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Cleaning for Health and Appearance: Why You Should Strive for Both

Cleaning for Health and Appearance: Why You Should Strive for Both

You’ve heard the phrase, “Looks can be deceiving.” While surfaces and spaces may appear clean visually, cleaning for appearance does not address the underlying issues that impact the overall well-being of employees, customers, and facilities alike.

While the pandemic brought along many problems, it also showed us that traditional cleaning methods are no longer enough; but don’t throw out your supplies just yet. Instead, re-think your current approach towards cleanliness by not just cleaning for appearance, but also cleaning for health.

While these two methods have different end goals, using them together offers a comprehensive approach to maintaining a professional environment that promotes safety, employee and customer well-being, and a positive image.

Cleaning for appearance involves organizing and tidying up, along with surface cleaning until the space looks visually appealing. Tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, arranging items, and wiping down surfaces are all examples of this style of cleaning. The primary goal of appearance cleaning is to remove dust, dirt, and impurities from surfaces.

Cleaning for health looks beyond the surface and prioritizes killing and removing germs, viruses, allergens, and contaminants in an environment for the overall safety and well-being of the building’s occupants. According to Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist at the University of Arizona, office workstations can support up to 10 million bacteria, 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat. While this statement may sound surprising, it is important to remember that employees spend nearly 6 hours of their workday at their workstations and return to this space after visiting restrooms and break rooms, interacting with, and cross-contaminating frequently touched surfaces along the way. Look for products that are EPA-certified, or green products that are easier on surfaces and the user.

A technology that is becoming more widely used is electrostatic disinfectant spraying. This process eliminates 99.99% of germs and bacteria, is fragrance-free, EPA-approved, non-corrosive, and is effective against the coronavirus. More information on this technology can be found here.

We have established cleaning for appearance and health is the most effective way to clean going forward, but what does that process look like?

1. Pre-clean. Start with visually inspecting the facility, decluttering, putting things back where they belong, and sweeping up any dirt and debris.

2. The appearance clean: tasks like dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash, wiping down surfaces, and clearing them of any dirt.

3. The clean for health, starting with rooms and objects with high priority such as keyboards, light switches, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures including sinks, handles, trash bins, and faucets. It is important to note that sanitizing is not intended to kill viruses, disinfecting is. When cleaning, start from the top and work your way down, as this prevents dirt and dust from falling on places you have already cleaned. This step also includes tasks such as deep cleaning carpets, replacing HVAC filters, and washing windows. A thorough cleaning regimen should include surface cleaning, as well as sanitizing and disinfecting.

4. Restock products and inspect the area for any missed spots.

With consumers and employees putting more focus on cleanliness and hygiene, it is important to understand that both methods of cleaning play a crucial role in the reduction of airborne pathogens and the spread of germs and that cleaning is not a one-time solution. A professional cleaning service has the knowledge and equipment to ensure your facility is giving off a positive impression to its visitors, while also offering employees a healthy, efficient, and productive workplace.

Let CorpClean handle your commercial cleaning needs. We offer customized cleaning schedules that meet your facility’s specific needs, which can be performed during or after business hours. Contact us today.

Cleaning for health looks beyond the surface and prioritizes killing and removing germs, viruses, allergens, and contaminants in an environment for the overall safety and well-being of the building’s occupants.

CorpClean ensures your facility is as clean as it looks.

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Safeguarding Your Office Against Monkeypox

Safeguarding Your Office Against Monkeypox

What you can do to keep work areas safe from monkeypox and ensure employees are comfortable returning to the office.

Just as you thought it was safe to bring everyone back to the office, the federal government announced another health threat. The White House recently declared monkeypox a national public health emergency, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quickly issued updated guidelines for cleaning professionals. Many employees are concerned about contamination in their physical workspaces with this new virus, so building managers must address these valid concerns. Let’s first better understand the monkeypox virus and how it is transmitted. According to the CDC, the monkeypox virus is similar to smallpox but milder and rarely fatal. Monkeypox was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like illness occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox,” the source of the infection remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) might harbor the virus and infect people. The first human case of monkeypox occurred in 1970. Before the 2022 outbreak, people reported the disease in several central and western African countries. Transmission typically occurs through direct skin-to-skin contact. Contact can be from touching an infected person’s rash, scabs, or body fluids. One can also be infected when coming into contact with objects or fabrics such as clothing, towels, or bed linens used by someone with the disease. Studies show that the live virus can remain active for weeks or even months if not adequately eliminated. Soft surfaces appear to retain the virus longer than hard surfaces. Thorough cleaning is vital to maintaining a virus-free environment and keeping workers productive. The CDC recommends using disinfectants found on the EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogens list (also known as List Q). CorpClean employs an electrostatic disinfectant spraying method containing VitalOxide, one of the List Q products. VitalOxide kills 99.999 percent of germs and bacteria and is fragrance-free, gentle, and safe to use around people and pets. An electrostatic sprayer saves time and labor, sprays less liquid, and covers more surfaces. The technology provides an electrical charge to solutions, allowing them to wrap conductive surfaces with adequate coverage evenly. Double-charged particles envelope all conductive surfaces—shadowed, vertical, and underneath. Electrostatic spraying ensures 100 percent area coverage. CorpClean is ready to handle the following businesses: commercial, institutional & governmental, educational, industrial, logistic support centers, retail centers, hospitality, healthcare, and childcare. Let us take the worry out of your everyday or as-needed cleaning needs.

You can take other steps to help prevent the spread of monkeypox and other contagious viruses at work and at home.

Communication

Make sure everyone has the correct information about the virus and educate them on how they can help prevent spreading the virus. Keep messages fact-based to avoid creating stigma when communicating about monkeypox.

Isolation

Anyone who suspects they have been diagnosed with the monkeypox virus should be isolated until fully healed (which may take two to four weeks.)

Hand Washing

Everyone should have access to hand washing stations, frequently wash their hands, and use hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60 percent alcohol. Those coming into direct contact with an infected person, objects they used, or surfaces they touched should wash their hands immediately and thoroughly.

Home Cleaning

When cleaning areas where an infected person has been, avoid using equipment or activities that could readily spread dried material from lesions, such as fans, sweeping, dry dusting, or vacuuming. Soiled linens should be kept separate from other laundry items (do not shake, as this could disperse contaminated particles) and laundered with regular detergent and warm water.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Use proper equipment such as masks, gowns, eye protection, and gloves when entering an isolation area, cleaning and disinfecting, or doing laundry.   We may be entering a new age where infectious diseases such as Covid-19 and monkeypox are more prevalent, so now is the time to take action and establish a regular industrial cleaning regimen. Let CorpClean secure your business and stay ahead of any new contaminates that may be on the horizon. Call us today to get started.

The live monkeypox virus can remain active for weeks or even months if not adequately eliminated.

Stand up to monkeypox with CorpClean’s Electrostatic Disinfectant Spraying.

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How Should You Choose a Commercial Cleaning Company?

How Should You Choose a Commercial Cleaning Company?

Early signs can indicate how well a company will respond to your ongoing cleaning needs.

There are many factors to consider when deciding which commercial cleaning company will best serve your facility. Here are a few valuable areas to address when comparing service providers.

Communication and timeliness.

How quickly do they respond to your initial request for information? Many times a company will win business simply because they were the first to respond to a call or email request. In these busy times, with many companies struggling to find and keep employees, how they respond is probably a good indication of how promptly and efficiently they will address ongoing issues once there is a signed contract.

Get a quote or contract in writing so both parties clearly understand the expectations of services to be provided and costs. No one likes a surprise when the bill arrives in the mail. The time to discuss issues is before the vendor performs services. You and the cleaning company should walk through the building together before quoting. That way, you can cover all concerns ahead of time and include everything in the quote.

Your provider should agree to schedule periodic meetings to re-evaluate services and their frequency. Lately, office environments are quickly changing, so you may need to alter the timing of certain services to weekly, monthly, annually, etc. For example, if your staff has switched to working a more significant percentage of the week remotely, you may feel that weekly, not daily, floor cleaning is sufficient. Your cleaning company should be flexible and willing to make changes.

Overall appearance and comfort level.

Do you feel comfortable with the owners and technicians? Comfort leads to trust, and trust is key to long-lasting relationships. Business owners or company sales personnel often make good first impressions, but the technicians performing the actual work are the true ambassadors for an organization. Here are several questions to ask:

  • Do the workers present a professional and clean appearance?
  • Are they courteous and friendly?
  • Is their equipment clean?
  • Do workers consistently show up on time?

When selecting a service provider, you need to consider physical appearance because those individuals reflect your standards when they are in your facility—and visitors and employees will notice. So don’t let an outside service provider compromise your expectations for cleanliness.

Marketing and branding.

Does the prospective cleaning company have a comprehensive website that provides insight, information, and a means to contact them? Good marketing indicates a solid dedication to a positive customer experience. Do workers arrive in clean uniforms branded with their company logo? While that may seem like self-serving advertising for the cleaning company, it is essential for anyone working in your building to have proper identification for safety reasons. And your cleaning partner should also become an extension of your company and its brand.

Qualifications.

Ask a lot of questions upfront. Find out if the company has a training program. Having more highly trained technicians on the job helps to ensure a safer work environment, greater productivity, and better results. Find out if the company has any commercial cleaning certifications. Do they perform background checks on employees during the hiring process, and are they insured for accidents? You should pay close attention to these details, as they can negatively impact your organization if not handled properly.

References.

Ask for references. A solid business should be willing to provide you with a list of current clients that you can contact. Everyone knows that word-of-mouth referrals are the most trustworthy. Customers are always ready to share information and discuss their experiences with the prospective cleaning company. A longtime client indicates that the company has consistently provided excellent service.

CorpClean wants to be your commercial cleaning partner. Contact us today.

Comfort with service vendors leads to trust, and trust is key to long-lasting relationships.

We set our standards high to provide peace of mind and value for our customers.

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Post Pandemic: Do We Still Need Commercial Cleaners?

Post Pandemic: Do We Still Need Commercial Cleaners?

People are looking for the same attention to cleanliness and safety they’ve recently come to expect.

Commercial cleaning crews used to work the night shift because office managers didn’t want them visible during busy work hours. That has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now people expect to see cleaning in action. And they want to see deep and effective cleaning, not just a duster and vacuum cleaner.

Your employees and visitors desire the same dedication to cleanliness and sanitary routines they have implemented at home over the past couple of years. And that’s not going to change.

Everyone wants to feel safe in their workplace, so companies must demonstrate their commitment to better cleaning systems. Although many are still reeling from the adverse effects of the recent pandemic, some good practices have evolved. Maintaining higher standards for cleanliness simply makes good sense.

There are many types of germs and bacteria lurking on all surfaces. And what company doesn’t want happier, healthier, and more productive employees with fewer sick days and a more presentable work environment? We have all learned the lessons of preventative cleaning to stave off future potential germs. It has become common practice to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer and keep disinfectant wipes handy.

According to Essity, a leading global hygiene and health company, the results of their Return to Workplace survey, conducted by The Harris Poll, show some impressive statistics.

The overwhelming majority of American adults still believe increased cleaning and sanitizing are essential in public places, such as doctors’ offices/healthcare facilities (90 percent), restaurants (89 percent), hotels (88 percent), theaters (88 percent), fitness centers (87 percent), retail stores (86 percent), and entertainment facilities (stadiums/museums) (86 percent). The survey also indicates that workers have high expectations for office hygiene and cleanliness to feel comfortable, and those attitudes aren’t going away.

Contrary to what you might think, people are not all staying at home. Many are returning to the office, but that physical space is changing. Employers are seeking new ways to engage their staff and make them want to come back to the office. Gone are the days of closed-in cubicles. The latest trend is hoteling, where wide-open spaces are being created to allow for social distancing while encouraging collaboration. Converting lobby areas and conference rooms to community work areas provide new ways for employees to interact more safely and engage. Some companies are adding upgraded perks and concierge-like services to employees to promote camaraderie and make a more fun atmosphere.

Those new work areas create more challenges for the cleaning teams as the spaces expand and even move outdoors. Finding a team of experts to help your company navigate the critical elements of your overall facility maintenance can be vital to getting workers back and ensuring they feel confident enough to stay.

Another benefit of using a contracted commercial service for cleaning is one-stop shopping. Having all your cleaning and maintenance services integrated into one service provider means fewer people entering your facility, less exposure, and streamlined performance. Product availability has been an ongoing problem during the pandemic, and inventory control continues to be negatively impacted by a slow-moving supply chain. Let CorpClean monitor necessary products to ensure you have what you need, when you need it. We utilize our own equipment, which keeps costs down for our clients. We can clean daily, twice a week, or weekly—you determine the frequency based on your needs.

At CorpClean, we can tailor our services to meet and exceed your specific commercial cleaning needs. Give us a call or send us a message.

Everyone wants to feel safe in their workplace, and that’s not going to change.

Daily, three times weekly, or once a week. You pick your cleaning schedule.

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Vacuuming is Not Enough: Why Your Business Needs Professional Carpet Cleaning

Vacuuming is Not Enough: Why Your Business Needs Professional Carpet Cleaning

Beyond a tidy appearance, regular professional cleaning helps extend the life of your office carpeting.

Regular vacuuming goes a long way in removing dirt and grime from office carpets. But unless they are appropriately maintained, carpeted floors in high-traffic business facilities can undergo noticeable wear and damage. While vacuumed floors might look clean, even frequent vacuuming won’t keep carpets free from harmful bacteria and unseen debris that can cause fibers to fray. Periodically having your commercial carpet cleaned by professionals will extend its life and create a healthier work environment for your team.

What you see—and don’t see.

Vacuuming keeps your office carpets looking neat overall by removing visible loose impediments. However, deep-down dirt that vacuums can’t thoroughly capture can break down carpet fibers, and soil that collects in high-traffic areas can cause traffic patterns to appear. The result is flooring that looks worn and neglected.

Unclean carpets can cause more than just appearance problems. When bacteria and germs take up residence deep inside your carpet, they can lead to offensive odors and unhealthy air quality. And in extreme cases, they can even make employees sick.

Reputable commercial carpet cleaning services have professional-grade equipment designed to remove even deeply rooted residue from your office flooring. As a result, your carpet will look fresher and cleaner, and the improved air quality will help keep your staff healthier.

Professionals also employ industrial-strength cleaning products capable of removing embedded stains while applying stain-resistant treatments that safeguard against future staining and other damage resulting from heavy foot traffic. Another product consideration is the environment. For example, at CorpClean, we use non-toxic, environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Dust, dirt, and other debris will inevitably find their way into carpet fibers and, thus, the air we breathe. Qualified professional commercial cleaning services can effectively remove those harmful elements from the carpet.

How often should you clean your carpets?

While every facility maintenance plan should incorporate professional carpet cleaning, each business is unique. Carpet cleaning frequency can depend on several factors.

The building type is one deciding element. For example, physician offices and healthcare facilities must follow stringent cleaning and sanitation regulations. And in the age of Covid, most are increasing the frequency of deep carpet cleaning.

Foot traffic amounts—from visitors and workers alike—also influence how often carpets require cleaning. For most office buildings, once every six months should be enough. However, at CorpClean, we recommend quarterly cleaning in high traffic areas, such as busy lobbies, hallways, and dining rooms.

Depending on your business, you might need to consider any seasonal fluctuations, such as harsh outdoor weather conditions or higher retail foot traffic during busy holidays. And because of the spill-prone nature of their industries, restaurants and bars should clean their carpets at least quarterly.

A carpet’s color, nap, and pile type also influence how often you should clean it. For instance, high naps and light colors usually require more frequent cleaning.

With regular cleanings, carpet fibers can remain strong and durable, extending the carpet’s life and saving your business money over time.

Finding the right cleaning service.

Even when the rest of your building appears sparkling clean, dirty carpeting can leave a negative image. If you want to impress clients visiting your business, professional carpet cleaning services should be a part of your regular cleaning routine.

While finding a professional cleaning service that can keep your carpets looking great is essential, choosing one that won’t disrupt your business also matters. At CorpClean, we offer carpet cleaning schedules customized to meet your specific needs. We’ll create a floor care program featuring preventative measures and regularly scheduled cleaning that preserves and maintains your carpet.

Periodically having your commercial carpet cleaned by professionals will extend its life and create a healthier work environment for your team.

CorpClean’s floor care services protect hard surfaces from discoloration, wax build-up, peeling, and scratches and keeps carpets looking and smelling clean.

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Clean Windows Like a Pro

Clean Windows Like a Pro

Follow our expert tips for getting sparkling clean windows with minimum effort.

Cleaning windows is one of those household chores that most of us would prefer to avoid. The task is time-consuming and can leave disappointing results if not done correctly.

At CorpClean, we wash a lot of windows. And we’ve learned a thing or two about getting glass sparklingly clean without wasted actions. So, if you don’t have the benefit of professional window cleaners, you can follow our do-it-yourself tips for saving time and getting great outcomes.

Begin with the right tools.

If you try washing windows with just a bottle of spray cleaner and a roll of paper towels, you’ll end up with smeary, streak-covered glass. Obtaining the best and quickest results requires using the proper tools.

A window scrubber allows you to clean the glass gently but thoroughly. Scrubbers come with cloth-covered strips on one end and long handles for reaching the tops of windows. Get the cloth end wet and rub it vigorously against the window to loosen the dirt. We like scrubbers that feature machine-washable microfiber sleeves because their water-retaining ability means fewer stops to re-wet the cloth.

After washing the window, use a rubber squeegee to remove the soapy water. It doesn’t matter whether you pull the squeegee from top to bottom or side to side. What is essential is removing all the moisture and avoiding streaking. So be sure to wipe the squeegee dry on a towel between each pass.

A razor blade will help you remove paint specks and sticky residue from windows. To avoid scratching the glass, wet the window first and clean the blade’s edge between spots. For other stubborn dirt, such as tree sap or bird droppings, try scrubbing the glass with a wet non-scratch scouring sponge.

Use the right cleaning solution.

You might be surprised to learn that you don’t need expensive cleaning solutions to wash your windows. Simply adding a few drops of dish-washing liquid to a bucket of warm water will do the trick.

Should you need to wash windows in the winter, add a cup or so of rubbing alcohol to your mixture to keep the water from freezing.

Using hot water seems sensible but is counterproductive. Hot water evaporates faster in warm weather and freezes quickly in cold temperatures.

Don’t forget the corners.

After squeegeeing, even experts will have excess water left in corners and along the bottom edges. When that moisture is left undried, water spots will form, leaving your just-cleaned windows looking neglected. This tip separates the amateurs from the pros: immediately dry any excess water around the window frame with a microfiber towel.

Why a microfiber towel? Microfiber absorbs water rather than pushing it around—resulting in less streaking. What’s more, microfiber does not leave lint behind on your newly cleaned windows the way paper products and cotton rags do.

Understand what causes streaking.

In our experience, streaks occur for two primary reasons. First, the cleaning solution dries on the glass. The squeegee step of the wash-and-dry process must happen before the moisture evaporates. That’s why pros clean one window at a time from start to finish. Resist the urge to scrub several windows before squeegeeing them.

The second cause of streaks is using a dirty or nonabsorbent towel. That’s another reason we recommend drying glass using microfiber towels.

Whenever possible, avoid window cleaning on hot, sunny days because direct sunlight dries water quickly. Cloudy skies create less glare and make streaks easier to see.

If you notice streaks after just cleaning a window, here’s a pro hack you can use: Buff them away gently with a clean chalkboard eraser.

Final suggestions.

If you’re like most people, you clean your windows a couple of times a year. It’s common between cleanings for rubber squeegee blades to crack or razor blade edges to dull. Be sure to check the condition of your tools before starting a window cleaning project.

If it has been a while since you cleaned your windows, you should first remove built-up dust and dirt. Applying a cleaning solution to a dirty window creates mud on the glass that requires extra time and effort to clean.

If you try washing windows with just a bottle of spray cleaner and a roll of paper towels, you’ll end up with smeary, streak-covered glass.

Get a free quote from CorpClean for window and door cleaning.

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Where Office Germs Hide

Where Office Germs Hide

Germs hide places you might not regularly consider. When it comes to your office, those places could surprise you.

Dr. Charles Gerba is a microbiologist at the University of Arizona and one of the world’s leading experts on infectious diseases. His published studies are sources for frequently mentioned data regarding germs and how they spread. And, if you’re running a business, some of his findings on office cleanliness might shock you.

For example, according to Dr. Gerba’s research, the average desktop contains more bacteria than most toilet seats do. Four hundred times more, it turns out.

How can that be possible, you ask? Consider that most office restrooms receive regular cleaning and disinfecting—either by internal staff or a professional cleaning service. Then think about how infrequently you perform a deep clean on your desk.

While every item on your desktop can harbor germs, your computer keyboard may be the most menacing. You touch it constantly and hover over it while eating, drinking, coughing, and sneezing. Add your phone, coffee mug, writing instruments, and things other people transfer to it, and your workspace becomes a bacteria minefield.

Yuck! Our intention in reporting this is not to disgust you but to point out that germs hide places you might not regularly consider. Luckily for you, we know where those places are, especially when it comes to your office.

Hallways and entranceways.

People spread germs, so it reasons that high-traffic areas in your office would serve as breeding grounds for bacteria. For example, hallways and entranceways have countless germ-susceptible touchpoints—from doorknobs to elevator buttons to stairway handrails—that you cannot easily avoid.

Materials typically used in office hallway flooring, such as ceramic tiles and vinyl sheeting, contain porous grout and seams that spawn disease-causing pathogens. And those germs are easily transported from room to room on staff and visitor shoes.

Your building’s busy corridors might be clear and the floors shiny, but without meticulous cleaning, hidden germs will disseminate unchecked throughout the structure.

Shared equipment.

If you’re among the millions of people returning to the office as the pandemic slowly wanes, you’ll likely find yourself sharing equipment with coworkers again. And that means pressing start buttons on printers, copiers, fax machines, postage meters, and other highly used devices other people come in contact with every day.

Most people rarely stop to consider that office machines could be unsanitary when we touch them—or think about cleaning or disinfecting buttons that get pressed countless times each day. But research shows that one infected worker can spread a virus to 50 percent of shared office surfaces within four hours of arriving at work.

The break room.

According to Kelly Reynolds, a professor and environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona, overnight cleaning results in office bacteria counts being lowest first thing in the morning.

The risk of coming into contact with bacteria increases as the morning goes on and people begin touching office surfaces, explains Reynolds, with contamination levels reaching their peak just in time for lunch.

And, unfortunately, the place where office workers prepare their lunches contains some of the germiest surfaces they touch daily. According to a study Dr. Gerba consulted on for Kimberly-Clark Professional, break rooms have high levels of bacteria contamination. Hotspots include handles on sink faucets, microwave and refrigerator doors, water fountains, and vending machine buttons. As a result, employees are vulnerable to illness-causing bacteria where they eat.

How we can help.

As the information about office bacteria levels reinforces, contract cleaners can play an essential role in disinfecting workplaces, but overlooking where germs hide permits hallways, break rooms, and personal workspaces to become re-contaminated quickly. Choosing the right cleaning company is vital to keeping germs at bay.

At CorpClean, we pay extra attention to high-traffic, high-touch areas. We clean common-area surfaces that people regularly touch more frequently. We use using alcohol-based, antibacterial disinfectant wipes wherever possible. And, our available Electrostatic Disinfectant Spraying kills germs and bacteria without harsh chemicals or the cross-contamination caused by many spray-and-wipe techniques.

Want help identifying where germs are hiding in your office? Contact CorpClean, and we will come and show you.

The average desktop contains more bacteria than most toilet seats do. Four hundred times more, it turns out.

Regular professional floor care helps prevent tracking office germs from room to room. Find out how.

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How Workplace Cleanliness Impacts Production

How Office Cleanliness Impacts Productivity

Your office’s appearance may be affecting your company’s productivity.

I​n November 2021, 4.5 million U.S. workers quit their jobs, continuing a historic, months-long streak of individuals abandoning the workforce. And according to a recent Joblist survey, 74 percent of full-time employees plan to quit their jobs this year. With today’s shrinking labor ranks, it’s not surprising that companies of all sizes are increasingly concerned with maximizing employee productivity.

While businesses have unique metrics for defining productivity, most understand that numerous factors influence performance and results. But in their efforts to improve productivity, business leaders can be quick to focus on efficiency and speed. They streamline procedures, alter facility layouts, and invest in technology and other resources. And they develop key performance expectations and indicators to track individual contributions.

Often overlooked are workplace environment issues that can negatively impact productivity. For example, a cluttered or unorganized office can cause distractions that reduce employee morale. And there’s evidence that workspace cleanliness plays a part in productivity.

A few years ago, researchers in the Netherlands set out to study whether clean work environments could affect the productivity of office workers. Through an online survey, the researchers asked workers from five nonprofit organizations to rate the cleanliness of their offices, their overall work satisfaction, and how they perceived their productivity. Actual cleanliness was measured by visually assessing dirt and stains on surfaces and particle counts in the ambient air.

The researchers discovered a significant correlation between office cleanliness and higher perceptions of employee productivity. As it turns out, when office workers believe their environments are clean, they report higher job satisfaction. And when they are satisfied with their jobs, employees perceive that they are being productive.

When reporting their findings, the study’s authors point out that for-profit and not-for-profit organizations tend to focus efforts on their core businesses while giving secondary processes—such as cleaning—less attention. Furthermore, companies that use outside cleaning services often choose providers by price rather than quality. As a result, office cleanliness deteriorates over time to where employees begin to notice.

Measured Versus Perceived Cleanliness

While researchers in the Netherlands study found a significant connection between measured and perceived cleanliness, measured cleanliness showed a higher relationship to productivity.

That connection suggests that an unkempt office negatively impacts productivity, whether employees perceive it or not.

An experiment conducted at Harvard University exposed undergraduate students to either a tidy or cluttered workspace. Researchers assigned the subjects a puzzle that was impossible to solve. Students in the clean environment worked steadily to crack the puzzle for an average of 18.5 minutes before quitting. In contrast, those attempting the puzzle in the cluttered space gave up after only 11 minutes.

The Havard researchers concluded that messy, unclean workplaces undermine our persistence in completing tasks and ultimately reduce productivity. Perseverance with complex tasks is a sign of self-regulation. And dirty work environments affect our sense of personal control and, in turn, affect our self-regulation abilities.

Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Service Can Help

One way to maintain a clean office environment is to hire a professional commercial cleaning service. Because your company’s needs will differ from other businesses, choosing a service that can customize a program for you is essential. The vendor should provide options for when they clean your office (during or after your business hours) and how often (i.e., daily, weekly, monthly).

It’s also valuable to know how your cleaning service controls quality and measures customer satisfaction. Ideally, a provider will utilize inspection software that allows them to assess the consistency of their service against industry metrics.

 

Given productivity’s impact on profitability and team member satisfaction, business leaders must understand the various workplace dynamics at play. A clean workplace can lead to more satisfied employees and improved performance results.

When office workers believe their environments are clean, they report higher job satisfaction. And when they are satisfied with their jobs, employees perceive that they are being productive.

We specialize in creating customized cleaning schedules and services.

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How Clean is Your Business? Six Habits of Spotless Companies

How Clean is Your Business? Six Habits of Spotless Companies

Whereas an orderly office reflects disciplined neatness, a sparkling workspace gives a squeaky-clean, healthy impression.

If yours is like most businesses, your workplace appears relatively clean at first glance. Things seem tidy and uncluttered, and most surfaces are free of dirt or dust. Simply put, there is nothing conspicuously unclean about your company. But there is also nothing noticeably clean about it, either.

You might consider things clean enough. But can ‘clean enough’ ever be good enough these days?

In a pandemic-focused world, those working in or visiting your business are looking for assurances that your space is clean and sanitary. But, whereas an orderly office reflects disciplined neatness, a sparkling workspace gives a squeaky-clean, healthy impression.

With that in mind, here are six habits that the cleanest companies follow that set their work environments apart from others.

Habit 1: They keep their floors immaculately clean.

Your building’s floors are often the first thing visitors notice. Dull or discolored hard-surface flooring and stained or worn carpet can negatively influence your building’s image. On the other hand, shiny, pristine floors make a favorable initial impression.

Stopping dirt at entrances is the first step to keeping floors clean. Placing floor mats at every door, indoors and out, will help keep people from tracking in outside elements.

Routine wet mopping and vacuuming will keep dirt off your floors. But that’s not enough. Regularly scheduled professional floor care is needed to protect hard surfaces from discoloration, wax build-up, peeling, and scratches and keep carpets looking and smelling clean.

Habit 2: They clean their glass doors and windows often.

Before visitors enter your business, your building’s glass doors and windows make a statement. Grimy or fingerprint-smudged doors and dirty windows indicate that your company has little concern about its image or the comfort of its clients.

Washing glass usually involves scrubbing the surface with a wet sponge and cleaning solution and using a squeegee to remove the water. Drying the squeegee between passes will help prevent streaking, and wiping around window edges with a soft cloth will keep water spots from forming.

PRO TIP: Squeegee up and down on one side of the window and left and right on the other. Then, if any streaks form, their direction will indicate whether they’re outside or inside.

Over time, built-up dirt can etch into a window’s glass, causing permanent scratches and costly damage. Spotless companies thoroughly clean their windows—inside and out—monthly and spray-and-wipe fingerprints and smudges at least weekly.

Habit 3: They manage their trash effectively.

According to the EPA, the average American produces almost five pounds of trash each day—much of it at work. Multiply that by the number of employees in your company, and you have a lot of trash to manage.

Whether it’s discarded paperwork, cardboard packing materials, empty coffee cups, or leftover food, your business produces garbage that can quickly pile up and overrun your workspace. In many cases, you can set up a recycling program for much of your company’s trash.

While waste management companies provide outdoor dumpster rentals with regularly scheduled pickup, someone needs to collect the trash from individual work areas. Professional office cleaners typically make internal trash collection part of every scheduled visit.

Habit 4: They disinfect their buildings regularly.

There has never been a more critical time to keep businesses free of bacteria, viruses, mold, allergens, and odors. Electrostatic disinfectant spraying has been proven effective in killing germs and bacteria and is safe to use around people. The EPA has approved electrostatic disinfectant spraying for use against the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Electrostatic spraying is bleach-free, phosphate-free, free of harsh chemicals and skin irritants, and hypo-allergenic. It kills mold and mildew at the source and can prevent mold regrowth on tile and other building materials for up to seven months.

Habit 5: They set company-wide expectations.

Spotless businesses make cleanliness a part of their company cultures. As a result, they hold each other accountable for keeping their work environments clean. Everyone has a role to play, whether it’s keeping individual desks and workstations uncluttered or helping to maintain a germ-free kitchen.

Habit 6: They establish and follow a cleaning schedule.

Depending on the cleaning duty, the cleanest businesses follow regular schedules—such as vacuuming daily, cleaning windows monthly, or steam cleaning carpeting quarterly. The best professional cleaning services can customize a program that meets your company’s specific needs. What’s more, they can often provide their services for less cost than your internal staff.

You might consider things clean enough. But can ‘clean enough’ ever be good enough these days?

Companies that care about cleanliness choose CorpClean.

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Is Your Office’s Appearance Making a Good First Impression?

Is Your Office’s Appearance Making a Good First Impression?

Initial impressions are important because, as the adage says, you never get a second chance to make a first one.

Among the various challenges facing business owners these days, maintaining a tidy work environment might seem trivial. But an office’s cleanliness is often a direct reflection of how the company operates.

A clean office says the company cares about quality and satisfaction, which is the common objective of successful businesses. On the other hand, a poorly kept office space gives the impression that the company is unconcerned about its image, employees, and customers.

Fairly or not, first impressions matter. They can set the tone for the business relationships that follow. With that in mind, here is what the state of your office might be saying about your company.

Your company pays attention to details.

A well-maintained office environment tells guests that your business is detail-orientated and quality-minded. As a result, current and would-be customers recognize that your company leaves nothing to chance when conducting business.

At the same time, visitors notice when your reception area, conference rooms, and restrooms need cleaning. They recognize fingerprint smudges on entryway doors and windows, dust on tables and desks, and unvacuumed floors as indicators of inattention. They’ll wonder, if your company ignores the presentation of its office, how much detail does it apply to its work?

Your company has everything under control.

Office neatness is essential to keeping clients and employees assured about your company’s capabilities. An orderly office tells customers that you do business the same way. In comparison, an unkempt office creates an impression of chaos and neglect and informs potential clients that you cannot care for your space—much less a new client.

In the minds of many customers, an office’s appearance directly reflects how a business operates. Potential clients might very well change their minds about conducting business with a company that seemingly struggles to keep its office clean.

Your company cares about its employees.

Employers are responsible for providing team members with a clean and well-maintained workspace. An untidy office is a turnoff for current and prospective employees alike. Existing workers will dismiss a company’s claims to care about their needs when management overlooks dirty working conditions. For their part, job applicants will struggle to see the company as a productive or stimulating work environment.

In the Covid era, a glaring reason for keeping offices clean is to reduce the risk of infections. Office spaces can be breeding grounds for various germs. Daily cleaning and disinfecting can significantly diminish the chance of spreading illnesses and help employees remain healthy.

Employees spend significant amounts of time at work, so you should make efforts to keep them comfortable while doing their jobs. Providing a well-maintained work environment allows employees to be productive and happy.

Your company is successful.

Many people associate a company’s work environment with the overall quality of its products and services. What’s more, a tidy office sends the message that a company is prosperous and flourishing. The benefits of those impressions are immeasurable.

An unmaintained workplace can leave clients wondering whether the company is worthy of their business.

Summary

A clean office space instills confidence and engenders trust, leaving employees and guests with the impression that your company cares about its brand and team. Of course, maintaining that impression takes work.

Most businesses contract with professional office cleaning services rather than tasking their employees with cleaning duties. Top commercial cleaning companies provide a wide range of services. For example, CorpClean maintains lobbies, workstations, restrooms, kitchens, meeting rooms, showrooms, cafeterias, and more.

Professional cleaning companies let you choose how often they clean your office—with options such as daily, weekly, or multiple times each week—and whether they clean after or during your regular business hours.

Your office’s appearance speaks volumes about your business. A clean workplace gives visitors the impression that your company is professional, detail-oriented, responsible, successful, and worthy of their trust.

A clean office says the company cares about quality and satisfaction, which is the common objective of successful businesses.

Creating customizable cleaning schedules and services is our specialty.

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