mj@5150design.net | Complete Care Maintenance

10 Jul 2020

Commercial Cleaning, Janitorial Services, New mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Restroom Cleaning: Is Your Cleaning Company Doing Enough?

Let’s face it, nobody likes a dirty restroom. It is not just that a dirty restroom is unsightly, it is also unsanitary and could be causing health problems for you, your staff, and your customers. What is worse is that if your restroom is not clean, the rest of your business or facility isn’t clean either.

Think about this scenario: An employee enters your unclean restroom, does their business, and exits without washing their hands. On their way out they touch the stall door, and the restroom door, and then proceed to use the microwave, the water fountain, and the copier machine.

Even if your workplace was clean before this single episode, it is not clean now. The fact of the matter is that an unsanitary restroom makes for an unsanitary workplace and an unsanitary workplace can lead to lower productivity, higher absenteeism, and increased costs.

So is your cleaning company doing enough to keep your workplace restrooms clean and sanitary?

Not All Commercial Cleaning Companies Are Created Equal

Commercial cleaning companies come in all shapes and sizes and like in any industry there are those who do an exceptional job, those that do a mediocre job, and those that do not do a good job at all. When it comes to keeping your restroom clean, mediocre doesn’t cut it and if they are doing a poor job, you may as well clean it yourself.

The best commercial cleaning companies do many things better than the other guys, but the two things that make them stand out is their understanding of the cleaning process and their adherence to it. Exceptional commercial cleaning companies have processes in place that help ensure consistent and thorough cleaning, and the one place where these procedures are most evident is the restroom.

Restrooms Cleaned Right

A truly professional commercial cleaner understands that an unsanitary restroom is a catalyst for an unsanitary workplace. They understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting and the need for both. They understand dwell times, cross-contamination, and the value of a truly effective and efficient cleaning process.

First off, a well-organized commercial cleaner has the right tools and cleaning agents required to properly clean a restroom. They will use a variety of cleaning products for different tasks, disposable or color-coded cleaning cloths to avoid cross-contamination, and will thoroughly clean and maintain their equipment after each service.

In addition, a professional cleaning company will adhere to safety procedures, blocking off restrooms, posting wet floor signs, and donning protective equipment to protect themselves and others. They will be familiar with the chemicals being used and be well-versed in how to use them safely.

Dust Above The Floor Surfaces

Dusting above the floor surfaces first helps to ensure that you do not dirty lower surfaces later in the process. Be sure to clean any soiled areas on walls, stalls, and doors, remove graffiti, gum, and clean grout lines.

Check and Refill Dispensers | Empty Trash Receptacles

Check to make sure that dispensers, hand dryers, etc. are working properly and refill those that are running low. These should include toilet paper, sanitary napkins, paper towels, and soaps. Empty trash receptacles and replace liners.

Pre-cleaning Toilets and Urinals

Toilets and urinals should be pre-cleaned by removing any debris from in and around these fixtures, placing urinal strainers in a disinfecting solution, and dispensing of depleted urinal cakes.

Cleaning High-touch Surfaces

The first step in any sanitizing process is to clean. Cleaning removes soils and dust from a surface and prepares it for effective disinfection. Failing to clean first, is failing to disinfect.

Toilets, urinals, sinks, dispensers, countertops, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces should all be cleaned thoroughly.

Accounting For Dwell Times

Once all high-touch surfaces have thoroughly cleaned a disinfectant should be applied. This includes the disinfecting of toilets, urinals, sinks, countertops, door handles, and other high-touch surfaces. Once applied, move on to other tasks to allow for appropriate dwell times.

Fixtures and Glass

Assuming appropriate dwell time has elapsed, remove any disinfecting solution from sink fixtures, dispensers, and door handles. Polish these surfaces with a metal polish or glass cleaner. Glass cleaner will generally shine fixtures without polish buildup. Wipe mirrors and glass surfaces with glass cleaner and a designated cleaning cloth.

Wipe Down High-touch Areas To Dry

Assuming appropriate dwell times have elapsed return to the high-touch areas to complete the disinfecting process. Be sure to use the appropriate cleaning cloth for each respective surface. You don’t want to wipe the countertop with the cloth used on the urinal. Be sure to replace any urinal strainers and disinfectant cakes after wiping down urinals.

Mop The Floors

At this point, the only surface remaining should be the floor. Restroom floors should be cleaned with the appropriate mix of cleaning agents and water. Too much of a chemical agent will leave the floor sticky and dull, not to mention more prone to dirt buildup between cleanings.

A microfiber mop is the best mop option as it does not require repeated dipping in dirty mop water and will not leave your floors as wet. In addition, microfiber mops tend to more effectively remove dirt, as opposed to pushing it around.

We Can Help

Need a commercial cleaning company that does restrooms right? Complete Care can help! Contact us today to learn how we can help keep your business or facility clean and sanitary.

27 Jun 2020

Commercial Cleaning, New mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Fighting COVID-19 With Cold Fogging

With the Covid-19 pandemic still wreaking havoc, businesses across the globe are looking for ways to effectively clean and disinfect their facilities. While traditional cleaning and disinfecting processes are still essential, the current viral outbreak demands even more stringent measures. Proven effective against influenza, flu, norovirus, coronavirus, and SARS.

Cold Fog Disinfecting

Cold fogging with proper disinfectants is the method of choice for companies seeking a more thorough disinfecting and sanitizing solution. It is a process where a disinfectant is put into a machine and atomized into the air. Unlike a spray, a fog saturates the air in a mist and covers every surface in the room. Therefore, even hard-to-reach areas that are typically overlooked with traditional cleaning methods become saturated with a disinfecting fog, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, and germs.

99.99% Effective

The disinfectants used in the cold fogging process are EPA registered to be effective against hard to kill viruses like Covid-19. In addition, these high-level disinfectants kill a huge variety of other viruses, bacteria, and germs as well as mold, and dust mites. Because the disinfectant remains on surfaces for an extended period of time, it continues disinfecting long after the initial fogging. With proper disinfectants and thorough application, cold fog disinfecting can kill 99.99% of germs, bacteria, and viruses.

Safe Sanitation

Ultra-low volume (ULV) cold fogging is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-caustic process that can sanitize an entire room quickly and efficiently. It is safe for use on most surfaces including fabrics, draperies, glass, wood, stone, and porous and semi-porous surfaces. In fact, it is even approved by the FDA for use in food preparation areas and will not stain clothing or fabrics.

Available For Commercial And Residential Use

Complete Care Maintenance offers disinfecting fogging services for both commercial and residential customers. From multi-family apartment complexes and single-family homes to hotels, schools, fitness centers, salons, restaurants, and retail stores. We can sanitize and disinfect virtually any business or residence quickly and efficiently. Call on Complete Care Maintenance for all of your disinfecting and sanitizing needs.

16 Jun 2020

Commercial Cleaning, New, Post-construction Cleaning, Property Management Cleaning mj@5150design.net 0 comment

4 Reasons To Hire A Post Construction Cleaning Company

Post-construction cleaning is a lot different than your typical cleaning project and it requires advanced planning, proven safety practices, and proper equipment. A professional post-construction cleaning crew will meet all of these requirements and will bring experience and know-how to the job site.

Planning Ahead

A professional post-construction cleaning company knows to plan ahead. They will visit the site prior to sending a cleaning crew to familiarize themselves with the project details. They will evaluate the site for safety hazards, debris removal requirements, and overall project depth. This onsite visit will allow them to determine equipment and resource needs and to prepare a detailed plan to get the job done thoroughly and efficiently.

Safety First

Construction sites often pose safety hazards that are not typically a concern with other cleaning projects. There may be building equipment and materials still on-site, or even active construction nearby. There is often heavy debris, stray screws and nails, and other hazards that cleaning crews need to be aware of and prepared for.

Reputable commercial cleaning companies provide regular safety training for their staff. Well-managed crews are familiar with OSHA standards and are fully bonded and insured. A knowledgeable post-construction cleaning company will ensure that their cleaning crews are wearing appropriate safety gear and are familiar with how to safely manage onsite hazards.

Appropriate Supplies and Equipment

Post-construction cleaning often requires some pretty heavy-duty cleaning supplies and equipment. For instance, the standard household vacuum cleaner will struggle in a post-construction environment. Loose nails and screws, chunks of drywall and cement, and copious amounts of dust are likely to ruin a typical vacuum cleaner. A professional post-construction cleaning service will have the necessary safety gear, heavy-duty cleaning supplies, and appropriate equipment to manage the job from start to finish.

A Phased Approach

Smart post-construction cleaning companies will typically use a phased approach, starting with the interior of the premises. Rough cleaning of the interior will include the removal of large debris, dusting from top to bottom, the removal of window stickers, and overspray, followed by a thorough sweeping of the floors. The goal of rough cleaning is to eliminate as much dust and debris as possible to prepare the interior for a more thorough cleaning.

Phase two involves the detailed cleaning of the interior. This will include cleaning and disinfecting all interior surfaces including windows, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, sinks, showers, tubs, walls, and baseboards. Finally, the floors will be scrubbed and polished to make the premises move-in ready.

The third phase of the post-construction cleaning process will involve the exterior of the premises. Removal of debris, washing of exterior windows and doors, sweeping and dusting of entryways and exterior lighting, and thorough cleaning of parking lots, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces. This ensures the curb appeal that will make your property shine!

In Conclusion

Post-construction cleaning is a heavy-duty task that is better left to professionals. A reputable commercial cleaning company brings knowledge, experience, and proper supplies and equipment to the job site. Hiring a professional post-construction cleaning crew will ensure a more thorough, safe, and efficient cleaning, and they will leave your new premises ready for occupancy.

10 Jun 2020

Business Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Corporate Cleaning, Office Cleaning mj@5150design.net 0 comment

How To Improve Hygiene In The Workplace

With Covid-19 still wreaking havoc in the world, office hygiene is more important than ever. Business owners need to protect themselves, their staff, and their customers as best they can and proper workplace hygiene is essential. Here are a few tips on how to promote better hygiene and a healthier workplace.

Educate Your Staff

It is important that everyone on your staff understand the importance of proper hygiene in the workplace. They need to be aware of the severity of the situation and they need to understand that everyone plays a role in keeping each other safe.

Practice Social Distancing

Even in the workplace social distancing rules should be adhered to. Employees should not be allowed to congregate, work stations should be separated, and sharing of resources should be discouraged. The simple act of loaning a coworker a pen could be the catalyst for an outbreak.

Make Face Masks Available

Many positive cases of Covid-19 are asymptomatic. This means that many individuals are not even aware that they are carrying (and spreading) the virus. Making single-use face masks available to your staff and clients, and encouraging their use is an excellent way to limit the spread of viral agents.

Consider Daily Temperature Checks

Investing in a contactless, infrared thermometer and requiring staff to undergo a quick check for fever prior to beginning their workday can help ensure that no one enters the workplace when sick.

Make Hand Sanitizer And Sanitizing Wipes Available

There should be hand sanitizer at every workstation and employees should be encouraged to use it. In addition, you should make sanitizing wipes available to your staff and encourage them to wipe down desks, counters, door handles, etc. after every use. This is especially true for shared resources like printers, telephones, copy machines, and the like.

Schedule Daily Cleanings

Whether you prefer to set aside time at the beginning of the workday or the end, scheduling time for daily cleaning is an important step in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Cleaning should include all workspaces, electronics (keyboards, mice, monitors), restrooms, breakrooms, door handles, vending machines, and other high-touch items.

Ensure That Soap Dispensers Are Restocked Daily

One of the most effective ways to stop the spread of viruses is simply washing your hands. Soap dispensers in restrooms, breakrooms, and kitchen areas should be restocked daily to ensure that your employees and customers have access to soap for handwashing.

Leave Interior Doors Open

Door handles are one of the most touched items in the workplace. You can help limit the number of times that these items are touched by simply leaving interior doors open. If possible, consider leaving the exterior entrance and exit doors open as well.

Encourage Those Who Feel Ill To Stay at Home

If a staff member feels ill they need to stay home. You should have policies in place that encourage employees to take a sick day if they are not feeling well. A single worker can quickly infect an entire team if they choose to come to work when ill. Make sure that your staff understands that they are responsible for protecting the health of others.

Consider Hiring A Commercial Cleaning Company

Hiring a commercial cleaning company is a great way to ensure that your workplace is properly cleaned and sanitized. These are professionals who understand how to thoroughly clean and sanitize commercial spaces. In addition, many commercial cleaning companies will restock hygiene products like soap, sanitizers, toilet paper, and paper towels.

28 May 2020

Business Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Corporate Cleaning, New, Office Cleaning mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Disinfecting Surfaces The Right Way

With many businesses set to reopen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners are working hard to ensure safe and clean work environments. For many business owners, this means hiring a commercial cleaning company. For others, it involves setting strict standards for in-house cleaning crews. Either way, it is vital that whoever is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting your workplace knows how to do so properly.

Clean First

Too often people rely on disinfectants alone to sanitize hard surfaces in the home and workplace. The fact of the matter is that you need to clean and disinfect and while most of us focus on the disinfecting part of the equation, cleaning is even more important.

Dirty surfaces are covered in clusters of germs called biofilm that is resistant to disinfecting chemicals. These germs need to be removed before a disinfectant can effectively kill lingering viruses and bacteria. To do this you should clean all surfaces with a soap and water solution which helps break up the biofilm and will remove most of the germs and bacteria on the surface.

Always use separate cleaning cloths for each surface. Using the same cleaning cloth on multiple surfaces only spreads the germs around the entire workplace, a phenomenon known as cross-contamination. Disposable cloths are best as you will need at least two cloths to clean and disinfect each surface.

Then Disinfect

Only once you have cleaned with soap and water is a disinfecting chemical able to sanitize the surface, but you can’t just spray and wipe. All disinfectants have what is called a ‘dwell time’ which is the minimum amount of time the disinfectant needs to stay on the surface before it will kill any remaining germs.

Most disinfectants will list their dwell time on the back of the bottle and they can range from thirty seconds to several minutes. Be sure you know what the dwell time is for your particular disinfectant and leave it on the surface long enough to do its job. Again, use a separate cloth to wipe the disinfectant off of the surface and then toss it in the trash.

Dispose of All Cleaning Cloths

It is important to note that the novel coronavirus has been known to survive on paper and tissue for three hours or more and on cloth for two days. Properly disposing of the cloths used to clean and disinfect your workplace helps to ensure that the virus is not lingering in your trash receptacles.

Need Help Disinfecting Your Workplace

If you are looking fora commercial cleaning company to help with the cleaning and disinfecting of your workplace, Complete Care Maintenance can help. Call or contact us today to learn how we can help keep your New Jersey business clean and safe for both staff and customers.

16 May 2020

New, Office Cleaning mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Getting An Accurate Quote For Office Cleaning Services

So, you have finally decided to outsource your office cleaning chores to a professional office cleaning service. The big question now is, how much will it cost? And the answer to that question may seem a little elusive. Not all commercial cleaning companies are the same and office cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all kind of service. You will want to talk with at least a few providers and request an onsite estimate for office cleaning services.

Most reputable providers will want to perform a walk-through of your office space to take measurements and evaluate your needs. They should ask about any specific wants and needs, problem areas, frequency of cleaning desired, security requirements, and scheduling. The goal of the walkthrough is to tailor a cleaning program specific to your office and provide an accurate quote.

You should be prepared to define what services you require, how often you want the services performed, and describe any special requirements or pain points. The walk-through is the perfect time for you to ask some key questions as well. Here are five tips for getting the most out of the walkthrough:

Ask for References

An established office cleaning company should be able to provide you with a variety of references from companies they have worked for and they should be happy to do so. When confirming these references be sure to ask how long they have had a relationship with the cleaning company and if there are any issues that they would like resolved.

Do They Have Liability Insurance

All office cleaning companies should be able to provide you with proof of insurance and a verifiable business license. You should also ask to see their general and workers’ compensation certificates. Any office cleaning company that can not provide these documents should not be hired.

Do They Maintain Experienced Staff

Be sure that your office cleaning company hires, trains, and maintains experienced staff. You want to ensure that the crews they are sending to clean your offices are professional and understand how to perform their job. You do not want a company that uses cash-paid day workers to fill gaps in their employee roster. These workers are typically not on the company payroll and are not covered by the company’s insurance.

Do They Have Established Cleaning Procedures

Experienced commercial office cleaning companies put processes and procedures in place to ensure consistency and to promote a more efficient workforce. A company that fails to do this is likely inexperienced and less efficient. Many professional companies will produce customized checklists for their cleaning crews that are specific to each client’s needs. You should ask if this is the case.

Do They Have MSDS Lists

Material Data Safety Sheets are an important part of a commercial cleaning company’s safety protocols. Any business that handles chemicals, even if they’re not considered dangerous, should keep an MSDS for each substance. The MSDS informs workers about chemical reactivity with other chemicals, whether it is flammable, exposure risks, and other characteristics that are essential to handling chemicals safely and responsibly.

08 May 2020

Business Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Janitorial Services, New, Office Cleaning mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Your Public Restroom and Your Reputation

Your business’ reputation is one of your most important assets, and as a business owner, you likely invest a great deal of time and effort into nurturing it. Reputation is not something that you can buy, it is a reflection of other people’s opinions and impressions of your business, its employees, and its services. Making a good first impression is the first step toward building a positive reputation.

While most business owners recognize that cleanliness is important to making a good first impression, many do not extend that philosophy beyond the lobby and reception area. Despite the common sense appearance of this thought process, you might be surprised to learn that customers are likely more concerned with the cleanliness of your restrooms.

According to a survey conducted by Bradley Corporation, the cleanliness of your restrooms is a major deciding factor with regard to customer perceptions of your overall business. According to the survey results:

69% of customers believe an unclean restroom indicates insufficient management
67% of customers experience a lowered opinion of the company when restrooms are dirty
63% of customers equate an unkempt restroom with a low degree of care for visitors’ comfort by the company

Each statistic makes it painfully obvious that the cleanliness of your public restroom has a direct impact on your customers’ satisfaction levels.

What Can You Do?

While everyone appreciates a clean restroom, no one wants to clean them. For most businesses maintaining a clean and sanitary restroom can be challenging and many use a commercial cleaning company to do the job for them. The key here is hiring the right company.

When considering commercial cleaning companies to manage your restroom cleaning needs there are several important things to consider. Obviously you want a company that is experienced, but you also want a company that can manage all of your restroom needs.

Your commercial cleaning company should:

Clean and disinfect all areas of the restroom with particular emphasis on high-touch areas like door handles, stall doors, faucets, hand dryers, and dispensers.
Clean and disinfect toilets and urinals, including hard to reach areas behind toilets and urinals
Clean and sanitize floors, walls, and countertops
Clean and sanitize sinks
Empty trash
Restock soaps, toilet paper, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, urinal cakes, and other restroom supplies.

Having a commercial cleaning company manage your restroom cleaning needs ensures that your restrooms are an asset to your company and that they reflect a positive image for your business. Your customers will appreciate it, your staff will appreciate it, and you will be assured that your clients and customers are not forming poor opinions of your business due to poor restroom maintenance.

27 Apr 2020

Business Cleaning, Commercial Cleaning, Floor Cleaning, Janitorial Services mj@5150design.net 0 comment

Top Tips For Maintaining Polished Concrete Floors

The good news is that while polished concrete floors are not maintenance-free, they generally are easier to maintain than other types of decorative concrete floors since they require no waxing or sealers. Still, without proper maintenance, your beautiful concrete floors will eventually lose their luster. This is especially true of floors in high-traffic environments like retail stores and commercial facilities.

Here are a few pro tips for maintaining your polished concrete floors:

1) Frequent Dust Mopping

Dust and dirt particles are abrasive and can scratch and mar the surface of your polished concrete, dulling the shine. Frequent dust mopping helps reduce the amount of dirt and abrasives present on your floors and will promote a longer-lasting luster.

2) Wet Mopping

Even with frequent dust mopping, more stubborn dirt particles will persist and you will need to use a wet mop to remove these particles. Always use clean water, a clean mop, and a pH neutral cleaning agent formulated to suspend dirt particles. While a mop and bucket are likely sufficient for smaller areas, an automatic scrubber with non-abrasive pads makes larger areas much more manageable.

3) Clean Spills Immediately

Spills and stains are the nemeses of polished concrete and should be addressed immediately so they are not absorbed into the concrete. Use clean water and a pH-neutral cleaning agent to address stubborn spills and allow the cleaner enough time to break up any grease or grime before mopping. Do not allow the cleaner to dry on the surface as this too can damage the floor.

4) Use Floor Mats

In entryways and other high-traffic areas, consider using floor mats to protect your floors and to provide a means for people to wipe their feet upon entering your facility. Be sure to regularly vacuum your floor mats and remove them during wet and dry mopping. Just because they are there does not mean the floor underneath is maintenance-free.

5) Burnish Your Floors

Even with proper maintenance concrete floors may eventually lose their luster. If your polished concrete loses its shine you should have your floors burnished. This will bring back the original luster and leave your floors shining like new again.

Need help maintaining your polished concrete floors? Complete Care Maintenance can help! Call us at 1 (609) 275 8227 for a free no-obligation quote.

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