I first met Lee in 1979 when I attended a Dyco Carpet Dyeing school he taught at his distributorship in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. My own father, another leader of that generation, went with me to the class. I don’t remember much about it other than the impression that our instructor was a smart and serious guy. (Interesting side note: Lee’s son Jim, about my age and an industry legend in his own right, remembers meeting us at that school. He tells the story that we were apparently the first intelligent carpet-cleaning business owners to decide not to use truckmounts in our businesses deliberately. He says it was a lesson he did not forget.)

Entering and shaping a new industry

Lee’s journey in the cleaning industry started when he went to work at a dry cleaning business in 1959, a company he purchased a few years later. While successful, the margins in dry cleaning weren’t what he hoped for. In 1963, he was introduced to on-location carpet cleaning, an industry still in its infancy. He looked into it and found that the margins were good and the opportunities immense. Soon thereafter, he added it to dry cleaning, and in 1977, he sold the dry cleaning business to focus on developing the carpet cleaning business.

In 1974, Lee happened across the Society of Cleaning Technicians (SCT), now known as the Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians (SCRT), and soon became acquainted with its colorful and enigmatic founder, Ed York. York, who Cleanfax recognized as the industry “Person of the 20th Century,” was an entertaining idea-a-minute man. Personality-wise, the men were about as different as one could imagine. York was bombastic and sometimes caustic; Lee was measured and agreeable. But both were smart, and both saw the opportunity to provide direction for this fledgling industry.

Building the foundations of training and certification

Among York’s many innovations was creation of a technician training and education organization, Fiber Cleaning Schools of America (FCSA); coupled with an organization that would certify successful completion of FCSA courses, the International Institute of Carpet and Upholstery Certification (IICUC), today’s Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC); and a pioneering distribution company, Steam Services. Each of these innovations—technical training, certification, and product distribution—had a profound impact on the direction of this fledgling industry and on Lee Pemberton. As Lee expanded the scope of his technical training, he became one of the first shareholders of the IICUC (and, at the time of his death, one of three surviving individual shareholders, Rodney and Darrell Paulson being the others), and he had already established a distributorship in McKeesport.

Lee was among a core group of men and women (including York’s wife, Wanda) who recognized the value of training and certification for those engaged in this infant industry. Others included Ron Toney, FCSA’s first instructor; Tom Hill, who, like Lee, was an early IICUC shareholder; and Kenway Mead, IICUC’s administrator during its uber growth period in the 1980s and 90s. And then there was Mike West, Eric Rottmeister, and Larry Cooper, who led the transition of the IICUC from an organization of private shareholders to one controlled by industry trade associations. And of course, Jeff Bishop, the south Alabama training dynamo who by sheer force of will dominated the thinking and actions of the IICUC’s most important constituent group, the instructors and schools, for more than a quarter century.

Outside of the IICUC, others were following a similar path. Many were suppliers of products to the trade, including KleenRite Chemical, led by Murray Cremer; Unsmoke Systems, founded by Cliff Zlotnik; Lloyd’s Inc., owned by Lloyd Weaver; Bane-Clene Systems, led by Bill Bane Sr.; HOST-Racine Industries, with Fritz Rench in charge; Dri-Eaz Products, founded by Claude Blackburn; SteamWay International, led by industry veteran Ralph Bloss; and Prochem and its founder Jim Roden. In addition, today’s Restoration Industry Association (RIA), which at the time was named the Association of Interior Décor Specialists (AIDS), an umbrella organization above a series of specialized cleaning institutes, established two rigorous certification programs of its own: Certified Restorer under the direction of Marty King and Carpet Inspector under Steve Spivak.

Pemberton was uniquely involved in all of it. Usually, he preferred a lower-key role. But make no mistake, his influence was massive. He never aspired to be “king,” but, in his wisdom and humility, his voice was heard, and his counsel was frequently heeded, or at least listened to. Usually, his counsel included the admonition to “not forget the little guy,” the independent mom-and-pop cleaner who formed and to this day continues to form the core of the industry.

In 1973, Lee established a distributorship. Although he initially was strictly a Prochem distributor, on the advice of Ken Hines, founder of Sun-Belt USA in Raleigh, NC, he soon expanded his product line to give his customers more choices. Of course, Pembertons Cleaning and Restoration Supply sold products. But the reason it has enjoyed enormous success for more than half a century is Lee’s passion for nurturing and mentoring the oftentimes rough-around-the-edges, salt-of-the-earth men and women who seize the opportunity to build a business in this specialty cleaning industry.

Nurture and mentor he did, including yours truly. Lee is one of three men I think of as my “industry fathers” (the others being Jim Harris, the founding chairman of the Cleaning Industry Research Institute [CIRI], and Dr. Michael A. Berry, the author of Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health). Lee saw the industry as a humble but certain path to respectability. Harris saw the industry as a key contributor to human health. And Berry, well, he literally wrote the book about cleaning and human health. Collectively, these men conveyed a compelling vision of an industry that contributes to the common good and is worthy of respect. All had a visionary view of the industry that transcended reality at the time. And Lee and Harris, in particular, helped lay the foundation for this industry, which was just becoming recognizable.

The pioneers who shaped an emerging industry

At risk of straying too far from my mission to pay homage to Lee Pemberton, allow me to invest a few more words in recognizing more of this founding generation. Above, I noted several who, like Lee, were especially influential in connecting the industry to training and education. A few more would include:

• David Burgin of Certified Chemical & Equipment and his father-in-law, Joseph Conway, who worked with my grandfather in the 1940s to develop a floor scrubber practical for use on installed carpet in the home.
• Bob Hughes and Dan Savanuck, founders of Chemspec.
• Mike Palmer, founder of HydraMaster.
• Gene Bates, a founder of Steam Genie and Bates Engineering.
• Major Long, a fire restoration pioneer and the first president (1978-1980) of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR), who was not an in-plant rug cleaner.
• Jack Bates, founder of Stanley Steemer.
• My father, John M. Downey, whom Jack Bates openly credited with many of the ideas he “stole” and used so well in building Stanley Steemer.
• Howard Olansky, publisher of Installation Specialist magazine (later renamed Installation & Cleaning Specialist), the original trade magazine serving the industry.
• Richard “Dick” Ragan and David Lowry, two of the early writers for Cleanfax who greatly contributed to its unique character.

There are many more, and I regret that I either do not recall or never knew some of them because they were gone before I arrived on the scene.

This diverse group of individuals collectively created the “soup” that spawned the on-location professional carpet cleaning industry and, somewhat later, the disaster restoration industry. As with all soups, a variety of ingredients was included.

• Engineering creativity in the development of cleaning systems, including both equipment and cleaning solutions.
• Marketing savvy in building awareness and demand for the services.
• Education and technical training, first on cleaning fundamentals and later on advanced techniques.
• Development of business management systems.

Every emerging industry includes a mix of these ingredients, and the particulars, in large part, determine how it develops. In the case of the professional carpet cleaning industry, innovative engineering was key, but education and technical training led the way. Also interesting is the fact that those who drove the industry forward, both the engineers and the educators and technical trainers, generally weren’t folks with college degrees, much less initials behind their names. This is and always has been an unrefined, earthy industry; one whose leaders rose through the ranks through talent, perseverance, and hard work.

Lee Pemberton, a reserved and modest man, nonetheless loved and identified with this rough-and-tumble industry. These were his people, and he loved them through good times and bad. He could see the inherent good, even noble, intentions of the thousands of mom-and-pop companies that made up the industry’s heart and soul. Lee made it his mission to help his customers improve in marketing and communications, as well as to hone their technical skills through IICRC courses and certification. Later, Lee’s son, Jim, would take a leading role in developing advanced technical training.

Lee was the cutting edge in many areas. In the 1990s, he lobbied for the creation of an IICRC distance-learning committee and served as its chairman for many years. He stood nearly alone against the mass of IICRC-approved instructors who opposed computer- and technology-enhanced training. It took a pandemic to open many of their minds. Largely because of the groundwork Lee had done years earlier, when the time came to transition to online classes, the IICRC leadership did not have to start from scratch.

Another area where he led was in “high-touch” marketing; that is, programs that emphasized the importance of frequent, low-pressure contacts with existing clients. He was a master at developing ready-to-use materials, including newsletters and service reminders, which made it easy for owner-operators to implement high-touch programs. Lee knew that for many owner-operators, innovative marketing was not a high-level skill they possessed; his programs made it easy for virtually any company to project a professional image.

The final two decades of Lee’s life were devoted largely to publishing The Cleantip, a concise weekly digest featuring marketing and management insights from Lee and a technical article from Jim. For many cleaners who entered the industry in this century, The Cleantip was their primary—and sometimes only—introduction to him. They may not have known the early pioneer, the shareholder, or the institutional architect. But they definitely knew the mentor in their inbox.

A legacy of leadership, mentorship, and service

Lee Pemberton’s funeral service was held on December 23, 2025. I was privileged to attend and listen as Lee’s son, Jim, delivered a remembrance of his father. I wish space allowed it to be reproduced in full here, for Jim’s words masterfully conveyed the full scope of his dad’s servant’s heart and how it impacted his family, friends, and industry associates. As it is, here in abbreviated form are the “seven lessons Lee taught us” (Jim and his sisters, Colleen, and Cheryl).

1. Look after the less fortunate. Jim told several stories about Lee lending a hand to help the less fortunate.
2. Find and nurture the potential in everyone. Again, several stories were shared about how Lee’s kindness helped those who shared his life for a time reach their potential.
3. Be inspired by adversity. Lee used adversity as a spur to greater learning and improvement and felt it was an essential element of success.
4. The grass is not always greener. At one point, Lee nearly left the industry to become a motivational speaker. At the last minute, he realized that the industry he was already in provided countless opportunities to motivate and help.
5. We become what we think about most often. And becoming an avid reader will lead us to think about consequential things such as truth, love, and others. Among the most important books he read was Man’s Search for Meaning, authored by Viktor Frankl. In it, he found the lesson he never tired of teaching his kids, “You can’t help how you feel, but you control how you think and act.”
6. Never say “I can’t.” Saying “I can’t” is self-defeating. A “can-do” attitude will overcome a myriad of obstacles.
7. Never retire. As Lee aged, his work changed, but he never even contemplated retirement. Ponce de Leon sought but never found the Fountain of Youth. But all of us have access to “a fountain of a useful, purposeful life of service to others.”

And that, it seems, is a fitting note to end this tribute, for Lee Pemberton certainly led “a fountain of a useful, purposeful life of service to others.”

The post Lee Pemberton and the Generation That Built This Industry appeared first on Cleanfax.

That company was MOR Time-Saving Equipment, the most influential rug-washing equipment manufacturer of the last 75 years. Its anniversary saga spans the Great Depression, engineering breakthroughs, industry-shifting automation, and ultimately a rebirth under Centrum Force, led by founder and fabricator Tom Monahan.

Today, as the rug-cleaning industry grows more sophisticated and labor costs continue to rise, the MOR legacy is more relevant than ever.

Born in hard times

The extraordinary company started at the most unlikely moment imaginable.

“It was in the first week in February 1930, when the Moore brothers, Arthur and Gregg, decided to purchase a small dry-cleaning business,” Monahan said. “What a time to buy a business, right? With the stock market crash in 1929, the Great Depression was in full swing, and people everywhere were hurting for money.”

Arthur and Gregg Moore had never operated such a business. Yet they kept at it for about six years. Their persistence under economic strain forged two traits that would define their company’s future: “Thick skin and an abundance of courage.”

As the country emerged from the Depression, in 1936 the brothers made the choice to add rug cleaning services—an addition that would change the industry.

Necessary problem-solving

The leap into rug washing created a need for better tools that didn’t exist yet. Their first significant step into automation came unexpectedly.

“The first real adventure in this business occurred on the day when Gregg Moore purchased a new rotary brush scrubbing machine for $150, without telling his brother Arthur,” Monahan explained. “Luckily, this purchase proved to be of great value.”

But the brothers quickly realized that if they wanted actual throughput, they needed more than off-the-shelf solutions.

“A small automatic washer and conveyor were installed,” Monahan said. “This set the stage to produce high volume and lots of new sales revenue. Everything was fine except for one important thing. The equipment they had found could only produce 10 rugs per hour. For an automated production, this was unacceptable.”

There was only one solution.

“Their situation caused them to conceive of equipment that would furnish a high-speed rug cleaning production line,” Monahan said. “But it simply didn’t exist. They would have to build it themselves.”

The Moore brothers built their own automated washing machine. It delivered a level of production that was “unheard of in the business.”

Industry adoption

Word of the effective automated washing machine traveled quickly. In 1949, Cecil Treadway, who owned Bouchelle’s Rug Cleaning, a well-known and respected plant in Chicago, visited the automated rug washing machine that they had built. That moment lit the fuse for decades of expansion.

Ellen Amirkhan, current Bouchelle Rug Co. CEO, shared the story: “They were looking for ways to save money and get more production. They heard of a company that was building its own equipment because it was also in the rug-cleaning business in Indiana. So, when Cecil Treadway heard about this, he went and investigated it and was there for no more than an hour. He already said, ‘I want one.’”

Once Bouchelle installed their machine, “other rug cleaners quickly lined up to buy their own,” Monahan said.

During the following decades, the company—now known as MOR Time-Saving Equipment—began manufacturing dusters, washers, ringers, conveyors, drying-room systems, and rolling/wrapping machines.

A small Depression-era startup had become “the number one rug washing equipment manufacturer in the world,” Monahan said.

The Roll-A-Jet era

As MOR expanded, the next generation stepped in. Ron Moore, son of Arthur and nephew of Gregg, graduated from Purdue University with an engineering degree. His contribution was historic.

“Ron invented the MOR Roll-A-Jet,” Monahan said. “This was an innovative machine that would wash a rug and ring it out after rinsing it with no brushes.”

Ron filed his first patent at age 27 and eventually became president and CEO. Under his leadership, MOR equipment became the backbone of high-production rug plants across North America and beyond.

Monahan’s personal history with MOR began with a single phone call. In 2004, Monahan owned an area rug cleaning company and was ramping up to do more business. Monahan made a call to the MOR Time-Saving Equipment Co. looking for a used machine.

A long-time employee of the Moore Co., Kay Mabie, connected Monahan with Ron, and they helped Monahan secure a refurbished 16-foot MOR Roll-A-Jet. It was a turning point.

“Buying this piece of equipment really marked the beginning of what became a great relationship,” Monahan said.

Over the next several years, Monahan co-founded Centrum Force. He and Ron spoke often “on the benefits of his machine, the capabilities, the potentialities, and ideas of improvement,” he explained. Ron took a keen interest in Centrum Force’s innovations, including their patented horizontal rug-ringing centrifuge.

“It became really clear during those years—Centrum Force and MOR Time-Saving Equipment Co. had a strong synergy,” Monahan said. “We both were about leveraging automation to save time, reduce labor, and increase throughput.”

Succession planning

By 2012, MOR’s manufacturing operations had stopped, and Ron was ready to retire. Monahan traveled to MOR’s facility with his foreman to explore a possible acquisition.

“It was at that time that Ron looked right at him and pointed at me and said, ‘I’m not going to sell my company to anybody but him,’” Monahan said. “Frankly, it seemed like the natural next step for both our companies.”

The agreement was signed in 2012, and Mabie was part of the deal, now working for Monahan.

“There was concern in the last 10 or so years,” Amirkhan said. “’What are we going to do when we have parts that can’t be generically replaced? How are we going to keep these machines running?’ I was extremely pleased to learn that Tom Monahan and Centrum Force have purchased the MOR company so that the legacy will be available for future generations.”

Next chapter of innovation

The source of most of the company’s modernization and improvement develops in the field. “This organic, collaborative way of innovating ends up producing machines that immediately create the kind of throughput and quality that have been hallmarks of every modern machine for 75 years,” Monahan said.

One such collaboration involved upgrading legacy MOR machines with advanced spray-jet technology. “We ended up sort of entering into some experiments,” Robert Mann, owner of Robert Mann Rugs, recalled with the result being the developed of this effective equipment.

Centrum Force also transformed MOR’s original hand-drawn blueprints into modern computer-aided design (CAD) files—ushering in a new era of precision fabrication.

“Our use of the latest computer technologies lets us design and fabricate new innovations into these machines with more ease and speed than was ever possible before,” Monahan said.

Today, Centrum Force preserves MOR’s heritage while building tomorrow’s breakthroughs. From the Great Depression to global industry leadership, from early automation to modern CAD engineering, from the Moore brothers’ courage to Centrum Force’s renewed vision—the MOR story continues to shape the rug-cleaning industry.

The post The Titans of Rug Washing: How MOR and Centrum Force Advance a Legacy appeared first on Cleanfax.

Rug washing has evolved tremendously throughout the years, from wash pits to modern automated technology.

In this episode of Straight Talk!, rug expert Tom Monahan, owner, outlines what he has seen in his years of cleaning, traveling the globe, visiting rug plants, working with rug cleaning experts, and developing innovative rug washing equipment.

Learn all about rug washing by watching the video or listening to the podcast below!

Click and Watch:

For more video content by Cleanfax, check out the  Cleanfax Video page and start learning invaluable cleaning and restoration tips today.

Subscribe or update your subscription to Cleanfax.

Become an 91��Ƶ member to  manage and grow your restoration company

91��Ƶ membership provides unparalleled opportunities to improve your operations, boost your profits, and make valuable connections. Learn more about the benefits that are in store for you as an 91��Ƶ member by viewing the   page today!

The post The Evolution of Rug Washing appeared first on Cleanfax.

Learn what they’ll miss about the event and what Cooper had to say regarding what the future holds by watching the video below!

Click and Watch:

For more video content by Cleanfax, check out the  Cleanfax Video page and start learning invaluable cleaning and restoration tips today.

Subscribe or update your subscription to Cleanfax.

Become an 91��Ƶ member to  manage and grow your restoration company

91��Ƶ membership provides unparalleled opportunities to improve your operations, boost your profits, and make valuable connections. Learn more about the benefits that are in store for you as an 91��Ƶ member by viewing the   page today!

The post What the Founders of The Experience Will Miss the Most appeared first on Cleanfax.

Common cleaning practices of the 18th century

The 18th century witnessed a significant shift in attitudes toward cleanliness and hygiene. During this period, cleanliness began to be viewed as a virtue, and people started adopting new cleaning practices to maintain a clean and healthy environment. While some of these practices may seem antiquated by today’s standards, they marked a significant departure from the unsanitary conditions that prevailed in earlier times.

One of the standard cleaning practices of the 18th century was sweeping. Floors were usually made of wood, stone, or packed earth and were cleaned regularly using brooms made from natural materials such as twigs or straw. This helped to remove dirt, dust, and debris from the floors and was often accompanied by shaking out rugs and carpets to dislodge accumulated dirt.

Cleaning household items was also a common practice. For example, dishes and utensils were washed using water, soap, and sometimes sand or ash as a scrubbing agent. Linens and clothing were washed using large wooden tubs, often outdoors, and soap made from animal fat or lye was used to remove dirt and stains. Sunlight was also utilized as a natural bleaching agent to whiten fabrics.

In addition to manual cleaning, there were also specialized tools and methods for cleaning specific items. For instance, brass and copper items were polished using vinegar, salt, or abrasive powders like rottenstone, while silverware was washed with a paste made from whiting and water. These methods helped to restore the shine and luster of metal objects, which were considered a sign of cleanliness and affluence.

Overcoming antiquated and unsanitary cleaning methods

Despite the efforts towards cleanliness in the 18th century, many cleaning methods were still antiquated and unsanitary by modern standards. One of the prevalent practices was using chamber pots as indoor toilets. These pots were emptied into outdoor privies or streets, resulting in foul odors and unsanitary conditions. Waste management was a significant challenge, and cities struggled to find ways to dispose of human waste properly.

Another challenge was the lack of proper sewage systems. Most cities did not have organized sewage systems, and waste was often discharged into rivers, causing pollution and contamination of water sources. As a result, waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery were rampant, and cleanliness was compromised.

In addition, personal hygiene practices were not as thorough as today. Regular bathing was still uncommon; many people would go without washing their bodies for extended periods. Clean water was often scarce and expensive, making regular bathing a luxury that only the affluent could afford. This resulted in body odor and skin conditions being prevalent among the general population.

Furthermore, understanding germs and their role in disease transmission was limited during the 18th century. There was a lack of awareness about the importance of handwashing. People often used shared utensils and towels, spreading germs and diseases within households and communities.

Despite these challenges, significant strides were made toward improving cleanliness in the 18th century. The emergence of the Enlightenment period brought about a new emphasis on reason, science, and rationality, which helped to advance knowledge about hygiene and sanitation. Medical professionals started advocating for cleaner practices, and the importance of cleanliness in preventing the spread of diseases began to gain recognition.

As professionals in cleaning and hygiene, it is truly remarkable to witness the significant advancements we have made in our methods and practices. The revolutionizing changes in cleaning techniques have come a long way, and it is exciting to envision what the future may hold for cleanliness and hygiene.

Visiting the can provide valuable insights into the historical evolution of cleanliness practices for those interested in learning more about the origins of cleanliness. Stay tuned for our upcoming article next month, where we will delve further into what cleaning looked like in the 1920s, exploring the societal shifts, challenges faced, and progress towards a cleaner and healthier environment.

The post The Rise of Cleanliness in the 18th Century appeared first on Cleanfax.

Common cleaning practices of the 17th century

During the 17th century, people had limited knowledge about germs and the importance of cleanliness to prevent the spread of diseases. Moreover, cleaning was a luxury reserved for the wealthy, and the majority of people, especially those living in rural areas, didn’t have access to the means or knowledge to clean their surroundings properly.

One of the most common cleaning practices during the 17th century was sweeping. Most households had a broom made from natural materials like straw or reed. These brooms were used to clean the dirt and debris out of the house. However, this practice only removed visible dirt, not the invisible bacteria that caused diseases.

Another common practice was washing clothes, but it was a tedious and time-consuming task. Clothes were washed by hand using soap made from animal fat or plant-based materials like ash and lye. The washing process involved soaking the clothes in water, rubbing them with soap, and rinsing them thoroughly.

Overcoming rudimentary cleaning challenges

The 17th century was plagued with numerous challenges when it came to cleaning. One of the biggest obstacles was the lack of access to clean water. People relied on wells, rivers, and rainwater to meet their daily needs, and these sources of water were often contaminated.

To overcome this challenge, people used a variety of methods to purify water. One of the most popular methods was to boil the water to kill off any harmful bacteria. This method is still used today, and boiling water is an effective way to purify it.

Another challenge people faced was dealing with human waste. In the 17th century, most households did not have indoor plumbing or toilets, and people used chamber pots instead. These pots were emptied into the streets or nearby fields, which led to the spread of diseases.

To handle this problem, people used lime or ash to neutralize the odor and disinfect the waste. They also used a mixture of sand and straw to cover the waste and prevent it from spreading.

Nowadays, these concerns have been mitigated thanks to modern technology, human ingenuity, and civilized society.

As cleaning and restoration professionals, it is fascinating to see how far we’ve come and the future we may hold. With cleaning methods revolutionizing this much thus far, who truly can say what the future of clean holds?

To learn more about The Origins of Clean, check out the and stay tuned for next month where we cover the rise of cleanliness in the 18th century!

The post Cleaning in the 17th Century appeared first on Cleanfax.

A Medieval clean wasn’t half bad

Cleaning and hygiene practices in medieval times were quite different from what we have today. In the Middle Ages, cleanliness was not considered to be as important as it is today and people often lived in unsanitary conditions. Despite this, there were some cleaning and hygiene practices that were followed to prevent the spread of disease and keep communities healthy.

One of the most important cleaning practices in medieval times was washing. Bathing was not as common as it is today and was often reserved for special occasions. People would usually wash their hands and face regularly, but full-body bathing was not a daily occurrence. Instead, people would take a weekly bath in a communal bathhouse or wash in a nearby river. These bathhouses were also used for socializing and were a place to meet and gossip.

Another important cleaning practice was laundry. People in the Middle Ages would wash their clothes regularly and hang them outside to dry. They used soap made from ashes and animal fat to wash their clothes and would beat the dirt out of them with sticks. Laundry was done in a large wooden tub, often near a river or stream, to make the washing and rinsing process easier.

Overcoming Medieval cleaning challenges

One of the biggest challenges in medieval times was dealing with human waste. Most people lived in small villages and did not have indoor toilets, so they used outdoor privies or chamber pots. These were often emptied into nearby rivers or streams, which was a significant source of contamination. To combat this, some cities introduced regulations requiring privies to be cleaned regularly and disposed of properly.

Food and water were also a concern in medieval times. People would store food in cool, dark places to prevent spoilage, and would also use vinegar, salt, and spices to preserve food for more extended periods. Water was often contaminated with animal waste and other pollutants, so people would boil water before drinking it. This was done to kill any harmful bacteria or parasites that may have been present in the water.

Another hygiene practice in medieval times was the use of perfumes and fragrances. People used these to mask unpleasant odors and were also believed to have medicinal properties. They would apply perfumes to their skin and clothing, and also burn scented candles and incense to purify the air.

Finally, one of the most important cleaning practices in medieval times was the use of fire. The fire was used to heat homes and buildings, as well as to cook food. It was also used to sterilize and disinfect, especially during outbreaks of disease. People would use fire to purify their homes and to burn anything that was contaminated with disease.

In conclusion, cleaning and hygiene practices in medieval times were quite different from what we have today. Despite the lack of modern technology, people were still able to maintain a basic level of cleanliness and prevent the spread of disease. These practices were often simple and straightforward but were still effective in keeping communities healthy. Today, we can learn from the wisdom and practicality of medieval cleaning and hygiene practices, and use this knowledge to improve our own practices and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

As cleaning and restoration professionals, many of their rudimentary methods can still be seen in more modern forms today. However, the ability to combat illness and prevent infection through sanitation and deep cleaning with chemicals is one of the main reasons why modern cleaning methods are so much more effective and have helped us to eliminate some of the most deadly diseases and illnesses from their time.

To learn more about The Origins of Clean, check out the and stay tuned for next month where we cover cleaning in the 17th Century!

The post Medieval Cleaning: Hardly Hygienic appeared first on Cleanfax.

With 91��Ƶ celebrating its 100th year in business all through 2023, it’s highly important that we take the time to tell the real stories and true history of our beloved industry for all to see, cherish, respect, and reminisce upon throughout these 12 months.

To kick off this exciting series, let’s take a closer look at the rudimentary cleaning rituals of the first human civilizations all the way to the dawn of the medieval period where we shall leave off for next month’s riveting history lesson.

Where it all began: 2800 BC

The roots of cleaning can be traced back all the way to 2800 BC. Archaeologists discovered that ancient Babylonians started making soap around this time, as they excavated soap-like materials and various cylinders. These cylinders contained inscriptions saying “fat boiled with ash.” Knowing that this was how soap was made in other civilizations not long after this, the archaeologists deduced that this was in fact the very first signs of cleaning products being made by human beings.

1500 BC: Egyptian cleaning methods

According to , “Based on the writings of Herodotus, Ancient Egyptians used many healthy hygiene habits, such as washing, and laundry. They also knew to use mint to make their breath fresh. According to Ancient History Online Encyclopedia, Ancient Egyptians always tried to make their bodies clean. They were the first to invent deodorant in history, which they did by mixing various spices, such as citrus and cinnamon.”

In conjunction with personal hygiene, Egyptians also were known for cleaning their homes and clothing using alkaline soaps, alcohol, and other concoctions not too dissimilar to modern detergents and cleaning chemicals.

1200 BC: Greek oils and ‘stewhouses’

While the Greek people were hardly a good example of modern cleaning, their methods are still incredibly interesting to learn about. Here are a few unique facts about this period in human history:

• The Greek people cleaned their bodies with blocks of clay, sand, pumice, and ashes, then anointed themselves with oil, and scraped off the oil and dirt with a metal instrument known as a strigil.
• Greek homes were only said to be dusted and there were no known methods for disinfecting or deep cleaning found throughout their history.
• Steam baths were highly popular with the people of Greece. however, because of the ‘moist warmth of the bathhouse,’ they quickly became known as ‘stewhouses’ to refer to their musky, sweaty stench. Gross, right?

Roman infrastructure and modernized methods

By the time the Roman empire came to be, cleaning methods had advanced in many ways, and their ideas for hygiene and health helped to advance it further with ease. For starters, their methods for sewage cleanup were revolutionary. The Etruscans laid the first underground sewers in the city of Rome around 500 BC. This helped to set the foundations for proper bathroom hygiene and health for centuries to come.

Next, Romans were some of the first to begin to use ammonia to clean their clothing, furniture, and even teeth. However, the ways in which they obtained this ammonia were less than pleasant. According to , “Before soap, urine, mixed with water, was used as a detergent for clothing. The ammonia in the urine made even the worst stains get out of the clothes. The barrels of urine were therefore eagerly purchased by laundries. Urine was not only used to wash clothes, but the Romans also used it to brush their teeth.”

Lastly, Romans expected their servants to deep clean their homes with soaps made from animal fats and ashes along with these ammonia concoctions. Their homes were depicted as clean, shiny, and well-kempt which is likely why many of their artifacts are still so well preserved even now.

New cultures rise from the ‘ashes’

The Collapse of the Roman empire led to many barbarian cultures taking over and the concepts of civility and modern cleaning methods being put on the proverbial backburner while things settled across all of Europe.

Meanwhile, many other non-European cultures continued to advance these methods. Chinese rice water detergents, soap made from ground jade, and even herbal disinfectants became prevalent while African oils and astringents were used for disinfection and exfoliation.

As we delve further into the middle ages next month, it’s important to notice not just the unique methods used by every culture but also the similarities. It just goes to show that human ingenuity is something that can be found in every culture and should be embraced even now in the cleaning industry to bring this amazing market into the future and to welcome another 100 years for 91��Ƶ and its many members.

The post The Origins of Clean: BC and Beyond appeared first on Cleanfax.