Articles

  Work…A place we spend more time in than in our own homes.  It is a clean and healthy place to be right? The dust particles found in most offices today contain human skin cells, hair, animal dander, pollen, dirt, pest feces, and a whole host of unthinkable other things. Did you know that we humans have “people dust” we shed, just like animals do? When was the last time you looked at where you sit most? There is usually a pile of white “stuff” well there you have it.  Allergies yeah, a reaction to dust (i.e. sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes or nose/throat irritation). It is very hard to be a productive member of a team while doing any of the above. One of the  causes is disgusting, “dust mite feces” and wherever there’s dust, there’s dust mite waste. As many as 300 million people around the globe suffer from asthma. And this number is on the rise and studies are showing that one of the major contributors is DUST…. Did you know that most people are at least slightly allergic to dust and what lives within it? Allergy attacks can lead to sinus infections and many other types of illness that can cause a team member to have to take time off from work. No one wants this.    There must be someone in charge of the maintenance of your facility with the cleanliness and the presentation of your company in mind. This is usually a professional cleaning service or janitorial service. If you do not have one for your office you should consider the facts listed above. Remember, it is more cost effective to have a clean, safe, and healthy office with productive teams. The fact that the absences will be less and the moral will rise in a fresh shinny environment will make the fee for the services worth every cent.  But you do have a janitor or a cleaning professional that has been cleaning your office for many years now. They have been with you from the beginning perhaps.  They do exactly what they signed the contract to do. And probably a little less as time goes by, because they have not had to re-visit the list with you for a long time and become complacent. The proof of the level of cleanliness is very easy to find if you look for it. Have you peeked behind your window blind or at your light fixtures lately? Maybe even looked up at the ceiling, yuk…  I know that criticism is very hard for some. But, if you do not point things out to the people in charge of the cleaning of your surroundings, you may be appalled at what now surrounds you.  Talk to your person responsible for the office cleaning. Do not let outside subcontractors escape evaluations that are given annually to your team members. They should too be considered part of the office or company team.  If you do not currently have a provider or are just now considering one; we offer office and building maintenance services. A Custom Clean provides free quotes for any office size. Please feel free to contact Tonia Eynon at 321-591-9887 with a request for an estimate or any questions you may have.  

By : Tonia Eynon

Cleaning and disinfecting are part of a broad approach to preventing infectious diseases in the work place. To help slow the spread of the flu virus, the first line of defense is getting vaccinated. Other measures include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often. Below are tips on how to slow the spread of the flu virus specifically through cleaning and disinfecting.

1. Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing

Cleaning: removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.

Disinfecting: kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing: lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

2. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often

Follow standard procedures for routine cleaning and disinfecting. Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often; such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, faucet handles, phones, water fountains, etc. Standard procedures often call for disinfecting specific area, like bathrooms.

3. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting

It is important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Most studies have shown that the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface. However, it is not necessary to close schools to clean or disinfect every surface in the building to slow the spread.  Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them. Special cleaning and disinfecting processes, including wiping down walls and ceilings, frequently using room air deodorizers, and fumigating, are not necessary or recommended. These processes can irritate eyes, noses, throats, and skin; aggravate asthma; and cause other serious side effects.

4. Clean and disinfect correctly

Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants. Wash surfaces with a general household cleaner to remove germs. Rinse with water, and follow with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. Read the label to make sure it states that EPA has approved the product for effectiveness against Influenza A virus.

If a surface is not visibly dirty, you can clean it with an EPA-registered product that both cleans (removes germs) and disinfects (kills germs) instead. Be sure to read the label directions carefully, as there may be a separate procedure for using the product as a cleaner or as a disinfectant. Disinfection usually requires the product to remain on the surface for a certain period (letting it stand for 3 to 10 minutes).

Use disinfecting wipes on electronic items that are touched often, such as phones and computers. Pay close attention to the directions for using disinfecting wipes. It may be necessary to use more than one wipe to keep the surface wet for the stated length of contact time. Make sure that the electronics can withstand the use of liquids for cleaning and disinfecting.

5. Use products safely

Pay close attention to hazard warnings and directions on product labels. Cleaning products and disinfectants often call for the use of gloves or eye protection. For example, gloves should always be worn to protect your hands when working with disinfectant solutions.

Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels indicate it is safe to do so. Combining certain products (such as chlorine bleach and ammonia cleaners) can result in serious injury or death.

Ensure that cleaning staff who use cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all instruction labels and understand safe and appropriate use. This might require that instructional materials and training be provided in other languages.

6. Handle waste properly

Follow cleaning standard procedures for handling waste, which may include wearing gloves. Place no-touch waste baskets where they are easy to use and throw disposable items used to clean surfaces in the trash immediately after use. Avoid touching used tissues and other waste when emptying waste baskets. Wash your hands with soap and water after emptying waste baskets and touching used tissues and similar waste.

By Jason Soler

Director of Education

Lawton Brothers