Over the last year, our facility has been under construction for major renovation. During that time, hard floors have changed to carpeting, restroom fixtures have been updated to touch-free and space has been optimized to include additional cubicles and work stations.

The renovations got us talking about how the changes would affect our cleaning program. Surely the addition of carpet will affect the cleaning crew as responsibilities have shifted from sweeping/mopping and scheduled stripping/rewaxing to vacuuming, spot removal and extraction. The updated fixtures in the restroom should minimize restocking, but cleaning should not falter. But what about the additional workstations, how will they work into the existing cleaning tasks?

Change is inevitable. Cleaning managers should assess their facility on a regular basis and restructure the cleaning department to account for those changes. Major renovations, such as ours, could result in longer cleaning times now that workers use corded vacuums instead of the flat mop that provided freedom to work continuously. Or maybe cleaners won’t need to spend as much time in the restroom restocking and can focus their attention elsewhere.

No matter the reason, it is important for cleaning managers to stay on top of facility fluctuations and adjust cleaning as necessary.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 8/15/2008

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As July 1 has come and gone, many large manufacturers have closed out another fiscal year and are exposing the future of their brands. I recently read about one large cleaning retailer that has revealed that 2009 might be an expensive year for their customers, as prices will forcibly rise to offset elevating expenses. (Reportedly, end users can see price increases as early as this fall.)

While manufacturers can often raise product prices to offset their costs, custodial managers experience the opposite as departmental budgets get slashed, making purchasing even more difficult.

What is a cleaning manager to do? Start by exploring your options. Evaluate existing product purchases, the use of those products within the facility and frequency of cleaning tasks. Also evaluate what products are being used and whether it is possible to maintain cleaning standards with the use of lower-line, less expensive products.

It is also a good idea to talk to your cleaning distributor for money-saving suggestions. Maybe purchasing in bulk will result in savings or if storage is an issue, some distributors might allow grouping orders with another account. It never hurts to ask.

End users can find comfort that even though prices might go up, manufacturers are still staying competitive with each other and with luck, in doing so prices won't soar too high.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 8/7/2008

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Today, regardless of where you go, it is hard to miss all the “green” labels. Whether for retail or commercial use, green product claims are everywhere. By one count, manufacturers launched at least 325 new supposedly environmentally friendly products in 2007, up from just 5 in 2002. But, some people are questioning those environmental claims.

Many of the green claims are supported through third-party certifications, and labeled as such. These products, as well as any false claims can traditionally be found on the certifying organization’s Web site.

Such documentation will satisfy the demand for proof of certification, but what about generic environmental claims? Terms such as “organic,” “natural,” “environmentally friendly” and “recycled” are not as cut and dry and lack substantial proof — not to mention cause confusion in the marketplace.

To control these vague claims, representatives from the Federal Trade Commission confirm that it’s review of packaging claims will be moved up a year and targets products in the green category. In the meantime, they recommend examining packaging for certification logos as a “green” guarantee.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 7/30/2008

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I recently read about a retail company that requires a four-week training period that compensates new employees with their full salary. Once the training period is over, the company presents the freshly trained group with something called The Offer: “If you quit today, we will pay you for the amount of time you’ve worked, plus we will offer you a $1,000 bonus.” The Offer is meant to test the commitment of its employees making sure that they are left with a strong and devoted team.

I understand the concept, but am curious about its effectiveness. Do these people like their jobs so much that they wouldn’t take the money and find similar work elsewhere? Then again, maybe this organization has great employee perks, advancement opportunities and supportive management that helps drive retention.

I wonder whether a program like this would work in the cleaning industry, where it is difficult enough to recruit and retain employees. In some facilities, I truly believe that the draw is there. But I still think there would have to be something — whether immediate or down the road — that encourages retention.

Take a moment to evaluate your incentive programs and really look for effective methods to retain employees. I mean, if you were given The Offer, would you take it?

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 7/24/2008

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A relative of mine works in the trades, specifically home building, and the other day we got into a discussion regarding purchasing. I quickly realized that his purchasing options were very comparable to those of a cleaning manager. He has options to purchase direct from a manufacturer, cut some corners and buy from a big-box store, or look to his distributor for the answers he needs.

I asked him the benefits to each and he had the following to say: manufacturers can be pricy, but offer nice warranties and product guarantees; big-box stores are his cheapest option and often offer a large variety of products, but provide little dependability regarding whether products are in stock and maintenance; industry-specific distributors are often comparable in price (typically between the manufacturer and big box stores), but almost always offer additional services such as training, free delivery, emergency service, accountability and reliability, which offsets the prices.

More often than not, readers comment that they find benefit from working with jan/san distributors.

Unlike big-box stores, distributors are looking to develop relationships with their customers. Because of these relationships, distributors understand the needs of the end user and provide solutions to help them succeed. For instance, turnover plagues numerous departments so many distributors offer training classes to educate new staff on how to clean properly.

Distributors are also able to make new product recommendations that can help streamline a department and increase productivity. Big-box stores are limited to those products they have in stock.

It is obvious that each purchasing option has its perks, but it is important to decipher the differences and then determine the best option for the department.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 7/15/2008

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As Baby Boomers creep closer to retirement age, many industries are feeling the pinch when it comes to replacing these seasoned veterans. Statistics indicate that in the next 5-7 years, a significant part of senior management (about 30 percent) will retire, leaving leadership positions void.

Although this decreasing labor pool is primarily due to aging populations, not all Boomers are ready to fly the coop. As a direct result of the recent economic downturn, reports from the Washington-based AARP indicate that many Baby Boomers are expecting to work well past retirement age. In fact, 27 percent of people ages 45 to 64 have postponed retirement plans because of the recent downturn.

If that is the case, one must reevaluate the nature of the job and how ones age impacts it. The type of work required by a cleaner can be physically demanding and very strenuous. As a result, the age of an employee might impact the productivity and effectiveness of the cleaning tasks.

Few departments have the luxury to cater to the aging population, though. Managers cannot discriminate and tell an 18-year-old to do the work because an older employee shouldn’t be bending. This is why John Vogelsang, director of facilities services at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill, promotes health in his department.

“I think if your institution has a core value of stressing health and opportunities,” he says, “you will have reduced safety problems and increased productivity. Ergonomic products and wellness programs certainly help and proper education and training is essential.”

Even though it can be physically demanding, cleaning is a profession that many aging workers are striving for. In fact, “janitors and building cleaners” is ranked number four of the top 10 “Jobs with the Most Employees Ages 65 and Older,” according to an Urban Institute analysis.

Click here for additional statistics on the aging workforce. 

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 7/7/2008

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Just like any other position, cleaning managers will eventually leave their job. Whether it is to retire, change careers or just move on, the time will come when you leave your post. It is then that you will be judged on your management skills and whether or not you had a successful succession plan in place. Did you leave the department in working order? Are there qualified candidates in place to take over the management duties? Will the department continue to thrive in your absence?

I recently spoke with John Vogelsang, director of facilities services at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill., who compared his management position with the coach of a football team.

“As a coach, your goal is to be successful and win every year,” says Vogelsang. “But, if you care and love your school and football program, wouldn’t you want to know that it will continue to be successful and thrive after you leave? You have to plan for that and the future of the team lies in your coaching staff.”

He compared his cleaning staff to the assistant coaches on the team. As a head coach, you put each assistant in charge of something specific, but you train them in a fashion that they would be capable of taking over at a moments notice. The same should be done with your cleaning staff. And if a successful member of your staff/assistant coach is recruited to manage/coach another department/team, consider it a feather in your cap because your dedicated training is what got them to that point. Their success will ultimately determine the future success of the cleaning department.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 7/1/2008

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As many of you are aware, over the last couple weeks the Midwest was pummeled with very severe storms. The aftermath resulted in standing water, overflowing rivers and lakes and waterlogged communities. At the first sight of the sun in over a week, I quickly made way to a baseball game at my favorite stadium.

As was normal with these storms, we had a beautiful day, but within seconds the storm began and sent thousands of people running for shelter. Inside the main entrance, matting covered the area in an effort to prevent any slip and fall accidents while fans funneled in. If only the same were done at the smaller entrances.

Shortly after the start of the game, I had to run outside to exchange some tickets. On my way back in, I noticed a very small mat immediately inside the door. I actually took a second to stand and wipe my shoes, knowing the cement floor inside the facility would be slippery (I had seen spills by fans in the past). I obviously didn’t do a good enough job, though, because two steps off the mat and I found myself on the floor. Luckily, I recovered nicely.

I couldn’t help but wonder why a larger mat was not used in this area.  The floor is known to be slippery when wet, and yet, the facility had done nothing to prevent accidents. Not only was the matting lacking, but there were no warning signs visible on the surrounding walls or floor cones identifying that the floor would be slippery when wet.

I had spent the second to wipe my shoes and walked carefully, knowing an accident was possible — and had only bumps and bruises as a result. But, what would happen to the person that didn’t know slips were common in this area? The accident could have been much more severe.

If I attend only a handful of games a year and know of the floors history throughout the park, the facility staff must know about the hazards. Why isn’t more being done to eliminate accidents? A simple slippery floor sign or additional matting could go a long way.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 6/23/2008

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Last week, gas prices peeked at a national average of $4 a gallon. The stress that transportation has had on the working community has been immense and workers are looking for any way to reduce its impact. In my office, carpooling is more common than it ever was and reports from other industries indicate that the percentage of “home workers” has increased.

Obviously, cleaning crews can’t do their jobs from home and varying shifts make carpooling difficult, but there still might be relief in sight for their pocketbooks. The concept of a four-day workweek has been spattered across newspapers and chat rooms alike, and the concept has been well received.

Increasing shifts to 10 hours and reducing the amount of work days in a week to four would save employees at least one day of gas. Sounds great, right? Well, there are logistics that must be outlined and laws to consider before such a program can be implemented.

In most cases, it is less than ideal to go sans staff for a day. Some facilities are getting around this by fluctuating their crew so someone is present every workday. Half the staff works Monday through Thursday and the other staff is on hand Tuesday through Friday. Problem solved. Well, in some states at least.

Many employers who are considering a four-day workweek simply have their hands tied by the states in which they live — in the form of overtime. In some states, any time spent working over eight hours in a day is considered overtime, regardless of how many days a week are worked. In these states, a four-day workweek would help employees, but it would be a financial burden on the department. Essentially, with four ten-hour days employers would be paying eight hours of overtime for the same amount of work they would get in five eight-hour days.

Other states aren’t as strict, indicating that an employee can work as long as they want in a day, but anything over 40 hours in a week is mandatory overtime — making the four-day workweek feasible.

According to many of my readers, various departments are actively exploring the four-day workweek as an option to help employees ease their financial burden. In fact, some have already implemented the program with great success. It might be time to examine your department to determine whether similar programs would work.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 6/16/2008

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A couple weeks ago Northeastern University student organization, Progressive Student Alliance (PSA), supported their school janitors by taking to the streets of Boston to protest low wages and poor working conditions. Some students also took their message to the stage at the commencement ceremony, before security removed the banners. Students are supporting cleaning workers whose request for more pay and better conditions has fallen on deaf ears.

Across the country, much is the same concerning the janitorial industry. In recent weeks, two thousand cleaners working in Orange County, Cal. petitioned the union to authorize a strike that would rally workers in support of higher wages. Members of the country’s 80 local unions and 140,000 members refused to cross picket lines to deliver or remove goods, or clean the office buildings and shopping centers.

The strike ended recently with a four-year pact that covers 6,000 janitors, the total increase in benefits and wages estimated at $99 million over the life of the contract.

In this slumping economy, the janitorial industry has been plagued by budget cuts, staffing shortages and increasing expectations. It is a reality of the industry and it is up to the cleaning workers to change the perception and communicate that cleaning is a profession just like any other and requires equal respect, appreciating and recognition. If cleaners cant stand up for themselves, no one will.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 6/5/2008

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I grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago and as a child, there was no such thing as a recycling program. As I got older, recycling was an option, but you had to pay for the service. I couldn’t help buy wonder why people would do the extra work to sort through their trash, to then pay for items to be recycled. Obviously, city officials agreed and instituted a switch where recycling was free, but you had to pay for trash. Obviously, recycling grew substantially.

Now, living in Wisconsin, we have to purchase special bags (minimal cost), but we can recycle until our hearts content. In fact, as consumers, we are constantly being preached to that we can do more. The future of the word, and that of our children, will depend on us and where we place that aluminum can. This message has been burned into my brain.

That is why I was so surprised to discover while on a recent trip to Georgia, that the state has no formal recycling program in place. I visited the zoo in South Carolina and saw numerous trash receptacles, but never a recycle bin. The Atlanta airport not only lacked recycling options, but the trash cans were overflowing to the point where garbage lined the floor. Even at the home where we were staying, we were told to throw everything right in the trash and that if someone wanted to recycle, they would have to personally haul items to only one of the three dumps in the area that can accommodate the recycled items.

I was floored. Here I have been doing everything in my power to better the environment and there are entire states that still fall short of any sort of recycling program. And, the disappointing reality is, I am sure these areas that I visited are not the only in the country that lack programs. I can’t help but wonder what a difference our efforts would make if recycling was enforced in every state.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 5/30/2008

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Comments

Posted by dave keller on 6/17/2008 9:23:29 PM

I too was concerned about public recycling until I went into the bowels of a public airport. Huge amounts of trash was brought to a large area where it was dumped and sorted for recycling. It makes better sense to do it this way to reduce the chance of congestion(multiple containers) and misdirected sorting by the public into wrong bins, some done on purpose. The Mall of America has done this very successfully as well.

Posted by Jason on 7/31/2008 10:30:02 AM

First impression, you may not realize the facility does offer recycling. There has been a huge push for co-mingling of trash that is simply sorted off site. In regards to south eastern states concern, I have asked similar questions to my fellow statesman, and the usual response has been "we just do things a little slower here in the south".

In this week's post I would like to recognize the one-year mark since we began blogging on CleanLink. As I look back at my entries from the last year, I can’t help but acknowledge how much I have learned.

Before starting the blog, I was still relatively new to the world of professional cleaning, but coming up with weekly posts provided me the opportunity to quickly grasp the background necessary to thrive in this evolving industry.

The blogs also gave me yet another opportunity to communicate regularly with my readers. Whether we agreed or disagreed on a particular topic (such as “New Technique: Towel Sweeping”), the comments posted on my blogs helped reiterate exactly what is important to the cleaning managers that thrive in the world of cleaning.

Finally, as I page through the last 65 blog entries, I can’t help but notice how much the industry changes on a regular basis. Whether dealing with illegal immigrants, emerging regulations, green cleaning issues or tried and true cleaning techniques, the industry and its dedicated personnel never stop changing.

I have learned a lot over the last year and I am looking forward to what the future holds.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 5/20/2008

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The other day I was out and about with a friend of mine when we stopped for a restroom break inside a shopping center. As I opened the restroom door, I was immediately overwhelmed by the stench. My initial reaction was that this particular restroom had not been cleaned in a long time. Finishing quickly, I washed my hands and rushed out. I later learned that the smell was due to the well water that ran throughout the facility, mixed with a large amount of air freshener. It had nothing to do with the frequency of clean.

Later that morning, I walked into an adjacent store, which also sent my senses into overdrive. The smell was so strong that I started sneezing the instant I walked in. After only a few minutes, I had to excuse myself to stand in the hall. This time, it was not well water, but cleaning solutions that aggravated my senses.

After leaving this facility, I couldn’t stop thinking about how strong the smell was, and all because of cleaning products. The restroom air freshener was obviously working on overdrive to mask the smell of the water, but I think it just made the smell worse. Air fresheners don’t eliminate smells they only attempt to mask them and the water smell was obviously too strong to mask so the freshener only contributed to the problem.

As for the store, either the cleaning crew had just completed the task, or they used far too much product the last time they cleaned. Some cleaners I speak with still work off the assumption that you can smell clean, but where do you draw the line?

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 5/14/2008

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Comments

Posted by Derek on 5/26/2008 7:08:43 AM

The smell of "clean" is often something I've thought about for my home cleaning businesses. A lot of households I serve prefer the better "smelling" commercial lines of cleaning supplies, but often those are the very same ones with all kinds of chemicals and potentially hazardous side effects. I recommend they go the other way and try to use normal household products like baking soda and vinegar to clean, but while those products are effective, they often fall short in the good smelling department. --Derek

Posted by Kris C. on 7/7/2008 1:40:27 PM

man, too much chemical is never pleasant. Some companies like to do that. You really don't need a lot of chemical to get the job done

As a little kid, I can remember having to stand under hand dryers in public restrooms to dry my hands after using the facilities. I remember the air being warm and forceful, but also effective at drying. As I grew up, I heard complaints that these dryers took too long to effectively dry hands and I began to see fewer of these hand dryers implemented. Paper towels took over in many facilities because of their ease of use. Then the trend towards “green” and a slumping economy emerged, forcing facility managers to analyze their purchasing and environmental impact.

In recent months, I have noticed that more facilities are implementing air dryers and it makes me wonder what the reasoning was for the switch. Yes, these products save paper, eliminate restocking and reduce waste, but most paper towels used today are made from recycled paper and high-capacity dispensers reduce labor substantially. Paper towel dispensers can also be programmed to dispense a preset amount for use, which reduces waste substantially.

But what about the energy required to run air dryers? Reportedly, newer models of air dryers use 80 percent less energy than older models. In fact, users of the newer machines have experienced cost savings of as much as a 90 percent. Manufacturers of air dyers also tout that the machines dry hands quicker than what consumers experienced years ago — drying takes no more than 15 seconds, compared to the minute older machines required before patrons gave up and wiped their hands on their clothes.

Every type of hand-drying system has its pros and cons, which is why it is important to determine what type would best fit their facility. Are the improved benefits driving the implementation of air dryers? I don’t know, but I cannot negate the fact that I have seen more dryers in use within various types of facilities.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 5/7/2008

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At the request of a younger relative, I joined the 21st Century by signing up on Facebook. For those of you who have never heard of it, Facebook is an online community that allows you to have a personal page on the Internet to exchange likes, dislikes, hobbies, gossip, pictures, play games or talk shop. The options are unlimited. It can be a place to explore, or a community for family and friends to connect. But more and more, technology like this is becoming a resource for business networking, specifically recruiting.

While searching around the site the other day, I came across a page where facility executives were advertising for open positions within the firm and looked to Facebook to find qualified candidates. Initially, I thought the tactic was far-fetched, but after thinking about it, I realized that in order to reach the Generations X and Y, you must talk their talk. (Not literally though. OMG, imagine that! lol wink)

Instead of going the traditional route, this company was able to communicate in a way that was understandable to the people it was recruiting. It outlined what looked to be a very desirable company and great employee perks. The Facebook page communicated far more than what could have appeared in a newspaper classified ad, or even other online recruiting tools. There were detailed descriptions, employee testimonials, pictures, even videos of the facility. I would venture to guess that this employer will have no problem finding a qualified candidate to fill their opening, not to mention get some free advertising for their company.

Would this tactic work for our industry? I don’t see why not. It is no secret that the Baby Boomers are well on their way to retirement and unless managers start recruiting qualified candidates to fill those positions, facilities are going to be left in the dust, literally.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 4/29/2008

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As I was growing up, Earth Day was always surrounded by recycling efforts and experts encouraging you to plant a tree. Although both are still very important today, the focus of Earth Day has certainly evolved. Today, everywhere you look there is a push toward green building, green manufacturing and in our industry, green cleaning.

We have learned over the last couple years that cleaning has a very strong impact on the environment, which is why there has been such a push towards green and sustainable cleaning products and practices. Steve Ashkin recently reported that 1 billion pounds of janitorial equipment is disposed of each year, which is enough to fill 40,000 garbage trucks and clog our landfills. Also, the 4.5 billion pounds of janitorial paper products that are used require the cutting of approximately 25 million trees. And, most of the 8 billion pounds of cleaning chemicals used are made from nonrenewable natural resources such as petroleum.

Green cleaning has helped reduce these numbers, as well as contributed towards improved health and the environmental impact that the cleaning industry has on the earth.

In observance of this year’s Earth Day (April 22nd), I encourage cleaners to reassess their cleaning arsenal and evaluate the impact that cleaning has on this earth. Even the smallest of changes can contribute to the green cause. At the very least, beef up your recycling and plant a tree.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 4/21/2008

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The executive offices of Housekeeping Solutions are currently receiving a major facelift in the form of renovated cubicles, fresh coats of paint, new flooring and upgraded HVAC systems. The end result is going to be great, but in the interim, staff members have been displaced, forcing us to reevaluate emergency procedures.

The other day as construction was in full force, the fire alarm unexpectedly went off. Few people budged from their desks, assuming it was a false alarm. It was silenced shortly after it began, but as we sat here chatting about the annoyance, we quickly realized that if there were an emergency, no one would know what to do. One of our four emergency exits is blocked off and displaced workers were confused about the best evacuation plan. Acknowledging this, our management has implemented training for all employees on what steps to take in case of an emergency.

It is important for facility managers to continuously educate employees and building occupants of the best emergency and evacuation measures. Yearly education on the placement of fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation plans is essential, but if changes within the facility occur more frequently, refresher training should be conducted. It is time to assess your facility and talk to your staff to guarantee they are aware of emergency preparedness procedures.

Click here to review the steps necessary to successfully develop an emergency plan for your facility. Click here to listen as George Thomlison and Robb Gillis review the steps they took to develop a plan at the University of Alberta, Canada.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 4/15/2008

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Last weekend I found myself among the hundreds of people at the grocery store looking for snacks to stock the pantry. I don’t know who decided it, but it seems as though Sunday is the busiest day of the week to grocery shop. That is why I was so surprised to see the cleaning crew out in full force.

As I walked down one busy isle after another, I couldn’t help but notice a cleaner driving up and down the isles on a floor scrubber. Not only was she not going in any sort of pattern, she was moving at a pretty quick clip and narrowly avoiding store patrons. I had three major concerns with what I was seeing:

1. Throughout the store, the cleaner would do one line of cleaning here and another there, but certainly didn’t cover the entire floor. In fact, I watched on as she did only one swipe down each isle before moving on to the next. And during the hour that I was there, I never once saw her go back to address the obvious missed spots.

2. I noticed an obvious lack of safety concern. This cleaner was moving quickly up and down the isles, leaving wet floors trailing behind her. As I moved throughout the store, I never once noticed a “Wet Floor” sign warning shoppers and store employees to step lightly. Common sense would warn you to stay off the obvious wet floor, but you can’t guarantee people are always looking down and the slick surface was cause for concern.

3. As I stood there watching this cleaner, I couldn’t help but wonder why she chose this particular time to address such a large task. The store was littered with customers, which would make any cleaning task challenging, especially one like floor cleaning.

My advice, consider the traffic within the facility before cleaning begins. Had this cleaner done so, they would have done a more effective job in less time and they wouldn’t have jeopardized anyone’s safety.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 4/9/2008

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This time of year, I am bombarded with e-mails stressing the importance of spring cleaning. But, this yearly reminder not only results in a cleaner home or office, it offers the opportunity for the cleaner to truly stand out as the expert within the facility.

The month of April could easily be renamed to “National Cleaning Month,” according to industry consultants. Because cleaning is on everyone’s mind, there is no better time than now to educate building occupants on the reasons why we clean.

For instance, green is a topic that cleaning managers have been dealing with for years, but just recently has the issue hit mainstream media. Now is the time to stress why it is important to clean with green products, while using sustainable programs. Outline the benefits to doing so and how it will impact the daily life of building occupants.

Explain the importance of hand washing and proper hygiene while emphasizing its effectiveness against infections and bacteria such as MRSA (Methicillian-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Educating building occupants will emphasize why cleaning tasks are completed, as well as reinforce that the cleaner an expert in his/her field.

In addition to those spring cleaning tasks necessary within the facility, take this time to shine by educating your building occupants on why certain cleaning tasks must be completed.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 4/1/2008

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The other day I was a patron in a local fast food restaurant. While I was waiting for my order, a woman came in and asked the men behind the counter where the restroom was. They pointed out the door and explained that it was around the back of the building. The woman must not have had a favorable response because they quickly mentioned that plans were in place to bring it inside soon.

Once this woman left, the men continued talking saying, “We have to get those restrooms inside! People don’t like having to go outside on a cold winter day to use the restroom.”

I was intrigued, so I stopped in the restroom before I left. I was pleasantly surprised when I noticed that the facilities were immaculate. I suppose if you have to use an outside restroom, this is the one I would want to use. But why do so many people connect negative feelings with restrooms that have an outdoor entrance? I have a couple ideas.

First, this particular restroom was not locked. I would consider this a significant safety hazard, even in the affluent area where this restaurant resides. Second, I think a lot of people connect any outdoor restroom with the run-down and often unsanitary facilities found in gas station rest stops. And finally, people don’t like the inconvenience of having to challenge the elements (often harsh during winter in Wisconsin) just to use the restroom.

This particular facility is planning to move their restrooms indoors, but I would be interested in hearing how facility managers feel about outdoor restrooms. How does it impact maintenance? What feedback do you receive from building occupants or visitors? What arguments do you have for keeping restrooms outdoors vs. moving them inside?

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 3/25/2008

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I was recently fortunate enough to escape the cold, dismal weather that is Wisconsin and make my way to warmer climates. While at my hotel, I couldn’t help but notice the staff’s attention to detail. The housekeepers that worked in our room went above and beyond what was expected of them.

At times, my husband and I wondered if they monitored our movements because there was never a knock on the door from housekeeping, but regardless of the time we left the room, everything was back in order upon our return. Every evening, we were greeted with a bed that was turned down, a fresh flower on each pillow and a schedule of events and predicted weather for the next day.

This particular facility also practiced green initiatives and water and energy conservation. Only the used towels were collected for cleaning, air conditioning and lights were shut off during the day and drapes were drawn to keep the sun out and temperatures down.

As if that weren’t enough, just prior to checkout, we waited outside our building for our bags to be picked up. While outside, we had our first encounter with our housekeeper. Before she went inside to tend to the rooms, she stopped to chat, confirming that we enjoyed our trip.  She stayed there to keep us company until our car came to pick us up, wishing us bon voyage.

When singled out, these small actions are not out of the ordinary, but when combined together, they made for a very impressionable experience. I commend this staff for going above and beyond and encourage others to follow suit.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 3/18/2008

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It is true that the only constant in life is change, and weather in Wisconsin is no different. Last weekend we were elated to turn our clocks forward in hopes of a quick-approaching spring. Instead, we woke up to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. This latest weather system set records, ranking this winter as the fourth snowiest in the history of our city.

But, warmer days are imminent. In fact, just after we came in from shoveling, we heard a warning from the national insurance spokesperson advising building owners that as warmer days approach, floods are an ongoing threat.

Spring typically results in wet conditions, but with the amount of snow the northern states have received, cleaning managers should be prepared to address flood-type conditions. Now is the time to evaluate entryways, floor conditions and potential hazards if water is tracked in.

Reassess your entryway matting systems and work with the front-line workers to determine proper cleaning measures to keep floors dry and matting clean. Doing so will not only increase the safety of building occupants, but it will prevent water and outdoor contaminants from being tracked throughout your facility.

Also pay attention to parking lots and outdoor walkways to make sure standing water does not become a problem. Northern climates see thaw and refreeze conditions well into spring and slippery sidewalks need to be addressed regularly.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 3/11/2008

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In the weeks following New Years, athletic facilities across the country see a spike in registration and gyms become overcrowded, making cleaning and sanitizing difficult for cleaning departments. A recent Newsweek article offers consumers six steps to preventing the risk of spreading germs and bacteria, but cleaners can also use this list to help combat the spread of infections within their facility.

First on the consumer list was “cover any breaks in the skin.” Good advice. Cleaners can help by supplying band-aids in locker rooms and cleaning flooring and flat surfaces regularly. Doing so will kill bacteria before it is able to spread to other surfaces.

The second suggestion was “don’t go barefoot.” Educate staff to instruct gym patrons to wear flip-flops or water shoes while in the locker room. High temperatures found in showers, saunas, steam rooms, etc. contribute to the spread of germs and cleaners can’t always close down these areas to clean more than once a day.

“Use disinfectant.” The article recommends that users spray and wipe down machines and mats with cleaning disinfectant prior to and following use. Providing supplies to consumers will encourage use and make cleaning more manageable for workers.

Fourth on the list is “change your towels and clothes.” Facilities should provide fresh, clean towels on an ongoing basis and encourage patrons to take a new towel every time they enter the facility. To keep locker rooms clean, provide laundry bins to collect used towels.

Finally, “don’t share” and “keep your towel on.” MRSA is just one bacteria that is easily spread through the sharing of athletic items such as goggles, razors and even towels. Encourage guests to use their own equipment and cover up while in common areas. Towels or other cover-ups act as a barrier from germs that might reside on surfaces.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 3/3/2008

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It is important to make a practice of evaluating the working conditions throughout your facility. Often, cleaning managers have little control over pay, but that can be compensated with improved benefits, incentives and working conditions.

I recently spoke with one custodial manager at a large university in the Midwest about methods he uses to keep workers happy. He indicated that although the pay might not be at a desirable level, he offsets that by implementing incentive and recognition programs. The Employee Of The Month program in this facility drives the custodial crew. The winner receives a plaque and recognition in the university newsletter. The program has also opened communication between the staff and management.

This manager also makes sure to maintain strong working relationships with every member of his large staff and rewards those who demonstrate hard work. For instance, one employee asked to leave an hour early to take a child to the doctor. In many facilities, workers might be nervous to ask for the time off, but not in this case. The manager recognized that this worker goes above and beyond every day so he was happy to approve the time without any questions asked.

Acknowledging and rewarding workers, as well as creating a positive work environment, will go a long way with a cleaning staff.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 2/26/2008

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Sometimes actions speak louder than words. I hear from readers that they often have a difficult time getting what they need (increased budgets, more staff, etc.) from top facility management. Is management not getting the message, or are you having a hard time getting the message across?

If communicating broad strategies isn’t your strong suit, stick with what you are good at: cleaning. Demonstrate though your actions where the needs are and document the results. Communication skills, not withstanding, management often needs physical proof.

To identify the potential need for additional employees, start by documenting cleaning times. If the results are dismal, consider making temporary staffing changes to demonstrate how additional manpower would decrease cleaning times and increase efficiencies.

If increased budgets are the goal, monitor existing spending in a spreadsheet and compare it to the levels of cleaning expectations. Outline how improved or additional products would improve worker productivity and reduce spending in the long run.

Supply top facility managers with documentation on how to streamline the cleaning department. Communication skills aren’t always necessary when you have documented facts to present as your defense.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 2/20/2008

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A couple weeks back I blogged about an experience I had in a school gym where the custodian was sweeping the floor with a flat-mop wrapped in towels. When I wrote the piece, the thought of this method of cleaning blew me away. But, I was humbled by the overwhelming response of my readers.

Following my post, numerous cleaning managers weighed in with comments on how this is actually a very effective way of cleaning, and in fact, they implement similar cleaning practices within their facilities. These readers are obviously experts within their facility.

Cleaning managers must understand their facility, its needs, demands from upper management and effective methods of achieving the expected level of clean. Are you prepared to address concerns surrounding potential health outbreaks? Will your staff know what to do in an emergency? And do you know what cleaning methods work best for each area of the facility?

When problems arise, management will look to their custodial staff for solutions. Before they do, educate yourself on the expectations of management, solutions to problems before they become an issue and cleaning procedures that will get the job done (even if not everyone agrees with those procedures).

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 2/14/2008

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The Midwest was pummeled this week by the snowstorm of the decade. Schools and businesses closed, but there was little relief from the snow for cleaning managers who were left to dig out parking lots and sidewalks. Those who were ill-prepared found the removal of snow to be more difficult than necessary.

One school district in Southeast Wisconsin reportedly used the remainder of its ice melt after the last storm, leaving cleaning managers to make do with sand after this latest snowfall — dumping up to 20 inches in many places. The school was reported on the news and before he knew it, the cleaning manager was looking at multiple bags of donated ice melt. Thanks to the kindness of the people within his community, this manager’s job was easier and school occupants had a safe and clean walk into the building.

Late in the season, it can be difficult to obtain the products you need to effectively do your job. To prevent the potential of coming up short on supplies, facility managers should be prepared for what nature might bring.

That said, it is difficult to predict what the seasons will bring, but it never hurts to be overly prepared. Make note of your needs as this winter continues. Use that information when making your decision for supplies next winter. Then, start working with your distributor in the summer months to determine need and potential storage or delivery options. That will guarantee you have the supplies you need to address weather concerns. If you overestimated, that is less you have to buy for the next year, assuming you store it properly.

Click here to learn more about ice melt, its proper use and storage requirements.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 2/8/2008

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A family member of mine works in the construction trade. Recently, we got into a conversation about waterless urinals because the facility he is working on is incorporating them into their restrooms, but he didn’t agree with their choice. His concern was sanitation and the effectiveness of these fixtures.

I have found similar reaction from friends of mine who are simply uneducated on the benefits of waterless urinals. Their main concern is that the lack of flushing will result in sour smells and lingering odors, pipe problems and cleaning challenges.

Cleaners had similar concerns years ago, but since that time, managers have familiarized themselves with the benefits of waterless fixtures. For instance, cleaning managers have experienced substantial water and sewage savings with the implementation of waterless urinals. Some facilities have seen as much as a 66 percent reduction in water usage.

In addition to using less water, facilities have experienced reduced odors, compared to the flush counterparts. Bacteria requires moisture to grow, resulting in sour smells, but because these fixtures do not use water, bacteria is reduced and users experience less urine smells in the restroom. Waterless urinals are also touch-free, which means the spread of potential bacteria is less.

As cleaning crews become more educated on the benefits of these products, it might be time to educate, or demonstrate, the benefits to building occupants. Their approval is essential. After all, they are the people that need pleasing because they rate the facility based on cleanliness.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 2/5/2008

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Posted by Klaus Reichardt on 2/7/2008 2:39:20 PM

Hi Corinne, so glad to see your comment and you are right-like so many things and new products, waterless urinals invoke emotions and senses; the first 10 years were the hardest to get people to use them; by now so many 10's of thousands of urinals have been installed that they are in the market to stay, their value in regards to being a more hygienic fixture has come through and what concerns maintenance savings and water/sewer savings , the time and money saved speak for themselves. With the droughts around the country and the world, and water and sewer prices consistently rising, all we need now is to convince people that lawns do not need to be green and less daily water use at home and the office is not only ok but make sense to keep our quality of life. Cheers

Posted by Larry on 2/19/2008 2:47:36 PM

I like to think that most people want to do the right thing as far as protecting the health and safety of the people(customers)that are in the buildings we clean. www.fagansupply.com took on the distribution of the waterless urinals several years ago,but it sure has been slow going. Your comments are all right on target. It is change and the misconseption of the odor because the urine is not flushed that has people apprehensive to the change. actually the waterless urinals that are sold from www.fagansupply.com must be sold with a training program ,because the cleaning process is different than what most houskeeping departments are used to. No matter the discomfort we have towards change it IS the right thing to do

At a time when MRSA and other health outbreaks are on the rise, why would it make sense for restroom soap dispensers to be dry? This question was running through my head as I attempted to wash my hands after using the restroom during a recent visit to a high school.

After exiting the stall, I immediately went to the sink to wash my hands. Looking for soap, I tried every dispenser I could find, to no avail. A student from the school must have seen the frustration on my face when she commented that the dispensers in this particular restroom hadn’t been filled since she became a student there four years earlier. The only soap available could be found in the one dispenser by the handicap sink. What?!

Reports indicate that MRSA and other infectious diseases can be combated through the promotion of hand washing. Why were these dispensers purposely left empty? The student indicated that kids use to tamper with them and spill liquid soap on the floors, or fill them with bubbles as a joke. After so long, it was assumed that the school just gave up and left them empty.

I cant help but wonder who is being punished in this situation. Sure, kids are no longer tampering with the dispensers, but cleaners are also not doing their best to combat the spread of infectious diseases that could be eliminated.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 1/30/2008

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I stopped to use the restroom while shopping at a popular retail store the other day. Once inside the stall, I quickly noticed an additional dispenser on the wall. It is standard to find the multi-roll toilet tissue dispenser, trash can and the occasional toilet seat cover dispenser, but this was something I had never seen before. Upon inspection, I realized it was a liquid seat sanitizer dispenser.

This was a relatively new product for me. I saw one at ISSA in October, but I have never seen one in use within a facility. It had directions: Grab some toilet paper and hold it under the dispenser to collect the disinfectant; then use that to wipe the seat before sitting down. I was excited to test it out and I have to admit, it made me feel better knowing it the seat was clean.

I only had one complaint. Placement. It was mounted on the stall wall next to the toilet paper dispenser. This is logical because both are necessary for effective use, but it was obvious that the additional dispenser was crowding the already limited space. In fact, the door hardly missed hitting it when opening and closing. Additionally, spillage from this dispenser could cause a very serious slip and fall hazard as patrons enter and exit the stall.

In facilities where I have seen other solutions to dirty toilet seats (i.e. seat covers, wiping cloths), dispensers were located above toilet tissue on the stall wall, on the back of the stall door, or even behind the toilet itself. I think any of these would be a better alternative in this particular facility.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 1/22/2008

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Posted by Robert Price on 2/1/2008 9:02:42 AM

I am looking for some of these for work. Do you know who the manufacturer was?

Posted by Corinne Zudonyi on 2/4/2008 2:48:53 PM

I don't recall the specific manufacturer of this particular dispenser, but you can find specific product information regarding toilet seat sanitizers by searching for "toilet sanitizer" on www.cleanhound.com.

Have you ever pulled out your vacuum cleaner and wondered how it could influence aspects of your life…other than cleaning? One clothing designer did. In fact, he disassembled his vacuum to examine every component and then copied the design to create witty pieces of clothing that interacted with wind.

The Issey Miyake team in Paris hung vacuum cleaner tubes over the runway for decoration as models strutted around in outfits that consisted of nozzles, rubber connecting rings and extendable tubes as sleeves, belts or pockets. There was also a wind tunnel effect as the models showed off the different designs.

This is certainly the first time I have ever heard a piece of cleaning equipment influence clothing designer, but then again, some make a habit of designing wedding dresses out of toilet paper. I guess anything is possible.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 1/17/2008

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I have seen some crazy cleaning techniques, but one specific example stands out to take the cake. Cleaning managers can train staff on proper cleaning techniques until they are blue in the face, but aside from shadowing them on-the-job, how do you know whether they are actually implementing those techniques?

While attending a high school basketball game last week, I watched during halftime as the custodian walked up and down the hardwood court with his flat mop clearing dust and dirt off the floor. What shocked me was the tool he was using. The mop had what could only be described as beach towels wrapped around it, covering the pad that is specially designed for such a task. So in reality, he was sweeping with beach towels.

I later located the flat mop in the hall and it appeared to be in fine working order, dusting pad in tact. The towels were tied up in a bag for what I could only assume was laundering. I attempted to track down this custodian for answers, but to no avail.

As I watched the remainder of the game, I couldn’t help but wonder about the custodian’s cleaning technique. Whatever he had done, I don’t think it worked because the players were slipping and sliding all over the court.

Now I am sure that the custodial manager in this facility didn’t train the workers to use this particular technique. I can’t, for the life of me, imagine why anyone would find this to be an effective way of dusting a gym floor.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 1/10/2008

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Posted by Keith on 1/10/2008 10:34:35 AM

Years ago we used to use what were called Kex cloths. These were treated Maslin cloths or tubes used with a bristled sweeping tool. This system produced superior results as opposed to dust mopping. The system is not used today as most facilities are carpeted; uniform companies rented the product. They were not inexpensive. We also used to use towels on a squeegee blade to wet windows before t-bars.

Posted by Dee on 1/14/2008 3:40:30 PM

We use this method for in-between game clean up. You moisten the towels, and it's amazing on what it will pick up.

Posted by Bob Gilgunn on 1/15/2008 9:17:03 AM

The towel method is a hold over from actual gymnasium floor cleaning. The "ONLY" approved method for many gym floor coatings is to use an industrial alchohal. When we refinish gym floors we utilize a squeege and 54 inch white towel with a product called "Squeaky Clean" from a company called "Basic Coatings". This tacks all dust and dirt off the floor. This chemical is dangerous and requires the use of eye protection and rubber gloves. This is the only approved method to thoroughly clean gym floors and is the method utilized to clean most NBA floor surfaces. I've included two links for this product. home use http://www.basiccoatings.com/images/PDFs/SqueakyFloorCareIntroSheet.pdf gym use http://www.basiccoatings.com/asp/contractors/prod_squeaky.asp Many cleaners believe the towel cleaning method of gym floors is more economical and does a more thorough job than a highly used dust mop. Also, many gym operators/managers have large industrial strength washing machines already and can budget the cost of the towels and related laundering labor less expensive than the microfiber technology. Regards, Bob

Posted by Sam Haulk on 1/17/2008 10:29:55 AM

If this was a High School game the towels were probaly soaked in "Squeaky" or another gym tack product. These products are good at collecting dust,and drying quickly. The towel around the dust mop method is the cheep fix that works for most public schools budgets. Sam

Posted by Ed on 1/18/2008 5:31:11 PM

If you've ever laundered dust mops you would realize the problem with all the dirt, dust and lint. We now use disposable dust strips. One account with dance floors we use a wet towel on a floor squeegee for final pickup after wet mopping.

Posted by Alyson on 2/3/2008 11:40:04 AM

I would bet that, yes, the custodian was taught to clean the floors with towels. Towels are much easier to clean and maintain than those fuzzy, knotted broom heads they are also much easier to put on the broom and remove. I was the equipment manager of my college volleyball team and we wrapped towels around the big push brooms all the time. Towels also tend to absorb more water than the broom heads.

Posted by Swivel Sweeper on 3/8/2008 3:50:45 PM

Towel sweeping is a great tip. I've been using swivel sweeper and it has been great too.

Posted by Dustin Bell on 3/13/2008 9:05:04 AM

Players sweat a lot during the game, and sweat on a gym floor is very slippery. I don't think he was sweeping with towels to "clean" the floor; I think he was drying it.

Industry experts are watching Europe for trends that will soon impact the cleaning mission back home. What they are finding is that both good and bad traits are making their way back to the states.

Seems as though there are companies in China and far Eastern Europe that make a business of duplicating cleaning products down to the smallest detail — including manufacturer logos and other identifying marks — but use inferior materials. End-users only notice the fake once they start to have problems with the product. Cleaning managers should work with their distributor to make sure they don’t get stuck with fake, or imposter, products.

It is important to also keep in mind, though, that not all that which comes from China and various European countries is bad. There have been many innovations that have positively impacted the cleaning industry here in the states.

Housekeeping Solutions’ article titled “A World of Difference” focused on product innovations, best practices, training advancements and the overall “Euro-Edge” that helps lead the trends for the U.S. cleaning industry.

Experts estimate that the cleaning trends in Europe are at least five years ahead of those here in the states. We can certainly learn from their achievements, as well as their mistakes, to help develop the industry back home.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 1/2/2008

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Last year, my New Years festivities included a ticket for one of the biggest bashes in Chicago. Raising money for charity, the event attracted more than 5,000 people. Located in a banquet hall at a popular downtown hotel, the crowd was quick to go through drinks and expressed little interest in maintaining a tidy environment.

After midnight, the crowd thinned out quite a bit. Once the party wound down, it was difficult not to notice the disarray of the facility. Plastic cups, streamers, confetti, hats and noisemakers littered the ballroom floor. In the hall, restroom doors concealed flooded floors and soiled trash as clogged toilets continued to overflow and cleaning crews scrambled to fix them. The destruction was unbelievable.

I couldn’t help but think of the cleaning crew who would have to work all night getting that room and its surrounding area back up to par. This year, I look forward to a nice quite night at home with a couple close friends. But my thoughts are with the cleaning and maintenance departments at hotels across the country as they do everything in their power to keep their facilities in order while entertaining and accommodating thousands of partygoers.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 12/27/2007

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It never fails that during this time of year nearly every conversation starts out with, “What are you doing for the holiday?” Depending on who you talk to, responses can vary. But, if you talk to people in the cleaning department, you will most likely hear “working.”

This is the busy season for cleaners across the country. Regardless of the type of facility, the holidays mean empty buildings, which is when cleaners can do their best work. It is also a time when managers can examine their facility and the needs it represents. A new budget year is near. Start putting together your cleaning wish list.

In addition to the list, emphasize the purpose for your request and justify its need. Management will look for this when considering your request. Pay special attention to expected updates for the facility in 2008. Anticipate the cleaning needs the update will represent and be prepared by adding the essentials to your wish list.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 12/20/2007

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For some, the end of the year is a time to reflect on what has been accomplished, and in some cases, neglected. For me, it means the opportunity to look forward and start planning for a new year. Of course, to do so, I do have to evaluate what worked in 2007 and what didn’t. Then I must plan accordingly and adjust my programs to guarantee that next year will be even better.

Cleaning managers should take similar steps when planning for the future. Evaluate what programs worked for your department over the last year and consider adjustments for programs that have room for improvement.

Also look at training of employees and purchasing possibilities. If you are exploring purchasing new equipment or implementing cleaning programs, make sure to set aside proper training dollars for your staff. You will need it. Same goes for travel. If you are sending employees to trade shows or training sessions, allow for that when asking for budget dollars.

This is also the time to evaluate levels of clean. Many departments are being asked to clean more square feet with the same amount of people. Figure out the best cleaning times for each task and communicate to management what they can expect from your team in 2008.

Whether you take these steps, or come up with a whole new set of your own, now is the time to plan for the upcoming year. Cleaning departments get a fresh slate in 2008 and it is always in your best interest to take full advantage of the opportunities that accompany a fresh start.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 12/12/2007

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In conversations with a reader last week I was asked whether we had a list of safety and health tips surrounding decorating within schools, hotels and other facilities that spruce up their entryways/lobbies for the holidays. The following is a comprehensive list of tips cleaning managers can follow when decorating their facility.

• Holiday Trees — If using an artificial tree, make sure it has a “fire resistant” label. If using a real tree, be sure to keep it watered so it doesn’t get dry and become a potential fire hazard. Also, it is always smart to keep all trees away from heat sources.

• Lighting — Do not use electric lights on metallic trees and make sure any lights that are used outdoors are certified for such use. Also examine lighting for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections before using them. Finally, make a habit of turning all lights off at the end of the workday. Pay special attention to electrical outlets to make sure they are not overloaded. Also make sure electrical wires are in working order and out of the way of building occupants.

• Set-up —When displaying decorations, consider the building occupants. If decorating a school, for instance, make sure decorations are not harmful to children. Many facilities use holiday plants to decorate their facility, but these can often be harmful or poisonous to children, if ingested. Pay special attention to keeping such items out of the reach of building occupants.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 12/7/2007

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In the news this morning, yet another school in the U.S. is reportedly closing its doors to increase cleaning efforts following a health outbreak. The spread of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) has closed the doors of countless facilities in recent months, but some argue that closing facility doors to address cleaning isn’t necessary.

Before cleaning managers can combat an outbreak, they first need to understand what MRSA is, how it can make its way into a facility and how they can prevent/treat an outbreak.

MRSA is a type of staph infection that often results in skin infections or rashes that resemble spider bites or rug burns. This infection is easily transmitted and is often spread just like any other virus, making it difficult to combat. Those infected often get it from touching common surfaces such as doorknobs, elevator buttons or light switches or the shared use of sports equipment, bar soaps or towels.

That said, closing facility doors for cleaning isn’t always necessary. In fact, many cleaning managers have commented in reports that it was only necessary to communicate that the facility was taking action to fight against outbreaks.

The best way to prevent the spread of MRSA is to encourage people to wash their hands with warm water and soap. Facilities can supply hand sanitizers when water is not available and supply individual personal items (bar soaps, towels, etc.) when necessary. Finally, in addition to regular cleaning tasks cleaning crews should focus their attention on disinfecting shared spaces such as desks, keyboards, phones, light switches, door knobs, etc.

Watch for CleanLink to cover MRSA and similar topics impacting the industry.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 12/3/2007

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Posted by Louis Wolford on 1/15/2008 1:19:05 PM

I am the Director of Buildings and Grounds at a small school in central Indiana. We went through the MRSA scare with two known students having the infection and I worked closely with the administration and the school nurse to educate the students, staff and parents as to what the infection was and how to treat it and what the custodial staff were doing about it. I gathered cleaning agents that were rated for MRSA in the MSDS sheets and we heard nothing from the public. No complaints, no comments, nothing. I guess the secret to alot of this is comunication with all parties. Be transparent and back-up what you tell them.

According to multiple sources, workers in the cleaning profession are more prone to injuries. In fact, cleaning ranks fifth on the list of professions reporting the most accidents. For this reason, most cleaning managers should do everything in their power to prevent accidents within their department. Well, OSHA (the Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has taken safety one step further by forcing employers to pay better attention to safety.

OSHA now requires that all employers pay for personal protective safety equipment for their workers. According to reports, “the rule makes clear that employers must pay for hard hats, goggles, face shields, chemical resistant suits, and other required safety equipment.” Two obvious requirements missing from the list include safety shoes and prescription safety glasses that can be worn off the job.

To date, many cleaning employees were required to supply their own safety garb, which unfortunately often resulted in the lack of safety gear and increased accidents. When passed, the OSHA rule will enforce the importance of safety in the workplace and hopefully result in the prevention of countless injuries to cleaning workers every year. But, what impact will this new ruling have on departmental budgets? On-the-job accidents should be reduced, but initial safety expenses will increase. This is a major concern for many cleaning departments who have already stretched budgets too thin.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 11/26/2007

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At my house, the women do all the cooking for the big Thanksgiving feast. We get all the glory that comes with wrestling with Father Time on when to start the turkey and all the fixings to make sure it’s all done on time. When everything is perfect and tummies are full, we get the praise. Then we retreat to the couch so the men can clean up the kitchen — a truly thankless job, but one they willingly do without any complaint. After all, that’s how cleaners work.

In my time on Housekeeping Solutions, I have met with some of the most warm and kind people I have ever encountered. People who wake up every morning and go to a job that often goes unnoticed — until something goes wrong — and are rarely thanked for their dedication and hard work.

Even if it isn’t said enough, your dedication and thoroughness is truly appreciated by building occupants and facility managers alike. When a “good job,” “well done,” or the rare “thank you” comes your way, don’t be humble. Accept the complement and recognize that the work you do is valued.

I have made a conscious effort to thank our men for cleaning up our Thanksgiving mess, but on the rare occasion that I don’t, I hope they know that their contribution is truly valued.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 11/21/2007

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Back in August I blogged about a very interesting contest that was different than anything I had ever seen before. At the time, I was in full wedding mode and few conversations focused on anything other than flowers, photos, DJ’s and of course, dresses. This contest was no different.

The contest, put on by Cheap Chic Weddings, encouraged contestants to design and produce wedding dresses out of nothing more than toilet paper and tape. I was amazed at the designs that people could come up with using basic toilet tissue.

In my August blog, I featured the 2006 winners. Just released, though, are the 2007 Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest Winners. These winners took this contest to a whole new level. Click here to view some of the breathtaking designs that were awarded recognition.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 11/16/2007

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Consumers should educate themselves on “green” products and manufacturers that are suspected of “green washing.” Be skeptical of what is printed on product packages and at the very least, educate yourself on the terminology associated with green.

In some cases, consumers might see terms such as “earth-friendly,” “eco-safe,” “organic” or “100% organic.” According to reports from the Chicago Tribune, consumers should be more skeptical of a product that has vague and simple messages. A label that says “organic,” for example, actually only has 95 percent organic ingredients, where as products that are 100 percent organic receive that label. Products claiming to be “earth-friendly” or “eco-safe” might meet only the minimum requirements to make the claim.

Aside from these general statements of green, consumers can typically trust that green certification claims are true. There are strict fines for companies who misuse certifying logos on their products. However, if you suspect a product, simply contact that certification and verify. Green Seal is just one organization that lists its certified products on its Web site and EcoLogo lists a fraud advisory for consumers.

To help consumers keep everything straight, the Federal Trade Commission has put together an Energy & Environment Web site that breaks down the requirements for green. In general, though, if you suspect a product of a false claim, contact the manufacturer for more information.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 11/12/2007

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If you haven’t yet jumped on the green bandwagon, don’t fret. There is still room to come on board. While I was at ISSA last week, it was obvious that green and sustainable issues are here to stay. Everywhere you looked, manufacturers were promoting their goal to help cleaning managers go green.

As it seems, the message was not left on the trade show floor. Attendees brought what they learned at the show home to put it into action. Since I got back, I have received multiple questions from readers about articles we have done regarding how to implement sustainable initiatives into their programs.

I have also noticed a strong push towards green outside the industry. Primetime television recently launched an advertising campaign promoting sustainable earth. Next week, all television programs (on one network at least) will focus on green initiatives, such as using less energy during their production.

As mainstream media educates consumers about the benefits of green, cleaners will eventually feel the pressure from the general public to use sustainable cleaning products and practices.

This is a trend that is here to stay. If you aren’t already on board, it is time to get in line.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 11/1/2007

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This week I had the pleasure of joining hundreds of cleaning industry professionals while attending the educational sessions at ISSA/INTERCLEAN in Orlando, Fla. Show attendees found a plethora of session topics that spread the gammon in regards to management, training, green and certification, to name a few. I found that every session that I was able to peek my head into were more than beneficial as a learning tool, networking benefit or educational update.

One session that I attended truly stood out as a benefit - the Women's Forum, lead by Bonnie St. John, a Silver Medal-winning Paralympic skier. As a young girl, she was forced to have her leg amputated and was challenged with a task of overcoming her disability to later become an Olympic medalist.

In this session, those who attended (yes, there were a few men in attendance) walked away with an inspirational goal and encouragement for both their personal and professional life. We spent time talking with other attendees about challenges within our business, tools we use to motivate our employees, small steps that go a long way with employees/building occupants/supervisors, and most of all, what we want from ourselves for our personal lives as well as our professional lives.

I had the pleasure of speaking with a number of my readers about these topics and I can honestly say that I learned a great deal. The session forced me to think a lot about myself, but it also allowed me to step into the shoes of my reader and gain a better understanding of their business and their challenges. It also allowed me the opportunity to speak one-on-one with my reader about their business and their aspirations for the future.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 10/25/2007

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Look past the here and now, and focus on what is to come. For those of us in the northern part of the country, that means snow, sleet, rain and slush — the joys of the winter season. Is your department prepared for the winter weather? Now is the time to get ready. The last thing you want is to be stuck the morning after a big storm without any salt or a program in place to clear the area.

Distributors recommend that in-house cleaning managers set up a plan for the winter weather months before the first snowfall. Doing so will guarantee that departments have the supplies they need to get through the season.

Last winter resulted in record snowfalls in many areas of the country and distributors found themselves with limited ice melt supplies late in the season. Those facilities that set up plans in advance had the supplies they needed, but others were left with nothing.

Click here for tips on safety, proper use, etc.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 10/17/2007

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Traditionally, graffiti on the side of a building is often an unwelcomed statement or drawing and most cleaning managers are quickly tasked with the job of removing it. Restrooms are infamous for hosting the thoughts and feelings of visitors and although most facilities shun such comments, some embrace it.

While on a recent trip, I visited a restaurant that not only condones graffiti, they welcomed it by providing Sharpies on the tables. Some of the comments written in our area were funny, but others were quite offensive and not necessarily suitable for the family environment they promoted.

Intrigued, I asked the waiter what the deal was. He said that the owners were tired of cleaning it off, so they just let it go. Over time, it was reported by local newspapers that the graffiti actually gave the establishment “character.”

In a trendy restaurant, this might be the case, but few cleaning managers tolerate graffiti within the facility. One reader commented that the appearance of graffiti communicates a negative perception of him, his department and his facility. I would have to agree.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 10/12/2007

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While on a recent trip, I found myself on a layover at the St. Louis airport. With hours of waiting ahead of me and little to pass the time, I decided to stretch my legs and walk the terminal. It was late in the evening and little was going on, but I did come across a group of custodians prepping for a nights work.

Assuming they had work to do, I walked past with only a “hello.” Just then, the associate I was traveling with commented to me that he wished he knew where he could find a vending machine. Overhearing our conversation, one of the custodians responded with a warm smile and a welcomed answer.

Assuming this was an invitation to start a conversation, we paused to talk with this very warm woman. Turns out she had been working in the airport for 10 years and knew the in’s and out’s of every terminal and was happy to give us more than enough options of where we could go to pass the time, what terminals had the best food and even which restrooms would give us the most privacy.

The fact that this woman had all these suggestions was of no surprise to me. Who better to ask for information than the person who has spent 8-hours a day cleaning every inch of a facility for the last 10 years?

I am told that custodians often hide in the shadows, but it is a pleasant surprise to see one come out into the light to shine, even if just for a moment.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 10/9/2007

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I often hear readers talk about the challenges they have confronting their supervisors, whether it be to address a concern, discuss an evaluation or pitch a new procedure. It is essential that cleaning managers embrace this challenge and master effective ways to communicate — if not for themselves and their department, open communication can fend off the contractors knocking down the door. Here are few points to consider:

• Make sure to communicate in a way that is both understood and intelligent when addressing supervisors and CEO’s. In other words, if your supervisor prefers to address concerns via e-mail, effectively state your point electronically. This can work to your benefit because it is literally spelled out and documented with the date and time, as well as who received the correspondence. Be cautious, though, sometimes e-mail can be unreliable and you cannot assume that all messages have made it to every respondent. Be sure to follow up.

• Talk the talk. Make sure you understand what is important to your supervisors before attempting to address a concern. I agreed with Gary DeSanis when he posted in an earlier comment that it is important to present proposals in jargon that is understood by superiors. He suggested talking “costs per ‘Occupied Bed’ or savings per ‘Student Day,’ which are common metrics we should be familiar with as they apply to our facilities. In addition to allowing us to communicate with our supervisors, they provide quantifiable and reasonable benchmarks for the management of our departments.”

• Finally, understand the needs and capabilities within the cleaning department. Know what is currently being done verses what employees are capable of. Always be on the lookout for new ways to effectively complete a task. Doing so will keep you one step ahead of a contractor who is itching to take over the department.

For more information on fighting outsourcing, click here.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 10/4/2007

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The other day I had the opportunity to sit down with a consultant who works directly with facility managers to discuss cleaning. I was attending the facility-focused trade show, Facilities Midwest, and this consultant was presenting one of the educational sessions. His talk was about best practices within a facility (i.e. Improving IAQ and reducing both energy and tenant complaints). Before he began his presentation, he asked the 50 or more session attendees which of them had ever heard of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Six raised their hands.

I was floored by this number so in discussions after his presentation, I rattled off question after question as to why he thought facility managers might not know what LEED was. This consultant, a representative from the U.S. Green Building Council, had few answers and was amazed that the number was so low. Our only assumption was that these facility managers had actually heard of LEED, but were not aware of the specifics, nor were they focused on it as an option for their facility.

It has been a couple days now and I still cannot fathom how anyone in this industry could have dodged the LEED bullet to stay in the dark for so long. Green has become a major part of the industry and those who don’t educate themselves and their department will quickly find their facility lagging behind.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 9/26/2007

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Instead of focusing employee training on what and how, take a step back and turn your attention to the why. Although it is essential to train the cleaning crew on how a machine works, or what the safety protocols are, managers rarely focus on why it is important to follow procedure or why tasks are done a certain way.

Educating employees on “why” procedures must be followed will open up communication between management and the department. In addition to improved communication, statistics show that employees who understand why protocols are enforced are more likely to adhere to the rules.

For instance, one regulation from the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration says that workers should wear protective gloves, masks, etc. when handling blood or contaminated liquids. Cleaners are taught how to clean these spills up and what to do with the used cloths, but until workers understand the why, they might not take these protocols serious. Once they know that protecting themselves from these spills can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and other bloodborne pathogens, they might get more serious about following regulations.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 9/21/2007

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Sometimes, even the most well planned events can go awry. I learned that first hand when Hurricane Dean forced my husband and I to change our honeymoon plans just 12 hours before departure. Desperate to get away for a couple days, we hopped a flight to the city that never sleeps.

While in Las Vegas and sitting at a slot machine, I couldn’t help but think about how many other people have touched that “spin” button and, better yet, when was the last time it was cleaned? I learned the answer to my question as I was walking through the casino in the early morning hours and noticed that the cleaning crew was out in full force. I counted 14 employees, but assumed there were more in areas beyond my view.

These very dedicated cleaners went straight to work like a well-oiled machine. Considerate of the heavy traffic in the casino, they roped off only the areas where they were working and were quick about progressing on.

While some paid special attention to the floors, a number of workers — microfiber cloth in hand — walked from slot machine to slot machine wiping own every touchable surface.

In a quick conversation with one cleaner, I was impressed to learn that they do this every night and they make a competition out of it. Each person pitches in a dollar at the start of the month. From that pot, one dollar is awarded to whoever does the best job in the least amount of time each night. The winner then puts that dollar in the “Jackpot Slot” for a chance at the grand prize. (To date, the biggest winnings went to a veteran at the hotel who took home $30.)

I couldn’t have been more impressed with the attention to detail these cleaners practiced and the obvious camaraderie and pride in their work was inspiring.

Posted by: Corinne Zudonyi | Date posted: 9/13/2007

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I consider myself a careful person, but as I was grocery shopping the other day I got careless. I wasn’t paying attention to the floor below me and the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back. As I laid there, I had a front row view of not only suds, but standing water.

Embarrassed, I quickly jumped to my feet, as if nothing had happened. Before I could say a word, though, a store employee sped around the corner and quickly found herself on the floor as well. I helped her up, but she wasn’t nearly as calm as I had been. She immediately called out to the young employee who I could only assume was responsible for cleaning the floors.

Both of us were standing there with water dripping down our arms and this employee had the nerve to ask what the problem was. Not only did this employee use far too much water, he must have added half a gallon of soap to the water, too. As if that weren’t bad enough, I scanned the area and did not find one sign indicating t