Great customer service in the janitorial and cleaning industry goes far beyond spotless floors and freshly sanitized workspaces—it’s about trust, reliability, communication, and professionalism. Clients rely on cleaning teams not only to maintain the health and appearance of their facilities, but also to be responsive, consistent, and attentive to their unique needs. Members of the International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association (IJCSA) embody this standard every day, combining industry-leading training with a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction. From prompt responses to service requests, to careful quality control, to courteous staff who take pride in their work, IJCSA members demonstrate what world-class customer service truly looks like.

If you’re searching for a cleaning partner who treats your business like their own, look no further than the IJCSA Business Directory, available at https://www.ijcsa.org. Here you’ll find a nationwide network of certified professionals who excel in eco-friendly cleaning, medical-grade sanitation, residential care, commercial facility maintenance, and more. Each member listed in the directory adheres to the highest industry standards, ensuring that every client receives dependable service backed by ethical practices and ongoing education. When you choose an IJCSA member, you’re choosing excellence, accountability, and a team dedicated to helping your facility shine—inside and out.

Medical cleaning practices are known for being some of the most strict and detail focused standards in the cleaning industry. In hospitals and clinics, infection control is a top priority, and the cleaning routines are designed to protect patients, staff, and visitors from harmful bacteria, germs, and viruses. These same principles can be applied outside of healthcare facilities, bringing better protection to residential homes, office buildings, schools, and other public spaces. By adopting healthcare cleaning methods in everyday cleaning, we can reduce the spread of illness and make environments safer for everyone.

One way to bring medical cleaning practices into other settings is by focusing on high touch surface disinfection. Healthcare cleaning professionals know that germs spread fastest through door handles, light switches, desks, and shared equipment. Using EPA registered disinfectants, following proper dwell times, and training staff to consistently clean these surfaces can dramatically lower the risk of outbreaks in offices and schools. In residential cleaning, wiping down remotes, phones, and kitchen handles with the same careful approach used in medical cleaning can keep families healthier year round.

Another key practice is adopting universal precautions in all cleaning situations. In healthcare, this means treating all bodily fluids as potentially infectious, but the same logic applies in other environments. Wearing gloves, using proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and handling trash or spills carefully protects cleaning staff and building occupants alike. In commercial cleaning, this approach shows clients that safety and infection control are taken seriously. In homes, it gives peace of mind that cleaning is more than just surface clean, it is about real protection.

The value of bringing medical cleaning practices into wider use is simple: healthier people and safer spaces. With new viruses and germs always a concern, applying healthcare cleaning standards to homes, offices, and public buildings is a smart way to protect the population. At IJCSA, our members are trained and committed to using these best practices in all kinds of environments, not just hospitals. To find professionals who can provide this higher level of cleaning service, visit the IJCSA Janitorial Service Directory and connect with experts near you. Together, by raising the standards of cleaning, we can help protect our communities and the world from harmful bacteria, germs, and viruses.

Understanding bloodborne pathogens is crucial in the workplace. All accidents that involve anything resembling blood should be treated as such and properly cleaned up.  Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms that are present in human blood and may be found in other bodily fluids, such as vomit, feces, saliva and urine. These pathogens cause diseases such as Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, and HIV which may progress into AIDS.  These pathogens can be spread through ingestion or exposed skin containing a cut or lesion.  To clean and prevent further exposure, certain steps should be taken.

The first step is to secure the area so no one else will be exposed. Second, a bloodborne pathogen kit should be obtained and all instructions read.  The kit is filled with items to help protect the person cleaning.  Common kit items include a mask, shovel and scoop, absorbing powder, booties, a biohazard bag, safety goggles, apron, towelettes and germicidal disposal wipes etc.  Proper cleaning steps should be completed and everything disposed into a biohazard bag. This PPE helps protect the cleaner from exposure. 

Knowing this information protects the cleaner and other employees and staff from potentially getting sick or catching a fatal disease.   The last element is proper documentation.  Every business should have instructions on how to handle bloodborne pathogens on site with proper training for all employees.  Management should always be notified and information forms completed when an exposure occurs.  

Janitors and janitorial staff play a crucial role in our everyday lives, even though their work sometimes goes unnoticed. Every time we step into a school, an office, or any public building, it is the custodial/janitorial staff who make sure these spaces are clean, safe, and welcoming. Their efforts do much more than just keep things looking nice—this essential personnel helps protect the health of all who enter these spaces, boost productivity, which helps to facilitate respect in shared spaces.

The main part of a janitor’s job is making sure places stay clean and free from germs. They frequently clean restrooms, empty trash cans, wipe down surfaces, and pay special attention to areas that get touched a lot. This helps stop the spread of sickness and keeps everyone healthier. In places like hospitals and schools, janitors must consistently follow any special rules and use safe, acceptable cleaning products to protect people who might get sick easily. When there’s a public health emergency, janitors become the first line of defense for making sure buildings can stay open and safe for everyone.

Beyond health protection, janitorial professionals support the long-term care and value of buildings through facility maintenance, floor care, carpet cleaning, and above-the-floor surface cleaning. Proper floor care extends the life of floor systems, reduces slip-and-fall risks, and preserves the professional image of organizations. Clean, well-maintained facilities also improve employee morale, student focus, customer confidence, and overall satisfaction. Simply put, people perform better in environments expanded to include green cleaning practices, sustainable products, and industry-recognized training standards. Janitors do not just clean buildings—they protect people, support systems, and quietly keep our world running every day.

Today’s custodial staff are trained professionals  and several IJ SA members like https://serenecleaningsllc.wixsite.com/serenecleaning and
www.atlasenviroservices.com   don’t just clean buildings—they protect people, support systems, and quietly keep our world running every day.

The medical cleaning process is essential for healthcare facilities to prevent the spread of germs, bacteria, pathogens, and viruses. Proper cleaning in these environments is crucial, as it directly impacts patient safety by reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and fostering a clean environment that supports patient recovery.

Additionally, maintaining cleanliness is vital for compliance with strict regulations and for ensuring the health of staff. Contaminated surfaces can harbor harmful pathogens that can easily transmit infections between patients and healthcare workers, making effective cleaning critical for infection control. Regular cleaning of workspaces and common areas protects healthcare staff from exposure to infectious agents, thereby promoting their health and well-being.

A clean environment helps reduce the risk of patients contracting infections during their stay, significantly contributing to overall patient safety. Healthcare facilities must also follow stringent cleaning and disinfection standards set by regulatory bodies to maintain accreditation and legal compliance. Finally, a clean and well-maintained healthcare facility reflects professionalism and can enhance patients' perception of the quality of care provided.

Topps Cleaning Service, along with other members of the International Janitorial Cleaning Service Association, has developed a specialized cleaning method tailored to meet the rigorous hygiene and sanitation standards required for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This method involves thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all areas within a medical facility, including waiting rooms, patient rooms, bathrooms, as well as examination and operating rooms. To find a certified medical cleaning company in your area, please click on the link below.

www.ijcsa.org

William Armstead

Managing Partner

Topps Cleaning Service

www.toppscleaningservice.com

Topps Cleaning Service believes that occupational health, safety, and knowledge about bloodborne pathogens is crucial, particularly for our cleaning employees and staff. Bloodborne pathogens are infectious microorganisms present in blood that can cause diseases in humans. This group of pathogens includes, but is not limited to, Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Given the nature of cleaning tasks, which often involve exposure to bodily fluids, it is imperative that our staff be well-informed and adequately trained to handle such hazards.

Our facility employees such as janitors, housekeepers, custodians, and cleaners may be at risk of exposure to blood and other body fluids in the workplace. If proper precautions are not taken, exposure to these pathogens can easily lead to infectious diseases.  

Organizations, like Topps Cleaning Service, are required by law to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards regarding bloodborne pathogens. These regulations mandate employee training, the implementation of exposure control plans, and the provision of necessary protective equipment. Compliance not only ensures the safety of our employees but also protects Topps Cleaning Service from legal liabilities associated with non-compliance.

Our educated and well-trained cleaning staff play a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases within the workplace. By following proper protocols, our employees can minimize the risk of contamination and ensure a safer environment for everyone. This is particularly important in healthcare settings, schools, and other public facilities where the risk of exposure is higher.

Topps Cleaning Service, as well as other members of the IJCSA, prioritize employee safety and protection from the risks that these pathogens pose.

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B. Anyone who works in the cleaning industry may come into contact with materials that could be contaminated with bloodborne pathogens. Possessing the right knowledge ensures that individuals are able to perform their duties while protecting their own safety and the safety of those around them. Cleaning staff must understand where bloodborne pathogens may be present, how to properly clean surfaces that come into contact with them, how to safely handle and dispose of contaminated materials or waste, and how to care for themselves or others who may be exposed.

Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted not only through blood, but also through certain body fluids and materials that have come into contact with them. This includes laundry, bedding, fixtures, flooring, and other surfaces. Because it is not always possible to know whether bloodborne pathogens are present, it is best to assume they are and handle all situations accordingly. This includes wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), using appropriate cleaning supplies, properly labeling and handling contaminated materials (such as laundry or bedding), and safely disposing of contaminated waste. The CDC has established guidelines known as Universal Precautions and Protective Practices to provide guidance when performing these activities.

In addition, it is equally important for individuals to know what to do if they accidentally come into contact with contaminated materials or experience a potential exposure. Taking early action can help prevent or reduce the risk of serious, life-altering conditions.

By staying informed and following proper safety practices, we can help ensure the safety of ourselves and those we serve.

Janitors and janitorial staff play one of the most essential but often overlooked roles in maintaining the health, safety, and functionality of our everyday environments. From the buildings where we work and shop, to the schools where children learn, and the medical facilities where we receive care, janitorial professionals ensure each space remains clean, sanitized, and usable. Without their daily efforts, the places we rely on would quickly become unsafe, disorganized, and unsanitary. Their work forms the backbone of healthy communities, preventing the spread of illness and maintaining environments where people can thrive.

Beyond cleaning, janitorial professionals support public health in ways many people don't even realize. Tasks such as disinfecting high-touch surfaces, managing waste properly, using HEPA-filtered equipment, and maintaining restroom sanitation all significantly reduce exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, and allergens. In workplaces and schools, this leads directly to fewer sick days and greater productivity. In hospitals, clinics, and senior-care facilities, janitorial staff are a frontline defense against dangerous pathogens. Their training in bloodborne pathogens, green cleaning, and proper chemical handling ensures that buildings are not only visually clean but also truly safe for every occupant.

Janitors also contribute to the overall quality of life in meaningful, human-centered ways. They create environments that feel welcoming, well-maintained, and professional. A clean office lobby influences first impressions, just as a spotless classroom supports student focus and morale. Their presence provides comfort, knowing that someone is continuously working behind the scenes to protect the well-being of all who enter. In many ways, janitors are the quiet heroes of people’s daily lives and individuals whose dedication keeps society running smoothly, safely, and with dignity. Recognizing their importance elevates not only the profession but also the respect they deserve for the essential service they provide every single day.

Cleaning employees and staff are often on the frontline of workplace safety and hygiene, encountering situations where exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials is possible. Understanding bloodborne pathogens—such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV—is crucial for their well-being and for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in various environments, including schools, offices, hospitals, and public facilities. Knowledge of bloodborne pathogens equips staff with the ability to recognize hazards, respond appropriately, and minimize risks.

Comprehensive training on bloodborne pathogens helps staff to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE), safely handle and dispose of contaminated materials, and follow correct decontamination procedures. Without proper knowledge and training, cleaning personnel may inadvertently expose themselves or others to infectious agents, leading not only to personal health risks but also to potential outbreaks in the wider community. Knowing the correct steps to take in the event of a spill or exposure incident ensures a swift and effective response, minimizing potential harm.

Furthermore, employers are legally required in many regions to provide bloodborne pathogen training under workplace safety laws such as OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. By investing in education and cultivating a culture of safety, organizations demonstrate their commitment to employee welfare and public health. Ultimately, well-informed cleaning staff are essential guardians of sanitation, helping to maintain safe environments and reinforcing the overall effectiveness of workplace safety program.

It is important for cleaning employees to be aware of bloodborne pathogens and the risks that come from them. But first we need to understand what they are. Bloodborne pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms in human blood which include HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

It's essential for employers to have knowledge on the procedures that are used to be cautious to help prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. One way could be by taking special training classes to increase their knowledge on precautions they can take. Without these training classes the employees could be at risk of getting infected if the proper measures aren't taken.

In conclusion lmk following the right steps when dealing with body fluids/ blood could prevent life threatening diseases in the workplace.