Category: Business Cleaning

10 Aug 2020
disinfecting

Staying Ahead of COVID-19 Through Proactive Cleaning

disinfecting

Smart corporate and commercial business owners and property managers are taking a proactive approach in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses that have remained open and those that are preparing to reopen are taking steps to stay ahead of the pandemic. This “staying ahead” approach is especially critical for New Jersey-area businesses to help ensure the health and well-being of both staff and customers.

Even if your business has not been exposed to the novel coronavirus, you still want your employees and customers to feel safe in your place of business. Putting a plan in place that includes proactive cleaning is one way to help ensure a safe environment for all concerned parties and shows that you are making every effort to combat the pandemic.

While proactive cleaning may not protect your facility from future contamination, it will provide peace of mind for your staff and customers and it ensures that your place of business is thoroughly and professionally cleaned and disinfected as per CDC guidelines.

How To Start a Proactive Cleaning Program

Because of the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, deep cleaning​ and ​disinfecting​ have become a top priority for businesses large and small. ​The daily maintenance-like cleaning that was part of your pre-COVID business operations is no longer sufficient to keep your workplace safe – it’s time to call in the professionals.

Complete Care Maintenance​ has developed a proactive cleaning and disinfection protocol based on CDC guidelines and that is tailored to your facility’s unique needs. The first step in beginning your company’s proactive cleaning program is to schedule an onsite evaluation to ensure that your cleaning program meets your facility’s needs.

The onsite evaluation allows us to determine the scope of your facility, the requisite size of the cleaning crew, where to start and end the cleaning process, appropriate cleaning chemicals and supplies, and to establish a cleaning schedule.

How Is Proactive Cleaning Carried Out

We use the information gathered from the onsite evaluation to set up a cleaning crew specific to your facility as well as a customized cleaning plan that ensures the most thorough and efficient cleaning. The cleaning crew is made familiar with your facility’s physical layout, where to start the cleaning process, how to most efficiently move through the facility, and where to end the cleaning process. Each cleaning crew is assigned a supervisor to ensure that the established cleaning process is adhered to and to manage any issues that may arise onsite.

When your cleaning crew arrives on site they come completely prepared. Each member of the crew is aware of your facility’s specific requirements, is fully equipped with the necessary cleaning supplies, and has been fully versed on the established cleaning process specified for your facility. All members of the cleaning crew are subject to temperature checks prior to their shift, are equipped with personal protective equipment, and practice social distancing.

After a brief onsite meeting with the crew supervisor, all members of your cleaning crew get to work. Following the prescribed cleaning plan, they will move through your facility thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting each and every area, utilizing chemicals and processes recommended by the CDC.

What To Expect After Your Cleaning Crew Leaves

Whether your facility has been exposed to COVID-19 or not, you can rest assured that when your cleaning crew leaves your facility it is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Your staff and customers can feel safe in the knowledge that they are conducting business in an environment that is free of viruses, bacteria, and germs.

Ready To Get Started?

Complete Care Maintenance is at your disposal. Give us a call today to get your proactive cleaning program started and stay ahead of the pandemic.

 

10 Jun 2020

How To Improve Hygiene In The Workplace

office hygiene

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.

 

04 Jun 2020
green cleaning

Going green and clean: Top eco-friendly commercial kitchen and office cleaning tips

green cleaning

Office and Commercial kitchen and cafeteria cleaning don’t need to be back-breaking, noxious-smelling activities to be feared. In this article, we’ll give you some advice on office cleaners, and commercial green cleaning products, and go through some ways to save the environment at work.

 

We’ll look at:

  • Traditional office and kitchen cleaning supplies
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products
  • The power of steam cleaning
  • The pros and cons of the DIY eco-cleaner
  • Deep kitchen cleaning checklist
  • Office cleaning tips
  • Other ways to go eco-friendly in the office

Read on to discover how to go green and join other eco-friendly businesses that are helping save the environment.

Keeping your kitchen and office clean and tidy is a basic business health and safety requirement. It’s necessary to help keep your employees and customers happy and healthy. There are expert teams out there who specialize in professional kitchen cleaning and office cleaning so you can be confident you’re meeting all the guidelines. But if you’re looking for ways to be green about your cleaning, it may be a good idea to talk to them about the chemicals and equipment they’re using in your workplace.

Traditional office and kitchen cleaning supplies

While effective and excellent at killing germs and viruses, a lot of the harsh chemicals used to clean professional workspaces are bad for the environment. Some even contain phosphates, which can be harmful to aquatic life. Others use hydrocarbons and compressed gas, which is terrible for air pollution and global warming. And that’s not even taking into account the single-use plastic and packaging that a lot of these come in.

Having a conversation with your kitchen and office cleaners about sourcing more environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and methods is a simple way you can go green and clean.

Eco-friendly cleaning products

People can be skeptical about sanitizing offices and cleaning kitchens with green products, but they’re just as effective at removing dirt, grime, and bacteria. Swapping to eco cleaners is the first (and easiest) step you can take in your ‘how to be greener’ journey. And what’s great is that there are loads of products out there that fit the bill, such as degreasers, surface cleansers, and even washroom supplies.

Using more products like these is responsible, effective, and good for the environment.

The power of steam cleaning

When it comes to kitchen cleaning and sanitizing, there are so many extra spaces you have to consider. Ceilings can become caked in grease, kitchen ducting can harbor dust, and grates, drains, and sinks can start to smell so much sooner thanks to the fat and food waste siphoned away.

There’s a lot of potential for bacteria in a kitchen, so regular deep cleans are necessary to help avoid customer illness and keep your business compliant with all regulations. But these deep cleans don’t need to be full of harsh chemicals and commercial green cleaning products – Steam cleaning is one of the best ways to be green and clean.

Steam Cleaners can reach temperatures between 66-149° C, so they’re certainly hot enough to kill germs, melt grease and remove a multitude of stains with zero scrubbing. And there’s not a chemical or cleaning agent in sight. You can steam clean your floors, surfaces, and appliances. They’re ideal for those out-of-reach places too. Just be careful not to use them on anything porous or prone to heat damage.

The pros and cons of the DIY eco-cleaner

In your eco-friendly cleaner research, you’re sure to come across some do-it-yourself cleaning solution recipes. Vinegar sprays, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda solutions – they’re all well-known for their home-cleaning prowess, but are they suitable for use in commercial kitchens and offices?

They’re certainly effective, but having overwhelming vinegar and lemony smells in a kitchen could be confusing for cooks. You need to take into account the time some of these take to work. Some bicarbonate of soda oven-cleaning hacks need overnight soaking to break down stains.

Using pantry staples may seem like a low-cost, eco-friendly option for cleaning your kitchen and office, but you’ve got to consider the time spent, any leftover scents, and overall effectiveness. Professionally produced cleaning products are thoroughly checked for their efficiency – can you say the same for your homemade vinegar/bicarb solution?

Deep kitchen cleaning checklist

To help you stay on top of it and to keep those germs at bay – here’s a kitchen cleaning to-do list of things to consider and areas you shouldn’t forget:

  • Think about introducing rubber mats to trap dirt and runaway food – Brush and clean these daily
  • Sweep and mop the floors with eco cleaners, degreasers and disinfectants
  • Clean high-traffic touchpoints like door handles, switches, etc. daily
  • Don’t forget hard-to-reach and inaccessible areas such as ceilings, lighting, shelving, etc.
  • Keeping all your appliances clean will improve efficiency – don’t forget to scrub those seals and shelves
  • Clean the kitchen vents and kitchen ducting regularly.
  • Give the rubbish and recycling bins a clean to reduce smells

Office cleaning tips

Offices aren’t as high-maintenance as a commercial kitchen, but there are areas that need special attention as well:

  • Introducing rubber kitchen mats or rugs will trap dirt and spills – you can buy machine-washable ones for ease of use
  • Clean high-traffic touchpoints like door handles, switches, and desks daily
  • Vacuum regularly and thoroughly clean carpets at least once per year – consider a steam carpet cleaner as a green alternative
  • Keep the fridge and other communal appliances clean to improve efficiency and longevity
  • Clean the inside and outside of the bins to reduce unwelcome smells
  • Encourage staff to keep workspaces clean. This includes keyboards, monitors, and other equipment.

Other ways to go eco-friendly in the office

As well as making your cleaning greener, there are other ways to help the environment at work. For example, adding some plants and greenery to office spaces – they’re great for increasing oxygen levels and they create a welcoming atmosphere. To reduce the use of energy and encourage natural light, keep your windows clean both inside and out. And you could get some recycling bins and only choose reusable cups and plates.

Banishing paper towels is another great option – microfibre towels are super absorbent and you can get loads of different kinds of low-energy hand dryers these days. You should also consider smarter dispensers and sensor taps – they’re much more hygienic and reduce water consumption too.

There are so many different ways you can help the environment and keep your commercial kitchens and offices clean, all you need to do is take that first step.

28 May 2020
cleaning and disinfecting

Disinfecting Surfaces The Right Way

disinfecting

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.

08 May 2020
restroom cleaning

Your Public Restroom and Your Reputation

restroom cleaning

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
polished concrete

Top Tips For Maintaining Polished Concrete Floors

polished concrete

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.

 

05 Mar 2020
cleaning and disinfecting

Commercial Cleaning and Coronavirus

cleaning and disinfecting

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has compelled facility managers to seek professional commercial cleaning companies to ensure the safety of their staff and clients. In light of the virus spreading across nearly every state, businesses are increasingly realizing the significance of maintaining clean and sanitized facilities to reduce the risk of infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that the virus can remain viable on various surfaces for hours to days. This underscores the importance of regular cleaning and disinfection to safeguard the well-being of your clients and employees. High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, desks, tables, faucets, sinks, and toilets need consistent cleaning and disinfection to minimize the spread of the virus. Moreover, several other areas in your facility can be potential breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses.

Engaging the services of a professional commercial cleaning company ensures thorough cleaning and disinfection of these areas. Complete Care Maintenance is dedicated to ensuring that your facility is virus-free, and we can perform our cleaning services after hours to minimize interactions with your staff and customers.

Besides professional cleaning, there are several practical steps you can take to maintain a safe environment for your customers and staff. The CDC has issued guidelines that are instrumental in ensuring safety and preventing the spread of the virus:

Regular Hand Washing:

Promote and encourage regular hand washing for your staff and customers. Ensure the availability of hand sanitizers for use.

Social Distancing:

Discourage close personal interactions and maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet from others. Advise individuals who feel unwell to stay home and self-quarantine for at least 14 days.

Hygiene and Shared Items:

Encourage staff not to share items like coffee cups, borrow pens and pencils, and avoid using communal water coolers. Provide disinfecting wipes in break areas and common spaces for everyone to use. Items like microwaves, coffee pots, doorknobs, and food prep areas should be routinely wiped down.

Clean Workspaces:

Make sure that workspaces, desks, keyboards, external pointing devices, and office equipment such as printers, copiers, and shredders are wiped down before and after use. Equip areas with disinfecting wipes to facilitate cleaning.

Maintaining a clean and virus-free work environment is vital, especially during this pandemic. A professional cleaning staff can ensure that your place of business is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after hours, providing a safe space for your employees to work. While these are challenging times, we can all contribute to reducing the impact of the virus by ensuring clean and sanitary commercial spaces.

With professional cleaning, rigorous safety measures, and cooperative efforts, we can navigate through this trying period and promote a safe and healthy environment for all.

 

 

15 Feb 2020
clean doors

Don’t Forget The Doors

clean doors

When assessing your commercial cleaning company, it’s essential to look beyond the obvious cleaning tasks such as floors and restrooms. Often overlooked but equally critical are the doors in your commercial space. Doors are among the most frequently touched surfaces, making them potential hotspots for the spread of bacteria and viruses. Whether you’ve outsourced your cleaning needs to a commercial janitorial service or are managing cleaning in-house, ensuring that your doors are cleaned and disinfected should be a top priority.

While entrance doors are the most visible and commonly used doors, it’s crucial to understand that every door in your facility requires regular cleaning and disinfection. This includes entrance doors, restroom doors, office doors, and breakroom doors. The cleaning approach may vary depending on the type of door.

Glass Doors:

For glass doors, a high-quality glass cleaner should be used to clean the glass surfaces. Additionally, door handles, especially on glass doors, should be thoroughly cleaned with a microfiber cloth sprayed with a disinfectant cleaner. Glass doors often accumulate fingerprints and smudges, making it essential to maintain their cleanliness.

Wood and Panel Doors:

Wood and panel doors should be cleaned and disinfected with a high-quality disinfectant spray and a microfiber cloth. When cleaning these doors, ensure that you cover the entire surface, with special attention to areas that are frequently touched. Don’t overlook the top edge of the door, as it tends to collect dirt and dust over time.

Doorknobs and Handles:

Doorknobs and handles are of particular concern because they are the most touched parts of any door. To effectively eliminate bacteria and viruses, pay close attention to these areas. Use a high-quality antibacterial or disinfectant spray and meticulously clean all knobs and handles. Thorough cleaning of these high-touch areas is critical to maintaining a clean and safe environment.

Why Complete Care Maintenance is Your Ideal Choice:

At Complete Care Maintenance, we take our commitment to commercial cleaning services seriously. We understand that every detail matters, including the often-overlooked components like doors. Our professional janitorial staff pays meticulous attention to these areas to ensure that your clients and staff can enjoy a clean and healthy environment.

We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and top-quality commercial cleaning services that go beyond the surface, including the cleaning and disinfection of doors. If you want to maintain a clean and healthy workplace, we invite you to contact us today. Our team is ready to discuss how we can tailor our services to meet your specific needs and create a cleaner, healthier, and more inviting workspace for your employees and clients.

Remember, in today’s world, cleanliness and hygiene are paramount. Maintaining a focus on every detail, from floors to doors, is a smart investment in the health, safety, and reputation of your business.