Disinfecting

Should You Be Cleaning With Bleach?

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Most people think of bleach in association with laundry. For decades, people have been using it to remove stains and keep white clothes looking their best, but bleach isn’t just useful for getting clothes clean. It can also act as a broad-spectrum bactericide.

In decades past, almost everyone used bleach to keep homes and businesses clean. It’s only recently that this versatile cleaning chemical has come under intense scrutiny.

It seems like everyone has a strong opinion. Some people still think of bleach as a wonder product, while others believe it to create an unacceptable chemical hazard. The problem with this debate is that the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Understanding the Bleach Controversy

People who haven’t taken sides yet in the bleach debate often find themselves feeling confused. If bleach is an effective option for disinfecting surfaces, why isn’t everyone using it? On the other hand, if it truly poses a chemical hazard, why is it still sold alongside other janitorial supplies in grocery stores across the country? 

The reason this controversy rages on is simple. Bleach is an effective bactericide, but it can also pose dangers to human health when it’s used incorrectly. More specifically, it can cause injuries when mixed with other cleaning products.

The Pros and Cons of Using Bleach

With the plethora of new, green cleaning solutions on today’s market, professional cleaners and homemakers alike have plenty of options. Some choose to continue using bleach because they already know it works, while others prefer to experiment with green cleaning solutions. The choice is largely a matter of personal preference, but it’s important for everyone to be informed about the pros and cons of using bleach.

The Benefits of Bleach

Bleach doesn’t just keep white clothes looking fresh and clean. It can also be used to disinfect many surfaces, from sealed granite countertops to trash cans. When used correctly, it poses no harm to humans or the environment.

This cleaning product is also affordable and versatile. Its uses range from keeping whites white in the laundry to cleaning hard, non-porous surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. Some people even use bleach to clean their patios and stop diseases from overwintering on plant pots.

The Drawbacks of Bleach

The primary drawback of bleach is that if it’s used incorrectly, it can cause substantial harm to both people and the environment. Bleach should only be diluted with water, and it should never be mixed with other cleaning chemicals, especially ammonia. It’s also important to avoid combining bleach with products that include vinegar. 

Bleach can also cause damage to certain surfaces and clothes that are not colorfast. People shouldn’t ever use it to remove stains or brighten the colors of clothes made from silk, leather, wool, or mohair and should check the label before using it on any other type of fabric. It’s also important to avoid using bleach on porous, wood-based materials.

The Different Kinds of Bleach

Not everyone realizes that there are three different kinds of bleach. It’s important to know the difference, though, because each of them is better suited for specific purposes. Here’s what you need to know about each type:

Chlorine Bleach

Chlorine bleach is the best-known variety. Its active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, which is a powerful disinfectant and bactericide. Most chlorine bleach solutions must be diluted in water because this chemical can be strong. 

The best use for chlorine bleach is in disinfecting surfaces. Some people also use it for removing fabric stains, but because of its strength, chlorine bleach is only appropriate for brightening white clothes, not removing stains on colored or patterned fabrics.

Unlike other types of cleaning products, chlorine bleach is also used in swimming pools. It’s relevant to note, however, that the chlorine products sold by pool maintenance companies contain a pre-diluted mixture of bleach and water. They can’t be replaced by simply dumping household bleach into the pool.

Oxygen Bleach

The second most popular type of bleach is oxygen bleach. Also referred to commercially as non-chlorine bleach, this product’s active ingredient is sodium percarbonate.

The primary advantage of oxygen bleach over its chlorine counterpart is that it’s safe for use on a wider variety of fabrics. As a result, it’s sometimes marketed as a color-safe or all-fabric product.

Oxygen bleach is also exceptionally eco-friendly. When it’s dissolved in water, the chemical reaction that occurs only produces nontoxic byproducts such as soda ash.

Reducing Bleach

Reducing bleach, also called reductive bleach, is the least popular of this class of cleaning chemicals. It’s used primarily to bleach materials like wood, cotton, wool, leather, and clay that can’t be treated using stronger concentrations.

The active compounds in most formulations of reducing bleach are sodium hydrosulfite and sodium dithionite. Because the uses for this type of bleach are limited to commercial manufacturing applications, it can be difficult to find reducing bleach in stores.

Safety Tips for Using Bleach

As noted above, bleach is a remarkably effective disinfectant, but it can pose safety hazards. When using bleach, people should take a few precautions. Depending on the application, best practices for using bleach can include:

  • Wearing protective gear, including gloves and goggles when using strong concentrations of bleach.
  • Wearing a respirator or mask if the application will produce hazardous vapors.
  • Opening windows and doors to allow air to circulate when using household bleach.
  • Never mixing bleach with any other kind of household cleaner to avoid producing harmful vapors.
Know When to Leave it to the Pros

Bleach is still commonly used in many commercial applications because professional cleaners know how to use it safely. If you want to have the cleanest space around but don’t want to risk exposure to toxic gas or don’t feel safe using heavy-duty cleaning chemicals, it’s best to work with a professional janitorial service.

The experts at Corvus Janitorial Systems know how to use a full range of cleaning chemicals safely and effectively to keep commercial spaces looking their best. We’ll always prioritize both worker safety and customer satisfaction and offer competitive prices, so don’t hesitate to get in touch and request a quote. Contact us today to learn more.

Commercial Cleaning For Banks: What You Need To Know

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While cleanliness is an important quality for all businesses, few have standards as stringent as those found in banks. A bank’s reputation depends on safety and reliability. Guests want to feel reassured as they walk through the doors, and stakeholders want to know that their finances are in capable hands. Team members should have positive feelings about their workplace, and it can be a real problem when they do not.

Though it’s possible to find help from general cleaning companies, it’s far better to hire one that focuses on financial institutions. With commercial cleaning for banks, executives can instill confidence in clients and team members, strengthen security, and provide an enhanced customer experience. Here, we will list a few reasons for credit unions and banks to invest in professional bank cleaning services.

Maximum Value for the Investment

Financial institutions are focused on maximizing the value of every dollar, and bank cleaning companies provide an excellent return on the investment. We know which surfaces require the most attention, and our crew members will help banks save money by shortening service times without sacrificing quality and attention to detail.

At Corvus Janitorial Systems, our many years of experience help us streamline the bank cleaning process. We provide a full line of services to sanitize and clean banks from wall to wall and floor to ceiling, all of which are done with a focus on maximizing ROI. By partnering with an experienced bank cleaning company, executives won’t just ensure high quality results; they will also increase the institution’s bottom line.

Convenient Scheduling

Our bank cleaning specialists work around clients’ schedules, not the other way around. Not all commercial cleaning companies can make such claims, as many limit their services to normal office hours and others may be fully booked at times of peak demand. Unlike other cleaning companies, bank cleaners know the intricacies of scheduling in financial institutions.

The convenience and ease of scheduling is one of the most significant benefits of commercial cleaning for banks. Our teams know when it’s convenient for clients, and they will work around their peak hours to minimize disruption while providing necessary services.

Improved Sanitation and Increased Safety

Banks are full of high-touch surfaces, which can host millions of bacteria, viruses, and germs. For such reasons, it’s important to invest in services from companies that will disinfect those surfaces with the best products and the strictest standards. Though any cleaning company can make things look shiny, not all can guarantee the results we provide. With bank cleaning services from Corvus Janitorial Systems, clients can enjoy additional peace of mind knowing they’re doing everything possible to keep hard surfaces sanitary and safe.

Better Security

Bank cleaning services don’t just keep buildings sanitary; they also strengthen security. A professional cleaning company does much to ensure clients, visitors’, and team members’ safety. Having a regular cleaning crew will promote a sense of security and professionalism for banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions.

Though cleaners aren’t security guards, it’s always good to have additional eyes and ears open. When selecting a commercial cleaning company, choose ones that’s insured, bonded, and licensed. By working with a bank cleaning company like Corvus Janitorial Systems, clients are assured that the job will be done with integrity, diligence, and attention to detail.

At Corvus, we vet every staff member to ensure that they are trustworthy, trained, and professional. With our services, we strive to show our clients how we can protect their assets while providing the highest level of service.

Helping Busy Executives Save Time

Professional bank cleaners know how to clean and sanitize buildings in the fastest and most efficient ways possible. With our proven approaches, we will help clients save time on maintenance without giving up quality. From sweeping and vacuuming entryways to cleaning vaults and other surfaces, everything is easier when it is done by an expert.

At Corvus Janitorial Systems, our clients often save time because of our services. As skilled bank cleaners, our teams know how to devise efficient, effective cleaning schedules to minimize turnaround times and get the job done. Instead of having an in-house cleaning crew, outsource the job to us for the sake of convenience.

Putting More Money in the Bank

Another great reason to outsource bank cleaning and sanitation is the financial savings provided. Our cleaning crews do more than help clients save time; they help them save money as well. General cleaners who don’t know the financial industry may take more time to clean these facilities, thereby increasing the cost of service. Similarly, an in-house cleaning crew may take up a substantial portion of an institution’s budget.

That’s why working with a specialized bank cleaner is such a sound investment. Specialized cleaning crews will find ways to minimize costs by working smarter and harder. Contact us to learn how we will work with you to create a fair and affordable contract that covers all the bases without affecting the company’s bottom line.

Understanding and Meeting Clients’ Needs

The best reason to work with a bank cleaner is that these companies understand clients’ needs. We know branch managers’ expectations for security, scheduling, cleanliness, and more—and we will work with every client to create a customized plan. When banks invest in cleaning companies that know their needs, they will never fall short.

In Need of Specialized Bank Cleaning Services? Rely on the Experts at Corvus Janitorial Systems

Banks and credit unions have unique needs. Not only must they present a clean, professional appearance to visitors, team members, and clients, but they must also protect stakeholders’ assets and maintain building security.

For many years, Corvus Janitorial Systems has been one of the nation’s leading commercial cleaning companies, with a focus on the cleaning and sanitation of financial institutions. Our proven money-and time-saving solutions have helped hundreds of commercial clients enjoy a cleaner work environment while staying under budget. Request additional information via our online contact form or call today to receive a free, no-obligation quote.

Opening Back Up the Office? Cleaning and Sanitation Tips for Success

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As the pandemic hopefully begins coming to a close, offices are opening again. After two years of closing your doors, cleaning is in order. How can office owners and managers ensure their businesses are safe for employees and customers alike?

While cases largely have fell across the world, COVID-19 still threatens us. To reduce the risks to employees, cleaning and disinfecting are essential. There are right and wrong ways to take care of these chores and get back to business as usual.

Offices Deal with Cross Contamination Too

Every janitorial service knows the importance of avoiding cross contamination. Although you hear more about this issue in the food industry, it could affect the safety of your office.

Cross contamination happens rapidly and can make everyone in the office ill. To prevent cross contamination, encourage employees to wash their hands frequently and use hand sanitizer when they cannot access soap and water.

Cleaning professionals use gloves to help prevent cross contamination. When cleaning your office, wear gloves and change them frequently.

Disinfect Your Office Electronics

Look around your office, and you are likely to discover many electronics. Although these get wiped down from time to time, most are teeming with germs because they never get disinfected. Many office owners do not even realize they can sanitize electronics.

To disinfect your electronics, use pure alcohol wipes. These wipes will not harm your electronics and will kill bacteria that can make office workers ill.

Consider Color-Coding

While it may seem elementary, color-coding your cleaning rags is essential. You need a color for each area of the office. Color coding your cleaning rags helps to avoid issues with cross contamination.

You should store these rags in the same color-coded method. Getting organized will help you keep your office clean. Professional cleaners use similar color-coding approaches.

Disinfect In One Direction

One of the biggest mistakes people make when cleaning offices is disinfecting in multiple directions. When disinfecting, you need to make a single one-direction motion.

Wiping one way and then wiping back the same direction will only deposit germs on the freshly disinfected area. You should only use disposable cloths for disinfecting. Wipe in one direction and then dispose of the cloth.

Do Not Forget to Disinfect the Floors

Most office managers know cleaning their floors is integral to the appearance of the building. Germs are everywhere. Imagine the bacteria tracked in from employees and customers.

Forgetting to disinfect the flooring in your office could lead to cross contamination and the spreading of germs. Because it is challenging to disinfect carpeting, it helps to hire professionals

Choose the Right Chemical Cleaners

While almost all cleaners promise to kill bacteria and viruses, few of them deliver. Because COVID-19 is a new virus, not all cleaners address it appropriately.

To kill viruses like COVID-19, you need to use EPA-approved disinfectants only. Products with the EPA designation have gone through meticulous testing. Any other cleaners may not kill viruses like COVID-19.

Let Fresh Air In

Offices shut for months or even years need fresh air. Opening the windows inside the office will air it out.

You should also consider the air circulation inside the office. How well does air circulate? Remember that many viruses, including COVID-19, are airborne. Avoid using fans to circulate air because they will only deposit germs on newly cleaned services.

Keep a Checklist

Getting organized is critical for keeping an office clean. Checklists allow you to organize cleaning efforts to ensure employees handle tasks appropriately and in order.

It helps to have everyone in charge of a cleaning task. As a part of the cleaning checklist, offices need to ensure disinfection is a prominent task. Employees should disinfect frequently touched items throughout the day.

Never Let Your Guard Down

As cases decline, there is hope COVID-19 will one day remain in the past. Unfortunately, we do not know what lies in the future. Until COVID-19 becomes eradicated, you must continue your extensive cleaning efforts to keep employees and customers safe.

Even if COVID-19 is no longer a problem, office owners are wise to keep their cleaning practices. According to scientists, there are more viruses than stars in the sky.

Encourage employees to flip light switches with their elbows and consider installing door handles employees can use with their arms instead of their hands.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Cleaners for Your Office

Running an office takes consistent work. You may find many cleaning chores get overlooked because of your duties. For this reason, owners often rely on professional cleaners to ensure their offices are clean and free of harmful germs. The following are some benefits of hiring janitors.

1. The number one benefit of hiring a professional cleaner is protection against germs. Professional cleaners have the tools, equipment, and skills to ensure they use exacting measures for cleanliness.

2. Office owners will find they save time and money by hiring a janitorial company to handle their cleaning chores.

3. Owners will also experience great peace of mind knowing their offices are clean, inviting, and protective of their employees and customers.

4. Professional cleaners have access to industrial strength cleaners and disinfectants that may not be readily available to the public.

Keep Your Employees and Customers Safe

If the above cleaning tips seem intimidating and time-consuming, you are not alone. Many office managers and owners feel overwhelmed right now as they attempt to open their businesses. There are so many risks to consider.

With offices all over the world opening again, you may think about your options. To keep your employees and customers safe, consider implementing strategic cleaning tasks daily. Deep disinfecting kills many viruses, including COVID-19.

If you feel ill-equipped to handle deep cleaning chores, hiring a professional is essential. Professional cleaners will set up a cleaning schedule according to your needs.

These professionals understand what it takes to clean an office thoroughly. With these services, office owners can ensure their premises are clean and disinfected, so they do not have to worry about germs and viruses spreading and making people sick.

Corvus Janitorial Systems offers professional office cleaning services for businesses of all sizes. If you have questions about keeping your office clean as you reopen and return to work, or if you are interested in office cleaning services, contact us today. 

Omicron Variant Cleaning and Disinfecting

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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.

The Benefits of Cleaning with a Microfiber Cloth

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You don’t need to be a cleaning fanatic in the cleaning business, but it helps.
You may start each job by grabbing chemicals, a towel, and something to hold water, then attacking the dirty areas with vigor. All you can do is hope you killed the hidden bacteria and filth our eyes can’t see. The air around you smells clean, and the area you scrubbed looks clean. Task accomplished.

Enter the microfiber cloth.

Why Is Microfiber so Special?

Microfiber is a polyester-nylon blend consisting of more than 200,000 fibers per square inch. The nylon carries a positive electrical charge, which attracts dust, dirt, and microorganisms. Each fiber can clean and pull up particles, so almost everything seen and unseen gets removed from the cleaning surface.

They are Better for the Environment

Microfiber towels and mops reduce the amount of water and chemicals used per cleaning. In most cases, water will suffice for standard cleaning routines, and if water is needed, it is much less than that used by cotton products.

The University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) found that a microfiber mop only needed five gallons of water per one hundred rooms. In comparison, a cotton mop required 105 gallons of water. The same study found that microfiber mops only used .5 ounces of chemicals, compared to the cotton mop’s 10.5 ounces.

Microfiber cloths save water, reduce the number of chemicals we release into the environment, and provide healthier conditions for your clients.

Cleaning Versus Disinfecting

Cleaning is very different from disinfecting. You wash your dishes by hand to remove the leftover particles before placing them into the dishwasher to be disinfected. It’s the same for all other surfaces.

Cleaning removes the grit and bacteria from the surface, but some viruses will remain. The only way to eliminate them totally is through the use of chemicals.

Chemicals applied to surfaces help kill viruses and bacteria, but they also help with tough-to-remove stains, such as hard water. Using the chemical is just the first step. You must then wait for the dwell time to elapse before wiping away the product.

Microfiber cloths require a smaller quantity of chemical products to do the same job as cotton cloths. Still, it is best to stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations for dilution ratios. Microfiber not only kills the microbes but the food they require to thrive.

Microfiber Is a Complete Cleaning Package

Microfiber uses its static charge to trap small particles, bacteria, and dust. That helps in more ways than just cleaning counters and mopping floors. It also absorbs water and chemicals better, dispersing them on surfaces as needed. Here are a few cleaning tasks microfiber excels at:

• Disinfecting
• Dry-dusting
• Polishing
• Dry and wet scrubbing

Microfiber replaces cotton, knit, and polishing cloths, as well as lint-free and disposable rags. Microfiber should be your go-to cloth for all your cleaning needs.

Cleaning your Microfiber Cloths

Cleaning your microfiber cloths is simple, here are a few steps to ensure you wash correctly.
• Shake them out before washing them
• Use detergent without any additives, such as softeners or fragrance
• Consider hand-washing, if only lightly soiled
• Line dry if possible
• Dry on a low heat setting, without other items

Corvus Janitorial Systems

Corvus Janitorial Systems believes in making lives better (and easier), not just for our clients but also for those creating a cleaner, healthier environment every day. We offer a full range of cleaning services to our clients, including disinfecting and sanitizing services.

If you are a professional in the cleaning world and want to grow your business into something special, contact us to learn about our franchise opportunity.

Cleaning and Disinfecting for the Delta Variant: What You Need to Know

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At Corvus Janitorial, we know how important it is to keep your facility clean and disinfected – especially during the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic. Since the pandemic began, we’ve been on the front lines helping organizations protect their employees and customers with professional-grade cleaning and disinfecting services.

That’s why we’ve been keeping tabs on the emergence and spread of the new Delta variant. Unfortunately, just as businesses are starting to open up again and relaxing restrictions around masks, the new Delta variant has been quickly spreading – causing organizations to rethink their cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

The most worrisome aspect of the Delta variant is its increased level of transmissibility. According to the CDC, the Delta variant is nearly twice as contagious as previous variants.

In addition, initial data suggests that Delta can cause more serious illness than previous strains. And while vaccines and masks are two of the most effective methods for preventing the spread of the virus, professional janitorial services that offer cleaning and disinfecting can also help reduce the risks associated with the spread of the virus.

Whether you manage a large commercial facility or a small business, you’ve probably been wondering whether you need to adjust your cleaning protocols to combat the Delta variant. The good news? The same enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols that help protect against the spread of the alpha variant (the original novel coronavirus) will also work against the Delta variant. But that means you need to have a plan.

That’s where Corvus comes in. Our trained specialists can help you develop a custom enhanced cleaning program for your facility to protect against COVID-19 variants such as Delta.

Our professional disinfection services include:

• Electrostatic spraying, pump or battery sprayer, or manual spray process
• Use of hospital grade, EPA registered disinfectants
• Adherence to CDC guidelines including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As a professional cleaning company, we’re acutely aware of the risks involved in the new Delta variant. So, you can be sure that we’ll be keeping up to date on all new information about the variant and how we can do our best to stop the spread of the virus.

In the meantime, 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.