Cleaning Best Practices

Periodically I like to simply review things we already know but tend to put off or forget. Following are basic suggestions that should help keep you on track:

• Use cleaning products that are as “green friendly” as possible whether you are required to or not.

• This may mean using Green Seal, DfE or other standards that clearly indicate that the product is green.

• Pre-measured systems (or packets) limit the possibility of overuse.

• These products/chemicals should be either neutral pH (in the 7 range), have few dyes, perfumes, colorants and little or no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds).

• Backpack vacuum systems improve productivity and also do a great job capturing dust particles.

• For vacuum equipment, look for the CRI Green Label label.

• Attack spills as soon as possible with focus on reducing or eliminating stains and complaints.

• Workload your vacuuming schedule to reflect the real world use of an area rather than going over clean areas too often or neglecting high traffic areas until it is too late.

• Remember that hard floors are more labor intensive than carpeted areas due to the reality that soil shows on a hard floor and disappears into the carpet or rug without a trace.

• Sweep, dust mop or better still vacuum with the correct floor tools daily or often enough to protect finish and reduce damage to floors caused by grit and soils.

• Buff/burnish hard floors as needed to maintain gloss or better still, work towards a matte finish that is clean and safe to walk on.

• Remember that quality walk off mats of the correct length and type can protect your floors more than all the restorative work you have to do without them.

• Keep your walk off mats clean so that they do not add to the soil build up in a building.

• Try to use green friendly floor finishes when possible.

• Try to scrub/recoat more often and strip/recoat less often since it reduces the amount of pollutants into the water system.

We will continue Reminders in a future article. Your comments and questions are always welcome. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678.314.2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.