Dealing With Daytime Cleaning Hurdles

Daytime cleaning isn't a perfect solution for every customer, but with proper planning and staffing, it makes sense for plenty of end users. When helping end user customers make the shift, it’s important to emphasize that unlike nighttime staff, daytime cleaners need to be able to interact with and work around the occupants of the building on a regular basis.

One of the big reasons workers leave for other jobs is the reliability of the schedule —– employees like to know when and how much they'll be working. Distributors can help end users build a plan for facility cleaning that offers consistent hours and a relatively normal schedule up front; workers don’t want hours to fluctuate unpredictably.

The infrastructure demands of the facility must also be considered, but remind customers that facilities can save on electricity by an average of six percent by eliminating overnight cleaning. It also helps cut down on security costs — letting people in and out of a building after hours, providing supervision, etc.

In addition to cost savings, there are perception benefits to daytime cleaning programs. Now, suddenly, cleaning workers are in the building during daytime hours and people can see the work that's actually being done, helping to build a healthy respect and appreciation for the various processes at play.

"It's powerful," Gregory says. "How many times have you seen something cleaned, and you're absolutely flabbergasted by how fantastic the results are, only for the occupants to not even notice because they didn't see the work that went into it?"

Daytime Hurdles

One of the key obstacles to implementing daytime cleaning plans is the actual chemistry with which solids, soils and compounds are bound to the carpet fibers. Heavily trafficked areas will often accumulate oils, and in environments where food is being prepared and consumed, those oils accumulate at even higher rates. No matter how many times end users go over a section with extraction units — a challenge in daytime cleaning programs — the soils stick stubbornly to the fibers. In these situations, distributors recommend avoiding the use of harsh or aggressive chemicals, especially in areas where occupants frequently visit.

To work quickly and safely, distributors agree that it’s hard to beat a dry compound. Rather than using detergent to emulsify the oils and break the particles into droplets, a dry compound that is applied using agitation can attract the soils, absorb them, and allow remnants to be swept away easily.

When promoting a CRB machine, distributors should also emphasize that there is no heat — just a lot of focused agitation with 16,000-32,000 bristles. The bristles bend and swipe across the carpet, pushing dry compound down and around whatever is stuck in the carpet fibers. In the next stage, the bristles switch direction into a brush-out mode, lifting the particulates up and out, to be swept effectively.

With short dry times, CRB machines are ideal for daytime cleaning programs. End users can effectively complete tasks and quickly reopen spaces to foot traffic.

Another critical benefit that distributors should emphasize when promoting CRB machines is the lack of residue left in carpeting after use. Some alternative carpet cleaning techniques can leave excess water and chemical deep in carpet fibers. This will eventually attract soil, appear dirty and age the carpet more quickly, requiring more frequent replacement.

Cleaning in the daytime has plenty of benefits, but most importantly, it demands quality. CRB units offer the ability to work quietly, quickly and cheaply. Workers enjoy the satisfaction of having their efforts recognized, the lifetime of the carpets is extended, and business can go on as usual with minimal interruption. Daylight makes everyone feel a little bit better.

Jackson Silvanik is the Managing Editor for Facility Cleaning Decisions, and lives and works in Lexington, Kentucky. He joined Trade Press Media in 2021 and also edits and writes for Contracting Profits, Sanitary Maintenance and Cleanlink.com.