Everyday people make the switch to using eco-friendly or "green" products to clean their homes or businesses with. Some make the switch slowly others jump into it. Why? Because more and more studies reveal the benefits of earth friendly products. Harvard University's Healthy Buildings Program did a controlled study. Using different scenarios they were able to see exactly the effects of the byproducts of using regular everyday cleaning products. In a nutshell they were able to figure by removing the toxic chemicals typically found in office settings, it produced a $6,500 increase in productivity per employee. 

  Others may talk to a friend or someone who is using these environmentally friendly products. They can ask their questions and feel confident in making the switch themselves. If you haven't made the switch yet and don't know someone who has, one of the Certified Companies on the IJCSA Green Cleaning Directory will be more than capable and happy to help you.

  The EPA conducted a study at a school on the East Coast. They found dust in the school that still contained a pesticide that's been banned for decades because it is known to cause cancer. This shows the harmful and possibly devastating effects ordinary cleaners can have on our environments both indoor and outdoor.

  If these studies keep finding these benefits, imagine how eco-friendly products will improve your life at home or at work. Fewer headaches means less aspirin or nsaids (save money). Do you ever breakout with some type of dermatitis? This could be caused by your cleaning chemicals or even laundry detergent. It can save you from putting other chemicals on your skin to counteract the other chemicals that caused it, saving you money, especially if you need medical attention. 

  Green cleaning chemicals have been shown to improve cognitive function, so if you work from home you can get more work done. If you have kids doing homework it could improve their grades. The negative effects of regular cleaning products on are environment both indoor and outdoor are quite astonishing, and the benefits of using environmentally friendly products is mind-blowing. So don't we owe it to ourselves, pets, kids, and family to have the best and healthiest environments, to feel and be safe from these harmful side effects?

Janitorial staff are the key employees that keep buildings running around the world. The day after day work that they engage in is some of the most important to keep clean and sanitary facilities operating around the globe. As the old saying goes, you don't know what you've got until it's gone. 

The importance of janitorial staff cannot be overstated. Have you ever been in a restroom without hand soap, paper towels, or toilet paper. Have you ever walked through an office with visible trash on the floor? Each person has a role to play and janitorial staff are on the list of the most important for facilities management. 

How would your building or business run without them? Think about it for a minute. If you are in need of professional certified janitorial staff, give a look in your area here - IJCSA Janitorial Directory - Hire one of these professional individuals or services today.

The importance of cleaning is to keep ourselves and clients safe. Clients can rest easy knowing you have a team properly trained in handling contaminated material. It may sound like a small thing, but clients will want to know that your employees are educated as their own when it comes bloodborne pathogens. It surely works in our favor when we ensure that all of our staff are aware of protocols and safety practices.

Another benefit is our custodial staff that handles sharp bins, biohazard waste, or other potentially contaminated objects should know how to protect themselves and know what to do in the case of exposure. Training is one of the most important experiences for employees to go through. Employees act as the first line of defense after, or another bodily fluid contaminates an area. Unclean, bloodborne pathogens could spread to other people. This can cause serious illness. 

And of course, there is a legal and financial side. Did you know in a health care setting alone, there were 238 federal citations issued? Between October 2015 and September 2016, resulting in over $415,000 in fines. With just training alone will not guarantee you could avoid citations, however it certainly works if your follow the rules, practice safety and apply the right protocols. The moral of the importance of cleaning is that, If you can clean up properly and dispose of the bodily fluids before a bloodborne pathogen gets the opportunity to spread, you could save lives.

It is very important to maintain a clean environment in the cleaning healthcare field. It is of significant importance to not only protect yourself but also protect the other employees and patients. If you are careless in a healthcare setting it can have a very negative impact. 

Bloodborne Pathogens are infections in the blood that can be spread to others if exposed. The pathogens include the three types of Hepatitis and HIV. 

These pathogens can be found in the healthcare setting. Although, the healthcare staff should be the initial crew to begin the proper disposal of infected items there can still be traces of blood or other bodily fluids on surfaces. The cleaning crew must be sure to have the proper PPE to help protect themselves from these infected items.

You must always be sure to wipe all surfaces properly to avoid infection to yourself or to the other patients that have just had surgery and have fresh incisions. 

Airbnb and residential cleaners can now anticipate at a higher risk, contact with infectious materials and surfaces as part of their day to day job duties. While there was a time where one would anticipate that only first responders might only be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, in the post pandemic world we should all understand the risk.  

It is very important for all employees to know this information so they can make sure they are wearing the right PPE practicing uniform and safe protocols and standards and understanding the role they play in reducing the spread of bloodborne pathogens and virus’. The importance of understanding bloodborne pathogens is to enforce precautionary measures to prevent exposure. Responsible hand washing, disinfecting cleaning materials and handling the linens from Airbnb or hotels will be the key to keeping our team safe and stopping the spread. 

In this environment we will focus on cleaning frequently touched surfaces as well as disposing of the personal protective equipment that goes along with being a residential house cleaner. It is very important that the disposable gloves  and masks which are a cleaners best defense are dedicated to cleaning and properly disposed of. As an employer it Is my top priority to educate my team, protect my team and have a plan in place for exposure. 

Looking for a trusted source for carpet cleaning?  One that you know has been trained in how to perform the service correctly?  Look no further than the International Janitorial Custodial Services Association for vendors in your area.  To find them click on the following link: https://www.ijcsa.org/Carpet-Cleaning-Directory

Know a trusted carpet cleaner that isn't listed? Tell them about the IJCSA and recommend they get certified and listed.

IJCSA members are certified in many different areas of the janitorial/cleaning industry including carpet cleaning, all members are REAL business owners or employees who take great pride in being certified.  They offer the knowledge and experience to properly clean and disinfect your home or office carpets or rugs.  With expert care you can rest at ease knowing the job is done professionally and accurately. Many IJCSA members are insured for the added security of knowing if something goes wrong it's covered.

Find Professional Certified Carpet Cleaning Companies Here

Educating all cleaning staff in the safe handling of any items while cleaning that contain, bodily fluid is imperative. Every company is responsible for the health and well-being of its employees. For example, providing protective material such as gloves and safety googles and encouraging there use is a good first step. The spread of infectious diseases can cause injury, disease and even death in some cases. Therefore, provide these materials and train on the proper use of them.

Wearing protective material can prevent the staff member from coming into contact with infectious diseases like HIV, HBV, and hepatitis. A staff member can come in contact with these bloodborne diseases such as handling and cleaning up bodily fluid, bed sheets that have blood, and handling needles that have been used. Blood borne pathogens travel with in the human blood and can be contracted to another individual if it comes in contact with open wounds or enter the staff member comes in contact by a break in the skin. OSHA has established the standard that any contact with a person bodily fluids like blood, saliva, feces, etc. should be taking very seriously.

The best way to keep employees is safe is to encourage them to follow strict practices when contacting soiled laundry, mopping up bodily fluids, and handling blood. Employees should be encouraged to wash their hands after handling these materials even if gloves have been worn. Lastly, providing a handbook on OSHA standards to each employee and training monthly, is important to maintain the health of your staff.

In cleaning it is extremely important that all staff understand the importance of bloodborne pathogens. Blood, vomit, saliva, and needlesticks can expose employees to bloodborne pathogens. Employees should assume that all fluids are exposing them.

It is important that the appropriate disinfectant is used to clean up fluids, and that everything used in decontamination needs to be properly disposed and cleaned.

HBV and HIV are very dangerous and preventing exposure is critical for cleaning staff that are exposed. 

There may be no limit to what we are exposed to in the janitorial world, but we can limit what we come in contact with in an unhealthy way. In the case of blood borne pathogens which cause illness, disease or even death, we can take every precaution possible. We are to treat each substance, each situation as if it can harm us, and so, approaching the clean-up with caution and wisdom is a must.

We are to use protective gear including gloves, masks and gowns. We are to seek a safe way of disposal, labeling the debris, sealing it, and making sure no one else has exposure to the clean-up.   

We are to clean up our own area including self. Disinfecting all equipment used, washing hands immediately after removing gloves, removing gown and disposing properly can all help in reducing or eliminating the spread of bloodborne pathogens.

Together we can make this job and world a safer place. With people trusting that we are doing our jobs in a safe manner, it is so important that we approach each day with focused attention on staying safe .... and clean.