Tag: commercial cleaning services

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Safety

The Importance of EPA and CDC Approved Cleaning Products

Cleaning products can be found everywhere today, but not all of them are safe to use in your office, facility, or home. Some products contain harmful chemicals that are unsafe to have in your home especially. If you’re concerned about what you’re using in your office, facility or home, make sure you check the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites to verify that what you’re using has been approved by these federal organizations. FlowerHill Facility Services only uses EPA and CDC-approved cleaning agents in their cleaning processes to keep you, your employees, and your patrons safe.

Protecting Human Health and the Environment

Federal, state, and local government regulatory agencies have designated certain chemicals as hazardous to human health and/or our environment. These agencies have created rules regarding how these chemicals are used in homes, schools, businesses, and other places we spend time. It is all of our responsibility to do our part to protect ourselves, family members, co-workers, and visitors from harmful chemical exposures in our environments at home or work.  

By following the rules and regulations implemented by these government agencies, you protect not only your health but the health of those that come into contact with your business, such as employees or customers. You also protect human health and the environment by utilizing safe cleaning products or by hiring a cleaning company that uses safe products in all of their cleaning services.

FlowerHill Facility Services offers janitorial services and facility upkeep using EPA and CDC-registered cleaning products to ensure the safety and good health of both humans and the environment.  

Effectiveness of Cleaning Products

By law, all commercial cleaning products sold in America must meet specific guidelines set by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These organizations have been compiling research on ingredients found in cleaning products for decades. 

Today, these two agencies mandate that all cleaning products sold to consumers be reviewed for safety before they hit store shelves. If you work in an office or business environment, you are likely familiar with commercial cleaning products like floor cleaners, carpet cleaners, hand soap, and disinfectants. Commercial cleaning products are used throughout our schools, hospitals, and other public buildings as well.

FlowerHill Facility Services only uses CDC and EPA-approved cleaning products when cleaning facilities and businesses to ensure the protection of employees and patrons alike. Using only CDC and EPA-approved cleaning products ensures that commercial businesses, such as offices, are efficiently, effectively, and safely cleaned. You won’t have to worry about your employees’ or customers’ safety with S&T’s cleaning processes, procedures, and EPA and CDC-approved cleaning products.

How EPA & CDC Product Approval Works

All commercial cleaning products must go through rigorous testing to ensure they are safe for commercial use. Best practices are to purchase and use products that have been verified by both agencies, as these provide assurance about how safe a product is as well as its toxicity levels. If you need help finding commercial cleaning products that have been tested and approved by both agencies, visit either the CDC or the EPA’s websites.

There is a lot of testing and studying that goes into determining whether a cleaning product is effective and safe as well. To learn more about the CDC’s mission as well as cleaning recommendations and approved cleaning protocols, go to https://www.cdc.gov/

The EPA works to protect the public’s health and the environment’s health. Through testing and rigorous studies, the EPA determines the safest yet effective cleaning products for use in commercial spaces. To learn more about the EPA’s laws and regulations for cleaning products, go to https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations.

What About Non-EPA, Non-CDC Approved Cleaners?

Make sure your cleaners are approved by either or both agencies. If they’re not, then you need to know that your cleaning products may be unsafe for humans and the environment. Non-EPA or non-CDC-approved cleaners generally have dangerous concentrations of chemicals in them or may not have enough effective cleaning agents in them to do the job they are intended for. This means that they can be harmful to your health and to your commercial space.

On top of that, non-EPA or non-CDC-approved cleaners don’t undergo any testing for effectiveness in disinfecting and sanitizing. So if you want to stay safe and ensure maximum effectiveness when it comes to commercial cleaning products, stick with a commercial cleaning company that can guarantee they use EPA and/or CDC-approved products like Flower Hill Facility Services.

Finding a Commercial Cleaning Company

If you’re operating a commercial space, chances are you want to keep your customers and employees safe. Keeping your building clean can not only improve customer experience it can improve employee productivity and job satisfaction as well with the added bonus of keeping everyone safer and healthier. By hiring a professional cleaning company, you can ensure that your business is being cleaned using best practices in the industry for disinfecting against bacteria and viruses as well as the latest technology available. A good commercial cleaning service will be able to do everything from sweeping floors to cleaning, disinfecting, and shining countertops. Plus a lot more!

FlowerHill Facility Services offers commercial cleaning and facility upkeep for government buildings, industrial sites, banks, office buildings, dental offices, medical offices, churches, and construction site trailers. By hiring a professional cleaning service for your facility, you can ensure that your commercial space is being cleaned by trained professionals using safe, EPA, and CDC-approved cleaning products. Through training and education, FlowerHill Facility Services cleaning technicians know the best practices and products to utilize to maintain safety and cleanliness in your place of business.

Taking Responsibility for Safe Cleaning Practices

Carpets, floors, countertops, furniture—almost every surface in your commercial space has been touched by countless individuals. That’s why it’s important to use safe products that leave surfaces clean, disinfected, and contaminant-free. By choosing EPA-registered or CDC-approved cleaning chemicals, you can ensure that your facility is free from bacteria, viruses, molds, and other harmful microorganisms.  This will not only protect your employees but will also help protect your guest’s and customers’ health.   

To find a safe, effective commercial cleaner, ensure that they utilize CDC and EPA-approved cleaning products and follow industry best practices. You may also ask the commercial cleaning company if they use CDC and EPA-approved cleaning products, and equipment such as electrostatic spray disinfecting. It’s also wise to ensure that the cleaning company you choose is licensed, insured, and bonded and that the cleaning technicians are trained in effective cleaning practices.

FlowerHill Facility Services checks off all of these boxes so that you can feel comfortable and safe in your commercial business. If you are seeking janitorial and commercial cleaning services in the North Richland Hills or the Fort Worth, Texas area, Flower Hill Facility Services is here for you!

Call S&T For Your Business’ Cleaning

Hiring a professional cleaning service for your business is a simple way to boost employee productivity, maintain a safe work environment, and protect your employees and clients. FlowerHill Facility Services follows agency-approved best cleaning practices and only use CDC and EPA-approved cleaning products and technologies to ensure maximum safety without sacrificing effectiveness. 

Call FlowerHill Facility Services today at (817) 422-4740 to schedule janitorial services or building maintenance services for your facility or office. The FlowerHill team will create a customized plan for your commercial space based on your business’ needs on a daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or even a customized schedule. 

Start with a commercial cleaning company that is run by local owners who understand what your facility needs today. FlowerHill Facility Services offers efficient, safe, and effective cleaning services for any commercial space in the Fort Worth, Texas area.

FlowerHill Facility Services serves the North Richland Hills, Texas area, including Fort Worth, Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Roanoke, Hurst, Bedford, Grapevine, and Flower Mound. Learn more about FlowerHill’s services at https://www.flowerhillfs.com/.

Categories
Safety

Why Good Indoor Air Quality is Important in an Office

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The air quality of an office can have a huge impact on the productivity and health of the employees who work there. What’s true in the office is even more important in other workplaces like factories and schools, where students or workers spend all day breathing the same air over and over again. Unfortunately, indoor air quality is usually an overlooked topic. In this blog, you will learn about the importance of good indoor air quality as well as ways to improve air quality in your commercial space.

Why Good Air Quality is Important

Employees spend most of their day in offices, so it’s important that these buildings maintain good air quality. The EPA estimates that indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air, and office buildings are often responsible for a lot of poor indoor air quality. This can be caused by several different factors: people smoking indoors, inadequate ventilation systems, or machinery.

But no matter what’s causing poor air quality, it can cause some serious health problems for employees—especially those with asthma or allergies. If you’re concerned about your building’s air quality, here are some steps you can take to improve it.

Keeping the Space Clean

Keeping the office clean improves air quality, which leads to more efficient work and better health. A clean office is also more inviting than a messy one, ensuring that you’ll get the best out of your employees and clients every day. Keeping a clean office shows that you care about their comfort and health, boosting morale and productivity. Finally, having good indoor air quality (IAQ) can help prevent issues like allergies and asthma among employees.

A good commercial cleaning service can help keep your office clean and healthy. A pro will come by at the frequency of your businesses’ choosing to take care of routine tasks like vacuuming, dusting, and mopping, leaving you with more time to focus on important matters. They’ll also handle deep-cleaning duties upon request so that your office stays cleaner over time for your employees and clients.

Clean Air Filters

One of the most cost-effective ways to improve indoor air quality for your employees is by replacing all old air filters to clean, new air filters. According to the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air pollution and often contains volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. Asbestos, radon, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants can also find their way into indoor air.

Dirty filters don’t just reduce airflow; they also make it harder for heating and cooling systems to work properly. Cleaning or replacing filters regularly will help ensure that you maintain healthy indoor air quality throughout your office building. You will notice an immediate difference in your air quality once you replace your old, dirty air filter with a clean, new air filter. Air filters accumulate dust, dirt, mold spores, bacteria, and other particles as well as keep fresh air from entering your home or business.

If you have allergies or asthma then having clean air filters is essential to prevent further complications. Clean air filters will keep allergy and asthma triggers at bay so that your employees and patrons are healthy.

Stay Up To Date On Cleaning Practices

To ensure that your employees are working in a safe and clean environment, it’s important to stay up to date on all cleaning practices. From using disinfectants to removing allergens from your office space, a good cleaning schedule will help keep your employees healthy and focused on work. Remember: You are responsible for providing a safe place for them to do their best work.

Commercial cleaning professionals know the best products and tools to use to keep your office space clean, therefore improving the overall air quality of your office or commercial space. For example, a janitorial service can come in on a regular basis to remove allergens like dust mites from carpets and upholstery using specialized vacuums that can trap these allergens before they spread throughout your office.

Similarly, disinfectants are great for removing germs and bacteria from surfaces like desks, chairs, tables, and other furniture pieces that are commonly touched by employees throughout their day.

Utilize Natural Air Fresheners

Some people don’t realize that synthetic air fresheners can actually cause health problems. Synthetic air fresheners use chemicals to mask odors, and unfortunately, some of these chemicals have been linked to allergies, headaches, asthma attacks, and other respiratory issues. The best thing you can do to improve indoor air quality is to avoid synthetic fragrances and use natural scents instead.

A great place to start is with your plants! Plants are a great way to naturally purify your air while also adding a little color and life into your space. Try placing plants near any windows where they will receive plenty of sunlight. Not only will they boost your office’s air quality but they will boost your employee’s morale.

You can also utilize essential oils and a diffuser to freshen up your office’s air. Essential oils are natural compounds extracted from plants that have been shown to reduce stress, boost mood, alleviate pain, and sometimes help fight illness. Diffusers use ultrasonic technology to break down the essential oil into tiny particles that are then dispersed into your space. This will add a pleasant scent to your commercial space without adding allergy-inducing chemicals into the air.

Utilize a Humidifier or Dehumidifier

Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are powerful tools that can help improve your indoor air quality. Depending on your climate and the weather, you can use one of these tools to improve your space’s air quality.

A humidifier adds moisture to dry air, which prevents excessively dry air in your office. In the winter months when heat is being blasted through the office, the air tends to get dryer. This is the optimal time to use a humidifier. Employees spend a significant amount of time in the office, and dry air contributes to asthma, dry skin, dehydration, and irritated eyes.

A dehumidifier pulls excess moisture out of a room. If you live in a damp area, or if mold starts growing in your commercial space, consider purchasing one. Damp air can lead to mold or mildew growth, pests, damaged electronics, and the overall decrease in the longevity of your building.

Get An Air Purifier

One of the best ways to increase your quality of indoor air, and therefore boost your productivity, health, and overall happiness at work, is to get a high-quality air purifier. By removing pollution from your environment—such as dust particles, allergens like pet dander and pollen, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by various items in your office—you can remove common stressors that can lead to asthma or allergies.

HEPA air filters are a great choice, as they can remove 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns—which is about 1/30th of human hair—from your indoor environment. This type of air filter is the most beneficial and effective for improving your office’s air quality.

Invest in a Professional Commercial Cleaning Company

You’re ready to take your business to new heights, and that means welcoming a new set of challenges. One of these challenges will be keeping your workplace clean and safe for both employees and guests alike. A thorough, professional commercial cleaning service can help you do just that.
Whether you have a small office or large headquarters, a commercial cleaning company can greatly reduce costs associated with equipment maintenance and supply purchases while making your workspace healthier and safer for everyone who passes through it every day.

Investing in a commercial cleaning service or janitorial services is the best choice you can make to improve your office’s overall health and safety, including indoor air quality.

FlowerHill Facility Services offers commercial cleaning
and janitorial services for your commercial business in the North Richland Hills and Fort Worth, Texas areas. Call today at 817-422-4740 or visit https://www.flowerhillfs.com/ to take the first steps in improving your office space and your employee’s well-being.

Categories
Cleaning Tips

6 Ways to Update Your Office Space for Spring

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Your office space can feel like the polar opposite of spring, even if you’re lucky enough to have outdoor access. Keeping an orderly and organized space in your office takes some effort, but it’s an effort that can be more than worth it once you see the results. These six tips will help you spruce up your office space for spring and keep it that way all year long.

1) Start With a Plan

Once you’ve decided to start spring cleaning your office, it’s time to figure out how you want your office space to look. First, start small. Do a quick run-through of your space and decide the direction you’d like for your spring update to go. Do you want to liven up the space? Do you want to organize the space? Do you want to add color to your office?

Once you’ve decided the general direction you want to take your spring office update to go in, you can start by making a list of tasks you need to do to get there. These tasks can include:

  1. Add real or faux plants
  2. Buy colorful decorations
  3. Organize your papers
  4. Replace your desk chair
  5. Fix broken blinds
  6. Hang photos on the walls

2) Get Rid of Clutter

Do you feel like your office is bogged down with files, loose papers, stacks of books, and stuff you never use? We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your office space clean and decluttered to boost productivity and workplace happiness. If you’re looking for a little inspiration or some new ideas on how to start spring cleaning your workspace, we’ve got some tips on how to clear out the clutter.

Start by asking yourself these three questions: What’s working in my office right now? What needs a little tweak or update? What should be tossed out entirely? Starting by asking yourself these questions will help you to stay on-task and goal-oriented in your spring office refresh.

Once you’ve determined what to keep, what to update, and what to toss, you can write down a list of tasks to get you started in decluttering. Starting on one area of your office space at a time will prevent you from getting overwhelmed easily and will allow for small wins at a time. You can start by organizing the top of your desk, then moving on to drawers, and so on!

3) Add Color & Plants

Adding color and bringing plants into your office space will make you feel more positive while you work in the office this spring. It’s also a way to bring life back into your office, especially if you work from a desk with no color or nature around you.

Some people may prefer an office that is clean and minimalistic, with natural colors like tan and white. If this makes you more productive and happier in your office space, remove excessive color and go for the minimalistic style! If you like a colorful working environment, add some bright artwork to your office walls or add fresh flowers to your desk.

Plants are especially beneficial—aside from improving air quality, they can increase productivity by lowering stress and making people more relaxed. Sometimes office spaces can feel stuffy and boring- by adding plants and incorporating nature into your space, you can completely change the look and feel of your office space.

4) Update Lighting

Since we spend so much time in our offices, spring cleaning also means freshening up lighting. If you can, swap out your lights with warmer ones, use a dimmer switch, or add a couple of lamps to your office space. Not only will they brighten up your space, but they’ll help set that seasonal tone and make you feel more productive and ready to get things done.

Changing out your lighting not only affects your mood and productivity but can also be energy-saving for your commercial business. Energy-efficient lighting is better for the environment and for your pocket!

5) Update the Break Room

If you’re lucky enough to have a workplace with a break room, it’s worth spending some time sprucing it up for spring. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be costly—you can update your break room cheaply by focusing on one new decoration or addition at a time.

Start by cleaning up and decluttering the break room. If you don’t have a commercial cleaning service or janitorial service to clean up your space, the break room can get dirty fairly quickly with everyone who comes in and out. Cleaning the break room first allows you to start fresh and bring life back to the break room.

Once you’re done cleaning, follow up by decluttering any unnecessary items that are taking up space in the break room. Add a nice piece of wall art to brighten up the space, and maybe even a couple of plants! Your coworkers or employees will appreciate the life you are bringing back into the break room.

6) Refresh Your Technology & Devices

We’re not just talking about your phone, we’re talking about your desktop and laptop, too. Spring is a good time to refresh your tech devices, and it can be as simple as decluttering apps and files (or giving them a good wipe down).

You touch your phone and computer all day long- so it’s probably time to give them a thorough clean. Use a screen-safe cleaning spray and microfiber cloth to wipe down the screen and keyboard. You can also buy compressed air specifically for your electronics to get any dust or debris from under the buttons.

After you’ve done the physical cleaning, it’s time to move on to digital cleaning. Go through your apps and delete the ones you no longer use. Organize your file clutter into specific folders for easy access later. Upload photos or files to a cloud-based service and then delete them off of your device to save storage.

Invest in a Commercial Cleaning Service

Start your spring season off with a professional cleaning service. Leave the cleaning and janitorial work to the pros who have all the right products and tools to get your office space sparkling. By investing in a commercial cleaning service, you allow your employees to be happier in their workspace, leading to more productive workdays!

FlowerHill Facility Services provides general commercial cleaning services, janitorial services, and disinfection services for your commercial space. Start with a commercial cleaning service today to get your commercial space spotless and well-maintained for both your employees and your customers!

FlowerHill Facility Services serve the North Richland Hills area, including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and Roanoke. Call today to schedule your service at (817) 422-4740 or visit www.flowerhillfs.com to learn more!

Categories
Commercial Cleaning Services

What is Commercial Cleaning?

If you own or operate a business, you’re aware of the need to keep your workspace clean and sanitary, but what does a commercial cleaning service entail? Why do you need a commercial cleaning service? This article explains the purpose of commercial cleaning, the details of a commercial cleaning service, and the benefits commercial cleaning has for your business. Keep reading to learn more!

 

Purpose of Commercial Cleaning

Many companies hire a commercial cleaning company to give their property a consistent and thorough cleaning. When you consider that most businesses have an endless list of things they need to accomplish, it’s easy to see why commercial cleaning can be such a valuable resource for your business.

  1. Save Time – Commercial cleaning helps to free up your staff’s time so they can focus on other tasks that will benefit your business instead of cleaning.
  2. Increase Comfort – Commercial cleaning provides a clean workplace in order to help make potential clients or customers feel comfortable and safe in your business.
  3. Increase Safety – Commercial cleaning ensures that a particular work environment remains free from spills and hazards for its users on a day-to-day basis. By preventing and handling spills and hazards, it keeps your employees and patrons safe in your establishment.
  4. Prevent Illness – Commercial cleaning fights bacteria and viruses in your business to prevent illness from spreading to your employees and customers.

 

Commercial Cleaning Services

Businesses have more surfaces, high traffic zones, and special cleaning needs that need to be taken into account when cleaning that a commercial cleaning company can assess. A commercial cleaning service will come in and make sure all of these needs are met.

A commercial cleaning company offers disinfection services that will kill bacteria and viruses to keep your employees and patrons safe. At FlowerHill Facility Services, disinfection is offered through electrostatic disinfection spraying. To learn more about this type of disinfection, read our blog on electrostatic disinfection: www.flowerhillfs.com/post/electrostatic-spray-disinfecting-101.

Commercial cleaning services may include vacuuming carpets on a regular basis as well as mopping hard surfaces or hard surface flooring. Commercial cleaners will wipe down and dust all surfaces with professional cleaning products. Additionally, janitorial or commercial cleaning services will clean and maintain bathrooms with paper products and bathroom necessities. You can also expect a janitorial service to change out trash cans with their regular services so your employees don’t have to. Any general cleaning tasks that your employees previously took care of, the commercial cleaning service can now handle for you.

 

Importance of Commercial Cleaning

Many don’t realize that commercial cleaning services can include much more than simple cleaning tasks. Some companies also provide lobby management, regular restroom maintenance, spill clean-up with necessary signage, trash removal, and disinfection services among others. These are tasks that are necessary for your business that your employees don’t have time to handle.

Having a clean business is vital to retaining employees and satisfying customers. An unsanitary and dirty environment will run off new clients or customers in your business and leave your employees unhappy. Make sure your business is putting its best foot forward by hiring professionals to handle commercial cleaning services at your business.

It’s also vital to have professional commercial cleaners clean your business to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. When you don’t have professionals disinfecting your business, you run the risk of spreading illness among your employees and your customers.

If you are not correctly cleaning and maintaining your business, your space will get more worn and dirty over time. To prevent excessive wear and tear on your business, a professional commercial cleaning service is important. By maintaining your business through cleaning and janitorial services, you increase the longevity of the business and save money over time.

 

Benefits of Commercial Cleaning

From reducing health risks to improving productivity, commercial cleaning services can make a real difference in a company’s bottom line.

  1. Increase Morale – A clean workplace has been shown to increase worker morale and productivity, reduce worker absenteeism, and create a more professional work environment. Each of these benefits translates into real costs savings and benefits for business owners.
  2. Prevent Illness – Employees and customers in an unclean environment are at greater risk of exposure to infectious bacteria and viruses and can spread it throughout a facility and beyond through everyday contact with family, friends, and colleagues. When your employees are sick, you lose out on the hard work they do for your business.
  3. Send a Positive Message – A clean facility sends a message to customers that your business values its brand, which helps foster loyalty and creates a positive impression for both current and prospective clients. Customers and clients will feel more comfortable in your business if it is maintained and kept clean.
  4. Save Money – Not only will commercial services prevent illness and help you retain employees and customers, but all buildings experience wear and tear over time. If your business goes unchecked and is poorly maintained, you can wind up with a much bigger problem at hand that ends up costing your business more.

 

Hire a Professional Commercial Cleaning Company

The best way to clean your business is by hiring a professional commercial cleaning company to do it for you. Cleaning professionals have years of experience and know-how to make sure your commercial space has optimal health and safety standards. Hiring a professional also ensures that you’re following all local, state, and federal regulations, making sure that your facility doesn’t get shut down or receive citations.

If you are searching for a commercial cleaning service for your government buildings, banks, office buildings, dental offices, medical offices, churches, or construction site trailers, FlowerHill Facility Services has you covered. FlowerHill Facility Services offers janitorial and commercial cleaning services for your business, big or small. You can choose from daily, bi-weekly, monthly, or customized janitorial services that are specific to your business. Learn more about our services by visiting us online today at www.flowrehillfs.com or call at (817) 422-4740.

FlowerHill Facility Services serves the North Richland Hills area, including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and Roanoke.

Categories
Safety

Cleaning Technician Safety

Safety, not only in the workplace but anywhere, is the most important aspect of being an employee. Keeping your safety in mind should be your main priority throughout the workday; not just because it’s the law, but because it will keep you safe and healthy, both mentally and physically. Keep reading to learn more about employee safety in the commercial cleaning industry.

 

5 Most Common Types of Worker Injuries

Whether you’re a janitorial company or an office manager, you want to make sure your cleaning technicians stay safe on their jobs. Here are five of the most common causes of injury in any cleaning job.

  1. Slips, trips, and falls – Cleaning chemicals and water can cause slippery floors; stairs and ladders can cause falls; long hours on feet often result in back strain. If a worker’s job involves any of these conditions, provide safety equipment and be sure to pay attention to their safety on the job site.
  2. Cuts and punctures – Just about anything sharp can do damage to the skin; ladders are notorious for having loose nails and screws. Tools and equipment used for cleaning – mops, brooms, floor buffers, vacuums – can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly.
  3. Eye, face, or ear injuries – Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical for a cleaning technician in certain circumstances; making sure they know which personal protection gear is necessary for different jobs is crucial.
  4. Chemical exposure injuries – Many cleaning agents are potentially hazardous if inhaled or ingested; when handling these chemicals, it’s especially important to be sure no one has cuts on their hands or anywhere else in contact with a fresh wound. It’s also crucial for the employee to wear necessary personal protective equipment such as gloves to protect their skin from contact with the chemical.
  5. Heat-related injuries –Working in hot conditions is hard enough; working on a tall ladder or moving quickly while carrying heavy equipment only increases the risk of heat exhaustion and/or stroke.

 

4 Hazards to be Aware of

As a cleaning technician, you can expect to work with a variety of chemicals and other potential hazards every day. While you likely wear some type of protective clothing when performing your job duties, there are four main cleaning-related hazards that could harm your health if not handled correctly. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Chemicals – Many cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals that can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs when accidentally inhaled or ingested. If possible, wear gloves and a mask to help prevent exposure; you should also never leave these chemicals unattended and open for an extended period of time.
  2. Power Tools – Using power tools for any job can pose some risks. Tools such as floor buffers, polishers, and pressure washers all create fine dust particles which are extremely hazardous if inhaled or ingested. They are also usually heavy and bulking, adding an additional challenge for the cleaning technicians. Almost all power tools or cleaning tools come with training & safety manuals that are important to learn for your safety.
  3. Heavy Equipment – Lifting furniture, carpets, and other large pieces of equipment can be a normal part of cleaning work; however, it’s important to take extra precautions when doing so. Always lift using your legs, not your back. If you experience any pain or discomfort while lifting, speak with a supervisor immediately before continuing with your duties.
  4. Stairs & Ladders – Many jobs require cleaning services to work on or around stairs, which can present significant safety hazards if not done correctly. If you must use a ladder, ensure that it is stable and firmly in place before climbing up; also remember to always wear gloves, footwear, and a protective helmet when using ladders.

 

10 Tips for Cleaner Safety

It’s true, there are some dangers that come with any profession. Yet working as a cleaning technician comes with some added safety concerns because of how you work and move around in your business setting. It’s important to remember that your safety is not only crucial to you, but also to your clients and coworkers. Here are 10 tips for cleaner safety.

  1. Footwear – Always make sure you’re wearing closed-toed shoes and avoid heels of any kind when at work, especially if you’re working on ladders or doing any type of floor cleaning. Make sure your footwear provides good traction; it could be a life-saver if a coworker loses their footing in a slippery area while they’re helping you out with a job.
  2. Hand Protection – Wear gloves at all times. Yes, there are risks with wearing gloves as well, but many cleaning chemicals will cause permanent damage to your skin if you don’t wear them, so always be sure to have a pair on hand and wear them whenever appropriate. Be sure to get high-quality ones that won’t tear easily or leave residue behind when you take them off—you want to avoid any type of oil build-up on your hands from wearing these gloves for extended periods of time!
  3. Eye Protection – Always wear eye protection when using chemical products or cleaning chemicals that can splash or create fumes. Many common household chemicals can cause immediate damage to your eyes; avoid contact at all costs. This type of damage cannot be reversed, so always wear goggles when in doubt about what you are handling and don’t take risks.
  4. Be Aware – Make sure you’re aware of all nearby hazards, including vents and exposed wires or cables that could pose a risk to your safety. Be sure to take a look at the area before beginning work so you can see what’s in front of you and what’s going on behind you as well—you don’t want any surprises while working in an environment that’s unfamiliar!
  5. Know Your Limits – Never try to push yourself too hard physically. You know your limits better than anyone else, and if it feels like you’re reaching them at any point during a job then stop immediately and ask for help from someone else who is around or come back another time when you have enough time to get everything done without getting injured. Your physical health is absolutely crucial!
  6. Skin Reactions – Check your body for any signs of an allergic reaction before it’s too late. There are many cleaning chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction or chemical reaction if you come into contact with them, so make sure you check your skin regularly and wash up immediately after a job to avoid any issues later on!
  7. Eyes Open – Keep your eyes on what you’re doing at all times. This one may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s important!
  8. Know Procedures – Make sure your employees are using proper safety precautions as well. Business owner or cleaning tech, you’re responsible for ensuring you are not only aware of what they should be doing when working in an office setting, but also that they’re comfortable with their cleaning procedures and know exactly what they need to do at all times so they don’t put themselves or anyone else in danger!
  9. Communicate – Whether you’re in charge of leading your team or just a regular employee, it’s important to be able to communicate effectively with everyone around you—if there’s a problem and people aren’t speaking up, then mistakes are bound to happen!
  10. First Aid Kit – Make sure you keep a first aid kit nearby at all times, especially when you’re at work and away from home. You never know when someone is going to get hurt in an unexpected way—so it’s good to be prepared!

 

Professional Commercial Cleaning Services

For commercial cleaning services, it’s vital to keep employees safe. Make sure your cleaning staff always wears appropriate safety gear. Provide them with training so they know what to do in case of an emergency and can handle any situation that may arise. It’s also important to include a good employee handbook in your company policy to ensure all employees are following rules and regulations surrounding safety procedures.

FlowerHill Facility Services ensures employees are trained and informed on safety while on the commercial cleaning or janitorial service job site. If you are seeking a commercial cleaning company for your business with employees that know safety procedures and are trained thoroughly, call FlowerHill Facility Services at (817) 422-4740 or visit www.flowerhillfs.com.

If you are a cleaning technician seeking a job in commercial cleaning or janitorial services with a company that cares about your safety and trains you thoroughly, visit www.flowerhillfs.com/careers to apply today!

FlowerHill Facility services the North Richland Hills, Texas area, including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and Roanoke for all of your commercial and janitorial cleaning needs.

Categories
Cleaning Tips

Electrostatic Spray Disinfecting 101

Disinfecting can be one of the biggest challenges you face in maintaining a healthy environment and avoiding germs, bacteria, and other infectious agents that can make you sick or even cause death in extreme cases. While some disinfectants can take hours to thoroughly clean an area or prevent another outbreak, electrostatic spray disinfecting only takes minutes to completely sanitize your space and make it safe again. Here’s how it works!

 

How Does an Electrostatic Spray Disinfectant Work?

The electrostatic spray disinfectant applies a fine spray of the disinfectant product to the surfaces it is sprayed on. It applies a positive charge to the particles of disinfectant so that they stick like a magnet to the surface they are sprayed on. This allows for the disinfectant to evenly attach to the surface it is sprayed on and effectively kill viruses and bacteria.*

 

Benefits of Electrostatic Sprayers

The electrostatic disinfectant sprayer is able to cover large indoor spaces quickly and effectively.* This makes this method an efficient method for schools, businesses, and medical offices. An electrostatic disinfectant sprayer can cover a significant amount of space in a

shorter time, making it great for large commercial spaces. The electrostatic machine can protect you against influenza, coronavirus, norovirus, and more.

More importantly, the electrostatic sprayer is beneficial because it makes the disinfectant it sprays more effective. By charging the particles of disinfectant, it allows the spray to completely and evenly attach to the surface and kill the bacteria and viruses present. In cold and flu season, and with coronavirus still spreading, it’s even more important to disinfect correctly.

Lastly, disinfectant products all have a ‘dwell time’. The dwell time is how long the disinfectant must remain on the surface in order to efficiently disinfect. With the electrostatic disinfectant sprayer, it allows the user to better control the dwell time of the disinfectant product on the surfaces it is used on.**

 

Finding an Effective Disinfectant

Some disinfectants are more effective than others, and the EPA and CDC have specific guidelines for disinfectants that are effective against bacteria and viruses. The EPA has a list of disinfectant products that are useful specifically against coronavirus at https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/about-list-n-disinfectants-coronavirus-covid-19-0.

Commercial cleaning professionals and janitorial services are informed and educated on the latest technology and the best disinfectant products available so that you can have peace of mind about the safety of your space.

 

Hire a Commercial Cleaning Company

Proper disinfection can be tricky, that’s why it’s best left to the professionals. FlowerHill Facility Services are knowledgeable in proper disinfection for your commercial space, and they can utilize an electrostatic disinfecting sprayer with your janitorial service. Whether for your office, business, or manufacturing building, hiring janitorial professionals to disinfect will keep you and your employees safe.

FlowerHill Facility Services technicians are experts when it comes to commercial cleaning. They know the correct products and methods to use when disinfecting your space so that your space is safe from harmful viruses and bacteria.

FlowerHill Facility Services proudly serves the North Richland Hills, Texas area, including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and Roanoke for all of your janitorial cleaning needs. Call today to schedule your commercial cleaning service at 817-422-4740.

 

Sources

*https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-action-help-americans-disinfect-indoor-spaces-efficiently-and-effectively

**https://hotsypacific.net/a-better-way-to-disinfect-electrostatic-spraying/

Categories
Cleaning Tips

5 Surprising Ways Having a Clean Office Space Improves Productivity

industrial cleaning

A clean office space doesn’t just make the workday more pleasant — it can actually improve productivity by making workers feel happier and more comfortable, helping them focus better on their tasks, and even improving their ability to recover from a stressful day at work. Here are five surprising ways having a clean office space improves productivity- and how hiring a commercial cleaning company can help you boost productivity even more.

 

1) Cleaning your office shows respect for yourself and your team

Your office spaces represent a place of business, so having a clean environment demonstrates respect both for yourself and those around you. Letting mess pile up without ever being addressed can make coworkers feel undervalued. What’s more, when your space is organized and clean, you’ll be able to accomplish more in your office!

Nothing says “I don’t care” like leaving piles of unopened mail and messy stacks of books on your desk. When you care about how your office looks, it sets an example for others to follow. Plus, when everything is neat and tidy, you won’t spend as much time searching for things. On average, we lose one hour per day looking for lost items. (Imagine what could be accomplished if we weren’t spending that time looking for lost items?)

 

2) Not cleaning your office puts you at risk of getting sick

A dirty office isn’t just unsightly, it can put you at risk of catching colds and flu. This is because when we spend time in an unclean environment, our immune systems take longer to respond to new diseases. If your office is messy, it puts everyone else working around you at risk as well. Make sure everyone who enters your office follows these three easy steps: keep hands washed; cough into their sleeve; and clean up after themselves!

There are also commercial cleaning and janitorial companies that offer disinfection services that are extra important to fight against illnesses, especially coronavirus. FlowerHill Facility Services offers Electrostatic Spray Disinfecting that can eliminate bacteria and viruses from your office, keeping you and your team safe.

 

3) A clean office lets you focus on what’s important

Having a clean office allows you to focus on what’s important. Your time can be much better spent on being productive with your team or on your own work when your space is clean. If you’re spending your day cleaning, it’s taking away valuable hours that could be used more effectively elsewhere.

A clean office can help motivate your employees because there are fewer distractions for them to deal with. They can see they have a leader who cares about making sure they succeed and setting an example of how things should be done around the office. An organized workspace makes sense in every way; do yourself (and your staff) a favor and get your office space clean!

 

4) Clean environments inspire creativity

According to Dr. David Lewis, Director of Operations at Ohio State University’s Center for Brain Sciences, research shows that people perform tasks better when their work environment is free from clutter and distractions.

Creating clear spaces has been shown to encourage creativity, too! When you have a space that is free from dirt, grime, and clutter, you are able to give your full attention to your creative process. A clean environment fosters more innovation and imaginative ideas. So, by hiring a commercial cleaning service, you foster creativity in your workspace!

 

5) Clients or customers will be happier when they see a clean office

A clean office space tells people you’re organized and serious about your business. A customer can tell from your office that you’re dependable, professional, and have good attention to detail. And studies show that customers tend to be more trusting of a company if it appears well-organized. So keeping your office clean and tidy is not just a part of running an efficient business; it also makes sense for marketing purposes!

 

Hire a Commercial Cleaning Service

You’re unlikely to find or even have time to keep up with a rigorous cleaning schedule, so it’s best to hire someone who will make sure your office is spotless. Let a janitorial service do the hard work for you so that you can focus your attention 100% on running or building your business.

FlowerHill Facility Services technicians are pros when it comes to commercial cleaning. They know the correct products and methods to use when cleaning so that your office space is left sparkling. FlowerHill Facility Services services the North Richland Hills, Texas area, including Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and Roanoke for all of your janitorial cleaning needs. Call today to schedule your commercial cleaning service at 817-422-4740.