South Oakland Business Expo a good introduction to businesses

By Catherine Kavanaugh, cathy.kavanaugh@dailytribune.com @catherinekav

David Dalton/Daily Tribune Regenia Paige, a massage therapist with Health Source, works on Paul Anderson of Royal Oak during Wednesday's South Oakland Business Expo.

ROYAL OAK Dry ice isn't just for storing cold food and making faux fog on Halloween.

The solid form of carbon dioxide packs a punch as a cleaning agent for everything from greasy machines to mold in attics, soot in fire-damaged homes and tartar build-up in hardwood barrels, which explains why Dry Ice Works counts Traverse City-area wineries among its clients.

Gordon Mahrle, co-owner of the Southfield-based business, introduced his services to more potential customers Wednesday at the South Oakland Business Expo at Club Venetian.

The cleaning process blasts dry ice pellets through a nozzle at dirt and grime. As the pellets strike the surface, they instantaneously turn to gas in an explosive state of charge that lifts away the contaminants and leaves behind no residue.

"Dry ice blasting is green, fast and doesn't create any secondary waste," Mahrle said. "It's relatively new and the equipment is expensive. It's

not like you can go to Home Depot, spend $500 on a power washer and be in business."

That's how some competitors on the power-washing side of his cleaning business started. In response, Mahrle diversified into dry ice blasting about a year ago. He joined the seventh annual expo for his first time to spread the word.

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South Oakland Business Expo a good introduction to businesses