T H I N K & L I V E GREEN
that may be needed or, on occasion, letting the customers
know what could happen to a fabric if they do what the customers
asks.
Ingalls uses the skills of his previous employment to encourage
the attitude of teamwork and family. “I’m a chef,”
Ingalls said. “I like cooking for them and serving them lunch
every week or two.”
In addition to having great customer service, Ingalls has
also made efforts to make his service “green,” or environmentally
conscious. He had operated for more than 10 years
amidst the fumes of a cleaning solvent called perchloroethylene,
which was, and still is for many, the industry standard.
It was discovered that perchloroethylene or PERC was bad
for the environment, but the problem was that nothing else
would clean as well as PERC.
When Researchers in Germany seemed to be onto a
breakthrough, Ingalls watched until a new product called
Sensene was proven to be a viable and environmentally
sound replacement for PERC. “It’s an alcohol-based cleaning
agent,” Ingalls said. “It is not environmentally damaging and
cleans better than PERC. It looks brighter, the whites come
out brighter, it feels good and it smells good. It doesn’t have
that dry cleaning odor.”
He is the third person in the U.S. to install a Sensene
machine in his business. The new technology cost Ingalls
$100,000. He didn’t have to do it. PERC has not been outlawed
in Florida. “I did it for my health, for my employees’
health and my customers’ health,” Ingalls said.
“It is great!” Robledo said excitedly. “I love the machine.
The smell is gone. It’s just great for clothes, just an awesome
machine.”
Ingalls has operated Iron Mike’s at 37944 Meridian Avenue
in Dade City for 12 years. The name Iron Mike has been
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in the Army,” Ingalls grinned. “It’s actually in my high school
yearbook too. When I was a chef I was the iron chef before
that show the Iron Chef.”
Iron Mike’s can be reached at (352) 521-7030. Visit them at
their Meridian store or check them out on Facebook.
Manager Maria Robledo takes care of a customer dropping
off clothes. Robledo, who has worked for Mike Ingalls 11
years, says the key to good service is a positive attitude.
Peaceful ~ Tranquil ~ Perfection
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Hair Designs by Jay
38602 South Avenue • Zephyrhills
Hair Designs by Jay
Zephyrhills
863.514.3934
W omen FLORIDA
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FLORIDA WOMEN MAGAZINE 813.682.9364 FEB/MAR 2019 • 11