While many people are spending a majority of their time indoors, there is still work to be done and errands to be run. As your employees and customers enter your business, they anticipate a safe haven from the weather ...

 

While many people are spending a majority of their time indoors, there is still work to be done and errands to be run. As your employees and customers enter your business, they anticipate a safe haven from the weather outside. However, with more time spent indoors, there is an increase in the accumulation of dust that can cause irritation and inflammation in the eyes, nose, and respiratory system. 

What is Dust?

As many of us know, dust is a common allergen that forms from sand, soil, pollen, hair, dead skin, mites, fibers from clothes or furniture, and plant material. The dust mites are an important factor in allergic reactions as almost 10 percent of the general population are sensitive to dust mites, and there are an average of 100 to 500 mites in each gram of dust. While the insects don’t do any direct physiological harm (they don’t bite or spread disease), they are extremely frustrating to most people. 

Unfortunately, dust collects everywhere inside a building. Depending on the use of each facility or space, there can be quite a few places for dust to gather. After all, does the storage closet get dusted? What about behind the filing cabinet or around the boxes in the corner? As the number of people frequenting your facility increases, so does the amount of dust and dander that accumulates and settles into carpets, furniture, and shelves. 

In many instances, the best defense against dust mites and other major allergens is regular cleaning and using a high-efficiency filter. The carpets or rugs should be cleaned on a daily or weekly basis, depending on foot traffic, with more intense cleaning on a quarterly basis. Additionally, dusting with microfiber cloths, sweeping floors, and other general maintenance will reduce the amount of dust mites in your facility. Be sure to have your HVAC system professionally cleaned once or twice a year to clear contaminants from the air system and use a HEPA or other high-efficiency filter. 

Proper Dusting

To fully collect and remove dust, use microfiber cloths, static and extension dusters, all-purpose cleaner, and a window cleaner. Dust from top to bottom, starting with any ceiling fans, door frames, and tops of cabinets. Don’t forget the often-neglected places such as the tops of door frames and décor, as well as behind cabinets and under objects. After dusting, be sure to vacuum the floors to get rid of any contaminants that escaped the cloth. 

Dusting should be conducted at least once a week. If the surface is vertical (such as the side of a desk), it can be dusted every other week, and if the surface is above eye level or below knee level, it can be dusted every two to four weeks. 

Don’t Let Dust Get You Down

We know that it can be daunting to tackle the long-forgotten dust bunnies on top of the kitchen cabinets, while managing every other aspect of your business. That’s why Lawton Brothers offers a range of products, services, and equipment to get you to where you want to be. Give us a call today and get a free cleaning audit: 800.432.0813.

 

Thanks to its versatility and easy maintenance, tile flooring is a popular choice among offices, hospitals, schools, and many public as well as private facilities. Over time, however, tiles can become a different type of focal point in your ...

 

Thanks to its versatility and easy maintenance, tile flooring is a popular choice among offices, hospitals, schools, and many public as well as private facilities. Over time, however, tiles can become a different type of focal point in your business. Regular mopping can’t reach the dirt and grime that builds up in the grout, leaving old, worn out tiles that can significantly age your establishment.

You may be thinking that it is easier to replace those old tiles or simply get rid of tile altogether, but it is possible to restore them to their former glory! Renewing your tiles is a lot easier than you may think and can easily give an updated and clean look to your business.

Refinishing Tiles

If the glazing has worn off, or the tile is damaged beyond your ability to repair it, that’s okay! Sometimes, old tile needs to be refinished in order to give off its original luster. While this option is more expensive, a professional re-glazing beats the price of replacing old tiles. However, in many cases, professional refinishing is usually a last resort. Be sure to use these tactics before scheduling a professional appointment to save time and costly repairs.

Deep Cleaning Tiles

Surfaces can appear dull due to the buildup of residue over time. Use a degreaser and clean cloth to lift oils and loosen leftover grime. Once the tiles have been wiped down, it’s time to scrub. Use a soft brush or sponge along with soap and warm water to scrub off stubborn dirt. Be careful when using abrasive cleansers as you can damage the glaze on your tile.

Cleaning Grout

Oftentimes, tile can look worn down even after a deep cleaning. When this seems to be the case, it’s a good idea to turn your attention to the grout. As mentioned, grout is porous and will absorb liquids, leaving stains and discoloration that distracts from the beauty of your tile.

Careful is the name of the game when it comes to porous surfaces. Use a gentle cleaning product that is designed to restore grout or use a mixture of lemon juice and cream of tartar for a natural bleaching agent. You can grab a toothbrush for an easy application of whatever product you select.

Ways to Keep Your Tile Looking New

 As with most surfaces, tile accumulates a mixture of dirt, oil, and dust that can drastically change the appearance of your space. Whether it is being used for floors or countertops, it is best to follow these simple steps to maintain tile:

• Clean spills immediately. Don’t forget that grout is porous and will soak up liquids. Always read the labels to ensure a product can be used on tile and grout prior to use.
• Use placemats and rugs to prevent wear. For counters, use cutting boards and silicone mats when handling foods; for floors, use mats both internally and externally to prevent dirt and grime from being tracked inside.
• Deep Clean. Occasionally, you will need to deep clean the grout or surface of the tiles to maintain its beauty. Be sure to avoid abrasive cleansers and brushes.

Have Questions?

Lawton Brothers is here to help answer any questions you have about maintaining your tiles, or any other surfaces in your business. Try these easy fixes, and if you have any additional questions, give us a call at 800.432.0813.

 

As a business owner, keeping a clean environment has a huge impact on your employees and customers alike. Oftentimes, employees are required to help keep shared spaces clean. While this may seem like an easy out, employees may find ...

 

As a business owner, keeping a clean environment has a huge impact on your employees and customers alike. Oftentimes, employees are required to help keep shared spaces clean. While this may seem like an easy out, employees may find themselves at the mercy of other coworkers and conditions that they can’t control. That’s when it’s time to consider a commercial cleaning service.

Hiring a commercial cleaning service can alleviate the burden of maintaining a clean office space, not just for your employees, but for you as well.

Benefits of a Commercial Cleaning Service

By using a professional service, you can ensure greater productivity and satisfaction among employees. Not only will they appreciate the ability to focus solely on their duties and workspace, but the worry-free atmosphere will greatly increase office morale, not to mention employee health.

When it comes to cleaning, don’t cut corners. Professionals understand which products to use, when and how to clean, as well as the proper long-term maintenance. This, in addition to the reliability of a cleaning service, is easily worth the investment.

Choosing the Best Service

Typically, most cleaning companies will offer a general list of services including emptying trash, cleaning bathrooms, disinfecting and dusting surfaces, vacuuming carpets, restocking supplies, and deodorizing the space. When looking for a professional service, be sure to look at online reviews and use your network to find the best option.

Traversing the list of commercial cleaning companies can be a bit overwhelming. As you explore, consider your office size, your location, and the services you will need. Try to determine which features are most important and the approximate timeframe they will need to visit. When you’ve found your perfect cleaning company, be sure to start with a temporary contract to test the waters before jumping into a year-long contract.

When discussing options with various companies, we suggest ironing out these key details:

• 1. Cleaning supplies: Who is to provide the supplies? Are there any specific requirements for the products? How often will these be replaced? Will the crew bring supplies and tools with them, or will they need to be provided on site?
• 2. Cleaning schedule: How often will the crew come to the office? Are there specific days or holidays that they won’t be available?
• 3. Office access: Will someone let the crew into the building, or will they need a key/code to enter?
• 4. Before/After cleaning: Are there any items that need to be done prior to the arrival of the crew, such as emptying the fridge? Are there any items that the crew should do before leaving?

Try to be as detailed as possible to avoid any confusion or mishaps. 

Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

It can be confusing to navigate the commercial cleaning world. Let Lawton Brothers help make it a bit easier. As experts serving the Central Florida area since 1946, we have an extensive network of services and providers to ensure your business is in tip-top shape. Give us a call today to see how we can help at: 800.432.0813.

 

This year, the world was hit with a highly infectious disease, resulting in health organizations around the globe promoting cleaning practices to reduce infection rates. Since March of 2020, businesses and homes in the United States have been instructed ...

 

This year, the world was hit with a highly infectious disease, resulting in health organizations around the globe promoting cleaning practices to reduce infection rates. Since March of 2020, businesses and homes in the United States have been instructed of the importance of daily cleaning regimens, including sanitization and disinfection of surfaces. While many of us know it is important to both sanitize and disinfect, there is a huge gap in awareness of the difference between these products. 

Know the Difference

Cleaning refers to the removal of dust, debris, and dirt from a surface. It usually involves washing, rinsing, and/or scrubbing. This is the ‘physical dirt’ we typically see with our eyes, such as a liquid spill or debris from shoes.

Sanitizing is the reduction of bacteria on surfaces and in laundry. Typically, you can find the bacteria that a specific product targets by reading the product’s label.

Disinfecting destroys or inactivates both the bacteria and viruses on a product’s label on hard, nonporous surfaces.

Disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces is one of the most effective ways of decreasing the spread of germs. To help prevent the spread of diseases, like Covid-19, it is important to regularly disinfect your facility. The most important difference between sanitizers and disinfectants is that EPA-approved sanitizers can only reduce bacteria, while disinfectants can reduce bacteria and viruses. Additionally, Disinfectants are only for use on hard, nonporous surfaces; therefore, you will never disinfect carpets, chairs, or clothing.

When Should I Disinfect?

While infection rates are still fairly high in the United States, the CDC is continuing to recommend daily disinfection of facilities open to the public. It is best to disinfect frequently touched surfaces, including tables, door handles, light switches, bathrooms, and chairs, especially between customers. Common surfaces should be disinfected at a frequency that relates to the volume of customers, at the very least every four hours.

How to Disinfect

Before beginning your cleaning and disinfection process, be sure to read all product labels and use adequate protection. Most often, you will need to clean a surface prior to disinfection or sanitization. For all cleaning purposes, be sure to wear gloves, a mask, and additional protective equipment as needed, and always wash your hands (and other exposure points) after use.

Looking for a disinfectant for use against Covid-19? Click here.

Check what concentration level the product is, what its intended application is, and the wet contact time required. It is important to note that the product will not work as intended if the disinfectant is wiped off the surface too soon. Allow the product to completely air dry or wipe with water, as directed on the label.

Hillyard Disinfectants

QT Plus Disinfectant Cleaner - 3 minute kill time

Re-Juv-Nal Disinfectant Cleaner - 10 minute kill time

Vital Oxide Ultra Safe Disinfectant

Need help?

We understand how confusing the world of cleaning can be. That’s why we are committed to assisting our businesses and families in Central Florida. Still unsure about your chemicals? With over 67 years of experience in the cleaning industry, we’ve got the answers to your questions. Give Lawton Brothers a call today at: 800.432.0813.

Checklist and guidelines for sanitization and disinfection. Very easy to read and follow. From the Washington Health Care Association.

As health and green living have been at the forefront of innovation in recent years, the EPA continues to expand the list of Safer Chemicals. Products with the Safer Choice label allow consumers the option to purchase safer chemical ingredients ...

As health and green living have been at the forefront of innovation in recent years, the EPA continues to expand the list of Safer Chemicals. Products with the Safer Choice label allow consumers the option to purchase safer chemical ingredients without the sacrifice of quality or performance. Currently, there are more than 2,000 products that currently qualify as a Safer Choice – and more are added every year. 

What Makes a “Safer” Chemical?

Upon submitting a product to the EPA, the applicant must provide the complete formula (regardless of percentage, and inclusive of residuals) along with the function of each ingredient, a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), effective use concentrations, product performance data, and a variety of other information about the chemical. Throughout the certification process, there are product requirements, component-specific requirements, and profiler requirements that all must be met. These requirements may change depending on the use of the product; however, one main requirement is seen in all Safer Choice products – biodegradation. This means that a product doesn’t accumulate and breaks down by itself naturally over time. Products that are less likely to pass are those this test are those with high acute or chronic aquatic toxicity and/or a slow rate of biodegradation (more than 28 days). 

Recently, the EPA approved eight new chemical ingredients for inclusion in the list. The newest ingredients were submitted by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) in May of this year. The inclusion of these ingredients marks the first time the EPA has approved a chemical that was submitted by a non-manufacturer. Though this is an exciting first (particularly for ACI), it certainly won’t be the last! 

Why Should I Choose Safer Chemicals?

As a business owner, using EPA Safer Choice Chemicals can show your community and customers that you not only care about their safety and satisfaction, but the environment as well. Furthermore, the most effective way to eliminate/reduce health incidents in the workplace is by starting at the source. Unlike other strategies, using Safer Choices can avoid exposure to harmful materials entirely. 

In the United States, it is estimated that more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths occur annually as the cause of chemicals. Replacing known hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives can help reduce these numbers and keep your employees safe. 

How Do I Find Safer Choices?

Safer Chemicals are easily recognizable by their EPA Safer Choice label. Additionally, the EPA has a full list on their website where visitors can search for certified products by name, use, and even the type of product: https://www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.

 Still unsure about your chemicals? Lawton Brothers offers Green Cleaning audits as well as a variety of green products and safer choice chemicals. Give us a call today: 800.432.0813.

Did you know that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), can account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year? When a patient enters your healthcare facility for medical services, they are immediately put at risk for contracting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) through ...

Did you know that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), can account for 1.7 million infections and 99,000 deaths each year? When a patient enters your healthcare facility for medical services, they are immediately put at risk for contracting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) through improper environmental hygiene practices.

 As an essential part of healthcare leadership, it is critical to ensure your patient safety for the facilities you serve. You can minimize the risk of HAIs by encouraging your medical staff to be aware of and promote proper environmental hygiene and cleaning practices.

At Lawton Brothers, we understand that in extensive healthcare facilities, hygiene practices can be put on the back burner. We are taking this opportunity during International Infection Prevention Week to provide a timely reminder of the importance of the correlation between your facility’s cleanliness and your patient’s safety.

THE MOST COMMON HAIs

Healthcare-associated infections are infections that a patient develops during their hospital stay. HAIs can be contracted in any type of facility, including hospitals, ambulances and long-term care facilities, just to name a few.  

When a healthcare facility does not engage in proper environmental cleaning practices, it can cause increased diseases (morbidity), decrease mortality, increase the length of hospital stays and costs incurred by the hospital. (yikes!) 

According to Becker’s Clinical Leaders & Infection Control:

●      The length of stay for a patient who contracts an HAI increases by 17.6 days

●      9.4 percent of in-patient costs are for HAIs

●      HAIs can cost healthcare facilities $35 billion per year

The most common HAIs patients get during their hospital stay include:

●      Central-line associated bloodstream infections

●      Clostridium difficile infections

●      Pneumonia

●      Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus

●      Surgical site infections

●      Urinary Tract infections

How do patients contract these HAIs?

As you know, HAIs can be contracted through environmental transmission; through the hands and the contamination of surfaces.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING PRACTICES 

Environmental hygiene can be dependent on the pathogen present and what product you are using to remove it.  According to an article published in BioMed Central, there are five areas of cleanliness that healthcare leaders should take into account when thinking about their hospital: 

1. Workforce: the staff whose responsibility is to organize, execute and verify cleaning activity.
2. Area: the environment that needs to be cleaned, including surfaces.
3. Substance: the chemical product being used to clean.
4. Technique: the method by which the staff is applying the substance.
5. Equipment: the machines being used to clean, including microfiber cloths and cleaning machines.

 If any of these areas are lacking or absent, the level of cleaning is inferior to what it should be.

 You should also be asking yourself these questions:

 What are our options for cleaning and disinfecting the patient’s environment? 

1. What approaches are in use?
2. How do cleaning, disinfecting and monitoring interact?
3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cleaning, disinfecting and monitoring? 

What equipment is needed to impact cleaning, disinfecting and monitoring? 

1. What equipment is essential to the efficiency of environmental cleaning services?
2. Is it essential to train cleaning staff?
3. What are the regulations around disinfecting the facility? 

CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR CLEANING  & DISINFECTING 

The optimal cleaning product for a healthcare facility is one that is effective against bacteria, spores and viruses while leaving no impact on the environment and being completely safe. Unfortunately, there isn’t a product that does all of that. (sadly) 

The most common chemicals used for disinfection include: 

●      Alcohol: is used to disinfect small surfaces or external surfaces like ventilators. Alcohol is a flammable substance and must be used in well-ventilated spaces. Long-term use of alcohol can cause discoloration, hardening and even cracking in plastics and rubber.

●      Hydrogen peroxide: can be effective against bacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses and leaves no odor.

●      Ortho-phthalaldehyde: is an antimicrobial disinfectant for medical equipment that can cause respiratory issues if not handled properly.

●      Chlorine: is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial disinfectant that does not leave a residue.

●      Peracetic acid: is used to sterilize medical and surgical instruments.

●      Phenolics: are EPA-registered disinfectants that are used to clean environmental surfaces like bedside tables, bed rails and laboratory surfaces.

●      Quaternary Ammonium compounds: are used to disinfect patient-care equipment like catheters. 

Unfortunately, data-sf-ec-immutable="" while healthcare facilities are more than willing to upgrade their technology, they are less willing to invest in their environmental hygiene practices. Rather than spend your cleaning budget on only cleaning products, invest in your environmental cleaning employees, as well. An cleaning company can not only supply your healthcare facility with top-notch cleaning solutions but will also be able to provide your employees with the proper training--all while staying within your budget.

Not encouraging proper cleaning practices can affect budgets across the hospital. This can make it difficult to really understand how the lack of such protocols can genuinely change the healthcare facility as a whole.  That is why it’s essential to look at the increased number of days a patient may spend in the hospital due to an HAI, hospital staff overtime, missed revenue and increases in costs due to HAI outbreaks. 

When you are making a decision about investing in your environmental hygiene maintenance processes, which products to get, or how much training your cleaning staff really needs, think about the cost of not investing in these things and what that means for the healthcare facility long-term. 

HOW CAN WE HELP? 

Unfortunately, even if you have the best cleaning staff, they will be useless if they aren’t using the correct product. And, the best product is useless if it isn’t being applied correctly. That is why it is essential to have a team that can help you choose the best products and machines for the situation at hand. 

At Lawton Brothers, we have many products and services that could benefit your healthcare facility. Three products that you could implement into your healthcare environmental cleaning and disinfecting routine right now include: 

1. Hillyard Vindicator + - https://www.lawtonbros.com/catalog/p/243337/Hillyard-Arsenal-1-6-Vindicator-Disinfectant-25-L/
2. Green Klean Chlorinated Tablets - https://www.lawtonbros.com/catalog/p/255655/Green-Klean-Chlorinated-Disinfecting-Tablet/
3. Victory Sprayer - https://www.lawtonbros.com/catalog/p/256687/Victory-Cordless-Electrostatic-Sprayer/ 

And, if your staff needs training on equipment, we can help with that too! To talk to one of our representatives about how we can help your healthcare facility decrease the number of HAIs by improving your cleaning and disinfecting strategies, give us a call at 800-432-0813. 

The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) provides companies with tools to determine the true value of clean. The ISSA promotes cleaning as a necessary investment into better health, a better environment, and a better bottom line. Cleaning Industry Management (CIMS) ...

The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) provides companies with tools to determine the true value of clean. The ISSA promotes cleaning as a necessary investment into better health, a better environment, and a better bottom line. Cleaning Industry Management (CIMS) is a branch of ISSA that offers cleaning organizations standards and certifications. 

Lawton Brothers is proud to be CIMS-GB certified where GB stands for Green Building. In order to be CIMS-GB certified a cleaning company must meet certain criteria and standards set by CIMS which is considered to be “the first consensus based management that outlines the primary characteristics of a successful, quality cleaning organization.” According to the ISSA, a CIMS-GB certification “demonstrates an organization’s capability to assist customers in achieving LEED-EBOM points and offers customers assurance that the organization they select is prepared to partner with them in the Leed process.”

As your resource for cleaning solutions in Central Florida, we are proud to be CIMS-GB certified and at Lawton Brothers we look forward to helping your facility’s cleaning process be as efficient as it can be.