Guides

Omicron Variant Cleaning and Disinfecting

by

Corvus Janitorial is a franchised commercial cleaning business that offers a full range of cleaning and disinfecting services to commercial facilities.

As part of our efforts to keep customers safe and informed, we want to educate readers about the best practices for cleaning and disinfecting to prevent the spread of seasonal flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses.

While the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is prevalent, you can do many things to maintain a safe workspace for your employees and customers. We’ve provided some helpful guidelines on Omicron variant cleaning and disinfecting below.

Why Is Omicron Variant Disinfecting Important?

As more people were vaccinated against COVID-19 and infection rates decreased, businesses felt comfortable relaxing health and safety protocols. In some cases, this included paying less attention to cleaning and disinfecting.

Sadly, the Delta variant was evidence that it was important to remain vigilant. Now, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. While it may not cause as many severe cases of COVID-19, it can still be quite harmful to people who are immunocompromised, elderly, or have other risk factors.

Fortunately, it’s possible to mitigate the spread of Omicron, but that requires maintaining high Omicron variant disinfecting standards. The healthiest businesses will be those that establish and maintain vigorous cleaning processes.

Omicron Variant Cleaning Steps

It’s helpful to think of Omicron variant cleaning and disinfecting as two categories: the steps business owners and employees take to ensure a healthier environment and the cleaning and disinfecting measures we offer to prevent the spread of flu and COVID-19.

Daily Omicron Cleaning Processes for Employees

Some cleaning steps you can take every day to help prevent the spread of flu and other viruses include the following:

-Require frequent hand washing or sanitizing

-Clean high-touch surfaces frequently throughout the workday

-Regularly disinfect surfaces with approved products

-Ensure proper ventilation and airflow in high-traffic areas

Professional Omicron Cleaning Methods

We take the health and safety of our customers seriously. Because of this, we have implemented protocols that our crews follow to prevent the spread of illness. Additionally, we provide them with the equipment and training they need to properly clean and sanitize your business.

Electrostatic Spraying and Omicron

Our professional cleaning crews use electrostatic spraying to ensure surfaces are thoroughly coated with cleaning and disinfecting liquids. The cleaner or disinfectant is given an electrical charge, then sprayed onto a surface that has been grounded. This creates an even coating of cleaner, even on the back and underside of objects.

Hospital Grade Disinfectants

It’s more important than ever for commercial cleaning providers to use the best available products. When it comes to cleaning and disinfecting, there’s no denying that hospitals have the highest standards. That’s why we are committed to using commercial-grade disinfectants that have been approved for use in medical facilities.

Proper Use of PPE Equipment by All Employees

It’s important to ensure that every person who comes into your business isn’t at risk for transmitting the flu, COVID-19, or other illness. Because of this, our cleaning protocols always include the use of PPE equipment by all cleaning crew employees.

Contact Corvus Today

Don’t wait to develop an enhanced cleaning plan for your facility. Not only does a clean workplace help you present a professional appearance, but it can also help keep your employees safe and productive. Contact us today to get a free quote for cleaning and disinfecting services.

Flu Season Cleaning Tips: How to Keep Your Workplace Safe

by

Ah yes. It’s flu season again. That wonderful time of year where the influenza virus can stop us in our tracks at a moment’s notice and decimate otherwise clean and healthy workplaces. In fact, according to the CDC, 38 million people suffered from the flu during the 2019 – 2020 season. Flu activity was unusually low throughout the 2020-2021 flu season. Preliminary reports by the CDC estimate that between 8 and 13 million people suffered from the flu illness in 2021-2022 season. That’s a whole lot of sick days being used. So how can businesses protect their employees while also protecting workplace productivity? By following these helpful flu season cleaning tips.

Tip 1: Identify Common Contact Points

While influenza can certainly be passed through airborne transmission, it can also be transmitted from person to person through commonly accessed contact points throughout your office. In fact, the virus can last on surfaces for up to 48 hours. Because of this, you’ll want to identify the areas in your office that people touch the most so you can focus your cleaning time more efficiently. Some common contact points include:

• Door handles and knobs
• Light switches
• Hand railings
• Countertops
• Desks
• Phones
• Touch screens
• Keyboards
• Toilets
• Faucets and sinks

Tip 2: Use Hospital-Grade Disinfectants

Not all disinfectants are created equal. And while it’s possible to have your workspace cleaned with traditional home-grade disinfectant products, the extra protection and peace of mind that you get by using commercial-grade cleaning products and techniques can’t be overstated. At Corvus, our EPA-approved medical grade chemicals are applied to surfaces using an electrostatic sprayer or ultra-low volume (ULV) fogger to ensure maximum coverage and effectiveness.

Tip 3: Prevent Cross Contamination

One of the biggest risks in trying to clean multiple surfaces with the same cleaning materials is that you risk cross contamination of already sanitized areas. To prevent this, take a tip from Corvus and use different colored clothes and wipes for different areas in your workplace. For instance, use only green cleaning items for bathrooms, or only blue cleaning items for desks and chairs. That way you won’t accidentally spread contaminants from one area to another.

Tip 4: Keep Employees Informed and Prepared

When it comes to fighting the flu, you can’t do it alone. Make sure that your employees know that they can stay home from work if they’re feeling sick. Better to lose one day of someone’s time than have that person come in and infect the whole office, right? Another thing you can do is make sure that your employees have personal cleaning supplies that they can use to keep their own workspaces clean, such as sanitizing wipes and disposable cleaning clothes.

Tip 5: Make a Plan

The most important thing you’ll want to figure out is who is going to be doing the cleaning. If your business has a full-time cleaning person on staff, that’s great. If not, you might want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service, such as Corvus, to help you with all your deep cleaning needs. Drop us a line and we can help you create a custom cleaning plan for your facility.

Conclusion

While the flu season is just a fact of life, you don’t have to just sit around and accept it. The more prepared and informed you and your employees are, the better the chance you have of avoiding a major outbreak in your office.

Restroom Cleaning 101

by

If you want to earn positive reviews from customers and create a comfortable workspace for your employees, there’s a straightforward action to focus on一janitorial services. Keep your restrooms clean and smelling fresh at all times. People do judge businesses by the condition of their restrooms.

Why Is Proper Cleaning So Important?

Customers will spend more money in businesses with clean restrooms. And if they aren’t impressed by your bathrooms, it’s likely they won’t tell you, but judge your business instead.

Of course, it’s not just a matter of popularity…it’s also a matter of health and safety. Unfortunately, too many businesses go through the motions of office cleaning without emphasizing the importance of their restrooms.

The problem is that they don’t use the proper techniques. It takes effort to get that professional level of cleanliness you usually see from commercial cleaning companies. Read on to learn a few tricks of the trade.

Know the Signs of Poor Cleaning

All commercial restrooms get dirty. Sometimes, they get filthy. It can help to think of messes as being in one or two categories.

Daily Cleaning Issues
This first category involves the daily cleaning and sanitation concerns affecting your restroom facilities. If your sanitation team ignore a day or two’s work, the following may result:

● Trash cans left to overflow
● Toilets too long without being scrubbed
● Paper towels strewn on the floor
● Countertops left damp
● Paper products not replaced as they should be
● Lingering odors

What’s the issue here? Maintenance staff often underestimates the amount of attention that commercial restrooms need throughout the day. That is especially true if you have facilities that are open to the public.

Long-Term Neglect
If your sanitation workers ignore their daily cleaning and disinfecting duties, the following may result:

● Hard water stains in sinks
● Built-up grime on bathroom mirrors
● Thick layers of dust on light fixtures and stall partitions
● Soap buildup on dispensers
● Stained countertops
● Floors that never look clean even after mopping
● Stained commodes and urinals

Skipping important tasks a few days in a row or completely ignoring them is not only unpleasant and unsafe for you, your customers, and your workers. It’s also against OSHA laws.

Best Daily Commercial Cleaning Practices for Restrooms

There are several things to consider here. First, determine how often each restroom needs cleaning. If only a handful of people use the bathroom, once a day or every few days is adequate. On the other hand, commercial buildings open to the public certainly require daily, or even hourly, cleaning.

Choose the Right Supplies
The truth is that household products don’t do an adequate job to keep a commercial restroom clean. Professional cleaning companies use commercial-grade surface cleaners, disinfecting sprays, toilet bowl cleaners, and floor solutions for a reason. Likewise, they purchase mops, brooms, wipes, and other equipment from commercial suppliers.

Learn to Use the Supplies
Many commercial cleaning products come in concentrated form. To use them safely, you must learn to dilute them, label bottles correctly, and know which surfaces they can be applied to. Proper disposal is also key.

Use Proper Techniques
It’s not pleasant to think about, but restrooms are full of the kinds of pathogens that make people very sick. Unfortunately, poor cleaning practices can make things even worse. For example, washing the floors before cleaning surfaces can cause issues. So can cleaning highly soiled areas before less dirty areas.

Additionally, it’s important to have different cleaners and supplies for toilets and urinals, sinks, countertops, and floors. Fail to adhere to this, and you are basically just moving dirt and bacteria around.

Create a Cleaning Checklist

Every time someone enters a restroom to clean it, they should be working from a checklist. That guarantees your sanitation workers miss no steps in the process. Here’s a sample list to get you started and cover all the main bases:

● Empty trash can in the sink area and in stalls
● Restock paper and sanitary supplies
● Dust light fixtures and stall partitions
● Scrub inside of toilets and urinals with bathroom cleaning solutions
● Wipe under seats and outside of bowls and urinals with disinfecting cleaner
● Clean sinks, faucets, and counters
● Sweep and mop floors
● Spray or wipe door handles and faucets with disinfectant
● Note maintenance issues to be reported to facilities

It’s helpful to create a cleaning log that all staff members must sign each time they clean a restroom. It will hold employees accountable, as well as ensure tasks are completed.

How Janitorial Services Go Above and Beyond for Clean Restrooms

It’s the deep cleaning tasks that make the real difference. Keep up with these tasks to ensure cleanliness and impress customers and staff:

● Thoroughly wipe down toilets and urinals inside and out.
● Replace air fresheners and bowl cleaning tablets.
● Scrub floors around toilets and urinals.
● Treat faucets for hard water buildup and stains.
● Use a commercial floor scrubbing machine to clean floors and remove stains.
● Dust vents.
● Fix leaks, replace bulbs, and deal with other maintenance issues.
● Strip old layers of wax from floors and recoat.

The frequency at which you complete these tasks can vary. It’s entirely dependent on how often the facilities are used and how dirty they get. You must also decide if it’s worthwhile for you to purchase floor scrubbers and strippers or if you can rent these machines from cleaning supply companies.

Other Things to Consider When Cleaning and Disinfecting Restrooms

Think of these as tips for keeping standard commercial restrooms clean and sanitary. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to take other steps. For example, there are particular protocols for healthcare facilities and companies that serve food.

Your local health department may be able to give you some guidance. Additionally, the CDC publishes guidelines for cleaning to prevent the spread of Covid and other illnesses.

Interested in Learning More?

Corvus Janitorial Systems offers a full range of commercial cleaning services. We’re happy to discuss the best methods for cleaning your facilities. If you are a professional cleaner, we’d love to hear from you as well. Contact us so we can discuss your needs.

Mold vs. Mildew

by

Mold and mildew are often referred to together as if they are interchangeable. However, mold and mildew are two species of fungus that pose different threats. If your environment is affected by mold or mildew, understanding their differences will enable you to take the proper course of action.

Mold and Mildew: Defined

Mold and mildew are both fungi that grow in moist, confined spaces. Both strains form in a wide variety of environments and quickly spread to various locations by releasing microscopic spores into the air, searching for the right conditions.

Mold is the result of larger infestations and can take on a variety of appearances. When it grows on any substance, these fungi develop in the form of filaments that look like little hair, called hyphae. The color of mold can vary depending on where it is growing. Hence, a green mold can often appear as black, orange, pink, or even purple. If untreated, mold poses serious health hazards that can result in prolonged damage. Some strains of mold are toxic, making it all the more important to take immediate action when an infestation occurs.

Mildew is a type of mold defined at its earliest stage. It grows on top of surfaces and, when identified, is easy to control. It appears white or grey in the early stages but can eventually turn brown and is shaped like small, flat dots. Mildew is common in bathrooms, particularly on shower walls. Other common areas include washing machines and damp basements.

Effects of Mold and Mildew on Human Health

Both mold and mildew present a serious threat to our health and wellbeing. They release spores, which humans then inhale.

Exposure to such toxic air can cause headaches, nausea, nasal congestion, itchy and irritated eyes, and more. Although molds and mildews do not attack people directly, their spores are allergens, making those with asthma and weak immune systems especially vulnerable.

How to Eliminate Mold and Mildew from Your Workplace

Completely removing mold and mildew is the most effective approach to protect health and prevent permanent damage in buildings as soon as it’s identified.

Before you begin, ensure you have the following tools: a mask, goggles, gloves, a good cleaning product, a spray bottle, and a few sponges. Masks will protect you from breathing in spores, and goggles will ensure they do not get into your eyes.

Bleach, water, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide are everyday household items you can use to remove mold and mildew effectively. Create a solution of one part bleach to three parts water in your spray bottle. Apply the solution to the affected area and allow it to dwell between 10-20 minutes. Then, remove the mold or mildew using your scrubbing brush. Repeat this process as you find it necessary. Once removed, create a mixture of half white vinegar and half hydrogen peroxide in a separate spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the cleaned area and let it air dry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the easiest way to distinguish between mold and mildew is by how they look. Mold is darker and often fuzzy. Mildew has lighter hues, is always flat, and appears as small dots. Keeping your space clean, increasing ventilation by opening windows or installing fans, and using dehumidifiers are some measures one can take to prevent mold and mildew from forming in the first place. If the issue becomes too much to bear, consider hiring professional cleaners to handle it. The cleaning crews at Corvus Janitorial Systems are highly-trained professionals committed to giving your workspace the high-quality service it deserves. More information on the commercial cleaning services we provide can be found right here.

How to Remove Hard Water Buildup and Stains

by

You can have the highest quality showers and glasses, and it still would not matter; hard water stains are going to accumulate. If you live in areas containing high levels of magnesium, lime, and calcium in water supplies, hard water buildup and stains are likely to always be an issue.

Hard water is water containing high contents of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. It affects the appearance and overall cleanliness of everyday appliances such as coffee machines, glasses, showers, and sinks.

Removing hard water buildup can be a very frustrating experience, especially when done incorrectly. You can scrub for several minutes, and then, when you rinse, those stubborn marks remain. Here, Corvus Janitorial Systems provides techniques for eliminating hard water buildup and stains to restore the sparkling shine of your sink, tub, shower, faucet, and other fixtures.

Vinegar

A simple way to remove hard water buildup in your home is to use vinegar. Vinegar is a versatile and safe cleaner that can effectively remove stains from showers, toilets, glasses, faucets, chrome fixtures, showerheads, and more. White vinegar, cleaning vinegar, and apple cider vinegar are all viable options.

Create this cleaning solution by pouring equal proportions of vinegar and water into a clean spray bottle. It is safe to use anywhere in your home except for hardwood surfaces. Apply on any surface hard water stains exist and, contingent upon the amount of buildup that exists, let the mixture dwell between five and fifteen minutes. Scrub off the vinegar using an old toothbrush or bristle brush and wipe the surface clean with a wet cloth.

Tougher Hard Water Stains

Tough hard water stains may require extra scrubbing power. In such a case, consider using a higher proportion of vinegar in your vinegar-to-water mixture. You can also use vinegar on its own as it is more acidic and thus effective against hard water stains. Allow the mixture to dwell on the stained surface for thirty minutes before scrubbing and wiping off.
Another method to consider is adding baking soda to a vinegar and water mixture. Combine vinegar, water, and baking soda into a small bowl and apply to the stained surface. Allow the mixture to dwell for ten minutes.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another common household product used to remove hard water stains on bathtubs, faucets, and other metal fixtures. Pour an ample amount of hydrogen peroxide on the stain until it is covered, and allow it to dwell for 30 minutes before scrubbing away using a sponge and dish soap.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an effective cleaning method, especially for hard water stains that are small but stubborn. Any generic toothpaste and toothbrush will work to buff away small metal fixtures, dishware, and glass. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush and apply where necessary. Rinse the toothpaste with a clean, wet cloth.

Specialist Products

Several over-the-counter cleaning products, specifically designed for hard water stain removal, can be purchased at instore or online retailers like Walmart and Amazon. Use these products to quickly eliminate the stains on stainless steel, dishware, countertops, bathtubs, showers, glasses, toilets, windows, sinks, and more.

Get Professional Help

If hard water buildup is affecting your workspace, consider hiring cleaning professionals to help. Corvus Janitorial Systems’ cleaning crews are highly-trained professionals committed to giving your office the high-quality clean it deserves. With convenient and flexible hours, unique cleaning and disinfecting plans, and customized services, you will find just what you need right here.

Carpet Cleaning 101: Hot Water Extraction vs. Dry Chemical Cleaning

by

In addition to frequent vacuuming and spot cleaning, having your carpets professionally cleaned at least twice a year is integral to their maintenance and preservation. In this blog, Corvus Janitorial Systems goes over some benefits of routine carpet cleaning and reviews two of the most popular carpet cleaning methods recommended by commercial cleaning professionals: hot water extraction and dry chemical cleaning.

The Benefits of Routine Carpet Cleaning

Good carpet hygiene, quite literally, goes beyond the surface level. Here are just five good reasons to invest in high-quality carpet cleaning for your facility:

1. Microbiologist and immunologist at New York University Langone Medical Center and author of The Secret Life of Germs Philip Tierno Jr., Ph.D. found that a typical carpet contains nearly 200,000 bacteria per square inch, making it 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat.
2. The lifespan of a carpet is typically between 5-15 years, and routine carpet cleaning prolongs the life of a carpet significantly.
3. A fresh and clean carpet works wonders to enhance the overall appearance of your home or facility.
4. Carpet soiling can make it seem like vacuuming isn’t enough to maintain a carpet’s appearance. However, routine carpet cleaning using the methods described below will make it so that vacuuming is enough to remove most dry soils.
5. Carpets are breeding grounds for allergens, bacteria, and other germs. Regular, deep cleaning protects air quality and prevents exposure to dangerous pollutants.

Hot Water Extraction: What it is & How it Works

Hot water extraction involves injecting hot water and cleaning detergent into the carpet through a high-pressured wand. The combination of hot water and high water pressure breaks down and extracts dirt and other debris from carpeting quickly. This simple and effective approach makes hot water extraction the preferred carpet cleaning method across the commercial cleaning industry. Not only does it leave a carpet looking cleaner, but the hot water is also effective in killing bacteria and other germs.

The hot water extraction process consists of a few relatively simple steps. First, water and the chosen cleaning product are mixed and poured into the water tank. Once the mixture heats up, the liquid is released onto the surface under pressure, penetrating the carpet’s fiber and removing dirt and debris.

Dry Chemical Cleaning: What it is & How it Works

Dry chemical cleaning, also known as a “low moisture” system, relies on dry compounds accompanied with chemical cleaning solutions to remove dirt and debris from a carpet. These low moisture methods of carpet cleaning yield a quick drying time, especially compared to the hot water extraction method described above.

Typically, a cleaner applies pre-treatment detergents that break up carpet fibers to the carpet beforehand. Once the pre-treatment dwells for the right amount of time (generally between 5-10 minutes), a dry compound carpet cleaning powder is used. The cleaning compound is then lathered into the carpet using a rotary machine like the one pictured below. Lastly, the soiled cleaning compound is removed by vacuuming.

What is the Best Method for Your Facility?

Each facility comes with its own set of unique cleaning needs, and carpet care is no exception. If removing germs, allergens, mold, mildew, bacteria, and other irritants is your top priority, hot water extraction will likely be the best option. However, the several hours it takes for the carpet to dry afterward might make it less than ideal for businesses experiencing heavy foot traffic. In this case, dry chemical cleaning would be an excellent option. Both hot water extraction and dry chemical cleaning effectively attain clean, aesthetically pleasing carpets, so consider factors like time and cost to determine which technique best suits your facility.

Carpet Cleaning with Corvus Janitorial Systems

Corvus Janitorial Systems offers first-class floor and carpet care for your facility. Our team pays close attention to areas underneath desks and trash cans where crumbs, dirt, and debris frequently accumulate. As part of our routine inspection, we will assess your facility’s carpet condition and recommend when a complete carpet steam cleaning is due. Contact us today to receive a free quote and learn more about the janitorial services we offer.