chemical characterized by the presence of nitrogen and an alkaline pH. Unlike ammonia type strippers, amine type strippers are pleas ant to work with, as they are free at strong ammonia odor and do not irritate the nose and eyes.
Anionic Detergent - A material which carries a negative charge. Most soaps are anionic, as they combine fatty ads and an alkali. Oleate Soap, Amine Soap, Sodium Soap and combinations of the three are frequently used in cleaners.
Antifoam - Any material added to a floor polish to control foam. Most commonly used substances are silicone emulsions.
Asphalt Tile - A flooring material made of asbestos fibers, pigments and inert fillers bound together with an asphalt or resin binder. Ingredients are mixed, heated, then rolled out in sheets and cut to size. Asphalt tile is also furnished in a grade designated as grease proof. Oils and solvents should be avoided on all types. One possible way to distinguish asphalt file from vinyl asbestos, which is also hard and brittle at nor mal temperatures, is to rub the file in an inconspicuous spot with a rag dampened with petroleum naphtha. Any color transfer from the file to the cloth indicates that the tile is asphalt instead of vinyl asbestos. Rubber tile will also show some color transfer, but rubber tile can be indented with a fingernail.
Asphyxiant - A vapor or gas which can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation. A potential hazard, particularly when working with certain chemicals in unventilated or confined areas.
Backing - the various materials that comprise the back of a carpet that secures the face of the carpet pile.
Bacteria - Single cell microorganisms not containing chlorophyll. Germs.
Bactericide A- chemical agent that destroys bacteria.
Base (See Alkali) - A water soluable substance with pH greater than 7.
Beater Bar - A rigid bar on a vacuum cleaner brush that agitates and loosens soil from the carpet.
Biodegradable - Capable of being decomposed or broken by bio logical organisms or action. Generally refers to detergents and cleaners.
Bite In - Whitening or dulling caused during application of floor finishes. It can occur if re application is done too quickly or if too much product is used, and usually occurs with self sensitive (alkali soluble) systems. Bite in can be detected by increased drag during application of multiple coats.
Black Marking - Black marks left on the floor finish caused by rubber being abraded from rubber heels of shoes.
Black Heel Mark Resistance - Resistance to permanent transfer of material from a shoe heel to a floor finish. Carefully selected waxes are employed to improve black heel mark resistance.
Bleach - A product that cleans, whitens, removes stains and brightens fabrics. It also removes stains on some hard surfaces.
Bleeding - Removal of color from carpet of other floor tile material by liquid.
Broad Spectrum - Killing a wide variety - (Negative) and Gram + (Positive) organisms.
Browning (Brown Out) - A reaction that occurs in carpets when high pH solutions cause the carpets natural coloring in the backing to travel up the fiber strand and discolor the carpet.
Buffable - Requires mechanical action to produce a gloss.
Buffable Floor Finish - A term used to describe any solvent or water based finish requiring mechanical action to improve gloss and/or general appearance.
Buffer - Any substance in a fluid which tends to resist a change in pH when acid or alkali is added. Also a slang term for a floor buffing and scrubbing machine.
Buildup - Multiple layers of dirt, grime, wax, or floor finish.
Burnishing - A maintenance method used to produce a gloss with frictional heat and vigorous mechanical action.
C.F.M. - Cubic Feet per Minute. Describes the amount of air generated by a vacuum motor.
Carnuba - A hard wax obtained from the leaves of the Carnuba palm tree. This wax is emulsifiable and yields a glossy, durable, buffable film when property formulated in aqueous floor waxes. Carnuba wax is graded in five categories. Only types I and 2 are used appreciably in floor waxes because of there lighter color. Types 3 through 5 come from more mature leaves, and are darker in color.
Catalyst - A substance which influences a chemical reaction.
Caustic - Strong base (alkaline) substance which irritates the skin.
Ceramic Tile - A flooring material made from a mixture of special clays and colorants that are fused together at high temperature into a hard brick like or porcelain sub stance. Sometimes coated with a thin film of vitreous material called glazing.
Chemical Resistance - Ability to withstand an assortment of chemicals such as gasoline or alcohol without being damaged.
Chlorine Powerful - Oxidizing agent sometimes used as a germicide.
Clarity - Clearness; Lack of haze or light scattering properties.
Coalesce - To blend together to unite into a whole to fuse. As related to floor finishes, the formulation of the film as the water evaporates.
Coalescent - A solvent, usually a glycol or glycol ether, which helps promote the union of individual emulsion particles into a continuous film.
Concrete - A flooring material made from a mixture of sand, gravel, Portland cement and modifying additives, which react, with water to form a hard rocklike sub stance. Portland cement is the 'glue' which holds the other materials together. Hardening occurs through hydration of these materials.
Concentrate - The undiluted form of a dilutable cleaning product.
Conductive Flooring - A flooring material that will conduct electricity to reduce hazards from unwanted static electricity such as sparks in an explosive environment. Conductive floors offer a resistance of 25,000 to 1,000,000 ohms per 3 lineal feet.
Conductive flooring materials - include linoleum, terrazzo. ceramic tile, vinyl, and rubber. Conductivity is achieved by using acetylene carbon, cupric salts, or other special conducting materials. Wire mesh may also be laid directly under the tile to assure uniform conductance of the entire floor.
Contamination - Entry of undesirable organisms into some material or object.
Cork Tile - A flooring material composed of ground cork with or without resins that is compressed and heat cured into the finished product. Chosen mostly for its beauty and sound deadening properties. Cork is best maintained with organic solvent based products such as Traffic Wax paste or liquid.
Corrosion - Process or gradual eating away by chemical reaction.
Corrosion Inhibitor - Substance which protects against oxidation of metal surfaces.
Corrosives - Substances which cause skin and eye damage at the site of contact.
Cosolvent - A solvent which modifies the performance or stability characteristics of polish.
Creaming - Formation of an opaque off colored layer at the top of a liquid emulsion.
Cross-Contamination - The process of transferring bacteria from one person or an object to another person.
Crosslink - An entity, which attaches two, chains of polymer molecules together by forming a chemical bond.
Damp Mopping - A maintenance method using a well wrung out mop dampened with water or cleaning solution to re move light soil from floors.
Defoamer - A substance used to reduce foaming due to agitation. Defoamers include silicone fluids and organic phosphates.
Degreaser - A product specifically formulated to remove grease.
Deodorant - A product for destroying, masking or eliminating offensive odors.
Detergent - A chemical which is used for cleaning surfaces, which may posses various properties such as surface wetting, soil emulsification, soil dispersion or soil suspension. A type of chemical which possesses surfactant properties, including surface wetting, soil dispersion, etc. This detergent chemical does not ionize with positive or negative charges. It is compatible in mixtures with either cationic or anionic surfactants. It is not compatible, however, with phenolic germicides.
Detergent Resistance - Ability to withstand treatment with detergent solution such as 1:40 GP Forward to water without being damaged.
Digester - An enzyme used to break down stains caused by food products and blood.
Dirt Embodiment - Presence of trapped dirt and foreign matter which cannot be removed by detergent washing. Soft films or excess plasticizer are the usual causes of dirt embodiment. Dry Bright Floor Finish A term meaning the same as self polishing floor finish.
Disinfectant - An agent that destroys harmful bacteria and/or viruses on inanimate surfaces (except spores).
Drain Cleaner - A chemically strog product formulated to clean plugd of solid grease and other varied materials embedded in drains.
Dry Foam - A detergent solution with a small amount of water that is mechanically worked into a carpet. The loose soil is removed by a vaccum.
Dry Buffing - A maintenance method using floor machine and appropriate polishing pad or brush to restore floor finish to glossy appearance.
Dry Stripping - A maintenance technique used to remove floor finish with a floor machine, suitable pad, and spray stripping solution.
Dry Time - Four types of drying phenomena exist:

(1)Dry to Touch (sometimes called dry to eye or visual dryness) Time when film feels or appears dry.
(2)Tack Free Time Time when dry materials, such as dust or tissue, cannot be made to adhere to the surface even when pressure is applied.
(3)Recoat Time Time when additional coat can be applied to previous coat without bad effects such as whitening.
(4)Full Cure Time Time when physical properties of film are fully developed and, therefore, cease to change.

Durability - Resistance to change from original appearance. Durability is term used to describe how long polish film will resist changes in appearance caused by foot traffic or other types of wear before spray buffing, recoating, or stripping is considered necessary. Terms used to describe durability include abrasion resistance, adhesion, black heel mark resistance, lack of dirt embodiment, hardness, scuff resistance, scratch resistance, detergent resistance, and gloss retention.
Dust Mopping - A maintenance method used to remove dust from floors with a dry or specially treated mop.
Enzyme - Protein molecules produced within an organism that are used as catalysts for biochemical reactions.
Emulsifier - A chemical agent used to suspend one incompatible material in another. Generally, one end of an emulsifier molecule is soluble in water; the other end is soluble in organic solvent. This dual solubility helps hold the dissimilar liquids together.
Emulsion - A stable mixture of water and water insoluble materials) in a finely divided state accomplished means of one or more surface active agents, such as soap or synthetic emulsifiers.
Emulsion Polymer - A polymer which exists in two phases. A continuous phase, which is usually water and a dispersed phase, which consists of polymer particles suspended in the continuous phase through the use of substances, called emulsifiers.
E.P.A. - Environmental Protection Agency.
Etch - A chemically caused change on the outside of a smooth floor surface which causes the floor to be pitted or rough, and thereby improve, adhesion of floor finish.
Fading - Loss of color caused by actinic radiation such as sunlight, atmospheric gases and cleaning or bleaching chemicals.
Factory Finish - A temporary coating applied to flooring material during manufacture for ease of manufacturing and protection during shipment and installation. It is recommended that this coating, often referred to as mill finish, be removed before being treated with a polish.
Fastness - Retention of color by carpets and other materials.
Film - An extremely thin continuous sheet of substance. The protective value of any film depends on it being 100% continuous, i.e., without holes or cracks, since it must form an efficient barrier to molecules of atmospheric water vapor, oxygen, etc.
Fisheye - Small round surface imperfections in a polish film caused by localized differences in surface tension, induced convection, or by the wet film receding from incompatible entities in the product or on the substrate. Oil, silicone, or other hydrophobic materials are the usually causes of fisheyes.
Flagged Fibers - Brush or broom fibers that are split at the end to increase cleaning efficiency.
Floor Finish - The top layer of protective floor coatings.
Floor Polish - A temporary coating that enhances the appearance and protects the substrate to which it is applied. Also called Floor Finish, Floor Wax.
Floor Sealer - A coating, temporary or permanent applied to a floor before applying finishing coats to help fill voids and pours in the floor surface. Fewer finish coats are necessary because less product is absorbed by the floor and results in a more uniform appearance. Floor sealers might be necessary to promote adhesion of finish coats.
Fluorochemical - A fluorinated surfactant which, through its ability to lower the surface tension of liquid, can improve the leveling and wetting characteristics of floor polishes.
Furniture Cleaner/Polish - A liquid, paste or aerosol spray designed to remove dust and stains from wood surfaces, confer cofer shine and protect against water spots, and is formulated to reduce wax build-up with continued use.
Germicide - Any substance which kills germs. A disinfectant.
Gloss - A combination of visual perceptions which promote the appearance of wetness. Terms used when describing gloss include:

(1) Depth how deep or thick the surface appears.
(2) Clarity lock of haziness, cloudiness, or a milky appearance.
(3) Uniformity lack of unevenness.
(4) Reflectance (shine) ration of reflected versus incident light.
(5) Distinctness of image lack of distortion that the surface causes to reflected images.
(6) Sheen amount of low active reflectance.
(7) Hue the amount of bluish coloration promoting the perception of depth seen in clear films.

Grout - Matrix between veramic tile walls and floors.
Hand Cleanser - A cleaner designed to clean hands with an emphasis on removing oils, grease and other occupational soils.
Hardness - An expression of the concentration of inorganic salts in water which prevents effective cleaning and germicidal action. Hardness is measured in ppm (parts per million) calculated as calcium carbonate' (CaCO.).Also

(a) Knoop Hardness value relating resistance to indentation by a weighted wedge shaped diamond.
(b) Pencil Hardness a measure related to the hardness of various grades of graphite. Pencil Hardness is related to a polishes' resistance to both indentation and tearing, Very soft 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB, F, H, 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, 8H Very Hard.

Hard Water - Water containing soluable salts of calcium and magnesium and sometimes iron.
Hazardous Material - Any substance having the properties capable of producing adverse effects on the health or safety of people.
High Solids - A floor polish which has a 20% or higher non volatile content. Unlike concentrates high solids products are generally used without dilution.
High Speed Floor Machine - Any floor buffing or burnishing machine that operates at RPMS over 200.
High Speed Floor Finish - Floor finish specifically designed to be used with and respond to high speed floor machines.
Hue - A bluish coloration promoting the perception of depth in clear films.
Impervious - Incapable of being penetrated by a given material.
Inert - Substance not active in a formula.
Ingestion - Taking a substance into the body by mouth.
Inhalation - Taking a substance into the body by breathing.
Inorganic - A substance not made of the combination of carbon and hydrogen.
Iodine - A disinfectant agent.
Irritant - Something that causes an inflammation reaction in the eyes, skin, or respiratory system.
In Use Testing - The evaluation of performance of a product, procedure, or item of equipment under as compared to evaluation under highly controlled artificial conditions (laboratory testing).
L.D. - Point Abbreviation for “Lethal Dose.”
Leveling - The propensity for an applied aqueous polishes to spread and dry to smooth, uniform film.
Leveling Aid - A substance which can be added to a floor polish which allows it to dry to a more even appearing film.
Level Loop - A carpet style having all tufts in a loop form.
Lime - An insoluable mineral deposit found in water.
Linoleum - A flooring material composed of mixture of oxidized linseed oil, resin, and various fillers such as sawdust, ground cork, mineral filler and coloring material which is cured for several weeks in specially heated buildings. Linoleum is soft, porous, and tends to discolor and become more porous when subjected to amines and alkaline strippers and cleaners.
Loop Pile - Carpet style having a pile surface consisting of uncut loops of woven or tufted yarn. Also called round wire in woven carpet terminology.
Marble - A flooring material composed of a form of limestone hard enough to be polished. Purest grade used by sculptors is called Statuary Marble. A softer, more porous version called Travertine is usually used for floors. Travertine Marble is known to harden on exposure to air. Marble is damaged by alkaline cleaners, soaps and acids; it also stains easily.
Medicated Soap - A bath soap caontaining antibacterial ingredient to help reduce or inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin, which might otherwise cause infection.
Metal Complex - A crosslink of a bivalent metal ion (usually zinc) between the acid functional groups of two polymer chains. Metal complexes can provide a reaction site for aid in removal, detergent resistance, and durability in floor polishes.
Metal Interlock - A formulation technique by which metal is chemically complexed with the polymer and/or resin in an aqueous finish or sealer. The use of bivalent metal ions such as zinc or zirconium to bind together and form a crosslinked network with add containing polymer chains. This technique causes the dried film to be more durable and detergent resistant while still allowing its ready removal with amine type strippers.
M.F.T.(Minimum Forming Temperature) - The temperature below which a polymer or floor polish will not form a continuous film.
Microorganisms - Plants or animals visible only with the aid of a microscope.
Mildew - A growth, ususlly white, produced by fungus.
Mill Finish - A finish applied by the file manufacturer to resilient floor tile, which must be removed for proper sealing and finishing.
Mop and Shine - A maintenance method using a special mop on composition which lightly cleans and improves the gloss of a worn floor finish. Gloss improvement is accomplished by a new thin coat of product or possibly by rejuvenation of the original finish.
Muriatic - Commercial name given to hydrochloric acid.
Neutral - A chemical state that is neither acid or alkali (base); 7 on the pH scale.
Neutral Cleaner - Non-alkaline, non-acid cleaner. The pH of neutral cleaners may be as high as 10 and not contain harsh alkalis.
Non-Chlorine Bleach - A laundry product containing per oxygen compounds, which release active oxygen in wash water. This type of product produces gentler bleaching action than chlorine bleach.
Nylon - Synthetic thermoplastic of the polyamide family. It is the dominant fiber in tufted carpet pile yarns.
Organic - A substance composed of carbon and hydrogen.
Organizm - Any individual animal, plant or bacterium.
O.S.H.A. - Initials of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, a federal act passed in 1970. O.S.H.A. is designed to provide every working man and woman in the nation with safe and healthful working conditions. O.S.H A. provides the standards inspection and enforcement program to accomplish these goals.
Oven Cleaner - Usually a liquid in an aerosol container or pump-actuated bottle. To clean a cold oven a strong chemical is necessary.
Oxidation - To combine with oxygen. Slow oxidation is typified by the rusting of metal.
Oxidized - Bleached
Pathogen - Any disease-producing organism.
pH - The measurement symbol used to express the degree of acidity or alkalinity. A pH of I expresses an extreme condition, while a pH of 14 is highly alkaline. The pH scale runs from less than 1.0 to 14, and neutrality is centered at pH 7.0.
Phenol - Chemical used for disinfecting (phenolic disinfectant). Also known as carbolic acid.
Phosphate - A widely used water softener, builder builder and sequestering agent used in detergents.
Phosohoric Acid - The most common acid based on phosphorus sometimes called orthophosphoric acid. Used as a mild bowl acid in formulations of light duty degreasers.
Pitting - Small craters on the surface of concrete and terrazzo floors which will grow in size, with traffic and chemical exposure, unless coated with protective floor finish.
Plasticizer Migration - Migration of ingredients from there intended location. Migration of plasticizers from flooring materials can cause tackiness in floor finishes or adhesion problems. Migration from floor finish to flooring is also possible.
Plasticizer - An organic compound to a polymer to increase its flexibility and toughness. Plasticizers contribute to the durability, gloss, and leveling of a floor polish.
Polyethylene - Plasticizer used primarily in finishes. Polymer A chemical compound composed of many similar, smaller parts chemically linked to one another. As related to emulsion floor finishes and sealers, polymers are the major film forming agent which contributes gloss and durability to the finish or sealer.
Polyurethane - A thermoplastic polymer which has excellent hardness and gloss.
Porcelain Enamel - A coating of ceramic typw material that is fired or fused to a steel base and used in sinks, bathtubs etc. This differs from the vitreous china used in toilets and urinals.
Powdering - A condition where a fine dust occurs on the finished floor surface, often obvious when tracked onto adjacent carpeting. Often, powdering is due to dust settling out where construction or other sources of dust are present. Other times, powdering is indicative of a lack of floor finish (or sealer) adhesion, loss of plasticizing agents to the substrate or to cleaning solutions, or application while temperature or relative humidity is too low to allow proper film formation. The causes of lack of adhesion are numerous soap residues, insufficient stripping of old finish, applying finish too thinly.
Recoating - A maintenance method where additional coats of floor finish are applied without prior stripping. Successful recoat is dependent on substrate, preparation of substrate, and amount of time between applications.
PPB Parts per billion - Equals 1 pound in 500,000 tons.
PPM Parts per million - One part per million equals 1 pound in 500 tons.
Preservative - A chemical agent that inhibits aging such as decay, discoloration, oxidation and microbial growth.
Presoak - A soaking operation, to remove stains, that preceded the regular laundering process.
Pre-spot - Removal of stains before more estensive carpet cleaning.
Primary Backing - The carrier fabric for the pile yarn of a carpet into which the yarn tufts have been inserted.
Propellant - An agent used to expel contents from an aerosol under pressure.
Pumice - Porous volcanic rock frequently used as an abrasive.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - A class of chemicals used as disinfectant, antistat and softening agents (Quats).
Re-Emulsification - A chemical process that occurs when a film of floor finish has not completely dried and has re-liquified by a subsequent application of finish. It doesn’t appear until the floor has dried and then appears streaked or dull.
Refinishing - To apply a new coat of wax or floor finish to a floor
Residue - Cleaning chemicals or soil left behind in a carpet after the cleaning process.
Resilient - Capable of withstanding shock or pressure without permanent deformation or rupture. Asphalt, vinyl, linoleum are resilient type flooring materials.
Resilient Flooring - Flexible flooring materials including asphalt tile, cork, linoleum, no wax, rubber, seamless floors, vinyl, and vinyl asbestos.
Resin - As related to emulsion finishes and sealers, resins are materials, which contribute primarily to leveling and gloss of the resultant film. Resins are polymers, but contain fewer chemically linked units than what are commonly called polymers.
Rinse Agent - A wetting agent used in the last rinse during dishwashing to improve the draining of the water from dishes and utensils.
Restorer - A maintainer for UHS finishes which adds 1/4 of 1 coat of product.
Rubber Flooring - materials made up of natural or synthetic rubber rolled and heat cured into a final product.
Rust remover - A specialty cleaner used to removwe rust stains from carpet yarn.
Sanitizer - An agent that reduces the number of bacteria to a safe level, but does not completely eliminate them, as judged by public health requirements.
Scale - Calcium or mineral deposits in stem boilers and in steam and water pipes.
Scouring pad - A hand-sized pad that supplies the cleaning agent of an abrasive.
Scratch - Imperfection in the smoothness of a polish film caused by a scraping action.
Scrub - The use of a brush or synthetic floor cleaning pad and detergent solution to clean a floor without removing the floor finish.
Scuff - Damage to a polish film caused by the frictional heat and mechanical action from a high speed impact of shoe material.
Scuffing - Scratches or marring of the finish, due primarily to foot traffic, which appears dull as compared to unscuffed areas.
Sealing - Application of a coating to a bare substrate and to fill pores to prevent excessive absorption of the finish coats.
Secondary Backing - The fabric reinforcement that is laminated to the back or bottom of a tufted carpet to provide strength and stability
Self Polishing - A floor finish or furniture polish that dries to a shine and needs no further effort to bring about a shine. Most modem polishes are of the self shine type. Other terms use to describe this type of polish are Dry Bright and Non Buffable.
Sequestering Agents - Chemicals that tie up water hardness and prevent the precipitation of hard water salts. This action causes clarity in liquid soaps.
Sheen - Term applied to low angle gloss.
Shelf Life - The time between manufacturing and the time a product becomes spoiled,
Slip Resistance - The drag noticed when walking on a floor that results in safer footing; the amount of resistance to slipping, usually with reference to the sole or heel of a shoe on a floor.
Sodium Hydroxide - Caustic used in the manufacture of detergents and soap. Sodium Metasilicate Base for detergent formulations.
Sodium Silicate - Catalyst for soaps and detergents. Sodium Xylenesulfonate Water softener used in detergents.
Soil Resistant - A condition od the floor that occurs due to the application of protective coatings.
Soil Retardant - A chemical finish applied to carpet and fabric surfaces, which inhibits attachment to the soil fiber.
Solids Content (Non Volatile) - That portion of the product (floor finish, sealer, cleaner, etc.) which remains as the film or residue after drying has occurred. The solids content is usually expressed as percent by weight of the total product. Often, solids is considered as a measurement of the quality, durability, and performance of a product. This is false logic and can be very misleading as a measure of any product performance property.
Soluability - The tendency of a material to dissolve in another material.
Solution - A uniform dispersed mixture of two or more fluids.
Solvent Finish - Finish in which the solvent content is borne in a solvent, rather than water.
Solvents - Substances used to solubilize other materials.
Solvent Based Buffable - A liquid or paste composed of waxes, synthetic or natural, dispensed in an organic solvent. When applied and allowed to dry, solvent based buffable polishes haze and must be buffed to achieve gloss.
Spalling - The process of concrete or terrazzo breaking apart into dust and pieces.
Spore - A thick resistant cell coat which forms within the cell wall as a resting stage. The spore is very resistant to disinfectants and germicides and usually is usually destroyed only by sterilization procedures (autoclaving, ethylene oxide, etc.).
Spotter - A carpet stain remover.
Spray Buff - To renew, touch up, or maintain a floor by spraying an approved spray buff product followed by ma chine buffing. Restores worn floor coatings.
Spray Buffing - A maintenance procedure used to restore a worn dull floor finish to a glossy appearance with a floor machine, special buffing pad, and special product. A typical spray buff operation consists of spraying a fine mist of product onto a section of floor, then using a floor machine equipped with a buffing pad to buff the floor finish to a gloss.
Stability - Ability to resist change in physical or performance properties due to time or environmental stresses such as freezing and thawing, heat, or microbial attack. Emulsion floor care products are considered stable if changes caused by aging under expected environmental extremes will not affect product safety, product performance, or be detectable by the consumer for the duration for the products expected shelf life.
Stain - A visible discolorization.
Stain Repellant - A product applied to carpets that helps the yarn resist stains.
Sterilization - The act or process, physical or chemical, which destroys or eliminates all forms of life, especially microorganisms.
Streaking - A non uniform appearance left in a floor finish film by the application process.
Stripper - A product used to remove coatings from floor substrates. Specific types are needed for water based coatings; other Types are needed for solvent based coatings.
Stripping - A maintenance method for removal of floor finishes. After the stripping operation, the floors are rinsed thoroughly before applying a fresh coat of floor polish. A monomer or building block used in the preparation of emulsion polymers and resins used in floor finishes and sealers. Styrene imparts very hard, glossy, water resistant properties.
Surface Tension - That property, due to molecular forces, by which the surface film of all liquids tends to bring the contained volume into a form having the least superficial area.
Surfactant - A contraction of the words 'surface active agent.' This is the general name given to the type of surface active agents used in cleaners. The surfactant reduces surface tension and provides improved wetting, emulsifying, penetrating, and dispersing properties. There are three types of surfactants: anionic, cationic, and non ionic.
Suspension - The process of cleaning agent holding insoluable dirt particles in the cleaning solution and keeping them from redepositing on a clean floor.
Synthetic Detergent - A washing or cleaning product that utilizes synthetic surfactants rather than traditional soaps.
Synergist - An ingredient that, by its nature, multiplies the effectiveness of the product. For example, an insecticide plus a synergist does not add up as I + 1 = 2, but rather 1 + 1 = 4 or perhaps 8, when property balanced.
Tackiness - A sticky or adhesive condition that is the property of applied floor finishes, when not completely dried.
Tack Rag - A cloth dampened in solution,that is used to remove surface particles (lint, dust floor pad abrasive) prior to refinishing a surface.
Telescope Handle - An adjustable length pole that extends by pulling tubes out, one inside the other.
Terrazzo - A polished surface floor consisting of marble or granite chips mixed with a Portland cement matrix. The mixture is trowed onto the floor, leveled, and allowed to cure for a period of 5 to 6 days. The surface is then ground with an abrasive stone grinder and polished. Use of harsh acids and alkalis should be avoided. Also prepared in factories as finished slabs.
Thermoplastic - A polymer that softens when exposed to heat and returns to its original condition when cooled to room temperature. The polymers, resins and waxes used in floor polishes are thermoplastic.
Time to Recoat - The time from application when an additional coat of floor polish can be applied without damaging the previous coat.
Top Coating - A maintenance procedure for applying an additional coat of floor finish. Top Scrubbing Floor cleaning operation using detergent solution and floor machine equipped with a special cleaning pad. After scrubbing, the floor is rinsed and allowed to dry.
Top scrubbing - is usually conducted so those additional coats of floor finish can be ap plied without stripping off the previous coats.
Toxic - Substance causing adverse effects in the body like poison.
Toxin - Poisonous substance produced by bacterial cells.
Traffic Lane - High traffic areas that show worn or soiled “lanes”.
Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP) - A water softener sometimes used as a cleaning agent.
Turkish Towel - Towel similar to terry cloth.
U.S.D.A - United States Department of Agriculture, which approves disinfectants and sanitizers.
Urethane - A synthetic resin, ethyl carbamate, used in protective coatings for wood, concrete and metal.
Varnish - A protective coating composed of a vegetable oil (linseed, tung, etc.) and a solvent, or of a synthetic or natural resin and solvent. A flooring material composed of a mixture of various vinyl compounds (Vinyl Chloride, Vinyl Acetate), asbestos, ground limestone, plasticizers, and colorants. Heated mixture is rolled into a final product. Noted for superior grease resistance and ease of maintenance. It indents and is susceptible to heel damage. It is porous and requires sealing to prevent staining. Vinyl Asbestos tiles are generally hard, brittle and appear to be porous on close inspection. Occasionally, discrete white filler particles can be seen in the tile.
Vinyl Flooring - A flooring material made up of a mixture of polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers Pigments are added for color. Vinyl flooring is usually flexible; fine textured, and appears to be relatively non porous.
Virus - A group of filterable infective agents that require the presence of living cells in order to multiply.
Virucide - A chemical agent that kills viruses.
Viscosity - The thickness of a liquid wich determines pourability. The resistance to flow is measuered in relationship to water in centipoise (cp) Water has a viscosity od 1 cp.
Volitale - The part of the product that evaporates during drying.
Ware-washing - Washing of dishes, utensils, glassware, pots, pans, etc in the institutional market.
Water Based Buffable Floor Finish - A water based emulsion coating whose appearance and/ or gloss may be improved through mechanical action. The primary film forming ingredients in this type of product there are usually waxes.
Water Based Self Polishing - A water based polish, not necessarily an emulsion, which dried to a shine without mechanical action.
Water Based Urethane - A colloidal dispersion of isocyanate containing polymers noted for casting very tough and flexible films. The major benefit obtained from this material is abrasion resistance.
Water Hardness - A measure of the amount of metallic salts found in water. Hard water can inhibit the action of some surfactants and reduce the effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Wax - A low melting compound of high molecular weight similar in composition to fats and oils. There are two types: Natural (animal and vegetable derived) and Synthetic (such as polymers of ethylene). The wax functions as a film in floor polishes to help prevent scuffs and black marks and as a slip resistance moderator.
Wax Emulsion - A stable mixture of one or more waxy materials helps in a water suspension through the use of emulsifiers, surfactants or soaps.
Wear - A distortion of the surface of a floor coating do to traffic and abrasion.
Wetting - Ability of a floor finish or cleaner to spread over substrate during application.
Wetting - Agent A chemical which reduces surface tension of water, allowing it to spread more freely.
Yeast - A form of fungus.
Yellowing - Discoloration of a floor finish du to aging. A common complaint regarding carnuba wax.