Tile is one of the most durable floor materials. Besides being tough, tile is water and stain resistant and is an excellent choice for commercial applications.

Tile Floors in a Commercial Setting

Commercial tile hard floors take a lot of ...

Tile is one of the most durable floor materials. Besides being tough, tile is water and stain resistant and is an excellent choice for commercial applications.

Tile Floors in a Commercial Setting

Commercial tile hard floors take a lot of abuse, ranging from the scuffs and scrapes of high foot traffic to tracked-in water when it rains. To make sure a tile floor in a commercial setting always looks clean and attractive, it should receive regular maintenance, which includes daily care as well as a schedule of periodic heavy duty cleaning.

Daily Maintenance for Tile Floors

The daily care for a tile floor should include vacuuming or at a minimum sweeping to remove all dry loose dirt and miscellaneous debris. After the floor is vacuumed clean, auto-scrub the tile with water mixed with a neutral cleaner, like Hillyard’s Super Shine All, or damp mop if you don’t have a auto-scrubber. If spills occur during the operating hours, they should be cleaned up within a 12-hour timeframe to avoid staining the grout.

When cleaning a commercial floor, if mopping, aways use a clean mop. Make sure the mop bucket is rinsed out well beforehand and contains clean water as well. Change the water in the mop bucket as often as needed and never reuse dirty water when cleaning floors. A good rule of thumb on changing the mopping solution is to change it when you can no longer see the bottom of the mop bucket.

Periodic Deep Cleaning for Tile

Deep cleanings remove ground-in grime and stains a daily cleaning can’t eliminate and touch up the appearance of the grout. In a commercial setting, floor scrubbing machines are excellent for deep cleanings. Tile floors should be deep cleaned on a regular schedule to keep them looking their best. Not allowing ground-in dirt and stains to remain too long on a floor helps to extend the years of service of tile.

The maintenance schedule for deep cleanings can vary, depending on how much wear and tear the tile floor receives. A tile floor that is subjected to lots of spills, moisture and dirt may need to be cleaned with a floor scrubber as often as once a week. A tile floor in a cleaner dry setting may only need to be deep cleaned once every quarter of a year.

When deep cleaning avoid the use of acid based cleaners. They erode the grout. The use of a alkaline chelate grout cleaner degreaser, like Lawton’s Petra Clean, will not erode the grout joint.

Special Care for Tile In a Commercial Kitchen

In a food preparation area, restaurants use grouted quarry tile. The downside of this type of floor is oil and other food can stain the grout between the tiles and this requires special cleaning.

Restaurants have floor drains, and this requires careful daily cleaning around the drains to make sure no mold has formed around the drain. After mopping, use a long-handled stiff-bristled brush to scrub away bits of stuck-on food then mop again. Using the brush or a squeegee, push any excess water toward the floor drain. Use fans to dry the floor quickly.

In a commercial kitchen, oil and grease can penetrate the surface of the tile and make the surface slippery. Not stripping grease from the floor can create a dangerous work environment for employees, which can result in injuries and worker compensation claims.

Using good quality and consistent procedures, as well as, a quality degreaser like Lawton’s Float can solve this problem.

Kitchen Mops Only in the Kitchen

Always use a specially designated mop and mop bucket for a commercial kitchen tile floor. Never use a mop used in other areas, such as restrooms, because of the possibility of spreading harmful bacteria. Because of grease, a mop used in a commercial kitchen shouldn’t be used in dining areas because it could make the floors slippery and cause customer accidents.

Kitchen Tile Deep Clean

For periodic deep cleanings of tile in a commercial kitchen, scrub the floor with a professional floor scrubber and brush to  remove any penetrating stains or oil that regular mopping can’t remove. Deep clean a commercial kitchen tile floor at least once a week.

Contact Us

For more information on keeping your commercial tile floor clean, contact Lawson Brothers at 800-432-0813. We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of cleanliness and using green products instead of toxic ones to help the environment. Lawson Brothers have helped businesses with janitorial needs and provided cleaning training for employees for 60 years.

We’ve developed our private label cleaning products that are nationally recognized and respected as some of the best on the market. We also service cleaning equipment. Contact us and speak with one of our professional technicians to assist with any needed repairs of your equipment. We are proud to offer quality service and warranties on all of our work.

The last thing employers want is for their employees to feel uncomfortable when they come to work. Owners of commercial spaces should do everything in their power to make the work environment clean and free from allergens. Not only do ...

The last thing employers want is for their employees to feel uncomfortable when they come to work. Owners of commercial spaces should do everything in their power to make the work environment clean and free from allergens. Not only do germs and bacteria spread viruses, but can also cause allergic reactions that lead to employees being out sick, which can interfere with company production and profits.

Dust Mite and Allergen Traps

Commercial spaces are traps for dust mites and other allergens and the only way to combat them is with regular commercial cleaning. Although staying on top on dust can sometimes feel like a never ending battle, especially in large commercial spaces, it can make even the best business look unprofessional. Even worse than the affecting the appearance of your business, dust mites, which are related to spiders, can be hiding in almost every commercial space, including the carpets, chairs, desks and drapes. Dust mites also significantly increase allergens that lead to decreased employer productivity from constantly sniffing and coughing. Regular cleaning, which should include damp dusting, regular vacuuming and mopping and maintenance for the heating and air conditioning vents.

Improve Air Quality

A commercial space is often a source of health complaints for workers who suffer with allergies, especially those with carpeting, which can harbor up to 200,000 bacteria per square inch. As the bacteria continues to build up in the carpeting and other soft surfaces, each time it is disturbed it circulates in the air that your employees and customers are breathing in. Steam cleaning is crucial for maintaining clean, bacteria and mite free carpet and upholstery. Clean carpets also help to improve the overall air quality. It is also recommended that when cleaner be used, it be a micro-antibacterial solution to help reduce the risk of airborne bacteria.

Air Duct Cleaning

Just one single piece of dust in a commercial space can contain pet dander, flakes of dead skin and living organisms, such as dust mites and mold spores that irritate nasal passages, causing allergies from mold or dust. Air ducts are the most common contributor of dust in the indoor air. Common causes of dirty air ducts include poor ventilation and air exchange, cigarette smoke, remodeling debris, mold and dust; all of which can significantly increase the symptoms of allergies. Air duct cleaning will remove dust from the outer surfaces as well as the inside of the air ducts in order to reduce the amount of allergy producing particles in the air. Air ducts and other components of the heating and cooling system should be routinely cleaned and be cleaned outside of the regular scheduled cleaning if they have mold on them, if there are signs of rodents, insects or other vermin infesting the ducts and/or the ducts are clogged with dust and debris.

Tile and Stone Surfaces

Many modern commercial spaces have stone, tile and granite features that can have a positive effect on the look of the space; unfortunately, these areas can also harbor bacteria that can lead to allergy symptoms. It is essential that all natural stone and tile surfaces be thoroughly cleaned with a quality cleaner and disinfectant. Using a tile, stone and grout cleaner with a sanitizer will help to remove about 98% of the bacteria from these surfaces, which can ultimately reduce allergens.

Whether your company has one or one-hundred employees, management teams are always searching for ways to improve employee productivity. One of the easiest ways to guarantee an increase in employee performance is making sure employees feel healthy when they are on the job. This goal requires a workplace where the employees breathe good quality air on a daily basis. Along with deep cleaning the carpets and air ducts, it is essential that the floors, bathrooms, kitchens and all work spaces also be deep cleaned on a regular basis in order to reduce the buildup of dirt, dust and other allergens. It is also important to use quality commercial strength, janitorial products, many of which will be more effective in removing dirt and dust, instead of only spreading it from one area to another.

When it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting what is the difference? It depends upon the surface and the location. Some surfaces only need to be cleaned, meaning to wipe dirt, debris, or dust away, but other surfaces, such as in ...

When it comes to sanitizing and disinfecting what is the difference? It depends upon the surface and the location. Some surfaces only need to be cleaned, meaning to wipe dirt, debris, or dust away, but other surfaces, such as in the food industry, are sanitized. Where the killing of all dangerous pathogens is essential, such as inside a hospital, surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected to prevent the spread of disease.

What is Sanitizing?

If a cook drops a metal spatula on a floor, that person will sanitize the tool before cooking with it. That means the cook will wash the spatula with a chemical solution and rinse it well under running water to get rid of any bacteria. Sanitizing is a process, usually involving chemicals, that kills 99.9 percent of all pathogens on a surface, such as the metal spatula.

Why Do Restaurants Sanitize Food Prep Surfaces Instead of Disinfecting?

According to the food safety codes used in restaurants, surfaces where foods are prepared, cooked, or served should be sanitized instead of disinfected. Sanitizing kills pathogens such as bacteria, which can quickly grow on surfaces used to prepare food. Frequently sanitizing these surfaces prevents dangerous pathogens from spreading to the food, causing the restaurant’s customers to become seriously ill or even die.

Some sanitizers are food-safe, and the residue doesn’t need to be rinsed away after use, but others must be rinsed off. Cooking and eating utensils and dishes are an example. They are washed and sanitized and then rinsed in the final stage of cleaning to remove all traces of the sanitizer.

Do Sanitizers Kill All Pathogens?

Sanitizers kill all bacteria that can grow and multiply on a surface. The only types of pathogens that sanitizing doesn’t kill are fungus and viruses.

What Is Disinfecting?

Disinfecting uses much stronger chemicals than sanitizing. Using more potent chemicals means that not only are viruses and fungus killed on a surface, but the pathogens are destroyed with a slower process as well.

Why Do Hospitals and Clinics Disinfect All Surfaces?

Hospitals and medical clinics have different cleaning needs than restaurants. A constant stream of sick people coming into a medical facility, as well as constant exposure to blood and other body fluids, means the medical staff needs to be able to keep the pathogen level under control as much as possible. It is the medical community’s job to halt the spread of potentially fatal diseases such as MRSA , so disinfecting all surfaces is very important, to patients and staff.

Completely disinfecting heathcare tools and surfaces correctly can mean life or death to patients undergoing care or other medical procedures, and so it should be undertaken as seriously as possible. Thoroughly disinfecting all surfaces means killing all bacteria, viruses, and fungus, leaving nothing behind to invade an open surgical wound.

Some pathogens are so dangerous to human life, such as Ebola, that if not kept away from the general population the death toll would be devastating. The constant threat of these deadly pathogens is why disinfectants are so crucial to preserving human life on this planet.

Why You should Disinfect Your Company’s Restrooms

A restroom is a high traffic place. The perfect spot for a pathogen breeding ground. It’s important to disinfect restrooms to prevent the spread of colds, flu and other viruses that can keep employees sick at home instead of at work doing their job.

Keeping a restroom fresh and clean has a great psychological effect on employee morale as well. It conveys the message to employees that the company they work for values their health and wellbeing.

Contact Us with All Your Cleaning Needs

At Lawton Brothers, we are proud to be a family-owned company with over 60 years of serving our community’s janitorial needs. After years of careful research, we developed our private line of cleaning chemicals that deliver superior performance for your business at an unbeatable price. From wood to tile or stone floors, in gyms, lobbies, or restrooms, our janitorial products will keep your building looking its best.

Contact one of our highly-trained staff today concerning your company’s janitorial needs and don’t forget to ask about our green products! We are also proud to offer on-site janitorial training for your employees.

Spring break was great, right? It seems like we barely have time to breathe, however, before schools will be shutting down for their summer hiatus. Before long, everyone will be ready to get some much needed rest and relaxation...well most ...

Spring break was great, right? It seems like we barely have time to breathe, however, before schools will be shutting down for their summer hiatus. Before long, everyone will be ready to get some much needed rest and relaxation...well most of us. Before those custodial teams and janitorial services can even think about possibly having a bit less to do at schools and educational institutions, they have a lot to do first.

Summer Means Preparation

While most of us are planning vacations or making summer schedules and plans for the children, the people that take care of our educational facilities are making plans and schedules to prepare those schools for the summer break as well. That is no small task and there are many considerations that must be addressed when preparing schools for that summer siesta.

Here is a quick checklist of some of those primary considerations and why they are so important...

School Preparation Checklist

While schools take a beating during the school year, with thousands of footsteps, tons of water usage and other activities, regular maintenance and school preparation will keep our educational facilities operational and in good shape. It's time to roll up our sleeves and get ready to work, because summer vacation awaits.

Flooring

Does anything take more abuse than our floors? Mud tracked in, snow, wetness, running, jumping - our floors endure it all. Schools can multiply that pounding ten fold and the time to really take care of those floors is when they aren't being beaten down. Schools also will likely have rooms that are carpeted in addition to tile, linoleum and other flooring types. Repairs, cleaning and replacing those floors in order to be ready for another year and another million footsteps is important. Maybe the worst things that janitorial crews can do is to use chemicals and processes that are also hard on floors. Extending the life of our school floors is not only a savings but by using green cleaning products, floors will live longer and the environment will be safer.

Plumbing

The cafeteria, the bathrooms, showers and even science classes will often have sinks, that means a great deal of wear and use on those handles, spickets and plumbing structures. Fortunately, summer vacation is when the weather is warmest, so that is one less concern for maintenance teams to worry about. That still leaves repairs to fix any leaks or damages and It means a thorough cleaning and inspection of the plumbing and other related tasks.

Repairs

Students can be brutal on a school. At the end of the year, when the janitorial staff comes in to prepare for summer vacation, they have to be prepared for the unexpected. Damaged walls, desks and yes, even ceilings are potentially at risks when we are talking about students. Repairing these damages and cleaning any messes left behind from the school year is just part of the routine. Using environmentally safe products and techniques to accomplish these jobs will leave that school sparkling and keep the world we live in a little better too.

Equipment Maintenance

This is a potentially endless list and will vary greatly from school to school. Commonly, coolers, freezers, stoves, generators and much more will need to be evaluated for repairs and cleaning. Although this can be a daunting job, the right training and right supplies will make it easier, safer and better. Getting those safer and green cleaning supplies is only part of the battle...

The Importance Proper Training

Having safer, better and environmentally safe cleaning supplies is important. Having a good team and good people is important. Training is essential. Without knowing how to use supplies properly or without understanding the safest and best green cleaning techniques can negate your efforts to do things the right way. Bacteria and toxins love dirty floors, aging food particles and dirt. Providing our teachers and students with a shiny classroom is certainly desirable but protecting our teachers and students is priority one.

Using the right training and the right supplies will result in not only a clean and safe school for our children, it will also be appreciated by the environment and world we live in. Summer vacation is upon is and so is the time to start planning, because preparing schools for the summer is a big job.

If you are a business owner looking to buy cleaning supplies, or an industry specialist who needs supplies and equipment---you are aware of the importance of proper cleaning.

The removal of dust is critical for cleanliness, as well as for ...

If you are a business owner looking to buy cleaning supplies, or an industry specialist who needs supplies and equipment---you are aware of the importance of proper cleaning.

The removal of dust is critical for cleanliness, as well as for health, safety, and the prevention of allergies and asthma.

What is Dust?

Dust accumulates as a result of tiny particles in the air. These fine particles come from cloth fibers, paper, skin cells, dirt, and other materials which are found in the environment. Dust must be controlled because when it accumulates, dust can become a health risk.

How to Handle Dust

• Use dust collection filters to decrease the amount of dust and debris that is released from process equipment. .

• Use surfaces that minimize the collection of dust to permit ease of cleaning.

• Use a high-quality industrial vacuum cleaner that is appropriate for dust collection.

• Use a vacuum cleaner that is equipped with a hose to effectively clean corners.

• Use disposable paper bags that filter to 1 micron, rather than cloth bags. They’ll get most of the dust. Make sure the collection system is adequate and there are no leaky hoses.

• Inspect for dust residues in hidden areas periodically. .

• Use Microfiber oil-free cloths and dust mops. Some dust cloths just move the dust around, but Microfiber cloths are configured to capture and hold debris. The dust adheres to the cloth instead of floating around. Mops and cloths made from lamb’s wool also work well

• Keep carts and other equipment up to date.

• Provide access to all hidden areas to permit inspection

What tools and equipment can be used to minimize dust?

Dusting Cloths and mops

Not all dusting cloths are the same. Microfiber cloths and dust mops are the most effective. Some dust cloths just move the dust around, but Microfiber cloths are configured to capture and hold debris. The dust adheres to the cloth instead of floating around everywhere.

Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuuming is the best way to remove dust from any surface not only  carpet. Use a vacuum that has an attached a hose for ease in cleaning corners. Use disposable bags, hey filter dust better than cloth bags. Just make sure the vacuum doesn’t have any leaks that will release the dust before it gets into the bag.

A backpack vacuum also works well, especially for larger areas. When utilizing a backpack vacuum, use a side-to-side method instead of pushing and pulling the vacuum head forwards and backward. This covers more space in less time. In the janitorial field, it’s imperative that workers be able to get in and out of a facility quickly.

Many substances emit dust during processing, including sand, glass fibers, laser residue, and cellulose.

Select the right vacuum for the job. Whether it's to be used inside or outside, you need a tailor-made industrial vacuum cleaner for maximum dust control.

Carts

Carts that can be customized are valuable. The organization of supplies saves time and energy. Some of the most recent options for carts include modular bins, and cabinets that lock.

It is crucial that every janitorial staff is trained on effective and reliable techniques as early as possible so that the correct methods become habit, and then practice really does make perfect. Implementing the most effective and reliable techniques for cleaning and sanitizing are the best ways to guarantee that your janitorial staff is working at their maximum potential

Remember, If you are a business owner looking to buy cleaning supplies, or an industry specialist who needs supplies and equipment, stay aware of the importance of proper cleaning. Dust accumulates as a result of tiny particles in the air that come cloth fibers, paper, skin cells, dirt, and other materials in the environment. Keep your staff and their equipment up to date. The removal of dust is critical for cleanliness, as well as for health and safety and the prevention of allergies and asthma.

If would like to find out more about ways to stay ahead of dust, contact Lawton Bros. at 800-432-0813.

Lawton Brothers is a leading distributor of cleaning products, supplies, and equipment, chemicals, paper, and liners. The company is dedicated to the improving custodial services. Toward that end, they offer in-service training and educational programs. Training classes are conducted at your site and tailored to meet your specific needs.

In times past, cutting down on your carbon footprint only caused inconvenience and extra cost. These days, though, reducing, reusing and recycling can save money and enhance corporate images, all the while taking pressure off our too-polluted environment. What's not ...

In times past, cutting down on your carbon footprint only caused inconvenience and extra cost. These days, though, reducing, reusing and recycling can save money and enhance corporate images, all the while taking pressure off our too-polluted environment. What's not to love?

Although a commitment to lowering your use of energy and disposable products can cost your business initially, for the savings you enjoy over time, it could be well worth the effort. Here are several ways to bring down your company's carbon footprint.

Dramatically Cut Energy Costs with Ceiling Fans

In rooms with high ceilings, the air becomes stratified with the warmer air near the ceiling and the cooler near the floor. During the cold season, this stratification wastes an incredible amount of energy. The heating system must work hard to keep the atmosphere sensed by the thermostat warm enough for comfort. By installing efficient fans on the ceiling to send that hot air to the floor, your HVAC system breathes a sigh of relief.

Also, during the hot months, by circulating the air with fans, the air mixes throughout the room so that you avoid areas of extreme cold while some spots remain too hot. All year, you can reduce your heating and cooling costs significantly simply by installing ceiling fans and taking a load off the HVAC equipment. Lighter use means longer lifecycles and fewer repairs in the interim.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

Another great way to save on energy comes in the form of light emitting diodes (LEDs). Not only have LED bulbs come down in price from the early days of consumer availability, they also come in just about every configuration to fit existing traditional light fixtures. When you can receive 75 watts of brilliance using less than 15 watts of electricity, you save considerably on lighting costs. Moreover, because LEDs generate very little heat, they last far longer than incandescent and florescent bulbs. You save twice by reducing how often you need to buy bulbs to keep your workspaces illuminated.

Recycle Everything Possible

Establishing an enterprise-wide recycling program can keep a lot of refuse out of landfills and enhance your corporate image. From administration, production and cleaning to even the lunch room, plenty of papers, plastics and glass can make a return trip to producers with just a little organization and commitment on the part of your company.

Whenever possible, re-use sheets from copier failures for scratch paper near the phones. When the cleaning staff empties liquid jugs or cardboard packaging boxes, make sure they end up in recycle bins, not the trash. Everything that can be re-purposed should be.

Go to Electronic Meetings Rather than the Airport

If your business entails meetings away from home turf, try teleconferences instead of trips. Not only will a video conference save your company's travel budget, you send one less person out to spew exhaust into the air unnecessarily.

Taking the idea a bit further, if your business model permits, you could do well to allow employees to work from home as much as possible. You help reduce carbon emissions even further when employees seldom have to leave home and travel to work and back. Keeping them off the roads even forestalls frustration, tension and risk, things that can easily translate into lower productivity.

Use Better Cleaning Methods

It's pretty easy to fall into a janitorial system that uses a lot of disposable products such as paper towels. The convenience of simply throwing out used towels rather than laundering cloth can appeal to your desire to increase productivity across all departments. However, when you can reuse cleaning cloths, you not only save money on paper purchases but you take a little more demand for fossil fuels out of the market.

When you switch to cloth, consider going with microfiber towels instead of cotton. They can pick up far more dirt, liquids and microbes while requiring less water and detergents. You get a cleaner, more sanitary facility for a smaller carbon outlay and, over the lifecycle of the cloths, less money.

Install Solar Panels

By installing a photovoltaic system at your building, you can further diminish your use of energy. By converting rooftops or carport roofs from unproductive surfaces to generators of electricity to go back to the grid or into your own power system, you actually become an asset to the environment.

Look around your enterprise and see what you can do to recycle, reuse, reduce your carbon footprint and increase your profits in the process.

Of all the natural and the ordinary synthetic textiles used for cleaning, cotton has reigned supreme for its ability to absorb liquids. Until, that is, the development and industrial manufacturing of microfiber took the field. While certain microfiber products can ...

Of all the natural and the ordinary synthetic textiles used for cleaning, cotton has reigned supreme for its ability to absorb liquids. Until, that is, the development and industrial manufacturing of microfiber took the field. While certain microfiber products can easily repel liquids, those strands used in cleaning cloth often surpass cotton in every absorption metric. What is microfiber, how does it work and why would you trade your cotton cleaning fabrics with a supply of it?

What Microfiber Is

Microfiber is composed of two synthetic materials polyester and nylon. Because these substances are extruded from a liquid form, they can be made as thick or fine as desired. Manufacturers measure textile fibers with a variety of standards including deniers (pronounced DEN-yers). To give an idea of the scale, the diameter of a human hair is roughly 20 deniers.

In order to be considered "micro," fibers must be thinner than 1 denier. The more slender the filament, the more absorbent the strand. Some filaments are as thin as .013 deniers. For best absorption, the microfiber filaments are split such that if you were to look at the cross section of one, you would see what appears to be an asterisk, star or flower pattern, with petal shapes surrounding a center dot. This splitting provides the super soft feel of the fabrics.

How Microfiber Works

Due to the separated structure of the microfiber strand, it enjoys significantly more surface area with which to absorb liquids in wet applications.

For dry cleaning, as the fibers graze against each other, they create a static electric charge that attracts dust. As particles of dust come in contact with the towel or sheet, they are pulled into and trapped within the spaces between the lobes. The same principle allows the towel or cloth to draw in and trap oils, as well.

To prevent lint from other fabrics filling in the gaps in microfiber strands while washing, they should be washed only with other microfiber cloth and not with cotton or any fabric that will shed lint. Proper washing releases the accumulated dust and dirt from the towels.

Common Benefits of Using Microfiber Towels and Mops

Microfiber technology can and should revolutionize the janitorial industry. Although, at present, microfiber products cost more than traditional cotton, their benefits bring savings over time in multiple ways.

• Because they are lighter, less human energy is required to clean with them, improving crew efficiency and reducing fatigue and injuries. Microfiber towels and mops finish the job in fewer swipes, whether wet or dry.

• Often, dry wiping can replace spray-and-wipe cleaning techniques because the towels can absorb oils without first dissolving them with a solvent.

• Microfiber mops trap much more dirt and require less water in the bucket. Wringing is easy compared to large looped cotton mops that often redistribute the dirt more than remove it. Floors become genuinely cleaner quicker and with less effort.

• Because they can absorb and hold seven times the amount of water than a conventional towel or mop, they need to be wrung out less often, saving the crew more time.

• Towels clean more effectively with less water or cleaning solution.

• Dusting requires no polish or chemicals while picking up 99 percent of the dust.

• They leave no lint residue on glass or other glossy surfaces.

• Microfiber requires less water to launder and less heat to dry.

• Their washing lifecycle can exceed that of cotton five times over.

Uncommonly Effective Infection and Cross Contamination Control

Best of all, the use of microfiber offers a much more efficient system for controlling cross contamination. With conventional cotton mops, either the mop head or the cleaning water must be changed between rooms in healthcare settings to avoid cross contamination from one room to the next. Moving heavy buckets or heads takes time and care. However, with the super absorbency and light weight of microfiber, staff can simply change mop heads after each room, never placing a used head in the charge bucket. Also, where cotton fibers pass over the top of the tiny, narrow crevices in a floor, microfiber filaments will drop in and grab the smallest particles of dust and even the microbes.

In one case study at the University of California Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, CA, cultures from the floor were taken prior to and after cleaning. They found that a cotton mop was able to remove 30 percent of the dirt and bacteria, but the microfiber removed an astonishing 99 percent. As the study concluded, the hospital calculated that they could clean the floors in 100 rooms with microfiber using only one gallon of water and fifty cents in chemicals. The cotton mops required 21 gallons of water and $11.55 in chemicals for the same number of rooms.

At the end of the study, the metrics displayed a mere $27 dollar savings per 100 rooms with microfiber after all costs were factored in. However, the superior effectiveness of the sanitation heavily weighted the benefits towards microfiber over cotton.

Because microfiber works so well in any cleaning situation, demand for the products is certain to explode. Increased production will lower the cost until microfiber becomes the most sensible and economical choice in the janitorial industry.

Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of green cleaning for commercial properties and other public agencies such as hospitals or government buildings. In-depth analysis and research have demonstrated that the use of environmentally friendly chemicals and cleaning ...

Numerous scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of green cleaning for commercial properties and other public agencies such as hospitals or government buildings. In-depth analysis and research have demonstrated that the use of environmentally friendly chemicals and cleaning procedures have tangible and measurable benefits that outweigh conventional methods. The latter has proven to be harmful and expensive. It has also been clearly demonstrated that cleaning companies that use powerful, toxic chemicals do not achieve better results than companies that use eco-friendly cleaning agents.

The Environmental Effects of Green Cleaning

Germs and bacteria are everywhere. For this reason, businesses will pay professional companies to sanitize their facilities on a regular basis. By allowing cleaning companies to use toxic chemicals, however, all a business is doing is trading one health problem for another. The result is that the employees can become ill from constant exposure to the dangerous chemicals. In essence, the company is trading one set of contaminants for another. The difference is that toxins can accelerate poor health conditions.

Surprisingly, all commercial cleaning contractors have to do is change the products or equipment they use without altering all of their cleaning methods. Lawton Brothers Inc. routinely trains cleaning companies on which cleaning products to use in order to create a healthier environment for all staff within a given commercial facility. By utilizing healthier products, cleaning companies also protect employees who are around toxic chemicals all day.

How Much Money Do You Want to Spend on Cleaning Supplies?

From a financial perspective, eco-friendly cleaning supplies get the same bad reputation as organic foods. They're often labeled as too expensive and not budget-friendly for a cleaning company. On the contrary, cleaning companies spend less on green cleaning supplies than they do on industry-grade toxic chemicals.

According to studies conducted by the EPA, the CDC, and several universities ready-to-use (RTU) chemical-based cleaning products cost up to twice as much as equivalent green-based concentrates. The studies also found that green products produce the same or better results than their toxic counterparts. Many of the products that are used on a commercial level are also the same products that homeowners have switched to in order to save money on cleaning supplies each month.

Environmental Awareness and Education is Growing

The day will arrive when using toxic chemicals for cleaning purposes will be largely be considered archaic and irresponsible. As awareness grows about the dangers harmful cleaning substances, more companies will choose to seek out green-friendly cleaning contractors to clean and disinfect their facilities.

Companies that are already utilizing environmentally safe cleaning agents and equipment will find business opportunities that other companies will miss out. By acting responsibly, your company will not only promote healthy environments but also contribute to an industry that can benefit communities and facilities across the country. This can give you a tremendous business edge over the next few years by being recognized as an expert and authority on green cleaning.

What About Green Cleaning Equipment?

Earlier this year, we released an article entitled, "Implementing Green Cleaning Programs". You can read it here. The article provides valuable resources on how you can begin implementing green cleaning equipment into your cleaning service. Lawton Brothers Inc. provides valuable information and training on how to use environmentally friendly supplies and equipment so that it benefits your cleaning business and your clients.

For every piece of equipment you use in your cleaning service, there is a green alternative that gives you equal or better results with equal or less effort. Some of the products available that are approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label program include:

• Vacuums

• Carpet Extractors

• Automatic Scrubbers

• Microfiber mops and other materials

• Soaps

• Sanitizers

Lawton Brothers provides janitorial and sanitary green cleaning solutions, equipment, and supplies. We also offer training and information for cleaning company owners and employees. We are dedicated to helping find the best products and utilize the best methods for cleaning commercial buildings large and small. If you are looking for cleaning products or training, then contact us at 800.432.0813. You can also message us on our contact page.

Improper use of cleaning equipment while performing your duties on the job can lead to numerous problems and injuries. While most companies prefer to hire employees that already have a certain skill set, training, or experience, many companies fail to ...

Improper use of cleaning equipment while performing your duties on the job can lead to numerous problems and injuries. While most companies prefer to hire employees that already have a certain skill set, training, or experience, many companies fail to properly train their staff on equipment use. the result is that workers may float around from job to job or employer to employer making the same mistakes over and again.

Proper Equipment Training Helps You Perfect Your Skills

In every industry, true professionals always find a way to improve any task no matter what it is they're doing. Over time procedures are often perfected through trial and error or careful analysis. A wise worker, however, will always seek advice from those in the industry who have skill, training, and years of experience. For instance, Lawton Brothers, Inc. provides insight and seasoned advice on various areas of equipment training and proper methods. By taking classes and furthering your education through our company you can learn more about the following:

• Proper Equipment Use

• Ergonomic methods for using tools and equipment

• The right tool for the right job

• OSHA guidelines and regulations for using cleaning equipment

• How to train others to use cleaning equipment properly

Asking the Right Question Gets You the Right Answers

When seeking training or advice, ask very specific questions. Instead of asking a generic question like, "How do I do this better?" Here are a few examples of questions that will get you answers that are on point:

• What is the best cleaning solution for that stain that I can't seem to get off?

• Should I go left to right or front to back when mopping? What is the right mopping pattern?

• Why is this backpack vacuum hurting my shoulders and pelvic area?

• How much water should I use when mopping a laminate floor versus a tile floor?

• Is there a more efficient way to clean these counters without sacrificing quality?

• Why do I feel completely exhausted after working just two hours?

• Am I using the right equipment for this particular job?

• I have a feeling that the method I'm using for cleaning these toilets is not very sanitary. Can you please confirm?

By asking the right questions, you will improve your skills, get better results with every task, and you will gain the respect and trust of your peers, your boss, and your company executives.

Equipment Training Helps Your Company Save Money

Manufacturers design cleaning equipment to be used a certain way. When utilized properly, cleaning staff can expect their equipment to reach its life expectancy. Improper use, however, will lead to worn out parts. Damaged equipment leads to costly repairs and replacement. By using the equipment as it was intended you save the company money and become a valuable asset to the workforce.

Equipment Training Keeps You in Good Physical Shape

In the cleaning industry, most injuries occur due to lack of training on how to use the equipment ergonomically. Here are some prime examples:

• Bending over to pick up heavy equipment without using the knees

• Holding brooms and mops too far away. This can lead to back problems

• Using cleaning agents without masks, proper eyewear, or gloves

• Improper use of straps and belts when operating backpack vacuums

• Using too much mop water that leads to slips and falls

• Repetitive motions such moving your arms or body back and forth or left to right.

Equipment Training Helps You Perform Your Job More Efficiently

There's nothing that compares with using the right tool for the right job and using it correctly. Using your equipment in the right way can help you perform your job more effectively and more efficiently. You will be perceived as an expert in your field simply by applying the right techniques that you learned in training.

You will discover that you are completing tasks faster and with more precision. When everyone else around you is struggling to get their job done, you'll be on to the next one. As with all other areas in your field, you'll become a valuable asset to your company, and other opportunities will be opened up for you to advance your career. In the cleaning industry working smarter is a wiser strategy than working harder.

If you are looking for janitorial and sanitary supplies, janitorial services, or janitorial training information, then contact Lawton Brothers at 407-291-2501 or message us on our contact page.

When utilizing a backpack vacuum for professional use, experts recommend that you use a side-to-side method instead of pushing and pulling the vacuum head forwards and backward. There are several reasons for this. First, it is a more practical method ...

When utilizing a backpack vacuum for professional use, experts recommend that you use a side-to-side method instead of pushing and pulling the vacuum head forwards and backward. There are several reasons for this. First, it is a more practical method that covers a greater area in less than time. It is also more ergonomic as it puts less tension on the shoulders, arms, back, and waist. The movement helps the user to twist the mid-section instead of applying pressure on the torso in a front to back manner. This requires less tension and energy on the body while covering more ground in less than time. Cleaning technicians can complete the job in a more efficient manner. In the janitorial field, productivity is essential so that workers can get in and out of a facility faster

A Lightweight Solution in Pro Vacuuming

Although some backpack vacuums can get hefty, by comparison, they are far less cumbersome than upright vacuums. Numerous studies have demonstrated that it takes far less effort to utilize a backpack vacuum than a standard floor model, because of the weight (8 to 13 pounds) and mobility of the uprights. Upright floor vacs average 25 pounds with an empty bag. When harnesses and straps are used properly, the backpack unit weight is evenly distributed on the shoulders, back, and hips so that it feel lightweight even when filling up with floor debris. When using the backpack, make sure you use all straps and belts. They should be fastened in a manner that is tight but comfortable to minimize movement around the torso.

Improved Work Posture

There are numerous health-related concerns that come with operating an upright vac. For instance, the front-to-back motion puts unnecessary stress on the backs, legs, arms, and shoulders. Over a long period, workers will experience pain in all these areas. Backpack vacuums, however, keep the technician in a neutral upright position without out the ongoing pressure of moving forward and backward. Muscle groups such as the legs and shoulders are more designed to carry weight and walk instead of exerting horizontal motion with a heavy upright machine. The result is that the operator has greater stamina over a work shift without overexerting muscles and joints.

Greater Productivity and Efficiency While You Work

Productivity and efficiency in janitorial work create a win-win for both the cleaning company and the client. The cleaning company can cover more ground in less time. This allows the owner to take on more clients, thus, increasing profits. The client benefits from less noise and intrusion in their office. In some cases, cleaning companies have to provide service during the day when people are working. By using a backpack vacuum, there is less work time on the job. Cleaning technicians can get in and out. Clients appreciate the fast service. For this reason, backpack equipment is replacing standard floor vacs in many companies and facilities.

Cleaner Results, More Sanitary Alternative

Upright vacuum cleaners use brushes to loosen and lift dirt. While this achieves the desired goal, there is a side effect. The agitation of the brushes also stirs up dust and allergens and spreads into the air. Even if the average person doesn't notice the dust created, they're affected by it by breathing in contaminated air. Backpacks solve this problem by simply lifting the dirt and dust using power suction and transferring it to a HEPA filter that acts like a standard HEPA air cleaner. 99.9 percent of all allergens and contaminants are captured in the filter and do not return to the atmosphere. This isolation of pollutants naturally cleans the room and prevents dirty air from circulating. Clients often notice that both their air and their carpets and rugs are much cleaner.

When purchasing a vacuum cleaner it is important to weigh the pros and cons of the model you buy. The industry as a whole is shifting from the standard floor models to backpack vacuums because of the all the benefits they offer. Your employees will love the mobility they have with less stress on the body. Projects will be completed in a more efficient manner. Your clients will benefit from less noise, faster service, and cleaner room environments. If you want to know more about the features and benefits of backpack vacuums, contact Lawton Brothers. We specialized in providing janitorial education, training, and products for cleaning companies!

Arguably one of the most genius inventions ever, the vacuum has become a cleaning staple in homes and businesses all over the world. It is also not entirely clear who actually invented the first one. The first patent that we ...

Arguably one of the most genius inventions ever, the vacuum has become a cleaning staple in homes and businesses all over the world. It is also not entirely clear who actually invented the first one. The first patent that we know of for a “sweeping machine” in 1869 was made by Ives McGaffey. However, it wasn’t until 1907 that William Hoover brought us the first bag-on-a-stick upright vacuum cleaner in Ohio. Although the exact origin of the vacuum cleaner is unknown, one thing is for sure and that is that they make a huge contribution to the janitorial industry. They are a wonderful tool that if used properly can do wonders for business, but if used poorly can severely damage time management and budgets.

So what do you need to know before you purchase a commercial vacuum?

Do some research and strive to find the best commercial vacuum that can get the job done well and without any extra hassle. Avoid buying the shiniest and newest model of commercial vacuum just because it is on sale or is being promoted to be the best. If you plan on investing in a machine that is worth your time and money, put some time in before you spend your money. It could save you big bucks down the road.

By increasing the speed at which an area is vacuumed, it gives janitorial staff more time to complete other tasks and eventually increases overall productivity. Not having to unplug and plug in again or empty bags more frequently allows the person doing the vacuuming to get the job done faster and move on. Vacuums are rather noisy and distracting so the faster the vacuuming is completed, the happier those around the vacuuming are.

Cords have long been a thing of the past. Battery operated technologies are just the beginning of the chord free world. Everything from our phones to industrial sized cleaning equipment have gone cordless and will not be going back.The janitorial ...

Cords have long been a thing of the past. Battery operated technologies are just the beginning of the chord free world. Everything from our phones to industrial sized cleaning equipment have gone cordless and will not be going back.The janitorial industry is continuously growing and advancing. Some of the most valuable growth and advancement has been made through the advancement in technology and through proper maintenance and care, we hope to keep it that way.

Machinery that is large and powerful enough to do hard work faster aids the janitorial world extensively when it comes to getting things done in a more timely manner and with more ease. The new and more advanced machinery used in janitorial processes is often battery operated. Batteries are becoming smaller, lighter, and more versatile. The result is machinery that can operate without a cord and that is easy to use without extra weight or bulkiness. It is the batteries that are responsible for making large projects a breeze by easing the process. The ability to complete tasks without being bogged down by a pesky cord is priceless. So why jeopardize that freedom by not taking proper care of the batteries?

Batteries are not meant to work forever, but their lives can be extended if taken care of properly. Over time, certain parts of batteries corrode and weaken. It has even been proven that every time you recharge certain batteries, their storage capacity decreases. That is why maintaining the life that batteries already do have is so crucial. If maintained properly, batteries have the potential to function properly twice as long as usual.

Taking care of this advanced equipment is extremely important for maintaining the life of the machinery and getting the best use of it. Making sure that the batteries that run the machinery are in good condition is one of the most simple ways to ensure that the equipment will do the best job that it can. Not only is it important to protect the life of your batteries, it is important to try and extend the life of your batteries in order to get more use and save money. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your machine’s batteries:

-Keep batteries stored in a well-ventilated area

-Do not store batteries in extremely hot or cold areas

-Do not charge batteries in extremely hot or cold areas

-Maintain the correct water levels if battery is lead-acid or flooded

-Use distilled water for lead-acid or flooded batteries

-Clean batteries regularly with baking soda, water and a wire brush

-Use the batteries about every seven days

-Charge batteries after every use

-Leave batteries on charger when not in use

Maintaining the life of the batteries used in heavy cleaning machinery is one of the most important things to do when it comes to large equipment. Working with a maintenance program to better manage resources by helping to minimize time and save money is a great option if maintenance often falls to the back burner. Having a technician regularly inspect and perform any necessary maintenance on your machines could save your company an incredible amount of money down the road.

Although batteries are not at all a new technology, the versatility and improvements that have been made with batteries is massive. Tons of research has and is still being done to constantly find ways to make batteries stronger and to make batteries stay stronger over longer periods of time. Through all the discoveries and advancements made regarding batteries, one thing has stayed consistent and that is the importance of maintenance.

If the batteries in your machinery are not functioning at their highest performance level, then it is safe to say that your machine is not functioning how it could and should be either. The batteries are essentially the lifeline of the equipment it is powering and could potentially make or break the job it is doing. When the machinery involved in a janitorial job is not functioning as effectively as it should be, the work takes longer and the job has the potential to get even dirtier. Not maintaining the battery life of your heavy machinery provides you with the perfect environment for machinery failure and possible business setbacks.

Just this past June, President Obama signed into law the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. This new bill modernizes the Toxic Substances Control Act and is the first major environmental legislation to be passed in ...

Just this past June, President Obama signed into law the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. This new bill modernizes the Toxic Substances Control Act and is the first major environmental legislation to be passed in 20 years. The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and others have been calling for a modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act, the principal federal chemical safety law, for nearly a decade. ACI President and CEO, Ernie Rosenberg, calls this legislation “the culmination of an incredible journey” and a “huge achievement” in the midst of partisan pressures.

The new law includes many important improvements to chemical safety, including:

• Requiring the EPA to evaluate the safety of chemicals currently existent in commerce - for the first time ever.
• Requiring the EPA to use a risk-based safety standard to evaluate new and existing chemicals with clear and enforceable deadlines.
• Empowering the EPA to require the creation of the chemical information necessary to support safety standard evaluations.
• Establishing clear and enforceable deadlines to ensure a timely review of prioritized chemicals and timely action on identified risks.
• Increased public transparency of chemical information by limiting unwarranted claims of confidentiality to allow for the appropriate sharing of information.
• Providing a consistent source of funding for the EPA to efficiently carry out the responsibilities of the new law.

This new bill works to ensure that the chemicals manufactured and used throughout the United States are safe for the public, their families, and our environment. For nearly forty years, there were fundamental flaws in the Toxic Substances Control Act that limited the EPA’s ability to protect from dangerous chemicals. With the new risk-based safety standard, the EPA and many others believe this new law is a huge victory for the environment, public health, and chemical safety. The EPA is already working towards carrying out its new responsibilities by:

• Identifying chemicals already active in commerce that threaten public and environmental health.
• Establishing new procedures to prioritize and evaluate high-priority chemicals and substances.
• Working with stakeholders to create a fee system for implementation.

The new law took effect immediately upon signature by President Obama on June 22nd, 2016. The most immediate effects of the new law will be on the new chemical review process. The new requirements of the law require the EPA to make an affirmative finding on new chemicals or new uses of chemicals before they can be pushed to market. For companies that submitted their pre-manufacture notices prior to the bill being enacted, the new law reset the 90-day review period. The EPA will make additional information available about new chemical reviews as soon as possible.

This is the first time in 20 years that the United States is updating a national environmental statute. The EPA will now be able to more easily review chemicals already on the market and the new chemicals created by our scientists and businesses. The new risk standard does away with an outdated bureaucratic formula and focuses solely on the risks to our public health. The bill also gives the EPA and scientists the funding they need to keep Americans safe from toxic chemicals in our laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, or other substances many Americans use everyday.

The original Toxic Substances Control Act was signed by President Ford to protect Americans from harmful chemicals in cleaning agents, fabrics, plastics, paint thinners, and more. Though it had good intentions, the law placed unrealistic demands on the EPA without providing them with the proper tools to safely and effectively regulate chemicals in the market. In 1976, around 62,000 chemicals were already on the market and since then only five of those original chemicals have been banned and only a small percentage has been reviewed for health and safety. Prior to this new bill being passed, our country has been unable to have the opportunity to uphold a ban on asbestos - a known carcinogen responsible for the death of almost 10,000 Americans every year.

The passing of this law reflects the hard work of the cleaning industry and many other voices who have been working towards safer and more effective toxic chemical regulation for years. The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is a big step forward in the fight to keep our families, environment, and public healthy for years to come.

So, your facility has decided to further its green initiative by implementing a composting program. What does that mean for you and your crew? While implementing a waste management program of this magnitude can seem daunting, taking care of compost ...

So, your facility has decided to further its green initiative by implementing a composting program. What does that mean for you and your crew? While implementing a waste management program of this magnitude can seem daunting, taking care of compost is really no different than your normal operations in clearing away garbage in your medical facility, school, or office. Composting is becoming a popular waste management and green cleaning procedure for many reasons. Here are a few ways you can introduce your crew to the change and maintain a clean, inviting facility.

Compositing is the process by which food waste and other organic waste products, like some paper products and yard waste, can be naturally broken-down and re-introduced into the soil. The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that composting reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, water, and pesticides. It enriches soil, increase crop yields, and reduces methane and leachate in landfills thus decreasing pollution and extending the life of a landfill. Another startling reason that the is becoming such a sought after program in medical, school and other facilities is because of its impact on food waste. In the US, 133 billion pounds of food make it to landfills every year. This accounts for 31 percent of our country’s food supply. This amount of food waste contributes to a significant portion of our methane emissions. If Americans are able to reduce this waste by 15 percent, we would be able to feed an additional 25 million people every year.

Composting is not popular because it is just another way to change how food waste is disposed of. It is becoming more popular because it makes facilities re-think their food programs and reduce waste from the beginning of the supply chain. Facilities are reducing their cost of their operations and waste disposal while helping reduce harm to the environment that 133 billion pounds of food waste creates.

 At first it can be difficult to convert to a composting program because many people are squeamish about the idea. They think of it as rotting, smelly leftovers, but when you get down to it a compost bin is really a “traditional” trash can without plastics and inorganic material.

 Custodial crews can actually lend a helping hand in changing the popular opinion of composting to a more positive one. Here are two main things you can do to promote your facility’s compost program. 

1. Remove the compost liners once a day. By removing this compostable food and organic waste, you can stop the smell before it happens.
2. Clean out the receptacles frequently. As often as three times a week or as necessary, it’s important to clean out these bins so that they stay clean and smell free. 

Composting is a great way for facilities to begin a green initiative. Your help as a custodial crew is tantamount to its success. If you have questions about the types of liners you should choose and how to help your facility achieve its goal, ask us today.

Many cleaning supplies on the market contain Quaternary Ammonium Chloride, better known as “Quat.” In theory, this active ingredient is extremely effective. It has a long shelf life, low toxicity and is effective against germs, bacteria and viruses. The only ...

Many cleaning supplies on the market contain Quaternary Ammonium Chloride, better known as “Quat.” In theory, this active ingredient is extremely effective. It has a long shelf life, low toxicity and is effective against germs, bacteria and viruses. The only problem is that its tendency to bind to textiles can render it useless and even harmful in some circumstances. 

Quats are positively charged ions, and many cleaning textiles are composed of negatively charged ions. You can see where this is going, positive and negative ions are strongly attracted to each other. 

Studies have found that quat binding reduces the efficacy of these products. After binding, the solution contains less than half parts per million noted on the label. This renders the disinfectant “off-label,” and now violates federal law. Even worse, it’s not cleaning as it should and can create an environment where microorganisms can become disinfectant-resistant. For our janitorial teams who work in the health care setting this is extremely alarming. Many teams are unaware this chemical reaction happens and continue cleaning, blissfully ignorant. 

The lack of knowledge in this arena is troublesome. As a janitorial supply company, we find in necessary that all of our clients to understand why quats can be ineffective and potentially dangerous if not used correctly. In our next blog we’ll discuss best practices for cleaning with quats, what you can do to retain their efficacy and which materials are best suited for this powerful product. 

While it may seem like a far-away dream or a Sci-Fi fantasy, the possibility of self-cleaning surfaces are becoming new realities. Advances in nanotechnology are breaking historic ground in the cleaning industry, and as an article published in ISSA Today...

While it may seem like a far-away dream or a Sci-Fi fantasy, the possibility of self-cleaning surfaces are becoming new realities. Advances in nanotechnology are breaking historic ground in the cleaning industry, and as an article published in ISSA Today outlines, can have monumental impacts on the health and sanitation industries as a whole. 

One material, Titanium Dioxide, shows amazing promise in this new frontier. In its normal form, TiO2 is widely used as a white pigment in everything from sunscreen to paint and toothpaste. When it’s scaled down to nano-sized, literally one billionth of a meter, its properties are otherworldly. Nano TiO2 produces photocatalytic oxidization using nothing but light. It could be used to create surfaces that kill pathogens on contact by reducing organic compounds into their base elements of water, carbon and oxygen.

Even more impressive, this nano-particle also further oxidizes water molecules, which produce hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals are lethal for microorganisms like bacteria, fungi and viruses. This process is completely oxidative. There is no risk of “super-bugs” mutating as a result of antimicrobial resistance, which is currently a huge problem facing health care facilities. 

The application of nanotechnology on surfaces in heath care and other facilities is not that far off. How it will affect our industry as cleaning professionals remains to be seen. As your preferred janitorial supply and equipment supplier, we’ll stay in front of this technology and be here for any questions you may have. 

Last month, OSHA’s policy on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or GHS, went into effect. As of June 1, 2015 manufactures, distributors and businesses that repackage hazardous chemicals must label each container being shipped downstream with ...

Last month, OSHA’s policy on Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, or GHS, went into effect. As of June 1, 2015 manufactures, distributors and businesses that repackage hazardous chemicals must label each container being shipped downstream with HCS 2012-compliant labels and SDSs. This left manufacturers, distributors and businesses that this change in policy affected scrambling to update existing stock.

At the last minute OSHA relaxed their policy for existing stock, classified as hazardous materials that were already boxed, palletized or shrink-wrapped, so that manufactures did not have to unpack, re-label and re-package those hazardous materials.  As some manufactures were not able to comply because they had not received necessary classifications, SDSs and labels from their upstream suppliers. They must, however, provide an HCS 2012-compliant label and SDSs for each shipment, or show signs of diligence and good faith that they attempted to procure and use the required materials. 

U.S. Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis has said, “Exposure to hazardous chemicals is one of the most serious threats facing American workers today. Revising OSHA's Hazard Communication standard will improve the quality and consistency of hazard information, making it safer for workers to do their jobs and easier for employers to stay competitive." 

It’s great that OSHA is taking steps to ensure worker’s safety around hazardous chemicals. It’s also refreshing to know that they relaxed their enforcement policy to give those manufactures, distributors and repackagers a chance to become compliant without penalizing them for existing stock. 

If you have any questions about how OSHA regulations will affect your facility, give us a call today. 

At Lawton Brothers, we're qualified to work on many brands of janitorial equipment, but we hate to see our clients inconvenienced by a trip to the shop when they should be out doing their work. 

The best way to ...

At Lawton Brothers, we're qualified to work on many brands of janitorial equipment, but we hate to see our clients inconvenienced by a trip to the shop when they should be out doing their work. 

The best way to insure you’re not put in an undesirable situation, that could hurt your bottom line, is to create an equipment maintenance plan. As suppliers, we know what manufacturers recommend and would be happy to help you out. Here are a few ideas: 

-Replace parts, such as: brushes, hoses, filters and belts when they show signs of heavy ware.

- Train everyone who will be using the equipment on proper use and cleaning procedures. Ensure they understand and follow those procedures with a logbook, or similar system.

- Schedule maintenance for the machine as a whole according to manufacturers specifications. By planning this out, you’ll be able to anticipate the equipment’s absence instead of being surprised when it breaks down. 

Making an equipment maintenance plan and adhering to it will spare your business the embarrassing and costly hassle of working around broken machines. You’ll be able to use the equipment for longer and won’t be surprised when it finally does need to be replaced. 

As your resource for janitorial supplies in Central Florida, Lawton Brothers enjoys keeping our clients informed of studies and findings that affect your operations. A recent article by Building Services Management , shed light on an often-overlooked issue: the cleanliness ...

As your resource for janitorial supplies in Central Florida, Lawton Brothers enjoys keeping our clients informed of studies and findings that affect your operations. A recent article by Building Services Management, shed light on an often-overlooked issue: the cleanliness of hand soap dispensers. 

Hand soap dispensers are installed in a majority of public restrooms. These dispensers are either top-loading bulk fill dispensers, or sealed soap dispensing systems. A study conducted in 2011, found that bulk fill soap dispensers in public restrooms could be, “A vector, contributing to the spread of pathogenic microorganisms.” 

Many bulk fill hand soap dispensers are affixed to the wall, making them cumbersome to clean. As a result, soap is “topped off” as it gets low. The unit itself is rarely cleaned. When more soap is simply being added to a possibly contaminated batch, the proliferation of bacteria, biofilm and microorganisms is imminent. 

In the interest of public heath, the CDC now recommends facilities use soap dispensers that are either use sealed disposable refills, or able to be sanitized after they are emptied. A great option is to choose sealed soap dispensing systems.  These systems are comprised of a sealed cartridge of soap and a built-in nozzle. When these cartridges are empty, they are simply disposed of and replaced. Providing new, uncontaminated soap.  

At Lawton Brothers we understand that the cleanliness of your facility is a great value to your bottom line. Contact your resource for janitorial equipment and cleaning supplies to ask about your options in restroom cleanliness. 

Floor mats; we use them everyday without even thinking about the job that they’re doing for us. The fact is that there’s people out there whose job is dedicated perfecting an entire program designed to improve matting and prevent slips ...

Floor mats; we use them everyday without even thinking about the job that they’re doing for us. The fact is that there’s people out there whose job is dedicated perfecting an entire program designed to improve matting and prevent slips and falls. As your go-to janitorial supplies company we can’t say enough about the importance of walk-off matting, therefore we dedicated an entire series of articles to discuss it in depth.  

Comprehensive matting programs have the ability to reduce injury and reduce the costs related to those injuries. According to a recent CleanLink article, Steve Spencer, a facilities specialist at State Farm Insurance spends his days improving comprehensive walk-off programs, who explains that it’s not only about matting. Spencer also explains that his program is successful because of its three phases as described below. 

Phase One. Phase one begins outside of the building with a large scraper mat designed to scrape of any large debris or soil from shoes and keep it outside. 
Phase Two. Phase two takes place in the immediate building entrance where a scraper/wiper mat is recommended. This matting is less abrasive than the outdoor mat but removes and retains debris. Spencer recommends testing this particular mat before you select one for your facility. Look for water capture, retention, and sand capture. 
Phase Three. Phase three is the indoor wiper mat. This mats primary function is to dry the shoe of moisture to prevent slip and falls. It’s important to make sure that your matting is not only long enough, but as wide as your doorways so that it will wear evenly.

At Lawton Brothers we believe that implementing a matting program will not only improve overall facility cleanliness, but safety as well. If you’re interested in learning more about how to successfully integrate mats throughout your facility, contact your janitorial supplies company today.