HEALTHLY. It is something everyone wants to be and every manager director nurse or staff member strive to achieve for patients and coworkers. This is why it is so important to hire a cleaning company that is knowledgeable and certified to do it correctly. If your cleaning company doesnt know how to properly clean rooms and medical facilities your risk for lawsuits is high from patients contacting a HAI. 1 in 20 people who are hospitalized contract a HAI and 1.7 million are reported to the CDC each year which 99,000 people die from it each year. 

There are 3 contact based precautions to prevent the spread of Bloodborne pathogens and wearing the proper PPE and cleaning rooms and linens are a strong first step to combat the spread of infection. Cleaning high touch surfaces should be done as follows, Wipe are 4x to remove debris and germs, spray with disinfectant and wait the appropriate time listed on the label to make sure that germs and bacteria and virus' are killed or nuetralized, reappllying solution as necessary and then wiping clean with a wet rag from a disinfectant solution bucket.

Be sure to follow proper procedures on cleaning bodily fluids up and linen with bodily fluids on them. Always be gentle and fold the corners in and then the sides, fold inward and place in a linen bag and never place on the ground.

2Clean values it's relationship with clients above all. We strive to provide excellent customer service. We listen to our clients needs and are understanding of circumstance and any issue they have. We care about our clients needs and wants and fulfill them. 2Clean is a turn key cleaning company that offers a wide variety of cleaning needs for commercial and residential clients. We are your one call, shop all cleaning company! We follow up with all our clients to ensure we exceeded their expectations.

International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association - Find Cleaning Service (ijcsa.org)

It is crucial for every cleaning company to ensure that their employees and themselves are properly trained on how to handle contaminated materials and messes created by injury or illness and how to proceed if you suspect you have been affected. You also must have a record keeping of 3 years after a suspected contamination occurs. Using the proper PPE and following OSHA guidelines will greatly reduce the chance of infection while handling and cleaning contaminated surfaces. 

Wearing the proper PPE and following the OSHA exposure control plan is essential to a thorough clean up. This Control plan needs to be reviewed annually and use BETCO disinfectant to kill any bloodborne pathogens. You must dispose of your gloves immediately in a color coded bag and wash your hands thoroughly after removing your safety eyewear and gloves. Furthermore, disinfect all mops, buckets and cleaning materials immediately.

No food or drinks should be taken into any area where bloodborne pathogen contamination is possible. Also, no applying skincare products or lip balm as you can ingest the pathogens and increase exposure. Have a thorough disinfecting of trash receptacles to prevent pathogen cross contamination. 

Cleaning up existing mold is a great idea, but it won’t matter in the long run if you don’t know from where the mold came. Professional mold removal services do more than just get rid of the mold in your home. They also go on a mission to locate the source. There is testing for mold and it is done by an industrial Hygienist. They can explain their process and findings with you if you feel this is a step you want to take before the mold remediation specialists come in to clean. These services know how to distinguish the discoloration usually found in a mold infestation, as well as common places where mold may be hiding.

Once the source is identified, they can help you to determine the best course of action to remedy the problem. That way, a recurrence is less likely to happen. They will also alert you as to what to watch out for, so that you can catch a recurrence before it gets out of hand.

Clients will benefit the professional services that is gained through passing the IJCSA RCS certification. Those who have taken the certification have gained much knowledge as far as chemicals and the safety and care that would need to taken in regards to clients as well as the cleaning company.

Another key advantage is learning to clean according to customized surface reports. These reports are to help the client communicate to the cleaner what specific needs they would like, for example if they would like their oven cleaned and this is not a part of the professional cleaning service that is done regularly. 

By becoming a IJCSA RCS certified professional, you have the ability to learn about different type of surfaces and which chemicals are used to clean them. This becomes even more important when mixing different chemicals and knowing the ratios that’s needed without causing harm to yourself as well as the clients property.

Learning how to clean and groom clients carpets so another key advantage. This plays a role in the longevity of the clients carpet which is appreciated by clients and could help in client retention.

There are many advantages to hiring a cleaning company or person that passed the IJCSA RCS certification. I have named a few. If interested in having a cleaning company that is certified visit IJCSA website at IJCSA.org.

Bloodborne pathogens can be contacted directly or indirectly in various ways, so it’s extremely important to understand the risks and know how to protect against contamination. By following established workplace standards including Universal Precautions, employees can help protect themselves and others against bloodborne pathogen transmission, thus creating a safer, healthier workplace for everyone.

With 2021 starting as an interesting year with the coronavirus, more and more businesses are interested in sustainability and eco-conscious practices. Sustainable facility maintenance and green cleaning has never been more popular than it is at the moment which is also for our environment. Green office cleaning can be a demonstrable commitment to best practices without using exaggerated claims, meaningless promises and watered-down results. If a Industrial cleaning company Michigan claims to be ‘green’ but that equates to green chemicals and a few microfiber rags, that is not a real green cleaning program. Real and effective green cleaning options must go beyond lip service. There must be green cleaning strategies, sustainability practices, green cleaning equipment, a commitment to indoor air quality and green cleaning chemicals that demonstrate a solid commitment to a green cleaning program. You don’t want a false sense of green cleaning or a bunch of meaningless spin, especially since it takes you further from simple, effective and even cost saving ways to make our facilities safer, healthier and greener.

Strength H2O Industrial Solutions Green Cleaning Committment To You

Training staff in all of the environmentally beneficial methods of cleaning and best practices is critical to getting the most out of any green cleaning program.

• A cleaning company should use chemicals that are green certified wherever possible.
• Training staff in all of the environmentally beneficial methods of cleaning and best practices is critical to getting the most out of any green cleaning program.
  
• Sizing trash can liners correctly (you might be surprised how often incorrectly sized liners are used) reduces using more plastic material than necessary. 
• The use of floor mats at entrances limits the amount of dirt brought into your facility, thereby reducing the need for more cleaning and products than needed. 
• Backpack vacuums are not only lightweight and ergonomic for the cleaner, they are quieter contributing less to sound pollution
• Automatic chemical dispensing procedures reduce chemical overuse and assure correct mixing is followed.

Using IJCSA Green Cleaning Certified Directory To Make Your Life Easier

All of this checking and confirming can add up to more work on your plate than you need. Your to do list is already a mile long right? If you need to make the process of finding a new Michigan industrial cleaning company more streamlined, professional certification can help. The IJCSA Green Cleaning Certified Directory is a professional certification program for the Michigan building services industry. Extermely similar to ISO-Type certifications, IJCSA is a standard that requires a janitorial operation, whether contracted or in-house, to demonstrate controlled processes in the major areas:

• Quality System
• Service Delivery
• Human Resources
• Health, Safety and Environmental Stewardship
• Management Commitment
• Green Buildings and Service.

These areas correlate directly to the quality of service and efficacy you can expect to receive. When you hire an IJCSA Green Cleaning Certified commercial cleaning company that an outside independent examiner has verified meets or exceeds all LEED requirements, you know exactly what you are getting without all the leg work on your behalf. Strength H2O Industrial Solutions is a one soure solution for all your industrial cleaning services in Michigan, especially green cleaning!

Have you ever looked at your shelf of cleaning powders, aerosols, liquids, gels, oils and wondered, do I really need all these? Perhaps you’ve asked yourself, is it even wise to use such a variety of chemicals when I don’t know their long-term effects on the environment or my body.

With cancers showing up in epidemic proportions and allergies on the rise, we do well to look for places we can make changes. One change that’s easy and inexpensive is to return to old-fashioned and environmentally kind cleaning products. In fact, with only four – baking soda, borax, salt and vinegar – you’re well on your way to a green cleaning shelf. Let’s take a closer look at these four things and discover how they can solve almost any cleaning problem.

Baking soda  or sodium bicarbonate occurs naturally in mineral springs but can also be made artificially. While you are probably most familiar with its use in food preparation, it has medical uses (as an antacid for example), absorbs moisture and odors, and is gently abrasive.

Borax or sodium borate – a naturally occurring alkaline mineral – is a white powder of soft, colorless crystals that easily dissolve in water. It is a component of detergents, a fire retardant and an insecticide that kills ants and fleas. It also softens water, deodorizes and disinfects. Though borax gives off no toxic fumes and has a reputation of being safe for the environment, it can irritate the skin and should not be ingested.

Salt, or sodium chloride is mined from rock salt deposits or recovered from evaporated brine. Though you may know it best as a flavoring for food, it is also used as a de-icer for winter roads, a water softener, and is an important ingredient in manufacturing many things, from textiles to leather shoes. It inhibits the growth of bacteria making it a natural preservative and a home remedy for infections.

Vinegar (main ingredient acetic acid) is made when the ethanol from a liquid containing alcohol (wine, cider, beer, fermented fruit juice etc.) is oxidized. Its main household use is in food preparation and as a condiment. Medically, scientific studies have showed it is effective to hasten a feeling of fullness when dieting, as a treatment for high cholesterol and a soother for some stings. It is also useful as a cleaner for glass and other surfaces.

Put Baking Soda, Borax, Salt and Vinegar on Cleaning Duty

Now let’s go through your house to see how you can put baking soda, borax, salt and vinegar to work for you.

- Odors:

~ Rugs and carpets: to absorb odors sprinkle baking soda 20 minutes before vacuuming.

~ Room deodorizer: Slice an orange in half, remove the pulp and fill the rind with salt for an aromatic room freshener.

~ Garbage cans: Sprinkle bottoms of garbage cans with baking soda to absorb odors.

~ Litter boxes: Sprinkle bottom of box with baking soda before spreading litter on top to absorb odors.

- Cleaning Solutions:

~ Window cleaner: mix vinegar with water in concentrations of one cup vinegar to one to four cups of water. If the window seems streaky after shining, add ½ tsp. liquid soap. This will remove the waxy residue left by commercial cleaners.

~ All-purpose Cleaner 1: place a mixture of half vinegar, half water in a spray bottle. Use this for countertops, windows, woodwork, mirrors, bathtubs and showers.

~ All-purpose Cleaner 2: 1 quart water, ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice or 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol.

- Metals:

~ Wipe chrome with apple cider vinegar, then rinse.

~Wipe stainless cookware and copper-clad pots with a mixture of several tablespoons of vinegar mixed with a little salt.

~ Rub tarnished silver and copper with baking soda.

~Dissolve baking soda in a large container of warm water. Place tarnished silver in the water touching a piece of aluminum foil.

~ Remove rust from tools, skate blades, bicycle chains, handlebars, spokes etc. by making a paste with salt and 1 tbsp. vinegar (or lemon juice). Apply the paste to rust spots with a dry cloth and rub.

- Drains: Unclog by pouring ¼ cup baking soda into the drain. Follow with ½ cup vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then pour a kettle full of boiling water to flush.

- Vases: make a paste with 1/3 cup salt and 2 tbsp. vinegar. Apply to the inside of the vase (double or triple the recipe if it’s a large vase) and let stand for 20 minutes. Discard paste and scrub.

- Furniture: Polish furniture with a mixture of 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. white vinegar and 4 cups water.

- Silk flowers: Place dusty silk flowers in a large bag with 1 cup salt and shake vigorously.

LAUNDRY

- Clothes etc.: add ½ cup borax to each laundry load to remove spots and brighten colors.

Add ¼ cup baking soda  or ½ cup vinegar to the final rinse to soften clothes.

- Stains:

~ Remove grease stains with borax.

            ~ Remove Juice, wine and coffee stains with baking soda.

KITCHEN

- Garbage disposal: Pour ½ cup salt into the garbage disposal unit, then run it according to manufacturer’s directions to get rid of bad odors.

- Oven: Make a paste of ½ cup salt, 1½ cup baking soda, ½ cup water. Spread the paste on the dirty surfaces and leave on overnight. In the morning place a  mixture of ¼ cup vinegar and ¼ cup water in a spray bottle and spray treated surfaces. Wipe off and rinse thoroughly to get rid of all white residue.

- Microwave oven: Place bowl with ¼ cup vinegar and 2 cups water in the oven and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Leave for another 3 minutes then remove bowl and wipe down inside of microwave with damp cloth.

- Wooden cutting boards: Sprinkle a liberal amount of salt on smelly cutting boards, rub lightly then wash in soapy water.

- Dishwasher: Place 1 cup vinegar in an empty dishwasher and run it through its wash cycle to remove mineral build-up and odor.

- Coffee pots: Clean with a mixture of white vinegar and water.

- Smelly hands: Dip a cut lemon wedge in salt, rub it on your hands, then rinse with water.

BATHROOM

- Toilet bowls: Clean with ½  cup borax in a gallon of water.

- Mildew: Scrub with borax or baking soda.

- Grout: Mix 3 cups baking soda with 1 cup warm water. Scrub into the grout then rinse thoroughly.

Scouring Powders:

~ Use baking soda as a scouring powder. It may take more scrubbing but it won’t scratch surfaces.

~ Make a scouring slurry by mixing ¼ cup borax and ¼ cup baking soda with 1½ cups hot water.

- Combs and brushes: Rid of residue by wash with baking soda in water. Rinse well.

If all that cleaning has left you with tired, sore feet, celebrate the end of the day with a salt water foot bath. Mix ¼ cup salt and ¼ cup baking soda into 1½ gallons of warm water. Soak feet for up to 15 minutes. (This may not be suitable for people with diabetes or circulation problems.)

If you are environmentally minded, you might like the opportunity to green your workplace with a few simple changes.  While the changes that you make might be small, they can make a positive difference on the environment. If your company wants to go green but is not able to accomplish on their own, check out IJCSA Green Cleaning Directory to find the true, certified professionals that will be happy to provide guidence.

Like most people, you spring clean during April. This year start off right. Be green. Make your home sparkle and shine, but in a manner that preserves the Earth. On your to-do list, focus on activities that recycle goods, reduce electricity, and utilize natural cleansers. 

RECYCLE GOODS

Swap paper towels for rags. Make use of old clothes too worn to give away. Turn them into reusable cleaning rags. First, wash these garments. Then, cut out 12x12 squares wherever possible. Unlike paper towels, cloth rags are sturdy and won't fall apart. 

Donate furniture to charity. Help another person while feeding your soul. Give away that old couch and chair that's unsightly or just in the way. Charitable organizations like Good Will pick up furniture for free.  

Get rid of old appliances. Do away with your collection of toasters, blenders, and microwaves. Donate these things to charity or a young couple starting out. A new home for old appliances helps declutter space making room for more necessary products.  

REDUCE ELECTRICITY

Unplug rarely used electronics. Reduce your energy bill and conserve. Unplug rarely used electronics. When plugged in, their kilowatts count toward the bill even if turned off. See immediate savings after 30 days. 

Seal off windows and door frames. Open spaces around windows and door frames let in outside air. Therefore, more energy is needed to heat or cool a room. Solve this issue with a caulk gun. As part of your green spring cleaning, caulk around these areas and seal them off. 

Switch to CFL light bulbs. According to the EPA, CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. They also last longer. These factors translate into monetary savings.

USE NATURAL CLEANSERS

Wipe surfaces with white distilled vinegar. This aqueous solution is an excellent cleanser. Besides eradicating mold and bacteria, it leaves no streaks. Apply white distilled vinegar on windows and reflective surfaces. 

Use baking soda as an oven cleaner. Create a thick paste using baking soda and water. Afterward, coat the walls and floors of your oven with this substance. Wait a couple of hours. The bicarbonate in this popular product breaks down grime. Wipe away the layers of dirt with a damp rag.  

Sanitize the cooler with lemons. Slice two lemons in half and squeeze the juice into a spray bottle. Then, add water. Spritz this solution throughout your refrigerator and wipe after a minute. The acid in the lemon juice acts as an antiseptic. It also leaves a wonderful aroma. 

COMMERCIAL GREEN CLEANING SERVICES

An eco-friendly business cares about the bottom line, but it also keeps an eye on the corporate impact on the environment. Small and large businesses need to impress consumers and clients by implementing green practices, but what are the steps a company can take to go green? Its simple, check out the #1 rated Green Cleaning Directory! If you are located in Michigan, Strength H2O Industrial Solutions is proud to offer green services on all Michigan facility types.

 With today's climate of infectious disease the need for training about bloodborne pathogens with all staff is vitally. It is important for cleaning employees and staff to know about bloodborne pathogens as they can cause disease such as HIV or HBV. 

 Employees must be aware of the multiple ways bloodborne pathogens can spread and what personal protective safety equipment to wear such as goggles, disposable latex gloves. learning about universal standards will help with stopping the spread, universal standards tells us that blood and body fluids from ALL patients should be treated as potentially infectious with no exception and infection control precautions be taken to minimize exposure.

 It is important for employees and staff to learn that  Contagion can happen from needles or other sharps so employees must store them in containers to avoid injury and contamination. Staff should know not to eat, drink, smoke, or apply lip balm in areas where there is possibility of bloodborne pathogen exposure.