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.

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final ruling about the use of certain ingredients commonly used in over-the-counter antibiotic products. The ruling is forcing manufacturers of these antibiotic products to make changes in the ingredients ...

Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final ruling about the use of certain ingredients commonly used in over-the-counter antibiotic products. The ruling is forcing manufacturers of these antibiotic products to make changes in the ingredients they use in the products that include the use of water.

In 2013, the FDA proposed a rule based on data that suggested that long-term exposure to certain active antibacterial ingredients could potentially cause an increased risk for hormonal problems and bacterial resistance. The ruling stated that manufacturers would have to provide data on the safety and efficiency of the ingredients in their products. The reports from manufacturers showed that they were unable to demonstrate that 19 of the ingredients were safe for long-term daily use and were more effective than soap and water at preventing illness of the spread of certain infections.

On September 2, the FDA ruled that any antiseptic wash products that contain one or more of these 19 ingredients, common in over-the-counter antibiotic products, including triclosan and triclocarbon, are no more effective than using soap and water and therefore should no longer be used in the market. Manufacturers were given a deadline of one year to move these ingredients from their products. Many manufacturers have already begun the process of removing such ingredients or making necessary changes to any products that contain one or more of the 19 ingredients.

In addition to the 19 ingredients that have been banned, three other ingredients, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, and chloroxylenol (PCMX), that are used in consumer wash products have been deferred for one year, at which time another ruling will be made concerning those products. In the meantime, the FDA will wait for new safety and effectiveness data to arrive concerning these three ingredients. While the investigation commences, products containing these three ingredients can still be marketed.

The use of regular soap and water is still recommended as the proper way of a thorough cleaning. If regular soap and water are not available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

While this ruling constitutes a dramatic change in the manufacturing of over-the-counter antibiotic products, it doesn’t affect all products and manufacturers. Any antiseptic hand washes that are intended for use in either health care settings or by professional food handlers are exempt from the ruling. It also doesn’t affect any products that are meant to be used with water. Any products currently exempt from this ruling will be addressed in a separate ruling.

Some manufacturers that produce such products had already begun to remove certain ingredients from their soaps due to the public pressure for safety concerns. The remaining manufacturers are quickly starting to remove the products or reformulate existing products to comply with the ruling, even though they have a year from September 2 to do so.

Some manufacturers and users of antibacterial soaps had already made the decision to stop using them based on public pressure and data supporting that the soaps could potentially be harmful to the user’s health. This ruling justifies those actions and will force users of antibacterial soaps to consider the products they are using. Additionally, it will force manufacturers to take a closer look at the ingredients they are putting in these products and will force them to determine whether they are actually beneficial to users. While the FDA’s interest in the ingredients of bacterial products has yet to conclude, they have proven that they are looking out for the consumer of these products to ensure they are using products that are beneficial to their health.

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.

As the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide, ISSA has a membership that includes more than 7,000 distributor, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, building service contractor, in-house service provider, and associated service members. ISSA helps its members and their employees ...

As the leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide, ISSA has a membership that includes more than 7,000 distributor, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, building service contractor, in-house service provider, and associated service members. ISSA helps its members and their employees make valuable contacts through the industry’s largest cleaning shows, produced in conjunction with Amsterdam RAI under the brand name ISSA/INTERCLEAN.

ISSA also helps increase members’ professionalism and success through its popular global website, www.issa.com, and by offering business tools, educational products, industry standards, publications, and legislative and regulatory services that specifically focus on the professional cleaning industry. It is through these initiatives that ISSA helps its members demonstrate the true value of clean to their varied constituents.

The association is headquartered in Northbrook, IL, USA, with regional offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Leicester, United Kingdom, Monterrey, Mexico, and Shanghai.

There are several Certifications available for your company to become an expert on effectively managed cleaning, green cleaning, sustainability, and protecting human health.

Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS)
CIMS is the first consensus-based management standard that outlines the primary characteristics of a successful, quality cleaning organization. It’s more than just a way for cleaning organizations to set themselves and their green cleaning operations apart in the marketplace. Individuals who wish to assist their customers in preparing for CIMS certification can become ISSA Certification Experts (I.C.E), while facility managers and others responsible for selecting a cleaning service provider can gain an increased level of confidence in their contractor by using CIMS and CIMS-Green Building as a powerful pre-qualification tool.

CIMS is a huge stepping stone for your cleaning organization.

CIMS ISSA Certification Experts (I.C.E)
ISSA Certification Experts are ready to provide training and consulting services to cleaning organizations interested in complying with and preparing to be certified to the Cleaning Industry Management Standard.

Training to become an ISSA Certification Expert positions an individual as an indispensable resource during tough times. As one’s customers or own organizations face budget cuts, professionals read real-life solutions to help them deal with the new challenges.

Custodial operations around the country must reduce labor budgets by 5-10 percent; these reductions cannot be accomplished by supply price decreases alone. Additionally, operational and budgetary knowledge is necessary for one to position themselves as an indispensable resource in these harsh economic times. The need to evaluate, reduce, and redeploy the workforce is the only way to meet impending budget restrictions and an industry professional can help their customers or their own organization do so by training to be a CIMS ISSA Certification Specialist.

Cleaning Industry Training Standard (CITS)
The Cleaning Industry Training Standard (CITS) program is designed to increase professionalism and demonstrate a commitment to effective training. Specifically, the program is focused on training and certifying frontline cleaning professionals, verifying training programs and training facilities to a set industry standard, and improving the skills of industry trainers through a comprehensive workshop.

The actual CITS Standard was developed through a committee-based process involving experts in all industry classes.

CITS verified training programs may only be taught by A.C. T (Accredited Certification Trainer) accredited trainers. This certificate qualifies you to train, proctor exams, and help confer certification.

Cleaning Management Institute (CMI)
CMI is one of the most recognized training and certification providers in the professional cleaning industry; Since its founding in 1963, CMI’s third-party training has certified more than 100,000 cleaning professionals worldwide. Many organizations trust and use CMI’s custodial technician training programs. Building service contractors, educational facilities, health care providers, and many more utilize CMI’s certification courses.

Clean Standard: K-12
The ISSA Clean Standard: K-12 Schools establishes a framework to help schools objectively assess the effectiveness of the cleaning process at their facilities, thereby contributing to the quality of the indoor environment for the benefit of students and staff. Based on the philosophy of “Clean, Measure, Monitor” and an emphasis on high-performance cleaning, the Clean Standard: K-12 focuses on:

• The desired levels of cleanliness that can reasonably be achieved;
• Recommended monitoring and inspection results to assess and improve cleaning;
• How to use the measurement and inspection results to assess and improve cleaning processes and products, ultimately resulting in a clean, healthy, and safe learning environment.

The standards set by ISSA are a great way to get cleaning professionals on a track to success, both financially and within the industry.

As few as five years ago, a majority of the industry seemed to subscribe to the belief that soft paper products, without the presence of at least some virgin fibers, were unacceptable to use. But thanks to a more ...

As few as five years ago, a majority of the industry seemed to subscribe to the belief that soft paper products, without the presence of at least some virgin fibers, were unacceptable to use. But thanks to a more widespread acceptance of sustainable products, demand in certain market segments and geographic areas for recycled products, and continual innovation in the manufacturing industry, there are more sustainable and green paper towel options than ever before.

Whereas brown or off colored paper towels used to generally be considered undesirable, products that are clearly recycled and are unbleached are now a symbol of sustainability. The color is a differentiator, or proof of a recycled or alternative fiber claim. In addition, manufacturers have found ways to create quality recycled and rapidly renewable products that are comparable in thickness, durability, and softness to traditional, virgin fiber rich products.

There are several future trends for recycled paper towels:

• Toilet paper has gone coreless – and success in the commercial sector is now spilling over into the consumer sector with campaigns marketing coreless rolls hitting mainstream America. Experts, however, do not see coreless paper towels happening anytime soon because most roll towels that spin in a roll towel cabinet have some form of cardboard core that rides the outer spindles of the towel dispenser.
• Paper towel cores may be here to stay, but the packaging on the outside of the roll could get a greener makeover. It is not common for rolls to be individually wrapped, and packaging in that regard has always been minimal in the commercial and institutional sectors. More cartons are being made out of recovered and recycled material.
• Composting of waste on a large scale at office buildings, schools, and even as part of municipal operations is beginning to take off. While most operations focus on food waste, some paper waste can be incorporated into the compost.
• Facility cleaning managers should keep their eyes on emerging trends so they can be ready to implement products and practices that have less impact on the environment, while still being a great choice for the facility.

One of the biggest trends being noticed are that virgin fibers are out. Advancements in paper sourcing and manufacturing have lead to some exciting options to choose from.

Not only has there been an influx of unbleached or brown paper towel products into the market, but manufacturers are also finding ways to produce 100 percent recycled towels that are white, with a softer feel and higher quality. This could mean a great number of changes for the industry; eliminating the stigma behind the brown color of recycled paper and the perception of inferior performance as huge barriers to green paper towel success is a great step in the right direction.

While the ultra soft paper is almost always made of virgin fibers, manufacturers are finding ways to spin and fluff the recycled paper fibers so that they are more textured and absorbent.

With paper manufacturers looking to diversify their sources, one of the biggest paper towel trends to emerge in the past few years is the exploration and use of alternative fibers. The most common types of alternative fibers being used to make paper towels include bamboo, wheat, and grass.

Some of these fibers make brown, or off white paper, while bamboo seems to produce the whitest paper towel. These alternative fibers can be broken into subsections of rapidly renewable materials and “tree free” fibers. Something like bamboo, because it is a grass and can be planted and harvested in a relatively short period of time, qualifies as both.

Virgin fibers have been questioned by Green Seal when it comes to certifying paper. They only consider alternative fibers that would otherwise have been waste or agricultural residue. However, the decision to add virgin fibers to the list is still in the discovery phase. This is likely because they are looking at life cycle impacts, such as how much water it takes to grow it, if shipping is involved, and the environmental and health impacts of production and use.

Let’s face the truth: if a facility’s restrooms smell bad, the public probably thinks the entire facility is unclean.  When you first walk into a restroom, and it smells terrible, what’s your first thought? Something along the lines of “if ...

Let’s face the truth: if a facility’s restrooms smell bad, the public probably thinks the entire facility is unclean.  When you first walk into a restroom, and it smells terrible, what’s your first thought? Something along the lines of “if they can’t even keep the restroom clean, what about the kitchen? Or the seating area?” For this reason, odor must be a top consideration for facilities, especially in health care settings, where the cleanliness of the facility correlates to the perceptions of care, where it then correlates to the cleanliness of the kitchen.

A Harris Interactive Poll commissioned by Cintas found that 86 percent of U.S. adults equate the cleanliness of a restaurant’s restroom with the cleanliness of its kitchen. The survey also revealed that 75 percent of U.S. adults would not return to a restaurant with dirty restrooms. The same holds true for other facilities as well.

That being said, there are generally two ways to deal with odor: using a masking-type product that pushes fragrance out and changes the molecular structure of an odor to cover it up, or using cleaning products that work biologically by seeking out the problem causing the odor, consuming it and leaving a byproduct of carbon dioxide behind.

The best bathroom odor control programs use both systems. For example, a clean restroom, which at times can have an overwhelming smell, the use of a fragrancing system will be helpful to manage “event” odors throughout the day. Then, the use of biological cleaners is used to remove urine proteins from grout lines to ensure odors do not linger.

Using just one, such as the masking agent, won’t necessarily work because people can often smell right through it, like the lingering odor “with a twist”. A clean restroom shouldn’t have an overwhelming fragrance smell, because people will question what exactly is trying to be covered up.

As a matter of fact, there’s an entire science built up around aromatherapy. Scientists have found that people tend to enjoy a light fragrance, whereas a heavy masking fragrance is nearly as bad as having a foul odor.

The two most common types of fragrance dispensers are aerosol dispensers and gel units. Aerosol dispensers are acceptable for most applications, he says. There are several dispenser sizes to choose from, including high-capacity units that deliver 9000 shots per refill and economy-sized units that must be changed out more often.

Programmable fragrance dispensers may also be appropriate for customers that want a little more control. These units enable the facility to select how often they spray the fragrance and can be set to not spray on weekends or at night.

Consider using aerosols for high-traffic restrooms, because they provide a consistent  fragrance at a pre-determined time. Although this type of system works well in high-traffic restrooms, it might not work as well in smaller, low-traffic restrooms with closed doors. In these restrooms it’s important to adjust the passive fragrance to the size of the space.

Odor-absorbing gels also work to mask odors in the air. These are popular in convenience store restrooms, rest areas, portable toilets and facilities with low traffic. They can last up to 30 days, says Murch. Gels may not work as well as their metered aerosol counterparts, because they emit more fragrance at the beginning of their life and less at the end.

A third feature to keep in mind is “passive fragrance” programs, which are engineered to last longer than gels, an important consideration if workers have to go change them out.

If you don’t think that there’s a science behind fragrant varieties and choices, think again! While there are many varieties available, they depend a lot on the building’s occupants. The closest thing to a one-scent-fits-all solution is a cucumber-melon scent, as well as fresh linen.

Another great idea is to change the fragrances with the seasons. Floral scents in the spring, herbal or fruit scents in the summer, citrus in the fall, and spice in the winter are wonderful for some noticeable variation.

There are, however, some times when fragrances should be avoided altogether. Health care facilities and nursing homes often avoid fragrances out of fear that they may negatively affect their vulnerable populations.

A quality restroom odor control program embodies more than just a fragrance to mask the smell. It includes a consistent cleaning schedule, the right products to tackle odors at the source and a pleasant fragrance to keep the smell down.

Green Apple is a global movement to put all children in schools where they have clean and healthy air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved, and where they can be inspired to dream of a brighter future.

This ...

Green Apple is a global movement to put all children in schools where they have clean and healthy air to breathe, where energy and resources are conserved, and where they can be inspired to dream of a brighter future.

This is impacting students in participating schools in such a vast way, but it really starts with the custodians responsible for taking care of these locations after the final bell rings and all the kids head home.

As of early January, The Green Apple Day of Service Project has benefited nearly 311,000 students by launching an effort to catalog Custodial Training Programs.

The project is designed to draw attention to the importance of cleaning and the need for training the people who keep our schools and universities healthy and safe, especially during a period when many are dealing with budget cutbacks. The ultimate goals are to help improve student performance, as well as protect the health and safety of students, staff, and custodial workers while reducing impacts on the environment.

With a reported correlation between health and student attendance and overall performance, including achievement gaps and high school dropout rates across the country, it’s clear that the cleaner our schools are, the more successful students in those schools can be.

One example of Green Apple making a difference is the current registration of Excel Dryer, Inc., a manufacturer of high speed, energy efficient hand dryers, and recent school support they’ve been receiving. Projects organized by Excel Dryer this year include the installation of the high-speed, energy-efficient Green Apple XLERATOR Hand Dryers at Gen. John J. Stefanik Memorial School, part of the Chicopee Public School system in Massachusetts, and Norwin Learning Center, a music academic learning center located in Irwin, Penn.

Last year, over 3,800 volunteer projects took place in communities around the world for the third annual Green Apple Day of Service, generating school improvement projects in all 50 states and in 43 countries with the help of 36,000 volunteers.

Through its Green Apple partnership, Excel Dryer created custom covered high-speed, energy-efficient Green Apple XLERATOR Hand Dryers that are available for any facility to purchase and a portion of all proceeds go back to support the Green Apple program. The Green Apple XLERATOR Hand Dryer can be co-branded to include school logos, colors, mascots or a custom sustainability message. In addition, the Green Apple XLERATOR Hand Dryer is available with the industry’s most complete line of optional accessories including a HEPA Filtration System and Speed and Sound Control for a clean and quiet air flow.

"Parents, teachers and education leaders know that healthy students are more likely to succeed. Green cleaning is about keeping our kids safe, healthy and ready to learn - and it all starts with a well-trained custodial staff", said Mark Bishop, VP of Policy at Healthy Schools Campaign. "Green cleaning is something that every school can and should embrace, and there is no more important place to begin with our school custodians."

Training custodians on effective cleaning processes, protecting health and reducing environmental impacts is essential for helping these schools meet their educational goals. Whether it is training new custodial workers, expanding on what they already know, adopting new processes to work more effectively and efficiently, or testing new technologies, the key to success in this movement is dependent upon custodians being appropriately trained.

To help promote healthy, green training in schools across the country, the USGBC’s Center for Green Schools offers advice for training custodial crews. It is free, and also an easy way to give custodial operations the recognition they deserve. The first step is to identify the training your school is providing for custodial employees based on elements of health and sustainability.

Suggestions include:

• Orienting new custodial workers; training on new equipment such as the use of floor machines, no-touch restroom cleaning or backpack vacuums; cleaning hard floors, carpets, classrooms or restrooms; new technologies for measuring cleanliness; right-to-know information; using personal protective equipment; etc.
• Schedule and conduct custodial training sessions with Lawton Brothers identified topics. Schools should contact us of cleaning projects and/or cleaning service providers to ask for their assistance.
• Ensure that the training sessions are understandable by taking into consideration the custodians skill level, language, and other potential cultural barriers of the custodians.

Make sure your cleaning program is seen as part of the school’s overall sustainability program by promoting your local training program through the school’s communication channels, including school newsletters, PTA, or local school fliers.

Interested in getting this initiative started in your local school, but don’t know where to start? Green Apple provides the following resources on their website for further research into this great program:

• Healthy Schools Campaign’s Green Clean Program.
• ISSA’s Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings and their Cleaning Industry Training Standard.
• Green Seal’s GS-42 Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services.
• US Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (cleaning credits in the section on Indoor Environmental Quality).

Some people might think that it’s best to handle quality control simply by waiting for a complaint to respond to. While it might sound easy to “keep it simple” by doing this, custodial best practices require accountability beyond waiting for ...

Some people might think that it’s best to handle quality control simply by waiting for a complaint to respond to. While it might sound easy to “keep it simple” by doing this, custodial best practices require accountability beyond waiting for the customer to complain before the problem is identified. Sure, excessive paperwork and forms that may not be read are unnecessary, but quality control happens at many different levels within a custodial contract, and it is necessary to control all of those levels in order to be successful.

Before anything else, training your staff to a standard of quality that fulfills the expectations of the facility or client, this is vital. It is suggested to have a worker inspect their own work based on their training, and report any exceptions so that someone can respond promptly. That way, issues are resolved immediately and don’t have the chance to create a disruption.

The additional “levels” of successful quality control processes involve regular inspections, reporting to a key POC (point of contact) on site, and then on up to an area lead, onsite supervisor, or other person responsible for a checklist of tasks to be completed satisfactorily. Additionally, consider periodic joint inspections; they can greatly enhance communication and make sure that nothing is overseen.

If not handled correctly, quality control programs can become complicated and burdensome. First and foremost, the main focus of a strong quality control program should be to document that you are completely fulfilling the cleaning specifications. While it would be altered slightly depending on the facility (cleaning an airport is very different from cleaning a school), making use of this “Custodial Snap Shot” for restrooms would be a great place to start:

Each question is scored 1-5 with 1 being Unsatisfied, 2 being Marginal, 3 being Satisfied and 4 is Exceeding Specs. Here are the first few questions to answer: 

Number 01: Entrance/doors/lobby = look at outside steps for debris, ash/trash cans, door glass/ handles, door treads and walk off mats. In other words, what is the first impression when one walks into this account? 

Number 02: Hallways/walls = Are hallways visibly clean of soils and scuff marks on floor and walls? Of course, the condition of walls is partially determined by age of building, periodic painting and maintenance as well as expectations of customer as spelled out in the specifications. 

Number 03: Men’s Restrooms/showers/locker area = Is the restroom stocked with supplies? Odor free? Trash on floor or full cans? Urinals/toilets/sinks/counters/mirrors clean? Floor grout? Vents dusty? The key indicator is odor when the door is opened but a major source of complaints in many contracts is the rest room. 

Number 04: Women’s Restrooms/shower/locker area = Is the restroom stocked with supplies? Odor free? Trash on floor or full cans? Sanitary napkin box? Toilets/sinks/counters/mirrors clean? Floor grout? Vents dusty? The key indicator is odor when the door is opened but a major source of complaints in many facilities is the rest room. 

The examples continue, moving on to Office Cleaning and Floor/Carpet Care:

Number 05: Office Executive = Is this area well maintained? Trash? Dust? Polish on fine woods? Carpet spots? Vacuuming? Edges? Chairs? Mats? This area usually will require a higher level of attention than other areas due to the status of the occupant and their need to make a great first impression. I know of tenants that require a herring bone pattern in their plush carpet each morning. 

Number 06: Office General = Is this area well maintained? Trash? Dust? No finger prints on tables? Carpet spots? Vacuuming? Edges? Chairs? Mats? Although this area may not have the same prestige as the Executive Office area, there should be a minimum appearance level maintained. In spite of higher traffic, meals at desks, etc. the visiting staff should note overall conditions and score accordingly. 

Number 07: Conference Room(s)/Lecture Halls/Meeting Areas = Is this area neat and clean? Chairs in place? Table free of smudges? Marker boards clean? The conference room is important due to its potential heavy use as well as impression on guests. 

Number 08: Carpet/spots/vacuuming = Is the carpet clean? Free of spots/stains? Tears/Ragged edges/Threads? This is an overall scoring of a carpeted area and should reflect high impact areas. The staff member should note appearance regardless of whether regular carpet maintenance is in the contract. In fact, it might open an opportunity to approach the customer to provide additional services. 

Number 09: Hard floor/spots/shine = Are VCT/Terrazzo floors cleaned, buffed and shiny? Are quarry tile (no finish) floors swept and mopped? The staff person should be looking for scuffs, wax build up along walls and soil in corners. 

Adapting this grading system to your contracts would provide you with a great snapshot of what’s being done, and some areas that may need improvement. If, for example, you received a poor score in the “women’s restroom” you would have the opportunity to address any problems before poor practices spread further.

Using these tactics and managing quality control with these tips is a great place to start, and can always be adjusted to suit you and your team’s needs. In most cases, custodial is an arm of the management team whose primary purpose is to protect the health and safety of tenants and visitors, and with proper quality control processes in place, you’ll be successful in doing just that.

Concrete floors are a very common site in Florida facilities, and for good reason. They are virtually indestructible, easy to clean, and are available in a variety of styles to suit each building’s particular needs. While these floors are extremely ...

Concrete floors are a very common site in Florida facilities, and for good reason. They are virtually indestructible, easy to clean, and are available in a variety of styles to suit each building’s particular needs. While these floors are extremely durable, they still require care and attention.

Unless the concrete floor your team is maintaining has been sealed with an epoxy, it is extremely porous. Porous floors, even concrete floors, are susceptible to everyday wear and tear and damage over time. Here are a few tips for maintaining concrete floors.

1. Vacuum. Vacuuming may seem a strange way to remove dry soils from a concrete floor. It is actually the most effective way. Because concrete is porous, when you use a broom or dust mop, you can actually force the debris into the concrete. Over time, this can cause the concrete to weaken.If you vacuum the dry soil, you can effectively remove the debris without forcing it into concrete.
2. Place Entry Mats. Mats serve as a place for dry and wet soils to collect before people enter your facility. Having these mats at each door and places where spills commonly occur, e.g. cafeterias, can cut down on concrete floor wear and tear.
3. Polishing. Polishing concrete floors requires the use of special equipment, but frequent polishing not only restores the concrete’s shine, it also removes any set-in surface soils. If you have questions about the types of buffers or pads appropriate for your facility’s concrete floors, give Lawton Brother’s a call today.

Maintaining concrete floors is not as difficult or high maintenance as some other types of flooring, but it is important to continually clean and take care of them. Doing all you can to promptly clean concrete floors will preserve their durability for years to come. If you have questions about maintaining polished or sealed concrete floors, please call us today. The Lawton Brothers are always happy to help custodial teams do their best work with the best janitorial supplies possible.

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.

As the manager of a custodial crew it’s extremely important to watch your bottom line. There are many factors that can break your bank, like not properly maintaining your equipment or misusing bulk chemicals. One thing many custodians don’t take ...

As the manager of a custodial crew it’s extremely important to watch your bottom line. There are many factors that can break your bank, like not properly maintaining your equipment or misusing bulk chemicals. One thing many custodians don’t take into account while counting their pennies is the effect that trash can liners can have on their budget. 

You may not realize it, but buying the wrong size liners for your garbage receptacles can cost you a lot more than you think. If there are more than four to six inches of overhang you’re paying for raw material that is not being used. Similarly, you may be paying for a product you don’t necessarily need for a certain area. This is where an assessment can come in handy. Ask yourself these questions when choosing the correct liner for your garbage cans. 

1. What typically is thrown away in this garbage can? In the example of a school setting, a restroom garbage receptacle can be expected to be filled primarily with paper waste. It will be much lighter than the garbage in the cafeteria, which will most likely consist of plastics, food waste, and a wayward fork or sharp object. Choosing a more heavy-duty liner for more heavy-duty garbage makes sense, saving money by selecting a light-weight liner where a light-weight liner will suffice is a great way to monitor your budget.  
2. What size is this receptacle? Most garbage cans are labeled with their size in gallons on the side or bottom. When you know the size of the receptacle, you can purchase the correct size liner and cut down waste of raw material.  

The small details, like choosing the right liner for the right place and reducing waste by selecting the correct size of liner, is extremely important. As your janitorial supply company, we can help you choose the right materials for you jobs no matter how big or small they are. 

Cleaning, while it may not seem so to most, is more science than anything. Just like chemists in a lab, one of the most important things your team must take into consideration when cleaning is that their chemicals are properly ...

Cleaning, while it may not seem so to most, is more science than anything. Just like chemists in a lab, one of the most important things your team must take into consideration when cleaning is that their chemicals are properly portioned. Cleaning chemicals are no laughing matter, using the wrong portions of chemicals can be ineffectual for cleaning at best and fatal or hazardous to janitorial crews at its worst.  A common solution to this problem is using proportioned chemical packets. This way teams can ensure they’re using the right amount of chemicals in the solutions they utilize to clean their facilities. 

Ineffectual Cleaning 

Chemical ratios and measurements are not arbitrarily decided. Chemical companies put every solution through rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Many companies decided to buy chemicals in bulk and mix them as needed to clean their facilities. This is a great idea; however, caution must be practiced when mixing these chemicals in their solvent. Using too little of a mixture would render the chemical “off-label,” therefore ineffectual. Using pre-portioned packets can mitigate this problem. 

Hazardous Cleaning 

Many teams are aware of how chemicals can be dangerous if misused. When too much of a chemical is used in a cleaning solution, the solution can become hazardous to the team using it. Chemical burns and even respiratory issues can arise from overzealous mixing of chemicals. It is very important to make sure you’re using the correct measurements of chemicals for the safety of your crew. Here again, the use of pre-portioned chemical packets will ensure your crew is using the proper portions, and staying safe while they work. 

While you can spend a lot of time training your team to use bulk chemicals properly, ensuring they do so is not so easily done. If you want to take the guess work out of your custodial team’s processes, consider using pre-portioned chemical packets. Not only will you ensure the safety of your crew, but also make sure that you’re properly cleaning the facility to keep everyone who uses it safe.  

Mold is more than a nuisance, it’s a dangerous contaminate that is a serious threat to human health. Florida’s damp, warm climate is a breeding ground for mold. Should you find it in your facility, it’s important to act fast ...

Mold is more than a nuisance, it’s a dangerous contaminate that is a serious threat to human health. Florida’s damp, warm climate is a breeding ground for mold. Should you find it in your facility, it’s important to act fast and contact a mold removal specialist. Because mold can be so dangerous, it’s important to take extreme care when removing it from a facility. Here are some ways to prevent mold from ever becoming a problem in your facility, as well as tips for removing it. 

Why is Mold so Dangerous?

The CDC warns that mold can cause serious respiratory infections and lung conditions to people exposed. Depending on the type of mold present in an environment, death due to these conditions is possible. Preventing the growth of mold is a high priority. Should you detect mold in your facility, promptly and properly removing it is extremely important. 

How Can I Prevent Mold? 

Mold proliferates in damp, dark areas. This can mean in restrooms, kitchens, laundry facilities – anywhere where water may be present, including rooms with leaks. To prevent mold, you must: 

• Control the humidity with an air conditioner, ventilation system, or fan.
• Fix leaks as they form.
• Clean and dry any area after flooding or pooling of water occurs. 

Paying attention to these little details can help you prevent the growth of mold. However, if you find that mold is already growing it’s important to take care of the problem immediately. 

Tips for Removing Mold: 

• Removing large amounts of mold should be left up to a mold removal specialist. It is dangerous to your health and these professionals are well-equipped to handle the situation, no matter how severe.
• Wear non-porous protective gloves, facemasks, goggles, and coveralls when dealing with mold. Spores are easily agitated and can attach to clothing as well as make their way into your respiratory system.
• Locate and isolate the mold. By finding exactly where the mold is and how far it has spread you can prevent it from contaminating other rooms in the facility. If you have questions about isolating mold, contact a mold removal specialist.
• Discard damaged materials. Items that cannot be cleaned effectively must be discarded. This includes, porous furniture, drywall, and insulation.
• Clean the area with HEPA vacuums and filtered sanders to catch mold spores. Use the appropriate cleaning solutions to permanently remove mold afterwards. If you have questions about which solutions are best for removing mold, speak with your janitorial supply company. We will be able to help you choose the right solution for your situation. 

Mold is a serious contaminate, that must be taken care of immediately once it is discovered. By preventing mold from forming in your facility and cleaning it when you discover it, you can keep your facility clean and healthy. If you have questions about cleaning mold, contact Lawton Brothers, your janitorial supply company.

It’s no surprise that public restrooms are the most difficult areas in any facility to keep clean. When it comes to restrooms though, there is no more important area to maintain for both aesthetics and health. Recent studies have highlighted ...

It’s no surprise that public restrooms are the most difficult areas in any facility to keep clean. When it comes to restrooms though, there is no more important area to maintain for both aesthetics and health. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of cleaning restrooms beyond aesthetics; their findings on the proliferation of harmful bacteria in public restrooms may astound you. 

The appearance of a clean bathroom is important for user satisfaction and piece of mind. However, masking odors and wiping down surfaces just to make them appear clean can leave behind very harmful illness-causing germs and multi-drug resistant organisms. By cleaning public restrooms with the aim of sanitizing and curbing further contamination of harmful organisms, you are also maintaining their aesthetics. Start with health and appearance will follow. 

Three studies published between 2011 and 2013 examined restrooms in public universities. At the University of Colorado samples were taken from 11 surfaces. Not surprisingly skin and gut-associated bacteria were found on all the surfaces. From the floor, to toilet seats, soap dispensers, and faucets, “Pathogens commonly found on the skin (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus) could readily be transmitted between individuals by the touching of restroom surfaces.” 

The other study conducted in public restrooms of San Diego State University found that after an hour of disinfection and sanitation by a janitorial team, the restrooms were 100 percent re-contaminated.  Taking this information even further, a study conducted at Queen Mary University of London found that 19 different types of Staphylococcaceae were found in various places of public restrooms. More than one third of these bacteria were antibiotic-resistant.

So, what can your team do to ensure you’re cleaning to control the spread of harmful bacteria in public restrooms?  The answer is thorough and targeted cleaning with products that can get the job done. 

First, your team must be equipped with the right tools. They should be outfitted with gloves, masks, and other equipment that will protect them from harmful bacteria while they clean. 

Using the proper chemicals and cleaning supplies is also extremely important. Pre-cleaning to remove visible soils with approved products that were designed to kill these contagious and extremely harmful bacteria is a must. Proper training on how to use those chemicals to sanitize the surfaces where microbes are not visible to the naked eye is also very important. Being confident that your team knows the contact times to effectively kill harmful bacteria through proper training is one of the best things you can do to curb the spread of harmful bacteria. Another way you can clean for hygiene and have the aesthetics follow is to use the proper agents that remove the cause of odor rather than simply masking it. 

By properly cleaning all surfaces of public restrooms with chemicals and cleaners that were designed to disinfect rather than provide a quick, aesthetic solution, your custodial team can begin to control the spread of harmful bacteria in your facility. If you’re looking for advice on best products and supplies to clean for health, ask your associate at Lawton Brothers. We carry a wide range of products that were designed to help your team clean for health.

Understanding how germs spread is an important factor in keeping a facility clean. However, understanding that germs spread and that you can stop them is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some tips for preventing the spread of ...

Understanding how germs spread is an important factor in keeping a facility clean. However, understanding that germs spread and that you can stop them is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are some tips for preventing the spread of germs. 

Use Microfiber  - We cannot revisit the benefits of microfiber often enough. These fibers capture dirt and germs rather than moving it around. They actually clean surfaces rather than simply providing the appearance of clean. If you’re using a textile other than microfiber currently, switching over to microfiber is a change your team should seriously consider. 

Color Code – Spreading germs from a bathroom into an office because your cleaning supplies and textiles look alike is a problem that can be solved with color-coding. Using Red microfibers exclusively for bathrooms, Yellow for offices or classrooms, blue for glass and green for food-related surfaces is a great way to keep organized. It also halts the spread of foreign bacteria from contaminating other rooms in the facility. 

Upgrade Your Cleaning Equipment – Many cleaning appliances have undergone major technology transformations in the past few years. By evaluating if your vacuums, carpet extractors, and other cleaning machinery could use an upgrade you could be more effectively cleaning your facility, and stopping the spread of germs. For example HEPA vacuums, or rather High-Particulate Filtration Vacuums reduce dust and allergens and can be used on a much wider spectrum of appliances like vents, carpets, blinds, and lights. 

Interim Cleaning – Bacteria pools and reproduces in places that people touch frequently. You can’t control that they will be using tissues and washing their hands to keep the amount of bacteria at bay. However, you can inform your team of these high-risk areas and make it a part of their routine to wipe them down with your team’s preferred solution and methods multiple times a day.

These surfaces include:

• Tabletops
• Computer keyboards
• Light switches
• Doorknobs
• Handrails
• Drinking fountains
• Copy machines
• Elevator buttons
• Telephones
• Vending machines
• Appliances
• Restroom fixtures

By following these few tips, you and your team are on the fast track to keeping a clean facility, and slowing or deterring the spread of germs. If you have questions about any techniques for keeping high-germ, high-traffic surfaces clean, and what supplies we would recommend based on your cleaning program, give Lawton Brothers a call today.

The most important part of any janitor’s job is to keep themselves and the occupants of their facility healthy by cleaning. Stopping the spread of germs is tantamount to a clean facility, and to properly clean your individual facility, it’s ...

The most important part of any janitor’s job is to keep themselves and the occupants of their facility healthy by cleaning. Stopping the spread of germs is tantamount to a clean facility, and to properly clean your individual facility, it’s best to understand how germs are spread. 

Germs that cause infections are most often spread in two ways: direct and indirect contact. Another way infectious germs are spread is through the air, but that’s a topic for another blog. 

Janitorial teams cannot stop direct transmission of germs, as examples of direct transmission are: coughing, kissing, sneezing, shaking hands, and the like. However, they can decrease the amount of indirect transmission with thorough and frequent cleaning with top tier supplies. 

Indirect transmission happens when person comes in contact with a contaminated surface. While most people think that the most contaminated surfaces reside in bathrooms, there are many other innocuous surfaces that team with harmful bacteria. The most frequently contaminated surfaces are desks and worktables, door handles, water fountains, computer keyboards, restroom stalls, sink fixtures, and light fixtures. 

Cleaning of these areas should be a top priority for janitorial teams. If interim cleaning by a day crew is possible, it is highly encouraged. The spread of diseases can be squashed if the bacteria are removed from a surface quickly and frequently. 

Cleaning and performing random ATP tests are a great way to makes sure that your team is cleaning to the level they need to be, and that the supplies you’re utilizing are performing. There are many different types of disinfectants and techniques that can be used to stop the spread of harmful bacteria. If you have any questions about the best supplies to use to cease the spread of germs in your facility, give us a call at Lawton Brothers today. 

At Lawton Brothers we supply janitorial chemicals to a wide range of custodial teams. Some of our teams work in schools, others in hospitals, and still yet others are experts in keeping offices clean. Each of these facilities has unique ...

At Lawton Brothers we supply janitorial chemicals to a wide range of custodial teams. Some of our teams work in schools, others in hospitals, and still yet others are experts in keeping offices clean. Each of these facilities has unique requirements that make cleaning them a challenge. However, one aspect that ties all of these facilities together is a cafeteria. 

A recent report identified where bacteria and germs propagate in the food service industry. Because hospitals, schools and offices all have cafeterias, it’s important that the janitorial teams who keep these facilities clean be aware of the risks around food, and address them properly. Keeping patrons of hospitals, schools, and offices safe and healthy is the most important part of any janitorial team’s job.  

Here are the most contaminated places in the food service industry and what you can do to maintain their cleanliness. 

Condiment bottles and shakers – Condiment bottles are often simply refilled and not washed. Remind the dishwashing staff that the ketchup, mustard, and salt and pepper bottles need to be washed as soon as they’re empty instead of just topped off.

Sneeze guards – As a barrier between humans and food, sneeze guards do their job and harbor many germs. It’s important to disinfect these surfaces every day with the proper chemicals.

Ice machines – Many people forget about cleaning ice machines because they wrongly assume that it’s just frozen water and bacteria couldn't possibly form there. Ice machines are extremely susceptible to a bacteria infestation and should be emptied and cleaned at least monthly unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.  

By ensuring these seemingly innocuous parts of your facility’s cafeteria are properly cleaned, your team can help prevent the spread of bacteria and disease. If you have questions how to best clean, and what supplies are necessary, please give us a call today.

Green cleaning programs are extremely important to us over at Lawton Brothers. We provide green cleaning supplies and training to school janitorial teams all over Central Florida. With school back in session, the need to train your custodial team on ...

Green cleaning programs are extremely important to us over at Lawton Brothers. We provide green cleaning supplies and training to school janitorial teams all over Central Florida. With school back in session, the need to train your custodial team on green cleaning is critical. 

A custodial team’s effort is a major part of a school’s sustainability program, and the Green Apple Day of Service is a chance to publicly recognize and certify their hard work in promoting sustainable training programs. September 26^th is the Green Apple Day of Service where schools are encouraged to make their campuses healthier by launching initiatives like recycling programs, switching to green cleaning programs, and performing energy audits. One of the best things schools can do on this day is thoroughly and appropriately train their janitorial staffs on sustainable, green cleaning. 

It’s not too late to register your custodial training program here. Registering for this exciting Day of Service acknowledges that your team is working hard to keep your school sustainably healthy and clean. It sends a message to PTAs and the school district that your cleaning program is part of the overall sustainability plan, and can publically acknowledge your well-trained staff. This event is also a great motivator for obtaining green certification for your custodial team’s training program. 

Cleaning schools with a green cleaning and training programs is the beset way to keep students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe during the school year. By maintaining green standards you’re not only keeping your school and your custodial staff safe, but proving to the outside world that you’re dedicated to doing the environment a favor as well. 

We are proud to supply green cleaning supplies and green certified training to janitorial teams of schools and other facilities. Please give us a call today. We can help you get a program in place, and provide your team superior training. To recognize the hard work your team has done, don’t for get to participate in the Green Apple day of Service. 

To best clean any surface, you must first understand what surface you’re working with. When it comes to carpets and fibers this can be tricky. Identifying what a material is comprised of before you begin can save time, money and ...

To best clean any surface, you must first understand what surface you’re working with. When it comes to carpets and fibers this can be tricky. Identifying what a material is comprised of before you begin can save time, money and the gut-wrenching feeling of cleaner’s remorse. 

Knowing the fiber content, or at least its class, is essential for knowing what approach to take when cleaning carpets. Synthetic fibers can handle more aggressive cleaning methods, whereas natural fibers require a more delicate approach. A simple way to quickly identify fibers is the “Burn test.”

• Explain to the client that you’re taking a small fiber sample from an inconspicuous location.
• Using tweezers to hold the sample, slowly bring the flame to the fiber.
• If the fiber pulls away from the flame’s heat, it’s synthetic; if not, it’s natural.
• Allow the fiber to burn while analyzing its composition, if it crushes in your fingers and leaves them dirty, it’s natural; if it doesn't crush, it’s synthetic. 

While knowing the basic differences between synthetic and natural fibers is certainly helpful, narrowing down what type of fiber you’re cleaning can drastically affect your chemical choice. Here are a few tips to identify some common carpet fibers during and after a burn test: 

• Nylon: The flame has a blue base and orange tip. There is little to no smoke and a white puff when extinguished.
• Olefin: Exhibits a blue base and orange tip when burning. Burns fast with minimal smoke.
• Polyester: Produces an orange flame when burning, will sputter, drip and emits a black smoke.
• Wool: Burns with an orange flame that quickly self-extinguishes and reduces to a crumbly ash. 

To best serve their clients, cleaning professionals should be able to identify the proper methods and supplies required depending one the type of fiber. By utilizing this simple test, your team will be able to effectively clean fabric without the threat of damage. There is no need learn the value of fiber identification the hard way. Call your janitorial supply company, Lawton Bros., if you have any questions.