Category Archives: “Green” Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products

"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, Cutting Edge Cleaning Technologies and Ideas, Green Cleaning, Healthy Cleaning

Engineered Water – Part One

Engineered Water in Cleaning – Part One

Water is unquestionably the “Universal Solvent” and as such, every Technician should appreciate that water is essential to any cleaning process where a liquid is involved. This understanding allows the cleaning team to solve cleaning problems in the most effective, and most environmentally-safe, manner.

Engineered Water (EW) – “Water engineered to meet the performance requirements of professional cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting, with long-term value and green factors as the key uptake and ethical drivers, and On Site Generation (OSG) as a common denominator,” as defined by the Engineered Water Consortium.

Water

Water, what is it?  Why isn’t water on the periodic table of elements? The periodic table only includes individual chemical elements. Water is not found on the periodic table because it does not consist of a single element.

Water is a molecule of bonded hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The smallest particle of water moleculewater is a water molecule, which is made of two atoms of hydrogen bonded to one atom of oxygen. Its formula is H2O and it can be broken down into its components, so it is not an element. Water is made of 3 atoms.  Two are hydrogen, and one is oxygen.

Complicated?  Not really, as changes to water can improve its cleaning power and ability. Water is the foundation of cleaning in nearly every cleaning product.

This subject is complicated and thus is why it is important that you understand the complexities of the base liquid product you are using in your liquid cleaning programs.

Learn more on this subject in Part 2 – The Power of Water

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts

Ban the Sprayer – They Don’t Work Anyway

Have you ever found a trigger sprayer that lasted the way you wanted, worked the way you wanted and was economical?  So I say, ban the trigger sprayer and don’t use them. Why continue to waste money on something that doesn’t work?

Now, there are other reasons I say this and top on the list is that trigger sprayers take cleaning solutions and aerosolized them to a point that the Technician is then inhaling the toxicity of the product being used.

I realize that there might not be a great amount of exposures at a time, however, immediate exposures to toxic products over a long period of time, result in chronic issues for frontline staff members. In an industry which promotes, “Spray and Wipe”, I implore you to “Ban the Sprayer” and replace it with a FLIP TOP.

fliptopJasonMoore

Oh, and if you are one of the operations who is continually purchasing triggers sprayers only to have them leak, fall apart or just plain quit working, the FLIP TOP will continue to work as long as the bottle it is put on.  Why spend budget dollars on something which doesn’t work, wastes product and can harm health?

Here is a situation which happened to Darrel Hicks when he was managing an Environmental Services staff at a hospital where he put in 34 years as the head of the department.

My facility had a visit from an OSHA Inspector in June of 1998. In the course of the inspection, the OSHA inspector mentioned to me about spray-triggers creating an atomized mist of the disinfectant that was being inhaled into the lungs of my staff. He asked me, “Are you aware that it is an occupational hazard for housekeepers to be breathing disinfectants or other cleaning chemicals into their lungs?” I replied, “Yes, I have read about that happening but it is a rather small population of housekeepers that have developed chronic lung diseases.” That’s when he pointed to the “FREE FROM RECOGNIZED HAZARDS that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees” in the General Duty Clause.

As I and my facility learned the hard way, the General Duty Clause states: “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” This particular OSHA Inspector interpreted this to include the use of disinfectants in particular when they are being sprayed.

During my ISSA Master Green Technician certification class last week, one of my students was so taken by this simple change that he wanted to make note of it on my weekly LIVE broadcast, Beyond Clean With Dave. Check out what Jason Moore has to say on the subject at the 4 minute mark of this broadcast.

While you or your operation may never see an OSHA inspector or have a fine levied against you, there are more reasons to BAN THE SPRAYER than to keep them.  If you really want to send a message to your staff that management is concerned about their health, start by making this simple, economical and proactive change today.

Start making those changes; make them healthy, positive and proactive.

Remember my mantra, “I am a Janitor and I Save Lives”.

Have comment or want to be on my show, message me;  [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

 

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts, Green Cleaning, Healthy Cleaning, Matting, Microfiber, VCT Hard Floor Care

Academy of Cleaning Excellence – Expert Class

Today’s Floor Care Expert Class Location – Lakeland, FL.

  • What can save my operation 40% of the normal floor finish I use to maintain VCT floors?
  • What can help keep 90% of dry soil from my polished floor surfaces?
  • How much should I invest to make more profit on my floor care services?

Samuel Sr. and his son Sam, said that they invested in this day of education to learn how to make more money for the work they do.  Sam said that he has not spent this much time sitting, not working and so happy to do so, that he will be coming to other A.C.E. Academy of Cleaning Excellence classes in 2017.

Both men walked out with their new certificates and smiles on their faces with answers to questions they didn’t even know they were going to ask.

  • What do you want to learn?
  • Come to a class and ask your questions.  You can’t get an answer any other way.

Choose from our weekly LIVE classes here.

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts, Carpet Care, Healthy Cleaning

Become a Certified Carpet Care Expert

January 24th is the date for our first Carpet Care class in the newly refurbished, A.C.E. Academy of Cleaning Excellence, inside the Orlando location of GEM Supply.  Class starts at 9 am and runs till 4 pm.

Students need to bring their laptop or smart device to use during the class.

 Lunch and WiFi are provided.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET 
carpet-care-banner-smallWho will benefit:

  • Property Managers
  • Building Service Contractors
  • Housekeepers

Benefits of Attending:

  1. Extending the Life of your Soft Floor Assets
  2. Reducing Maintenance Costs
  3. Increasing Appearance Level
  4. Improving Indoor Air Quality
  5. ACE Certification Upon Completion

If you have any questions, just ask Dave via the form below. [contact-form][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Website’ type=’url’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts, Microfiber, VCT Hard Floor Care

UNDERSTANDING MICROFIBER – FREE CLASS

Have you used a mop bucket that actually works?  Or does your mopping tools just spread dirty water?  Have you ever been informed on what Microfiber is so that you can make an intelligent decision when you purchase these tools?

When you sign up for this FREE class you can say YES

Here is your chance to learn for about Microfiber, what it is and how it works in regards to the cleaning industry.  The first 20 people to sign up get the FREE seats.  Everyone after that pays $30.

Come and be some of the first people to enjoy the newly remodeled A.C.E. Learning Center in Orlando.  Refreshments will be served.  Bring your Smart Device. Wifi is provided.microfiber-tube-mop

Register now for this FREE session in January

Here is a list of the topics we will cover in the class.

  • What is Microfiber?
  • Processed or Unprocessed
  • Types of Microfiber
  • Care of Microfiber
  • Microfiber and Germs
  • Measuring Cleaning Effectiveness
  • Green and Healthy Processes

“To Say that a Building is Clean does NOT mean it is Healthy,

but if a Building is Healthy, it is CLEAN.”

Have you ever seen an ATP Meter and Swabs used to verify your cleaning results?  If you are in this class, you will!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the latest in healthy, positive and proactive methodologies for the cleaning industry.

Your instructor is David Thompson, host of “Beyond Clean with Dave” on the A.C.E. Network.

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts, Carpet Care, Matting

A.C.E. Carpet Care Expert Class – Lakeland, FL

This past week, two individuals earned their A.C.E. Carpet Care Expert buttons during a class at our Lakeland, FL. Learning Center.

Expedita Bernal, who is only 6 months into owning her new cleaning services and Kathie Dube, a veteran of the cleaning industry, learned about Healthy, Positive and Progressive attributes of soft floor care in the 21st Century.

img_0132 img_0133 img_0134Be sure to check the A.C.E. Education Schedule for 2017 to find a class on the subject you would like to attend.

Class Instructors: Angel Cruz and David Thompson

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products, A.C.E. Experts, Carpet Care, Green Cleaning, Healthy Cleaning, Microfiber, VCT Hard Floor Care

A.C.E. EDUCATION SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2017

On January 6th, 2017 we are proud to launch the first of several media events on the A.C.E. Network.  ” Beyond Clean with Dave” will air each Friday afternoon at 1 pm Eastern from our studio in the A.C.E. Learning Center, Orlando, FL.

This weekly LIVE broadcast via YouTube, is 15 minutes of conversation with experts from around the world who focus on Healthy, Positive and Proactive practices and products. Be sure to mark this on you calendar and tune in on this YouTube Channel.

Regional Live Classes in Central Florida

January 10, 9am -4pm, A.C.E. Hard Floor Care Certification Course with Hands On-Time, Bilingual, Lakeland, FL  See Information and Purchase your ticket here.

January 16, 12pm – January 20, 12pm, Cleaning Industry Training Starndards (CITS) Master Certification Series, Orlando, FL.  See Information and Purchase your ticket here.

January 24, 9 am – 3 pm, A.C.E. Carpet Care Expert Certification Course, Bilingual, Orlando, FL.  See Information and Purchase your ticket here.

January 25, 10:30 am – 12 pm, Understanding Microfiber, Free to the first 20 attendees signing up before 1/11/17.  See Information and Registration for FREE seat.

 

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products

The Fresh Wave IAQ M130 Comes to Life in Video

Thanks to advances in green odor management, virtually any organization can develop an effective and safe plan to fight the harshest of odors.

To accomplish this, many of these forward-thinking organizations – from hotels, hospitals and sporting arenas to schools and universities – are now embracing the Fresh Wave IAQ M130 Vapor Phase Units, a “dry” dispersion system for the efficient and safe application of Fresh Wave IAQ Air & Surface odor eliminator.

A solution that is safer than ozone machines, the M130 quickly eliminates a wide-range of odors, including smoke, soot, mildew, trauma scene, skunk, dead rodents, chemical, sewage, fuel oil, food, vomit, feces and urine.

In other words, the M130 helps aid in rapid room recovery efforts, where foul odors are quickly eliminated – allowing any organization to get back to business as usual.

To help educate both current and prospective M130 users, Fresh Wave IAQ has developed a series of comprehensive videos about the product.

Below please find links to the videos. The first video highlights how the M130 offers a higher standard in odor elimination, and the second video is a comprehensive usage tutorial.

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products

Eco-Friendly Odor Management Taking Over Las Vegas

Most major Las Vegas hotels and casinos have to deal with keeping every type of guest happy. Whether it’s a family on vacation, a bachelor party, or corporate conference goers, a wide-range of people stay, work and play at these Vegas resorts.

This includes people who like to light up cigarettes – whether on the casino floor or in their guest rooms – which is an odor challenge for any facility.

In addition, in the hospitality business where the ability to effectively clean hotel rooms is vital for revenue growth, many Las Vegas casinos are on the cutting-edge of safe and effective cleaning. This is especially true when it comes to odor management.

In fact, Fresh Wave IAQ is seeing a trend happening where a number of resorts are now embracing next-generation odor management solutions that help support business growth while keeping every guest happy.Shorter_130CFM_130M

One such solution is the Fresh Wave IAQ M130 Vapor Phase Units, a “dry” dispersion system for the efficient and safe application of Fresh Wave IAQ Air & Surface odor eliminator. It is becoming a popular solution for casinos and resorts in Las Vegas. Why? It’s easy, safe and effective.

For example, one major Las Vegas casino simply rolls in the mobile M130 into the hotel rooms and allows the units to run for 45 minutes – rendering the rooms largely odor-free. Since the M130 uses an eco-friendly solution, it is safe for the housekeeping staff to work along side the unit while it is in use, saving valuable time.

This casino also hosts an event for a major cigar magazine, which brings together a wide range of enthusiasts who openly enjoy smoking some of the world’s best cigars right in the facility. During last year’s event, the cleaning team placed two of the M130 Units right at the front desk – to help mitigate cigar odors that were making their way into the lobby and front-desk areas.

“By doing this, we were able to completely rid these areas of cigar smoke, and we did not receive any complaints from the front desk employees and the non-smoking guests,” said the Executive Housekeeper of the casino and resort.

It is certainly an exciting time in Las Vegas when it comes to eco-friendly commercial cleaning. Safe and effective odor management is taking hold in the city and we look forward to showcasing more success stories.

Be sure to check out our new video about how the M130 offers a higher standard in odor elimination below.

Are you a cleaning executive at a major hotel casino and resort in need of safe and effective odor management solutions? Please contact Fresh Wave IAQ here.

In addition, if you are a fan of the Fresh Wave IAQ M130 Vapor Phase Unit, we are excited to announce that the product is being considered for the 2015 ISSA Innovation Award. Please cast your vote for us here!

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"Green" Sustainable Cleaning Methods and products

Top 4 Green Cleaning Products

Customers’ desire for green cleaning has recently grown and become a major focus for companies wanting to improve their reputations.  To be sure you are performing green cleaning, look for products that are green seal certified.

green seal
Green Seal for Carpet Care and Indoor Air Quality
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This seal is for any products that help provide a better environment for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Triple S EarthCare seal indicates that a product meets “green” standards established by a recognized 3rd party organization such as Green Seal, USGBC or the EPA.  The seal can also mean the product offers significant features that contribute to the preservation and sustainability of a healthy environment. These seals are not given lightly. To ensure their prestige, they are only granted to products which perform to the 3rd party standards in multiple tests.
If you are interested in going green with your cleaning, the daily cleaning products described below can be a great start. They are all leading products in their respective categories.

General all purpose cleaning: Hyper Speed is a low toxic, hydrogen peroxide all purpose cleaner that was designed to address the concerns of daily housekeeping professionals.  This product cleans most surfaces including windows, walls, floors, showers/tubs, toilet bowls/urinals tile and grout.

Glass Cleaner: Sunray is an eco-friendly product that is non-ammoniated. It’s non-streaking, non-smearing and quick drying formula cleans and shines most washable surfaces such as glass, mirrors, sinks, counter tops and stainless steel.

Restroom Cleaner: Green Wave is designed to clean away soap scum, hard water deposits, rust stains, body oils and dirt. It is ready-to-use and requires no dilution, making it hassle free.

Degreaser: Maverick is non-flammable, non-toxic and contains no solvents. It’s recommended use is for heavy-duty degreasing, industrial cleaning and cleaning food service areas.

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