Solutions

Spills and spots are inevitable, but they do not have to be permanent. The right cleaning solutions can help keep the carpet in your facility or home looking its best. To identify superior performing cleaning products, CRI has developed the Seal of Approval (SOA) program for solutions. CRI worked with an independent laboratory to develop a testing program for evaluating carpet cleaning solutions. The SOA program was launched in 2004 to test cleaning solutions and other carpet cleaning equipment. CRI uses scientifically developed cleaning methods to identify which cleaning solutions work best.

The SOA program tests the following types of solutions:

Pre-spray
In-tank
Encapsulate
Pet Stain & Odor
Spot Remover

Testing Criteria

To earn the Seal of Approval certification, cleaning solutions are tested on the following criteria:

Cleaning Effectiveness — ensures that the product meets SOA criteria for removing soil or stains
Rate of Resoil — ensures that the product meets SOA criteria for minimizing resoiling of treated areas. Resoiling is the propensity of a cleaning solution residue to attract soil at an accelerated rate.
pH — ensures that a product meets SOA criteria for pH. A more neutral pH ensures that carpet dyes and fibers are not adversely affected by the cleaning solution.
Optical brighteners — ensures that a product meets SOA criteria for the absence of optical brighteners. The presence of optical brighteners can alter the color of the carpet.
Colorfastness — ensures that a product meets SOA criteria for maintaining colorfastness. Colorfastness is the level to which a chemical residue contributes to color change when exposed to accelerated light.
Odor (applies to Pet Stain & Odor solutions only) – ensures that a product meets SOA criteria for eliminating odor.

Documents

Program Information

Seal of Approval Program Fee Schedule(227 KB)

Lists testing and renewal fees for CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers categories like spot cleaners, pet stain removers, pre-spray and in-tank solutions, vacuums, extractors, interim maintenance systems, and deep cleaning systems. Includes member vs. non-member pricing and private label fees.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Service Providers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Program Manual(296 KB)

Comprehensive manual for CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers program purpose, eligibility, certification process, testing requirements, use of service and certification marks, confidentiality, and complaint/appeal procedures. Details product categories (solutions, vacuums, extractors, systems), test methods, periodic testing, and private labeling policies.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

SOA Test Carpet Specifications(136 KB)

Lists specifications for carpets used in SOA testing: Residential Cut Pile, Commercial Cut Pile, and Loop Pile. All use nylon fiber with no stain/soil chemistry. Includes details like gauge, stitches per inch, tufted yarn weight, and pile height.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions, Vacuums

Agreements

Seal of Approval Participation Agreement(220 KB)

Legal agreement outlining terms for participation in CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Covers participant duties, compliance with program requirements, use of service marks, confidentiality, termination rights, indemnification, and governing law. Includes obligations for tested and private label products.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Service Providers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Private Label Certification and Service Mark Usage Agreement(299 KB)

Agreement governing private label certification and use of CRI’s Seal of Approval service mark. Details responsibilities of participants and private labelers, confidentiality terms, termination clauses, and indemnification. Ensures proper branding and compliance with CRI standards.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Criteria

SOA Test Criteria for Solutions(169 KB)

Details Optical Brightners, pH, Colorfastness, Cleaning Effectiveness, Rate of Resoil, and Odor criteria for SOA certification: specifies units measured and test method.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

Forms

Seal of Approval Participant Application(203 KB)

Application form for companies to participate in CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Collects company details, physical and billing addresses, contact roles, and parent company information. Required for certification and listing of cleaning products or equipment.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Participant Information Update Form(98 KB)

Form for updating participant information in the Seal of Approval program. Used to report changes such as company name, address, legal status, product formulation, or key contacts. Requires date, signature, and description of changes.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Private Label Solution Registration(192 KB)

Form for registering private label cleaning solutions under CRI’s Seal of Approval program. Requires details of the certified product, private labeler company, and private label product (including dilution/application rates and cleaning instructions). Includes compliance note that product info must match label instructions for certification validity.

Audiences: Manufacturers, Private Labelers

Topics: Solutions

Seal of Approval Product Withdrawal Form(201 KB)

Form for withdrawing products from the Seal of Approval program. Options include withdrawing all products, all products in a category, or specific products. Requires effective date, product details, and company signature. Notes that all related private label certifications will also be withdrawn.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Deep Cleaning Systems, Extractors, Interim Maintenance Systems, Solutions, Vacuums

Seal of Approval Tested Solution Registration(193 KB)

Form for registering cleaning solutions for SOA testing. Collects product details (manufacturer, solution type, dilution/application rates, cleaning instructions) and availability for consumer purchase. Notes compliance requirement that product info must match label instructions for certification validity.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

Methods

SOA S-100 Preparation of Solution and Test Method for pH and Optical Brightner(136 KB)

Outlines preparation of diluted cleaning solutions and verification of pH and optical brighteners. Includes steps for measuring pH with a calibrated meter and detecting optical brighteners using UV light on treated paper towels.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-101 (CF) Colorfastness Test Method(134 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating carpet cleaning solutions for colorfastness under accelerated light exposure. Uses Xenon-Arc lamp, AATCC Gray Scale, and untreated control samples. Results are reported as Gray Scale grades after 40 fading units.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-200 (CE) Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Pre-spray and In-tank Solutions(191 KB)

Details the laboratory procedure for assessing cleaning effectiveness of pre-spray and in-tank solutions. Involves soiling carpet samples, applying solutions, extracting with water or solution, and grading results using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on difference between solution-cleaned and water-only samples.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-201 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Pre-spray and In-tank Solutions(163 KB)

Provides the procedure for evaluating resoiling characteristics of pre-spray and in-tank cleaning solutions. Includes solution application, extraction, drying, accelerated soiling, and grading with AATCC Gray Scale.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-300 (CE) Test Method for Cleaning Effectiveness of Encapsulate Solutions(207 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of encapsulate solutions on loop pile carpet. Involves soiling samples, applying solution, agitation with a counter-rotational brush, vacuuming, and grading results using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on difference between solution-cleaned and water-only samples.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-301 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Encapsulate Solutions(159 KB)

Details the method for assessing resoiling tendency of encapsulate cleaning solutions. After cleaning and drying, carpets are subjected to accelerated soiling in a Hexapod tester, then vacuumed and graded using AATCC Gray Scale for staining.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-400 (CE) Test Method for the Evaluation of Cleaning Effectiveness of Spot Remover and Pet Stain & Odor Solutions(162 KB)

Defines the procedure for evaluating the cleaning effectiveness of spot remover and pet stain & odor solutions. Involves applying various staining agents (e.g., mustard, coffee, cat urine), cleaning with solution and water, and grading stain removal using AATCC Gray Scale. Final score is based on the difference between solution and water-only results.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-401 (RS) Test Method for Resoiling of Spot Remover and Pet Stain & Odor Solutions(160 KB)

Provides the method for assessing resoiling tendency of spot remover and pet stain & odor solutions. After cleaning and drying, carpets are subjected to accelerated soiling in a Hexapod tester, then vacuumed and graded using AATCC Gray Scale for staining.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

SOA S-402 (O) Test Method for Evaluation of Odor Removal(130 KB)

Details the procedure for evaluating odor removal performance of pet stain & odor solutions. Uses cat urine as the odor source, applies solution vs. water, then seals samples in jars for heating and conditioning before odor evaluation by trained technicians.

Audiences: Manufacturers

Topics: Solutions

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Solutions

Testing Criteria

Documents

Solution Certifications

Certification Count: 161