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International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association

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  • 08 Dec 2019 2:42 AM | Deleted user

    Being green certified is very important to us at Diamon-Jan LLC. We're dedicated to providing a safe work environment for our team and clients. 

    • We will put our plan in written.
    • Update and purchase any equipment that's not eco-friendly
    • Purchase only Certified Green Products
    • Train our team using IJCSA Green Cleaning Certification


  • 05 Dec 2019 8:28 AM | Deleted user

    Just last week, my Property Manager friend relayed the nightmarish incident of having hired a ‘professional’ carpet cleaner to come and remove a massive pink stain that her most recent tenant had left.  She sat and watched as the ‘professional cleaner’ saturated the stain with an unknown cleaning agent and then rubbed the solution vigorously into the stain, essentially spreading the pink color and deepening its hue.  When he was finished, he declared that there was nothing more that could be done for the stain, and that it had simply been set too far into the fibers.  What’s more, he told her that she was still responsible for the bill!

    Don’t be stuck in her position!  There are many individuals out on the market who claim to be professional carpet cleaners - who we naturally assume have the knowledge and training necessary to effectively care for our carpets.  Had my friend hired an IJCSA certified carpet cleaner, she would have experienced a much different result.  An IJCSA certified carpet cleaner would have utilized the proper amount of cleaning solution and would have employed proper cleaning methods to effectively remove the stain.  Hiring an IJCSA certified carpet cleaner removes all risk that you will be stuck with an untrained ‘professional’ who will charge you to further damage your carpet.  There are industry standards which should always be followed, and without the IJCSA seal of certification, there are simply no guarantees.  Make the smart choice, and check out the IJCSA carpet cleaning directory today!

  • 03 Dec 2019 8:57 AM | Deleted user

    Did you know that cleaning products, unlike food, cosmetics, and other personal care products, are not legally required to list their ingredients?  That’s right, cleaning products are NOT regulated by the FDA!  Furthermore, the average household has approximately 65 chemicals stored in it, most of which have been linked to asthma, cancer, hormone disruptions, and birth defects.  How are we to determine, then, what is harmful or not, of all the products on the market?  The only way to be fully protect ourselves is to reduce our exposure to these chemicals and to stick with natural green products.  Natural green products are designated as safe and free of any harmful or abrasive toxic chemicals.

    We will start with standard all purpose cleaners, which typically contain a whole host of dangerous toxins.  The common ingredient, 2-butoxyethanol, is known to cause dizziness, headaches, confusion, lightheadedness, and to irritate the nose, eyes, throat, and mouth.  In contrast, why not use a comparable green product - 'Simple Green Pro Herbal Scent Antibacterial Cleaner and Disinfectant'?  This product kills 99.9% of germs, meets the OSHA bloodborne pathogens standards, fully sanitizes and disinfects surfaces, and kills viruses.  There is nothing that a standard all-purpose cleaner can do, that simple green will not do.  Why pose a risk to your health, when it can be avoided? 

    Glass cleaners are another culprit.  Many standard glass cleaners on the market contain Isopropyl Alcohol, which can irritate the skin, eyes, and can provoke asthmatic episodes involving coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.  In contrast, the Simple Green Glass Cleaner is just as effective as any standard glass cleaner, restoring a streak-free shine to any window, mirror, or other reflective surface.  It meets the Green Seal GS-37 Standard, which verifies its reduced healthy, safety, and environmental risk as a green product.  When posed with the option, why choose a standard glass cleaner that contains VOCs which adversely impact the air quality and the health of our lungs? 

    Those who are drawn to cleaning products with ‘delicious’ fragrances should be made aware that these scents are created through the use of noxious chemicals.  These synthetic fragrances conceal under their sweet scent a slew of toxic agents that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders, and severe allergens.  Allergy sufferers often find that their symptoms become much worse with the use of these synthetic scents.  Why not use essential oils instead?  Essential oils have been known to boost the immune system, balance out hormone levels, heal digestive disorders, and dramatically reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.  The choice is clear!

    There are a few more toxic ingredients found in common household products that everyone should be aware of.  Chlorine bleach, which is probably the most common one, can bring severe irritation to the lungs and eyes.  Ammonia can burn the skin on contact and is poisonous when swallowed.  Sodium hydroxide, which is often found in drain, metal, and oven cleaners, can also burn the skin on contact, and is extremely irritating to the eyes, ears, nose, and throat.  Sodium lauryl sulfate, a common ingredient in many personal care items, has been linked to cancer, neurotoxins, skin irritation, and organ toxicity. 

    The list doesn’t stop there,but goes on and on.  The only way to be entirely safe is to reduce your exposure to these dangerous toxins, and to commit fully to using green products.  For a list of IJCSA green-certified professional cleaners, please visit the directory below:

    https://ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

  • 02 Dec 2019 8:55 AM | Deleted user

    Mold becomes a health hazard when inhaled and can cause numerous health issues such as The growth of mold has the potential to produce mycotoxins. The amount and types of mycotoxins depend heavily on environmental and genetic factors. Though the EPA has no regulatory guidelines on mold or airborne mold spores, over 200 different types of mycotoxins have been identified. Identifying mycotoxin producing mold is not possible to tallergies, hay fever like symptoms, rashes or irritants to the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs.

    Mold can also potentially produce microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (mVOCs). These compounds produce the moldy smell often found in some buildings. Though the effects of inhaling mVOCs are unknown, they have been linked to headaches, dizziness, vomiting and fatigue.

    The use of biocides such as bleach may kill mold, but as dead mold is an allergenic, reactions may occur necessitating in the removal of the mold as well.

    Even though mold is part of our environment, the effects of mold can be hazardous. Though there is much to be learned as research in this field is ongoing, IJCSA has numerous members who are well informed of the effects of mold on one’s health and how to remove mold from homes and offices.

    IJCSA members are well versed in the tools and processes used to remediate mold. Tools such as a wet vac to remove standing water, a moisture meter to locate potential mold growth, a hepavac or high efficiency particulate air vaccum to remove mold spores from the air, as well as other personal protective equipment designed to keep mold from the skin and lungs which protect remediators in the field.

    Flood water damage carries its own hazards such as damage to structural integrity and requires a different skill set. IJCSA has a flood damage directory which will help to guide you to the proper professionals.


  • 30 Nov 2019 4:05 PM | Deleted user

    It is now commonplace to find harmful chemicals in a majority of products that we purchase, from foods, cosmetics, hygienic products, home improvement products, and clothing.  These harmful chemicals are known to cause a whole host of health issues, including skin and eye irritation, asthma, wheezing, coughing, dizziness, light hotheadedness, and in some cases, even cancer and severe birth defects.  By choosing to use more ecologically-friendly, or ‘green-cleaning’ products, consumers can decidedly reduce their health risks by reducing exposure to these and other harmful chemicals.

    For years now, Americans have had a strong tendency towards germophobia.  Largely influenced by advertising campaigns, we have been indoctrinated to believe that only heavy-duty chemicals can satisfactorily eliminate germs, viruses, and bacteria, so to keep our families safe.  But, is it really necessary - and isn’t it even a bit ironic - that we feel compelled to use such highly toxic chemicals just to keep ourselves ‘healthy’? 

    The only standard cleaners that green products can't completely match in terms of cleaning power are those that contain chlorine, such as bleach. However, green products can obtain the equivalent results to bleach, they just require a bit more scrubbing.  It seems to be a fair trade off, when considering the harmful effects that can result from exposure to bleach, including severe irritation to the eyes and lungs. 

    Do we truly need to look for products that say "antibacterial"? Recent reports from the FDA has demonstrated that cleaning with antibacterial soaps presents no significant benefits over regular soaps, and that the over-use of antibacterial ingredients can even promote resistance to antibiotics.  Additionally, studies have found that triclosan, which is a chemical frequently found in antibacterial products, can cause hormonal, reproductive, and thyroid issues.  Most green and environmentally friendly products are free of these and other toxins which are known to pose such serious health risks. 

    Isn’t it worth considering green cleaning practices, when there is so much is at stake?

    To find your next green-cleaning certified service, please reference the IJCSA directory below!

    https://ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

  • 28 Nov 2019 7:37 PM | Tony Park

    #IJSCA #GreenCleaning #Certified

    We are now IJSCA Green Cleaning Certified! Sir Speedy Cleaning -- a small, friendly, customer-oriented cleaning business looking to assist the customers with excellent care. Our goal here is to provide the best and quality services for the customers. We are here not only to serve you with sparkly clean space, but also to provide the cleaning service that will reduce your exposure to the harmful chemicals. We are dedicated to providing a safe environment for both our customers and our employees.

    We will:

    • Have regularly scheduled educational meetings with our employees about Green Cleaning
    • Update our inventory with eco-friendly products
    • Continue to pursue excellency in providing safe, satisfying services using safe products

    This is our promise to you. You can find more information on green cleaning here: https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services

  • 26 Nov 2019 1:04 PM | Emmanuel Jones

    Jones Cleaning Services prioritizes the upmost safety of its employees in addition to the clients that we serve. We task our employees with following the proper protocol and procedures  to ensure we are in compliance with OSHA Standards and Best Practices. Why is this important? Let us give you a scenario:

    Your employee is working at a school building where a child has gotten an adult has gotten a bloody nose that your employee is responsible for cleaning up and disposing of. As supervisors, we would assume that our custodians would follow the proper protocol. If they are not trained on it, the may not follow proper procedures. The custodian not only decides not to wear protective gloves but only uses soap and water to clean up the blood and throws the soiled paper towels in the bathrooms trashcan. Not only is your custodian putting her/himself in a position to be exposed to a bloodborne pathogen (i.e. HPV, HIV) but also placing students and teachers in a hazardous environment that frequent that bathroom. Now not only is your custodian in a position of harm, your company is in a position of liability. 

    As a staff member, it is important to ensure all your staff (supervisors, managers) are trained in understanding what bloodborne pathogens are and their responsibilities in supporting their custodians by developing and maintaining practices and guidelines that meet OSHA standards. For custodians, becoming aware of the steps they need to take when cleaning bloodborne pathogens ensures they are protecting themselves at all times. We recommend the following steps are taken to ensure you are following Universal precautions:

    - Ensure supplies such as latex/vinyl gloves, protective eyewear, facemask and/or gowns are readily accessible at all job sites

    -Provide a handbook on site listing protocols for the cleaning up of potential bloodborne pathogens (i.e. blood, throw-up, bodily fluids) and items (needles and sharp objects) that stipulates which cleaning products/supplies will be used in each situation

    -Provide resources (webinars, trainings) that allows staff and custodians to become knowledgeable of Bloodborne Pathogens

    By putting these recommendations into your everyday practices, you can ensure that you are provide a safe environment for all those that don your uniform. 

  • 25 Nov 2019 5:47 PM | Anonymous

    There are many carpet cleaning companies out there. But how many are there that you can be certain are knowledgeable, experienced, and effective in producing results.  If you would like a IJCSA certified service provider who focuses on green cleaning, please click on the following link:https://www.ijcsa.org/Carpet-Cleaning-Directory.

  • 25 Nov 2019 2:57 PM | Anonymous

    So you find yourselves in need of a cleaning service, you want to make your business more presentable and suitable for customers. While searching for a company to provide this service you come across offers for green cleaning, you think to yourself “what difference would this really make? Isn’t this just going to cost me more?” Let me be the first to assure you that this will be a wonderful benefit to your company and may even cost you less! 

    By using biodegradable and eco-friendly chemicals that limit plastic usage you can proudly display to your customers the steps you’ve taken to assist your community. The world is changing, being a green is a clear way to help stand out in the modern business environment, especially towards the youth. The community you live in will greatly appreciate your effort to create a more safe and clean world and therefore more people will commonly frequent your place of business.

    Today is the day to start using an ethical non-toxic service to keep your workplace looking its best and doing its best to help the world. The responsible and energy efficient way is the best road to go down, and it’s easier than you think!

    At this point you’re probably thinking “How would I go about finding a Green cleaning company?” Well, there’s a simple answer to that! https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services is a directory of green cleaning companies all over the world! From the state of Georgia all the way over to Myanmar!


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