Cleanfax was a refreshing new source of information for carpet cleaners when John Downey started it up. I don't recall exact date, but I think it must have been in the 1980s. It went from being a regional magazine for UCCI / Ohio are to national very quickly.
I remember writing my first article for Cleanfax at the urging of Ed York and how happy I was to see it published. Even after all this time, one or two folks per year ask me about that first article. It involved cleaning a rabbit.
I enjoyed working with Jeff Cross when he becomae editor. He was great to work with.
There was still some great technical articles right down tot he last issues. Tom Forsythe's information on which protectors worked best on which fibers was very practical as well as educational.
I don't think the industry will be left without a trade magazine. Online forums and Facebook are nice, everyuone can have their say. Some posts are humorous, entertaining. Some of the information is good, some is not so good and some will get you in trouble. There is sometimes bullying, trash talking and a lot of irrelevant and repititious content to go through and pick out the gems. In a magazine format, the content has already been editted and fact checked.
I am going to miss Cleanfax. Ready every issue.