Take 3 minutes to view this video link - Changing the way the world views cleaning.  This ISSA video discusses the need to change the way the world views cleaning.  This video talks about the important roll the cleaning industry plays in having a ”green” environment, to human health, to prevention rather than acting on a virus outbreak.  Companies need to view cleaning as an investment in our environment and human health, not as a cost to be minimized.

What does “being green” actually mean?  Being “green” involves an active participation in sustainable living.  Sustainability is ultimately the need to protect and safeguard our environment.  This protects and safeguards human health.  Doesn’t cleanliness and hygene fall into the catagory of protecting and safeguarding human health?  A clean “green“  environment is a matter of public safety, of preventing people from getting sick, in keeping people healthy and allowing them to live in a healthy environment.

Cleaning is not concidered an exiting or desirable career.  But, those of us who are currently involved in the cleaning industry are now passionate about it.  We understand how important our roll is in our environment.  We need to ensure big corporations and facilities understand it’s importance to both the “green” movement as well as to our health.  We need to have companies invest in good quality janitorial services for their professionalism and best practices.  Have these companies focus on on prevention of outbreaks such as NoroVirus, C. Diff and H1N1, rather than having to deal with the cost of shutting down their facility for a “thorough cleaning”.  How much is that going to cost?

Hopefully reputable, awards winning cleaning companies  such as Master Care Janitorial and Facility Services can help encourage this idea of investing in human health through investing in a good cleaning company.  Remember,  a clean and healthy environment is a core part of sustainability and protecting human health. 

When we talk about cleaning, we are talking about removing dirt, debris, organic compounds (miro-organisms) and germs from surfaces.
   Mircoorganisms – organisms that are too small for the naked eye to see. They exsist everywhere, and are virtually harmless and usually promote good health.

   Germ – when a microorganism has the potential to be harmful and cause disease, it is called a germ
                - bacteria, mold and mildew, and viruses.
                - they thrive in moist, humid conditions and can live on surfaces for hours, if not days. 

So we must rid our homes and offices of these germs that can potentially make us sick.  But what is the most effective way?  Think of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting as 3 levels of cleaning.
   1. Cleaning – removs visible dirt and debris and some germs from surfaces but does not completely remove microorganisms

   2. Sanitizing – is a way to reduce the occurrence and growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi to a “safe” level.

   3. Disinfection  – Destroying and killing disease causeing germs and microorganisms from surfaces

There is actually also a 4th level of cleaning usually reserved for hospital surgical wards
   4.  Sterilization – going one step further than disinfecting, sterilization kills both the microorganisms and it’s spores

Here is an article I found goes more in depth into the differences of these cleaning methods and how to choose the right level of cleaning needed.  It’s quite detailed so you are welcome to check it out of you are really interested

 What level of clean is right for you? 

Handwashing and cleaning with a detergent (soap) and water is often enough for daily use as it removes the dirt and most of the germs.  This step is necessary even before you start to think about sanitizing and disinfecting.  If the dirt and grime is not removed, the sanitizer or disinfectant may not come in contact with the surface and will therefore not be effective.   
But it is also  just as important to routinely sanitize and disinfect surfaces too, to destroy disease causing microorganisms and prevent the spread of germs.  Concider this not a daily but maybe a weekly chore.  (Sanitizing/disinfecting things like your raw meat cutting board is definately a must do after each use.)  
A good cleaning company can do the cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting of your living space, and work space for you.  But it is also important to do your part to maintain good health and keep those germs from getting you sick- wash your hands and cleaning cloths regularly!

1. Tools to have Before you Start spring cleaning your office!
     -  have a shredding machine or boxes that can be picked up by a shredding company
     -  have new file folders and labels handy
     -  create the 4 organizational piles – Keep, Give Away, Store, Trash
     -  cleaning supplies such as duster, sanitizing wipes, trash bags!

2. Schedule the office cleaning  day where you can turn off your phones and computer. 
     - Interruptions will slow you down so do your office cleaning on a Saturday or a slow day!

3. Declutter Declutter Declutter
     – organize your desk top and desk drawer so you know where to find everything. 
       (A clean, decluttered desk will save you time and reduce your stress!)
     – clean your in & out mail trays, think about adding new trays (such as a “to do” tray) if needed!

4. Clean your keyboard, mouse and phone (please do this more regularly than during Spring Cleaning!!!)
     – if you eat at your desk, you will find crumbs in your keyboard
       (..turn your keyboard upside down and vacuum it with a small attachement!)
     – use disinfecting wipes to wipe down your keyboard, mouse and phone
     – use disinfecting wipes to clean your desk

5. Get carpets or floors deep cleaned by a professional cleaning company 
     - get rid of the dust and dirt that build up, that you may not even notice!

6. Re-evaluate your cleaning company
     – are you finding cobwebs and dust in areas they are expected to clean?
     – are you getting the quality janitorial you are paying for?
     – do you get good customer service?

7. Go GREEN!
     – Adding plants such as English Ivy, Chrysanthemums, Gerbra Daisies, and Philodendron
       can help clean your office air.  (A NASA study shows that adding at least one potted plant
       per 100 square feet of floor space drastically improves the  air and reduces symptoms
       of “sick building syndrome” (SBS), caused by common chemicals and products)
     – change your cleaning products to more eco-friendly products
     – if you haven’t already done so, concider creating a recycling policy for all of the paper.
     – look at other ways to reduce waste in the office – consider touch-free soap and hand towel dispensers!

8.  Concider sprucing up the office with new pictures or paint or furniture!
     – sometimes a new chair, re-arranging pictures, or adding some color to the walls will give
        the office a new, clean feeling!
     – use spring cleaning your office as an excuse to buy something new for your space!

Hope this helps you get started on spring cleaning your office.  I am always looking for more tips on cleaning and going green, so feel free to leave your ideas!

p.s. If you are looking to spring clean your home, I found this great list from Martha Stewart!  Check it out!

Designers are hesitant to use carpets in new building and renovations because of the concerns about poor indoor air quality (IAQ).  This is both in regards to VOC (volitile organic chemicals) emmited from the installation as well as the dust, pollen and spores that get trapped in carpet.  A leading Norwegian indoor environmental  consultant Gaute Flatheim concluded that “soft floorings have unfairly received bad press for  contributing to poor indoor (air) quality without any real evidence to support  this”

Rogaland Research  carried out a comparative test between soft and hard flooring in four  classrooms in Lilliehammer, to discover which type of flooring would provide  better IAQ. Two of the classrooms were  carpeted, and two were fitted with hard flooring. IAQ measurements were taken before, during and  after school hours. Says scientist Ernst  Olsen: “It looks as if the carpeted rooms are slightly better compared to the  hard floors. The fine dust seems to be  bound into the carpets.” These results,  added to the other benefits of carpet (noise reduction and a perceived  improvement in the standard of the rooms, to name but two), show that carpet  can be beneficial in improving the surroundings of both work and school  buildings. Although there is a perception that carpet in a  health care facility is not as sanitary as a hard surface, a study by the US  Center for Disease Control found no increase in bacterial or fungal (grouped as  microbial) growth in carpet in a hospital as compared with a hard surface, when  the carpet is properly maintained.

The Canadian carpet industry has been saying it  all along: carpet fibers trap dust, pollen and other allergens until the carpet  is cleaned properly with a performance vacuum.  The key  here is that the carpet must be properly maintained!  You must regularly vacuum the carpets with a good quality vacuum and even get it professionally cleaned a couple times a year.  If those carpet fibers are not there, in the case of hardwood floors, these organic compounds and allergens are regularly kicked up and floating through the air.

The fact that carpet traps dirt and allergens makes it a very good flooring option.  Whether it is a school, office, health care facility, or your own home, quality carpet care is what is essential in maintaining a healthy and sanitary environment. 

Master Care is proud to say that we have been Green certified by Canadian Green Sustainability Program.  This program was designed for Canadians, by Canadians!

The CGSP knows the Canadian standards and regulations as it is designed for Canadian businesses.  Through the CGSP, we have been trained to look beyond the conventional cleaning methods to create a clean AND healthy environment.   Through this program, we have be taught cleaning consistancy while removing harmful and toxic chemicals from buildings.  Our associates are commited to the well-being of the building environment and the occupants within it.  This program will have such a powerful influence that it will ultimately lead to a more earth friendly environment for everyone.

Because of this certification and our commitment to “go green”, Master Care Janitorial has been awarded the contract for one of the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Standards buildings in the lower mainland.  The LEED certification is an internationaly recognized, third party certification.  It recognizes projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance.  By having this CGSP certification, we at Master Care Janitorial are in a position to deliver high quality, efficient service with a superior standard of professionalism and environmental consciousness.

Constructing and operating buildings consumes a great deal of natural resources and produces a large volume of waste.  Using eco-friendly facilty services, such as those of us who have been CGSP certified, can help in Vancouver’s mandate to improve our environment and have carbon neutral buildings by 2020.

A very simple way to save money is making sure the cleaning crew is properly trained.  If they know how to clean effectively and efficiently, they will be in and out in no time!  They should have all of their tools on hand, have their color coded cloths to reduce cross-contamination and use the top down cleaning method.  Since time = money in the janitorial field, you couldn’t get an easier way to save money!

Another cost savings idea, is encouraging your customers to switch to automated or no touch dispensers.  Your customers can save money in product and maintenance by having a set about of soap or paper towel dispensed at each use.   Less product used + less need to consistantly check on the dispensers = save money!

Ever looked into using foam soap rather than liquid soap?  Foam soap is more “eco-friendly” because it is thinner, it uses less product to do the same thing and uses less water to rinse off your hands. This reduces your supply and cleaning costs as it doesn’t drip and clog drains either!

Finally, instead of using a mop and bucket application of cleaning products to the floors, use a good bucketless mop or a microfiber mop!  This reduces the amout time needed to clean the floor, reduces the amount of product and water used, reduces drying time and reduces danger to the public. 

These are 4 very simple ways to help both the customer and the janitorial company to save money. Contact you company and ask for these cost savings ideas, or a better idea…just call us!

Touch-free soap dispensors are used in high-traffic commercial facilities such as airports, restaurants, universities and hospitals.  By using touch-free technology, these facilities can now control the amount of soap being dispensed by each patron.  This not only reduces waste, but it also allows for reduced maintenance visits by prolonging the life between refills.   All of these factors lead to cost savings for the facility!  As different facilities require different types of soap, it is essential to evaluate what would work best for you.  For regular public bathroom usage, it is recommended to use a foaming type of soap. Foam soap not only uses a smaller dose size, it also uses less water to wash it off, which helps with water conservation!

The touch-free paper towel dispensers uses the same idea.  Instead of having someone manually pulling more napkins than one needs, the touch-free system dispenses a controlled about of product, again, reducing waste and thus reducing cost.  These dispensers can be programmed to dispense only enough towel as one needs to effectively dry their hands.  You can also program in a delay between dispensing, as people don’t generally want to wait around for an “extra” sheet.  As towel manufacturers and types vary, so do the dispensers and their abilities so do your research or call Master Care Janitorial and Facility Services to ask about what product works best for you.

When reducing consumption is a priority in public restrooms, there are significant savings to be had by implementing touch-free soap and towel dispensers. The cost of the units themselves are not too expensive, making them an even more attractive purchase for facilities. The return on investment is also often recognized quickly in the declining overuse of soap, paper towels, energy and water consumption.  You couldn’t get a better argument than that for the enviromnent as well as for your bottom line! 

Sodium chloride (or rock salt), is the most common . Beware though,  in extreme cold (such as below 7°C, or 20°F),  it has limited effectiveness . It can also damange vegetation and be corrosive to steel, certain building materials, and concrete sidewalks.

Calcium chloride is similar but more effective than sodium chloride. It removes moisture from the air and can work at extremely low temperatures. However, it is usually more expensive and also can damage nearby vegetation.

Magnesium chloride Similar, but less corrosive and safer than calcium chloride.

Potassium chloride  A high concentration of this compound makes it harmful to plants but it is effective at preventing ice buildup on walking surfaces. It is also less corrosive than some of the other ice-melt compounds already mentioned.

These compounds work by helping to break the bond between the ice and the surface, allowing it to be more easily removed.  No matter which ice melt compound is used during your winter property maintenance, for best results it should be applied before snow or ice accumulates.  They can still help though, with limited effectiveness, if applied after snow or ice has accumulated.

Once you determine which is the proper compound for your facility, you must be aware that these ice melts can affect your interior floors as well.  Ice melts can leave a residue that can damage the floors in your building or home.   Ensure you or your cleaning professional removes and cleans all mats, sweeps floors and removed the ice melt debris off your floors regulary so it does not sit for extended periods of time.  

 Though there are pros and cons to using the ice melts, it is a necessary evil for winter property maintenance and for the safety of all who come on to your property   With proper selection of products, proper use, and quick removal, the benefits of these products can far outweigh their drawbacks.

4. Fridge and Dishwasher!  Take a look at the edges of the doors and rubber cushioning that surround it.  It quickly fills up with mold and mildew because we do not regulary think to clean it.  It is as simple as using your all-purpose cleaner and a sponge, and then make sure to dry it.  It will prevent the mildew buildup.

5. Kitchen Garbage Container!  When was the last time you cleaned your kitchen garbage?  Of course we put a bag in it that we take out regularly, but we do touch the containers handle everyday, with our dirty, germ ridden hands.  Maybe it is time to take it outside (or in the bathtub or laundry sink) and give it a good wash.  Soap and hot water do wonders in getting it clean.  Then, ensure that is it dry before putting another bag in it.

6. Knobs and Handles!  We clean our microwave, stovetop, counters, but do we spend any time cleaning the knobs and handles on our appliances and our cupboards?  Use a clean cloth, and a toothbrush to get in the small crevices, and a good cleaner and go over every handle and knob in your kitchen.  You will thank me for it!!

So there are some areas where germs hide in our kitchen.  Let’s keep ourselves, our famlies and even our co-workers healthy by keeping our kitchens, cooking utensils, and appliances clean.

There are a few areas of your kitchen that you may need to spend some time on.  We know you wipe your counters and clean the floors regularly as these are whet “look” the dirtiest.  But, maybe it is time to focus your attention on some bactieria ridden areas that we may overlook.  Here is where germs hide…

1. The cleaning cloth! – When was the last time you cleaned that cloth? What about that sponge you use multiple times a day? The one you clean your dirty counters with. The best way to clean it is of course soaking it in bleach (3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water), but putting it in the dishwasher or the microwaving a wet sponge in the microwave for 1 – 2 minutes also does the trick! Launder your cotton cloths or microfibre cloths (without fabric softener) often.

2. Chopping boards & Utensils! – Plastic chopping boards and utensils can be sanitized in a dishwasher, but special attention must be paid to a woodent chopping board.  Try using baking soda and lemon juice to clean & deoderize.  A good scrubbing with hot soapy water does a lot of good too.

3. Sink & Tap! Just think about what goes in the kitchen sink! Clean your sink daily with hot soap and water (with a clean sponge or cloth, or a nylon sponge).  Sprinkle baking soda around a wet sink and clean thouroughly. Or, fill the sink with a teaspoon of bleach and a gallon of warm water.  Use that water to clean the taps and around the outside of the sink as well.

So, there is Part 1 of helping you find the germs that hide in your kitchen.  Tune in next week for more tips!