Should the Warehouse in your Office also have Janitorial Services?

When was the last time your warehouse was cleaned? Usually, businesses get quotes from janitorial cleaning companies to clean the main office spaces plus the warehouse restrooms but not the warehouse itself. Should the warehouse in your office be cleaned as well? Consider asking your janitorial company for a price for warehouse cleaning services.

Warehouses are usually really dirty and dusty and also so big that  it can be pretty costly to add to your cleaning budget. APCS recommends doing a deep cleaning twice a year or every three months. The following are services your janitorial cleaning company can provided to keep your facility and warehouse cleaned:

Employee Restroom Cleaning: Make sure the bathrooms are added on the weekly janitorial cleaning services of the office. The cleaning company doesn’t have to clean the rest of the warehouse but the restrooms are a must. Warehouse restrooms have a high traffic and are usually really dirty. It’s important to focus a lot of energy on cleaning and sanitizing the bathrooms for employee health and safety.

Machine Scrubbing Services: It can be hard to clean the floors of the warehouses on a daily or weekly basis. We suggest you have at hand a 36 inch flat mop to do a quick sweep daily. Then, ask your janitorial cleaning company to provide an auto scrubber service every 3 months. This machine will leave your floors squeaky clean as well as remove stains.

High-ceiling and Wall Dusting: The ceiling and walls accumulate a lot of dust and cobwebs. It’s really hard to clean but it should be cleaned at least once a year. The ceilings of the warehouses are rarely cleaned. Make sure you ask your cleaning company for an annual high dust. Depending on the height, they might need a scissor lift.

Pressure Washing Services: Depending on the type of warehouse you have; you might need to pressure wash certain areas like loading docks. Another area that you could need to have pressure washed is by the dumpsters and front entrance.

Contact us to see how we can help keep your warehouse cleaned and sanitized.

Does your Janitorial Company Know how to Recycle?

Everyone has to do their part when it comes to recycling to help create a better world, especially in Austin, TX.  Recycling can be a little more complicated than you think. People need to be properly trained, if not, it can be costly for the company with excessive fines from the city.

If you know how to recycle, it can be easy. Just follow the following steps:

1.     Know what to Throw Out:

You can throw out cardboard, paper, metal cans, plastic bottles and jugs.

2.     Empty, clean and Dry:

All items need to be clean and dry. You will need to rinse out all bottles, cans and jugs. Dirty items can contaminate all the other items. If cardboards or paper touch food, it can no longer be recycled.

3.     Don’t Bag It:

You should never throw any items in a bag. Remove all bags from recycling containers. Bags can jam the machinery and that’s why it’s very important not to throw bags in the recycling bins.

4.     Breakdown Boxes:

You’ll need to break down all the boxes before throwing them in the recycling bin.

5.     Don’t recycling small items:

If it’s smaller then a credit card, do not recycle. Small items can jam the machinery.

6.     Contaminated Items:

If the recycling smells, it’s contaminated. You’ll have to remove everything and rinse out the recycling bin.

7.     Separate Materials:

Keep plastic, metal, paper, and cardboard separately when recycling.

8.     Plastic that is Recyclable:

If you can poke a hole with your finger, it’s too soft to be recycled.

Here is a list of items that are not recyclable:

1.     Plastic Bags and Wrappers

2.     Styrofoam

3.     Greasy Pizza Boxes

4.     Food

5.     Electronics & Batteries

6.     Yard Waste

7.     Diapers

8.     Soiled Paper

9.     Clothing & Shoes

10.  Tools

11.  Toys

12.  Construction Waste

13.  Medical Waste

14.  Scrap Metal

 Please do keep in mind that depending on the city, these guidelines may vary a bit. Hope this helps you recycle better and avoid any fines!

Business for Bars is Booming after Covid-19 Reopening

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It was a rough year for bars and restaurants with Covid-19 but finally things are getting better and soon back to normal. It’s nice to see some of our old clients reopening. Things for sure are starting to feel like it’s back to normal. However, things have definitely changed in the cleaning protocols. You probably don’t notice but businesses have changed their cleaning routines and increased the cleaning frequency with their janitorial company. Take a look at the new cleaning routines for bars reopening after Covid-19.

1.     Deep Cleaning

To protect your employees and customers, businesses have to create a deep cleaning routine. You need to not just thoroughly clean but now also disinfect every area where people have access to. Businesses and Janitorial cleaning companies also have had  to change the cleaning products they use. They need to use products that provide lasting protection against viruses and bacteria.

2.     Cleaning of Back and Front of the House

Most restaurants hire cleaning companies and have them just focus on either the front of the house or the back of the house. It’s important to clean both equally. The back of the house can have a lot of bacteria that can easily spread. In the front of the house, you need to make sure you are disinfecting all tables and chairs after each customer. Clients appreciate the cleaning protocol too and will want to go back if they feel safe.

3.     Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cleaning Schedule

There are items that you need to be constantly cleaning and disinfecting to keep your facility safe. Make a list and stay on top of those items consistently. Work with your janitorial company to create a work scope  that is customized specifically to fit your space’s needs with a cleaning schedule to help the cleaner stay on track. Creating checklists helps keep track of what needs to be cleaned daily, weekly and monthly and ensures nothing is left untouched.

Even though some of these cleaning routines existed before Covid-19, not all of them were properly followed. Customers will be expecting the highest level of cleanliness from your business. Make sure cleaning and disinfecting routines are a top priority.

Questions to Ask when hiring a Janitorial Cleaning Company

Commercial cleaning services have become vital due to Covid-19, especially now that businesses are opening back up. Your employees and customers are trusting you that they are entering a clean and safe workplace. Hiring a commercial cleaning company is extremely important with the reopening of offices but how do you know which cleaning company to choose? Here are some things to lookout for:

1.     Detailed Work Scope

Does the cleaning company have a detailed work scope listing the frequency of how often items and areas will be cleaned? Having a work scope helps you understand which services will be performed and at what frequency.  Starting off with a precise work scope will help to set clear expectations and in turn your cleaning company will be able to offer a consistent cleaning experience.

2.     Reference Checks

Does the commercial cleaning company have experience with similar buildings like yours? Make sure to ask for at least 3 references. Also, it’s important to check their Yelp and Google reviews to see what their current and former clients are saying about the services.

3.     Employee Training

Are the employees being trained by the janitorial company? Ask about their training programs and if their employees are being trained specifically for Covid-19. Are they following CDC cleaning guidelines?

4.     Cleaning Chemicals

Ask the cleaning company what chemicals they are using to clean and disinfect. Are they using a chemical that is approved and recommended by the EPA to protect you from potential viruses? You can always ask the cleaning company to give you a list of cleaning products they use and the safety data sheets.

Hiring a commercial cleaning company that focuses on these details will ensure the safety of your employees and clients. When interviewing janitorial companies, these details can spark questions which can help you understand if the company will be a fit for your cleaning needs.

Hiring a Janitorial Company that Offers Building Maintenance

Property Managers and building engineers are more busy than ever. They have to juggle many tasks nowadays that include day-to-day work orders from the tenants.. One of the more important tasks for them is to find a reliable commercial cleaning company that also offers maintenance services for the building. It is challenging for a facility manager to have different vendors. The ideal scenario for a property manager is to have one company do it all. Finding a janitorial cleaning company that offers a variety of services will be not only more cost effective but will also save time getting quotes and scheduling the jobs.  Here are some benefits:

What are the benefits?

1.     Cost Savings

By hiring fewer companies to do multiple services for you, you might be able to get a better price as the services can be bundled. 

2.     Reliability

Once you hire a janitorial company that offers more than just cleaning, it will be easier to manage the work orders coming in.  The accounting department will also love to cut one check to one vendor vs multiple checks to multiple vendors.

3.     Giving Access to The Building

It is more convenient for your business to give out one key to one vendor vs providing several vendors with access to the building.

4.     Better Communication

When dealing with fewer companies, you only have fewer points of contact. That makes it easier for you to communicate what is needed week-to-week. 

If you are on the look-out for a new commercial cleaning company, make sure to ask and learn about all the services they offer. Many commercial cleaning companies can also provide window cleaning services, floor care services, carpet cleaning services, handyman services, and the list could go on. Many also offer consumables at a much lower rate than what you are paying your current vendor.

Important Guidelines For Reopening Your Office

After a year of uncertainty, we are starting to see more and more office spaces reopen. Even though Covid-19 cases have dropped and many are getting vaccinated, you may still find it important to help your employees feel safe as they return back to the work space. Here are some things employers can do to ensure employees feel safe. 

1.    Create Covid-19 Signage:

Make sure you have the appropriate signage around the office to keep people informed and as a reminder to wear a mask (if you are requiring that), to disinfect and/or wash hands frequently.

2.     Encourage Work from Home (if applicable):

If an employee is feeling sick, it’s better if they stay home. Consider having a quick online survey for them to fill out every morning if you feel that is necessary. Also, have a checklist with Covid-19 symptoms and send home any employee that has any of the symptoms.

3.    Encourage Social Distancing:

If necessary, you may ask employees to still wear face masks and keep everyone 6ft apart. Make sure all the desks are separated and if possible, install desk dividers.  If you need help getting these installed, ask a handy-man if your janitorial company does not offer this service.

4.     Have Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures in place:

Train your employees on cleaning and disinfecting. Make sure they are washing their hands frequently. Have hand sanitizing stations throughout the office. Talk with your janitorial cleaning company to implement cleaning and disinfecting of regular touched surface areas. Make sure any shared areas like the kitchen, restroom, and printing areas are being disinfected frequently.  Ask your janitorial company to add extra disinfecting services. If your office was being cleaned three times a week, now is a good time to switch to five times a week. Adding a 2-4 hour day porter may also a good option.

5.      Have an emergency plan ready:

If someone tests positive for Covid-19, have a plan ready to make sure anyone that was in the office is informed so they can take necessary precautions. Call your janitorial cleaning company to come do an Electrostatic Fogging Disinfecting service as this service will kill the virus in the area as well as help make employees feel safe returning back into the office.