CINCINNATI—P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, announced the launch of the Tide Professional Coldwater System, an on-premise laundry program that enables facilities to save as much as $8,700 per year based on water, energy and linen replacement cost savings.The new Tide Professional Coldwater System includes four products—a near-neutral pH detergent, fabric softener, bleach and whiteness enhancer—that are formulated to work together to deliver clean, soft linens and towels to guests while using significantly less water at colder temperatures than traditional on-premise laundry systems. The advanced formula in the Tide Professional Coldwater System also uses unique enzymes...

HAMILTON, OHIO—Many cleaning professionals are unaware of studies that indicate how the very tools we use to clean surfaces—specifically, cleaning cloths and mops—are sometimes the very ones that cause cross-contamination. This point was illustrated rather dramatically in a study published in 2004. That study found that, in situations where the cleaning procedure fails to thoroughly eliminate contamination from one surface and then the same cloth is used to wipe another surface, “the contamination is transferred to that surface.” Another study investigated microbial contamination of cleaning cloths and their potential to spread contamination. Once again, this study reported that wiping surfaces...

BREA, CALIF.—The Embassy Suites Brea (Calif.), North Orange County’s only full-service, all-suite hotel, has added 10 new allergy-friendly guestrooms. The hypoallergenic rooms will be provided by PURE Rooms, an allergy travel company with nearly 300 affiliated hotels nationwide.PURE Rooms are treated according to a patented seven-step process that eliminates and protects against 98 to 100 percent of viruses, bacteria and other irritants that are harmful to people with asthma and allergies. This allergy travel technology creates an environment that is more comfortable for allergy-sufferers and provides a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep for all hotel guests.General Manager of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is redesigning its Design for the Environment Safer Product Label to better convey to consumers that products bearing the label meet the program’s rigorous standard to be safer for people and the environment. “We want consumers to be able to easily find safer products that work well,” said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The agency wants to hear from the American people on which designs will help people identify household cleaning and other products that are safer for families and the environment.” The redesigned label is intended to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Florida-based Liberty Building Forensics Group, a leading building forensics firm that has solved complex building moisture and mold problems, has a warning for hotel design and construction teams. Rigid adherence to brand standards in new hotel construction without factoring in specific regional and climatic conditions can result in significant mold and moisture issues.Design standards are developed on a global basis, not taking into consideration specific limitations of regional climates. Regional violations in design standards have been shown repeatedly to result in extensive and costly mold and moisture problems in hotels.Brands claim their standards are only guidelines, and that...

TAMPA, FLA.—Green Lodging News welcomes Marble Shine Services as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. Marble Shine Services represents a line of environmentally sound cleansers, sealers, impregnators and renewable finishes for stone, tile, concrete, VCT, wood, and a host of other hard surface flooring types. Marble Shine Services’ StoneClean Concentrates biodegrade quickly and do not include toxic compounds. They include no citrus, soy or detergent products so no cleaning residues are left behind. Call (503) 362-5651, e-mail marbleshine57@yahoo.com, or go to www.buystoneclean.com for more information.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A webinar on carbon monoxide safety will be held for AH&LA members on Thursday, August 21, 2014, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (EST). The moderator will be Tony Mendez, corporate safety/security services, resort management, Bluegreen Corp. Speakers will include: Byron Briese, Rolf Jenson Associates; Tom Daly, The Hospitality Security Consulting Group; and Stacy Welch, PE, Senior Director, Fire Protection and Life Safety, Marriott International, Inc.Although incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning are rare, regular maintenance and equipment checks can help hoteliers protect both guests and employees. As with smoke alarms, there are no federal mandates or regulations governing...

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.—Guests at the new Lake House at High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid can opt out of daily housekeeping services. In addition to significant reduction in the use of chemicals and their disposal, guests will earn a $5 daily credit which can be applied at the Bar at Lake House, or in Dancing Bears Restaurant at High Peaks Resort. Alternatively, the guest credit may be donated to the Mirror Lake Watershed Assn., which works to preserve the pristine beauty of Mirror Lake.“It is important for all of us who live and work in Lake Placid to help...

NATIONAL REPORT—Prior to one of her recent trips, Judy Smith* called the motel where she was going to be staying and requested that no chemicals, air fresheners or room deodorizers be used in her room. Unfortunately, housekeeping only got the message about not using cleaning chemicals and not the part about not using air fresheners or room deodorizers. Upon entering her $110 room, Judy said a flowery fragrance of artificially scented products hit her immediately and her throat began to close. “I became hoarse and had to leave the room, sit outside for an hour or longer while my...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes ECOS Paints as a Green Product & Service Directory partner. ECOS Paints have no odor, are non-toxic, generate zero VOCs, and provide exceptional coverage (up to 1.5x traditional paints). ECOS Paints are 12,500 times purer than traditional zero VOC paints. ECOS Paints are ultra hard-wearing, allowing quicker room renovations and improved customer comfort. ECOS Paints are factory tinted with European zero VOC colorants. The company’s cans are made from post-consumer recycled materials and are 100 percent recyclable. Call (864) 595-3840, e-mail lodging@ecospaints.net, or go to www.ecospaints.net for...