Commercial Cleaning

Corvus Recognized for Exceptional Disinfection & Sanitization Services

by

We are thrilled to announce that Corvus Janitorial Systems has been named #1 Top Disinfection and Sanitization Services Companies by Manage HR Magazine in the Disinfection and Sanitization Edition.

This edition features an interview with Corvus Janitorial Systems Founder and Co-CEO, Justin Douglas. With over two decades of experience, he discusses the importance of commercial cleaning services, addressing customers’ needs, maintaining safety, and how Corvus helps business owners start their own franchises.

“We offer outstanding cleaning services with expertise at budget-friendly pricing, but what we are most proud of is the quality we deliver, the people we have on our team, and the culture that drives excellence with every project we work on,” says Mr. Douglas. Corvus’ success is a direct result of its Franchise Owners and team members, and we are so proud of the hard work and dedication they show every day.

Thank you, Manage HR Magazine, for this distinguished award. Corvus Janitorial Systems is grateful and privileged to receive your recognition.

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.

Growing a Cleaning Franchise

by

A Franchise Owner can learn and grow in new areas despite not having as much experience as you may expect.

A significant benefit to partnering with a franchising company is working alongside individuals who understand the industry through and through. As a Franchisee, you have access to a pre-established business model, the backing of an existing brand, and training and support you typically would not find when starting your own business. Other benefits include established capital, a shorter development period, the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, and being your own boss. It is no surprise that the franchise industry in the United States employs over eight million people and generates $825.4 billion in economic activity.

But just like anything worthwhile, some problems come along with franchising. Luckily, Corvus Janitorial Systems can provide clear, actionable solutions. Read on to learn our suggestions for growing your cleaning franchise:

Dream Big!

Corvus believes in dreaming big, working with integrity, building valuable relationships, and making lives better. We provide technology and tools, sales and marketing support, ongoing training, and a stellar reputation that empowers you to stop dreaming and start doing. Owning your own commercial cleaning franchise means owning your future, independence, and security…all without facing the daunting task of starting a business from scratch.

Foster Relationships

As previously stated, a thorough and well-thought-out expansion plan is essential to growing a successful franchise. A notable component of this plan is fostering existing relationships. From the franchisor to the customers to the surrounding community- trust, honesty, and open dialogue are vital elements to upholding valuable relationships.

Building your franchise would be substantially harder without experienced professionals showing you the way. Every relationship is valuable along your journey, which is why keeping an open line of communication between you and your franchisor, employees, and clients- both new and old- is of the utmost importance.

Follow a Consistent System

For a franchise to truly expand, each individual involved must understand and agree upon the rules, goals, processes, and values it holds. A consistent system ensures that everyone is on the same page, yet inconsistency continues to be a significant challenge Franchise Owners face. Partnering with a franchisor like Corvus assures you that a proven system is already in place. Our decades of experience have shaped our understanding of what does and does not work, which in turn allows you to focus on implementing what you learn in training, create guidelines, and build a strong team.

Hire the Right People

While we are on the topic of teams, let us take a moment to discuss the importance of hiring the right people and providing the proper training. Take your time when building your team. Ask potential candidates questions that require thought and discussion to ensure their experience and values align with your franchise. You are working hard to turn your dreams into reality, so hire a team that is ready to work hard and willing to learn.

Listen to the Customer

As a commercial cleaning franchisor, delivering high-quality cleaning and disinfecting services is ultimately your top priority. Therefore, customer satisfaction is the ultimate testament to how your business is performing. When customers provide feedback, listen carefully and make it clear that what they are saying is understood. This is especially true when the feedback is negative. Rather than feel offended or get defensive, see it as constructive criticism. When you are growing a franchise, any feedback you receive is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Partner with Corvus

Following a franchisor with an established expansion plan and experienced staff will enable you to grow at your desired rate. Corvus understands that human connection is the basis of any successful business transaction. Since 2004, we have helped entrepreneurs all across the nation successfully open and operate their own businesses. We are more than a franchise opportunity…we are a network of small business owners with similar goals. Check out our blog for more resources on Franchise Ownership and all things commercial cleaning.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Founded in 2004 to make people’s lives better, Corvus Janitorial Systems is a full-service commercial cleaning franchisor that offers cleaning services through reputable local Franchisees. Corvus has been guided by its mission to transform people and transform places by consistently delivering independence, security, and freedom to Franchisees who deliver high-quality cleaning to offices, educational buildings, medical buildings/offices, recreational centers, industrial parks, and other spaces. Visit our website for more information regarding Corvus and the franchise opportunities we offer nationwide.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information only. It is not intended to advise an individual on their purchase of a franchise and should not be used in place of legal counsel. There are many factors that affect the purchase of a franchise. Any person considering the purchase of a franchise should become familiar with their state laws related to franchising.

What is a Commercial Disinfectant?

by

Commercial vs. Home Disinfectants

Home disinfectants are regular name-brand products that you can find in grocery stores. They’re used to eliminate bacteria and viruses at home, especially on high-touch surfaces, which the CDC is recommending we pay extra attention to right now. Cleaning and disinfecting with home disinfectants is what most people do to keep diseases, like COVID, from spreading through contact with contaminated surfaces.
Regular cleaning and disinfecting are always a good idea. And many common household products, like the disinfecting wipes put out by Clorox or the disinfectant mist produced by Lysol, are registered with the EPA. But even when a home disinfectant is registered with the EPA as an effective product against hard-to-kill viruses, it might not be enough. Commercial disinfectants take the cleaning and sanitizing process one step further.

Commercial Disinfectant Benefits

While many household disinfectants will kill deadly viruses, they still have their limitations. Commercial disinfectants are stronger than home-grade ones, killing a wider range of transferable infections and diseases. And on top of being stronger and more effective, the techniques that trained commercial cleaners use are more effective and efficient, too.
Techniques like cold fogging and electrostatic spraying are significantly more effective ways to disinfect. These commercial-grade products and methods create a 360-degree mist to target every surface and hard-to-reach corner, ensuring that nothing is missed. This type of high-level cleaning and disinfecting is particularly helpful in sensitive and high-traffic settings where keeping things sanitized and safe is a necessity rather than a luxury.

Where Commercial Disinfectants are Used

Among other places, commercial disinfectants are extremely common in:

– Airports
– Hospitals and other medical facilities
– Senior centers
– Schools and daycares
– Office buildings
– Restaurants and food facilities
– Factories and manufacturing facilities

Because these facilities see a lot of traffic, have many high-touch surfaces, and many house vulnerable individuals, a higher level of cleaning and disinfecting is required. Since the first COVID shutdown, we have all learned the importance of maintaining our health and safety. Commercial cleaning and disinfecting services make it easier to do so. By using highly effective, commercial-grade products, equipment, and techniques, we help our clients ensure that their facility, office, or workspace is safe.

When to Use Home Disinfectants

EPA-approved home disinfects are great to use during routine home and office cleaning. Between professional cleaning and disinfecting services and in a pinch, they are an effective way to slow the spread of germs and infections. If you’re cleaning a high-traffic home, an office, or another workplace setting, you should regularly use sprays or wipes to sanitize high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, handles, desks and chairs, light switches, phones and keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, and countertops. Remember to follow the proper protocols to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your cleaning and disinfecting efforts.
And remember that there is a big difference between EPA-approved home disinfectants and homemade natural cleaning products and disinfectants. Natural products are growing in time with the movement for more eco-friendly solutions, but natural cleaning products that rely on ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda are far less effective than household and commercial cleaning products. Health and safety should be the top priority for cleaning and disinfecting procedures, especially during times like these.

Proper Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

Following the proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures will both help ensure that they are as effective as possible and that you remain safe while cleaning. Some disinfecting products might be harmful if they’re left on exposed skin for too long; others might only be safe for use in well-ventilated areas. Wear disposable gloves, clean surfaces with soap and water first, then disinfect. Wear clothes that you aren’t concerned about damaging if you’re using products that contain bleach.
Check your home disinfectant bottles for instructions on dwell time, the amount of time a solution has to stay on a surface in order for it to be effective, as well as other important instructions. With some products, simply wiping them with a rag and walking away won’t be enough. Regular cleaning is a good way to help slow the spread of preventable illnesses. But when it comes to getting a deeper cleaning, disinfecting those hard-to-reach surfaces, and finding some peace of mind, commercial disinfectants applied by trained professionals will carry you farther.

Corvus Janitorial Services

Regular cleaning, washing your hands, wearing your masks, and keeping your distance can help slow the spread of illnesses. But when you need something more, commercial disinfecting services will keep high-touch surfaces and hard-to-clean areas clean and disinfected to reduce the transmission on a higher level. Our service providers are trained to get the job done right and done safely. And you can move forward with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ve done your part to keep your facility, employees, patients, loved ones, and community safe and healthy.

How and Why to Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

by

As far as home and office improvement projects go, stripping and refinishing hardwood floors is definitely high up on the list. It’s something that’s relatively easy to take on – you can do it yourself or find several local hardwood floor specialists to do it for you. Whichever you choose, there are many benefits to stripping and refinishing your hardwood floors. And if you’re feeling handy or you’re willing to learn, one of those benefits is that you can do it on your own, save money, and learn a new and valuable skill.

Why Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

Stripping and refinishing hardwood floors gives you the chance to restore old, worn, or otherwise damaged flooring in your home or office. It is also the perfect time to change the color with a quick and easy stain. Refinished hardwood floors increase the property’s value, makes the room more visually appealing, and makes them easier to keep clean. Dirt and dust can settle in as hardwood floors age. Stripping and refinishing will help you remove allergens, eliminate pesky splintering wood pieces, and give you a smooth finish that is easy to clean and maintain.

How to Strip and Refinish Hardwood Floors

Stripping and refinishing your hardwood floors will take some patience and a fair amount of elbow grease, but the results make it worth it. Using the floors as the jumping-off point to redecorate and breathe new life into your space can make it feel brand new. There are different levels and stages of refinishing hardwood floors, so we’ll start with the easier ones. If you only have a handful of minor scratches, dings, or a worn, dull finish, you might be able to get away with quickly buffing and adding a new coat of varnish or polyurethane to your hardwood floors.

But if your hardwood floors are in dire need of a full makeover, the process is still manageable and rewarding. Plus, doing it yourself can save you thousands over paying an expert to do it for you. On average, professionals charge between $3 to $4 per square foot to refinish floors. This means that a 2,000-square foot space could cost as much as $8,000. If you’re willing to do the work yourself instead, it would cost closer to $700 instead.

Steps Involved in Stripping and Refinishing Damaged Hardwood Floors

If you don’t fall into the category of a quick repair, here are the steps you’ll want to follow to breathe life back into your hardwood floors:

1) Prep the room by taking out furniture and rugs, covering vents and electrical boxes with painter’s tape, and gently removing the base molding with a pry bar

2) Number the molding pieces as you go so it’s easier to put them back in the right place when you’re done

3) Use wood filler to patch and repair larger holes or cracks or wood patch filler on individual spots if the damage is minimal

4) Let the filler dry completely

5) Use a damp rage to wipe down the floor and get rid of any remaining dust or debris; let the floor dry again before sanding

6) Slowly and cautiously use a drum sander to sand the floor (remember your mask and eye protection, too)

7) Buff the floor to remove any small sanding marks that were left behind and give the floor a smooth finish

8) Prep the room for stain or sealer by wiping away any dirt, dust, or hair on the floor or walls so they don’t affect your finish

9) Apply stain if you want to change the color (make sure the room is well ventilated first and wear your respirator mask)

10) Once the stain is dry (or you decided to skip the stain), the last step is sealing the floor (usually with polyurethane) to protect it from further scratches and water damage

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Depending on the level of damage, size of the room, your goals, and other individual factors, the process may look slightly different. But for the most part, the tools and materials you’ll need will likely stay the same. Let’s start with the rented items first. Unless you already own them or you have a handy family member or neighbor, you can rent a drum or belt floor sander and an edger sander from your local home improvement store. These are the biggest items you’ll need. From there, you’ll want to gather or go buy:

–A small pry bar for the base molding
–Needle-nosed pliers to remove any nails or staples in the floor
–A hammer to nail down any loose boards
–Painter’s tape and plastic sheets
–Wood filler
–Spackle knife (you may want to buy a few different sizes, but if you already have one and don’t want to buy more, the one you have on hand should work fine)
–Protective goggles or other eyewear and respirator masks
–Sandpaper (40, 60, 80, and 120-grit to fit the different sanders)
–A sanding pole
–A 120-grit sanding screen
–An industrial-level vacuum or shop vac
–Tack cloth
–Denatured alcohol
–A smooth foam roller
–Polyurethane or a similar hardwood floor sealant
–Steel wool pads and rags
–An oil-based stain and stain applicator pads are optional depending on whether or not you are happy with the current color of your hardwood floors.

Corvus Janitorial Services

At Corvus, we are dedicated to health and safety improvements. If you are preparing to strip and refinish your hardwood floors yourself, make sure you have all of the safety equipment you need. If you are renting sanders, buffers, or other equipment, ask the hardware store for guidance on how to use them. You can also find instructional videos on YouTube to watch before you begin. Doing your research before you get started could help you avoid costly mistakes like having to start over or having to hire a professional to fix any damage. For more information on improvements that you can make, the services that we offer, and the proper protocols for cleaning and disinfecting, visit the Corvus blog page.