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How to Remove Hard Water Buildup and Stains

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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.

5 Signs it’s Time to Scale Your Cleaning Business

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Just like many other cleaning business owners out there, you want to grow, make more sales, attract more customers, and gain more profits, right? We all desire to be in a position where we will see our cleaning business grow exponentially, but how does a regular business owner know when the time is right to scale up? Sometimes, scaling can be very risky; if you expand too fast or before you’re ready, you can easily over-extend your resources and get into an unprofitable position. On the other hand, if you scale at the right time, your revenue will go up by leaps and bounds.

So, before you go ahead and take that healthy dose of risk by hiring more staff or increasing your business expenditure, you need to be sure that your business is fully ready to grow. If growth is important to you, read on to learn about the 5 key signs you need to watch out for to know when the time is right to scale your cleaning business.

1. You Have a Large Number of Loyal and Repeat Customers That Stick Around

Returning customers are at the heart of any profitable cleaning business – they are the people that have helped you build profits over the years. Excellent customer service equals happy-repeat customers, and happy, returning customers make a thriving business. Having a strong customer base in your janitorial brand is an indication that business is good and worth expanding. Scaling up will help you acquire new customers and give more attention to your loyal clients.

Often, your repeat customers will also bring a steady stream of new leads to your business. In any business, referrals have a higher conversion rate than any other type of lead, so they’re a great sign that you’re ready to grow and scale up.

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2. You Can Barely Keep Up With Demand

Customer demand is a driving force for sales in any cleaning business. Failure to have adequate inventory, personnel, and resources to meet the constant demand of your customers is a major sign that it’s time to scale your business. When clients seek out your competitors or other janitorial service providers to meet their demands, you will lose sales and miss out on profit opportunities.

If you have reached the point where you have more work than you can handle for weeks or months and frequently turn away customers, you are ready to scale, especially if your current time management is top-notch. Also, before you scale your business, wait for some months to be sure that the surge in demand you are experiencing is not a temporary one that is unsustainable.

3. You Have Been Profitable Over a Long Period of Time

You are making enough money and there’s money in the bank! Another great sign that you need to start considering scaling up your cleaning company is the fact that you have enjoyed sustained profitability for a while. If the overall financial health of your business has been remarkable for about two or three years and you have been able to sufficiently cover your expenses, you’re probably in a strong position to build on that success.

Sustaining your profitability for a while means that a lot of things about your current business model are working, and you should be able to take that model to the next level on a larger scale. There’s a high chance that something that’s already working for your business will continue to work even if you expand. However, you must be cautious not to scale too quickly.

4. Consistently Exceeding Your Revenue Targets

A business with a steady but stagnant income may not be ready for a rapid, full-scale expansion. If your cleaning business has consistently surpassed its revenue targets quarter after quarter, it’s probably time to consider an expansion. If your company can easily meet or exceed financial objectives and reach significant business milestones way ahead of schedule, then it’s fine to start speeding up your expansion plans and growth efforts. On the flip side, if your business falls short of these standards, it’s probably wise to postpone your plans to scale up.

Also, it’s important to know that a few weeks of making big profits or getting a high-paying customer isn’t enough for a business to start making expansion plans. Before you lease more equipment, buy new scrubbers, or hire additional staff, you need to slow down to measure your sales activities and evaluate your revenue goals to ensure your cleaning business is truly ready for expansion.

5. The Market Is Growing

The ability to identify a growing market is important in the cleaning industry. Having a big cleaning business doesn’t matter if there’s no demand for your service. Before you think about expansion, sit back and take a critical look at the janitorial industry landscape in your area. You should only think about scaling up if the size of the market in your location has consistently grown and will continue to grow at an increasing rate. You also need to be sure that your customer base will increase on a regular basis in the coming years.

Little or no competition and a large, relatively untapped customer base will greatly increase the odds of successfully growing your business in your current location. On the other hand, if competition is growing and your customer base is shrinking, it’s time to adjust to your sales strategy instead of trying to expand your business.

Do You Think You Are Ready to Go All In and Expand Your Cleaning Business?

Scaling a cleaning business can be a risky undertaking and shouldn’t be attempted lightly. Going into it unprepared or with great uncertainty is a recipe for disaster. The best way to minimize your risk is to focus on expansion only when the signs point to success and you are completely invested in seeing it happen.

High fives

However, if you have a great team that communicates well with each other and can be trusted to effectively handle any problem that comes their way, you can start thinking about scaling up your business. You also need a sustainable revenue model and a clearly outlined plan for growth to scale confidently.

Scale Your Cleaning Business with Corvus

If you own a commercial cleaning business that you are having trouble scaling, a Corvus Franchise might be a great fit for you. At Corvus, our time-tested system, nationally recognized brand, and dedicated teammates will help you achieve your growth initiatives. From training to marketing to sales to collections and beyond, Corvus will take care of the grunt work so you can focus on the cleaning! We have helped thousands of individuals across the U.S. scale their cleaning businesses – you could be next. Learn more about franchising with Corvus here.

Corvus Announces 20th Territorial Master Franchise: San Antonio, Texas

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Corvus of San Antonio

Corvus Janitorial Systems (Corvus), a national franchisor of office and commercial cleaning businesses, is thrilled to announce the opening of its 20th territorial Master Franchise in San Antonio, Texas. Corvus of San Antonio, LLC. will support local, owner-operated franchises to deliver janitorial services using the nationally recognized Corvus brand and proprietary systems.

Transcript

Tommy Petagna: Good morning, Tommy Petagna, Regional Director here at Corvus of New Orleans. I’m here with Reed Warren, the future new Regional Director of San Antonio. We’re super excited for Corvus to enter the state of Texas for the first time, and as well for Reed to have this opportunity.
Tell us more about San Antonio and what’s up next.

Reed Warren: Yeah, so, I’m incredibly grateful and thrilled to have this opportunity to open San Antonio market. It’s a growing city, I know there’s an eager Franchisee base down there. And to be with NOLA for the past 8 years and to see the impact that I’ve had, and that we’ve had, on these lives, it really means a lot. And being from San Antonio, I have roots there. I’m excited for me and the family to be moving there and have this opportunity. And I know it’s going to be nothing but great things to come. And I’m just really excited about the new market and partnership with you. And couldn’t express enough thanks.

Tommy Petagna: Well I’m beyond excited and just know that you’re going to replicate the success you’ve had in New Orleans in San Antonio, and, will be a future leader in senior market for Corvus. So, congratulations, and very excited.

Reed Warren: Thank you.

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

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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.

Franchisee Spotlight – Oscar Patterson, Corvus of St. Louis

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May’s Franchisee Spotlight goes to Corvus of St. Louis Franchise Owner, Mr. Oscar Patterson. Read on to learn more about the standout Franchisee who goes above and beyond to Make Lives Better!

To keep up with the Franchisee Spotlight Series and all things Corvus, follow us on Instagram! @corvus_janitorial_franchising

Meet Mr. Oscar Patterson, Corvus Franchise Owner extraordinaire! Since opening the doors to his Franchise in 2012, Mr. Patterson has continuously proven himself as a valuable partner to the St. Louis market and Corvus Community.

Mr. Patterson is a good cleaner, no doubt, but his charismatic personality is what sets him apart. As any person reading this can tell from the picture below, his smile alone can make anyone’s day! “His ability to charm the clients he services is a massive strength,” says Corvus of St. Louis Operations Manager, Mr. Louis Kline. From meeting new customers at an initial walkthrough to rectifying concerns with existing accounts, Mr. Patterson has a special way of making his customers feel valued.

Franchise Owner smiling

Ever heard the expression “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade”? Mr. Patterson approaches his business with a hustler’s mentality, and his actions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic proved just that. His Corvus Franchise took a major hit after losing one of its largest accounts due to business shutdowns. But Mr. Patterson demonstrated resilience, and through the hard times, he persevered. The standout Franchisee supplemented lost income by taking on an incredible amount of one-time, electrostatic spraying jobs for various customer accounts throughout the St. Louis area. And as it turns out, he is now earning more than he was before.

Mr. Patterson stands out as a fantastic father as much as he does as a business owner. When he is not busy running a successful franchise, you will likely find him spending time with his children. The great pride Mr. Patterson has for his kids shows what an engaged, supportive, and loving dad he is.

On behalf of everyone at Corvus, thank you, Mr. Patterson, for all that you do! We are all so grateful for your partnership and look forward to watching your continued success.