Sanitize And Disinfect With Engineered Water

Part two of this three-part article looks at how BSCs can use engineered water.

In order to implement an engineered water cleaning technology, some training is required, but not so much that it was a burdensome for PBM.

“All of our staff received at least a one-hour training session from a company representative on not only how the product works and what it does, but also on how to use the product properly and efficiently,” says Altschuler. “That training took place at every PBM location that had a unit installed.”

Barely any of the equipment previously used by PBM workers needed to be replaced, says Altschuler. The new product integrated perfectly with what workers already used for cleaning.

“Eventually we did have to change from mop sticks with a metal jaw to ones with a plastic jaw,” says Altschuler, “because after a year, the salt water started to rust some of the metal. It didn’t affect the quality of our cleaning, but aesthetically, the mops didn’t look very pleasing.”

The cleaning processes that worked for PBM prior to the changeover also remained the same. The only difference is that now it only takes two products to clean and sanitize glass, countertops, tile (vinyl composition tile, marble, ceramic, etc.), carpets, walls, floors, doors, partitions and bathroom fixtures. There’s no more mixing and matching of chemicals.

Each of his 60 employees receives one 32-ounce bottle of the cleaner and another 32-ounce bottle of the disinfectant, says Altschuler. They also have a card that describes what each product does.

PBM employees use the engineered water as a carpet spotter when foods or liquids are spilled in the restaurants or cafeterias, says Altschuler. It’s also used on the carpet in the elevators, on foul weather mats and it works well in an extractor.

Once a month Altschuler’s team deep cleans all the restrooms in its facility, using engineered water in restroom cleaning machines to scrub and wash the walls.

“The disinfectant has a slight chlorine smell to it, but doesn’t act as a color-remover like actual chlorine,” he says. “I’ve demonstrated it many times by spraying it on my shirt or other clothing, and it never bleaches the fabric.”

Both customers and janitors have commented on the transformations they’ve experienced in restrooms. They say the strong chemical or perfumed scent they smelled previously has vanished. Now the restrooms have more of a fresh, sanitized aroma, says Altschuler. The new mixture improves indoor air quality, because it doesn’t contain any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or emit a significant odor or fragrance.

“[Janitors] enjoy working with the engineered water technology, because, whether you’re an office cleaner, lavatory cleaner or perform any other functions within the facility, you only need to use two products,” says Altschuler. “The new unit mixes and measures on its own, which has helped simplify our processes, regardless of the task being performed.”

PBM installed a tap in the facility’s janitor’s closet to be used for the engineered water system, but any pre-existing faucet will do.

The engineered water solution remains active for at least 14 days, says Altschuler.