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The Importance of a Quality Inspection Program

What we’re doing behind the scenes to keep you looking good!

One of C.M. Cleaning’s core competencies is that the foundation of our business is built around quality assurance. Many cleaning companies will set a schedule for their staff to come clean your facility and assume they perform their routines flawlessly without any follow ups or inspections. The truth is cleaners are not robots, they are people too and without a well-planned janitorial quality inspection program instilled in a company’s daily function, there is no way of assuring the customer that they are receiving the highest level of service available.Cleaning supplies service

The age-old question is “what is the best way to measure clean?” To us, the answer is by measuring the quantity and severity of deficiencies we find in your building. By adding any deficiencies we find in our customer’s facilities to our inspection reports it helps us to improve the cleanliness of that building and evolve our cleaning staff’s attention to detail.

“Every company needs a janitorial quality inspection program because the better companies have them and the ones that don’t can’t compete” (Tony Maione- ISSA TV). We at C.M. Cleaning provide our managerial staff with the proper mobile tablets and devices to report deficiencies we see in our customer’s buildings quickly and efficiently to ensure any problems are taken care of promptly and we are always staying ahead. First impressions start with a clean facility and we are happy to provide that, with thanks to our quality inspection program.

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Preventing Cross-Contamination

The rapid spread of germs which cause illnesses such as the flu in winter is as predictable as the return of green grass and budding trees after the end of the dark cold season. According to the CDC, outbreaks which could be classified as epidemics can happen as early as October and last as late as May.  The timing and severity of outbreaks from year to year are unpredictable in part because the flu virus is constantly mutating resulting in exposure to new strains of the virus which our immune systems are more vulnerable to.

The most effective way to battle the spread of such viruses is to give special mind to the prevention of cross-contamination. It is counter productive in cleaning for example to clean different types of surfaces with certain wiping materials.  Cotton cleaning materials are inexpensive, but they are not very absorbent and will move contaminants around rather than pick them up.  Imagine for instance that a person infected with influenza School locker cleaningcoughs on a window next to their desk contaminating the surface.  A cotton cloth is used to wipe the window later in the day and then is used to wipe an adjacent desk used by another person.  The flu virus is transferred from a contaminated surface to one that could have well been free of the virus, spread via the surface of the cotton cloth.

C.M. Cleaning utilizes a simple solution to prevent cross-contamination of surfaces during cleaning. Microfiber cloths and mops, though more expensive than cotton are much more effective in absorbing harmful germs.  Microfiber materials consist of interlocking polyester and polyamide fibers which work to absorb 95% of bacteria from a surface inside of the fibers themselves rather than sitting on the surface of the cloth.  This is because the combination of the two fibers where they interlock creates millions of microscopic hooks that attract and absorb particles which contain viruses and bacteria.

While the material itself goes a long way in preventing cross-contamination, we utilize a best practice of designating certain cloths to certain surfaces by color coding/designating certain color mops and cloths to certain types of surfaces and/or areas. When using microfiber materials it is important to realize that in order to be effective microfiber cloth should be cleaned regularly after use, and that there are different variations of microfiber for different purposes.  Using the wrong type of microfiber cloth, or a dirty cloth on a delicate surface could cause damage.

At C.M. Cleaning, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality cleaning service to our customers. That is why we take the proper measures in preventing cross-contamination on all sites such using color coded microfiber cloths (red for bathroom areas and green for general purpose) as well as designating red mop sticks which use distinctly different mop heads in bathroom areas.  Be proactive in preventing the spread of winter illness and schedule your next cleaning with C.M. today.

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Prevent Viruses: Disinfect Or Sanitize?

Concern about the spread of Ebola has been a hot topic throughout the U.S. since the positive testing of Thomas Duncan on September 28. Duncan died a mere 11 days later in a Dallas hospital from the virus.

To be clear, Ebola is not an airborne organism, but is very contagious when transmitted via contact with bodily fluids – including sweat, saliva and blood. Today the CDC is recommending hospitals to use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with a label claim for a non-enveloped virus (e.g., norovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, poliovirus) to disinfect environmental surfaces in rooms of patients with suspected or confirmed Ebola virus infection. Ebola is the extreme when it comes to deadly viruses, but you can still take precautions to protect your staff from contagious viruses like Ebola!Cleaning table service

First you should know the basic differences between sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces the surfaces in your facility. As stated by the ISSA, “A disinfectant is a chemical that completely destroys all organisms listed on its label and reduce the level of pathogenic bacteria by 99.999 percent during a time frame greater than 5 minutes but custom writing essay service less than 10 minutes.” On the other hand, a sanitizer is listed by the ISSA as “a chemical that reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level. It doesn’t need to eliminate 100 percent of all organisms to be effective.”

So go ahead and remember to disinfect hard surfaces when trying to rid your workplace or household of a virus or infectious disease. However, always sanitize around surfaces in which food prep takes place to avoid the risk of the harmful chemicals in disinfectants. If you have hired a company like C.M. Cleaning, there’s no need for concern- we’re ontop of it!

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Keeping your Building Secure

Security measures and workplace safety are important to the comfort and productivity of any business. As facilities managers, you take great care in keeping your facility safe and secure during work hours, so how does your cleaning company uphold your level of security at night? At C.M. Cleaning, we take pride in protecting your facility with equal care by implementing various security measures of our own, in addition to the safety programs already in place at your facilities.

One example is key encryption. When you hand us the keys to your building, you can rest assured knowing they are in good hands. For all of our customers, the keys are NOT labeled with the name of your business. Instead, we utilize a numeric system assigning each customer a custom account number. Your keys are labeled with this number only, so in the event of keys being lost, there is no need to worry about your keys being found with your business’s name attached to them, which could potentially be a security breach.

Additionally, for many businesses, the cleaning service occurs at night, or after normal business hours. This may mean that there is a cleaner in your building alone on a nightly basis. To ensure safety and efficiency, we have implemented our own time tracking system. Each of our employees is scheduled to clean your building during a certain time frame. Upon their arrival to your building, they utilize one of your facility’s telephonesCleaning service with building security to clock-in through the timing system. This allows us to view that they have begun their shift on location. Similarly, at the end of their shift, they utilize the system to clock-out. This system is much more than meets the eye as a payroll tool. The system sends us alerts if our employee has not clocked in on time, or if they do not clock out on time. So, if one of our employees were to ever be injured or became unconscious while alone in your building, we would be notified by the tracking system at the end of their shift if they have not clocked out. At that point, we can call the employee to investigate the situation, or send help if needed. On top of all this, T-Tracks allows us to simply know which of our personnel is in your building, and during what time frame.

At C.M. Cleaning, we realize your facility may have security measures specific to your business. We train each of our employees to your individual building, inclusive of any additional security or safety requests you may have. For example, if your building has an alarm system, our employees are trained to arm and disarm the system through memorization only. We would never distribute any private information such as alarm passcodes on paper. This ensures that your personal and private information remains as such. These, among other security measures are implemented all in addition to your building’s current safety protocol.

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Indoor Air Pollution

Indoor air pollutants can only be seen in severe cases, but their effects can be felt in varying degrees (depending on an individual’s sensitivity) immediately after exposure. Exposure to indoor pollutants can manifest in irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, and respiratory tract.  Headache, dizziness, and cold or flu like symptoms are also triggered by contaminants floating in the air. People’s individual reactions to indoor pollutants vary drastically and in some people with preexisting conditions such as asthma or allergies, exposure to certain particles or gases in the air can cause immediate attack.  Long-term exposure to higher than normal concentrations of indoor pollutants can lead to chronic issues and in the case of some chemicals, can cause fatal disease including cancer.

The air in your home or office can be polluted by a plethora of sources. It is important to be aware of the various types of pollutants to be able to more easily recognize/find the source of any symptoms so that they canCeiling cleaning service be properly eradicated.  Common pollutants include dust, mold, secondhand smoke, and pollens.  When it comes to the more dangerous air pollutants such as asbestos, radon, and cigarette smoke it is crucial to know how to best avoid exposure in large concentrations and/or over prolonged periods of time.

Buildings containing asbestos and those testing positive for elevated levels of radon should be handled professionally in accordance with EPA recommendations/regulations. As for allergens and asthma triggers such as dust, pollens, and mold; harmful levels of pollution can be avoided by maintaining proper ventilation and an effective cleaning regimen.  Having your facilities or home dusted, vacuumed using a clean HEPA filter, and getting specialty floor cleanings such as carpet shampooing done on a consistent basis can go a long way toward eliminating common airborne irritants.  In a commercial setting, a good indication of whether your cleaning service has a handle on indoor air pollution is to look at your ceiling and see if dust has accumulated in the corners and/or in between vents.

At C.M. Cleaning, our commitment to satisfying our clients by getting the job done right and our focus on attention to detail all but guarantee that airborne office allergens and pollutants from dust, pollens, and mold won’t require a second thought. For your greatest protection against the detrimental effects of indoor air pollution, be aware of whether your building contains asbestos and/or elevated levels of radon so that you can follow the proper procedures for dealing with these issues, and do not smoke inside.

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Professional Property Emergency Cleanups

Combating water loss in your facility may seem like an overwhelming task. However, with a professional and knowledgeable restoration team, damage and mold left in the wake of water can be effectively eliminated. Timing is vital when your place of business starts taking on water. As soon as water is noticed, you should call C.M. Cleaning’s 24/7 emergency restoration team to report to the site of the water loss right away. If the source of the incoming water can be found and stopped, the damage to your premises can be drastically reduced, and the restoration process can begin.Wall scrubbing service

Enter the professionals: in order to get your workplace back into functioning condition, the water must be properly extracted, utilizing different tools and methods for different environments and floor types. But the job does not end there. Even if the majority of water seems to be extracted, moisture that is built up in, for example, drywall and carpeting can pose a serious threat of mold growth.

According to Cleanfax Magazine, mold can start to grow as soon as 24 hours after moisture has effected the work environment, and sometimes even before a musty smell or visible growth is prevalent. The good news is, by utilizing moisture meters, air movers, water extractors, and mold combatant chemicals, C.M. Cleaning’s professionals can significantly reduce and/or eliminate any threat mold may pose to your facility and employees. These processes are not always simple, and can sometimes take significant time and man hours, however making sure your restoration is done correctly and professionally can be vital to the health and wellness of your working environment in addition to the longevity of your facility. So whenever disaster strikes, keep C.M. Cleaning’s on call team of highly trained specialists in mind, because disasters don’t usually happen between nine and five!