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Deep Cleaning: What You Need to Know

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Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases nationwide, Corvus Janitorial is noticing more and more businesses implementing deep cleaning into their office routines. In fact, the CDC announced deep cleaning as an essential step in the effort to maintain safety in public spaces like your workplace, school, home, and business.

So what is it that makes deep cleaning different from ordinary, everyday cleaning? Read on to learn more about the process – and importance – of deep cleaning.

What is Deep Cleaning?

A deep clean is an organized and detailed clean of an area with the intent to reduce germs and control the spread of infection. It goes above and beyond regular cleaning to ensure those hard-to-reach corners and crevices that are oftentimes neglected in standard cleaning routines are being reached.

When a person is cleaning, whatever kind of space it may be, he or she is mostly focused on improving the overall appearance of that area. Cleaning does work to remove dirt and impurities – like germs and viruses- from a surface, but it does not actually kill them away. Impurities can only be killed by cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting the area.

While a standard clean is generally performed daily or throughout the week, a deep clean occurs far less regularly (think- spring cleaning). However strenuous of a task it may be, ensuring that your home and other public spaces have been disinfected is absolutely essential to controlling the spread of COVID-19. If the proper products are used, disinfecting can actually kill the virus that causes COVID-19.

Standard Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning

Let’s compare cleaning a kitchen to deep cleaning a kitchen as an example. Cleaning the kitchen after dinner may look like something along the lines of clearing the plates, loading the dishwasher, wiping down the countertops, and sweeping underneath the table.

Deep cleaning the kitchen is a much more comprehensive process. In addition to the chores mentioned above, it would involve tasks such as clearing out the pantry and refrigerator, tossing away any expired food, and then wiping down the shelves with a disinfectant spray. One might use a clean toothbrush or similar tool to reach the corners and edges of the shelves as well.

Deep Cleaning Your Business

This time last year if you were to ask anyone his or her thoughts on disinfecting a doorknob each time someone opens and closes the door…most likely everyone would agree that it is a crazy and completely unnecessary idea. Now, the health and safety of your employees, as well as the vitality of your business, could depend on this very action alone.

Businesses and other workspaces contain several high-touch surfaces (desks, light switches, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, etc.) that, if neglected, can drastically increase one’s chances of contracting COVID-19. Since there are so many high touch surfaces to consider, businesses will generally hire professional cleaners to perform a deep clean.

Oftentimes professional cleaning companies will use advanced technologies like electrostatic sprayers to properly clean, sanitize, and disinfect. Whether or not your facility uses a commercial cleaning service, it is worthwhile to consider bringing in a professional for a disinfecting service. It will save a great deal of time, and you can rest assured knowing that one of the most powerful and effective disinfecting methods was applied to your workspace.

Tips and Tricks For Deep Cleaning Your Home

While businesses typically hire a janitorial company for their cleaning needs, deep cleaning your home can be done without help from professional cleaners. The thought of disinfecting your entire household is probably overwhelming, so it helps to break the project down into small, more manageable tasks.

Just like deep cleaning any public space, first and foremost you must disinfect the high-touch surfaces in your home. It is helpful to always have a supply of disinfectant products readily available. Clorox, Lysol, and Purell are common brands included on the EPA’s list of approved disinfectants. Wearing disposable gloves while deep cleaning these surfaces is a great preventative measure you can take. If a member of your household does contract COVID-19, it is best for him or her to stay in a separate bedroom and bathroom if at all possible.

Deep cleaning aside, wearing a mask outside your home and limiting the number of visitors who come into your home are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family from contracting the coronavirus.

Conclusion

Deep cleaning our workspaces and households is a crucial step we must all take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Simply cleaning up after ourselves will not be enough, so it is best to start adopting these practices now and to maintain them for as long as the coronavirus continues to affect our lives. For more information and resources relating to COVID-19, visit our coronavirus response page here.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you are looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help your facility.

Industrial Cleaning: Your Facility is Unique, Your Clean Should Be Too

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As we all know, cleaning and disinfecting, in any setting or capacity, are more important this year than ever before. Now and in the future, there will be a greater need for thorough cleaning and disinfecting services in offices, schools, medical centers, and industrial buildings alike. Whether you operate a transportation service, auto dealership, manufacturing plant, or another industrial facility, it’s important to create a safe and compliant workspace. Luckily, you can count on Corvus to create this type of workspace for you.

Typically, industrial facilities have a host of requirements that differ greatly from general office-based cleaning services. We know and understand these unique requirements and needs very well. We will give your facility the high-level attention it deserves. Here are a few things to expect from your Corvus Janitorial industrial cleaning:

Customized cleaning services

The tools and skills we bring to an industrial cleaning won’t be the same ones we arrive at a corner office with. We don’t provide cookie-cutter lists or one-size-fits-all solutions. We offer top-level industrial cleaning based on your specific requirements and needs. We will comply with your business’s guidelines, as well as the guidelines from the CDC and EPA that were carefully created to keep all of our workspaces safe. Each of our crews are highly trained and knowledgeable in terms of compliance, proper methods, safety procedures, and effective services.

Zero interruptions

Many businesses have been interrupted due to a lack of compliance with safety protocols. If one person gets sick, you may have to shut down your entire operation for a time. Corvus can save you both time and money by ensuring that we keep your operation open and running smoothly. We’ll help you meet the standards you’ve set, avoid interruptions, and keep your employees and their families safe.

Downtime in any manufacturing facility can be costly. We’ll help you ensure that everything is moving along the way it should be so that you can focus on doing what you do best: running your business. To accomplish these goals, we can offer a variety of needs-based services, including increased frequencies, cleanings outside of traditional weekday work hours or on the weekends, and high-level cleaning and disinfecting tools and techniques.

Total transparency

We won’t leave you guessing about which services you need and which we’ll provide. Our account executives will meet with your or your facility’s manager to go through any special requirements, guidelines, budget caps, or other nuances that make your industrial cleaning unique. We’ll do everything we can to ensure that we are meeting your facility’s needs. This includes providing the appropriate chemicals and equipment, as well as SDS sheets you need to stay compliant with any audits or safety guidelines. Our customized proposal will include all of the specifications written up solely for your facility. We will meet with you and work with your team every step of the way.

Additional services

Your previous industrial cleaning services may have been limited to the bare minimum to get by. Most businesses chose this path without even realizing it. We offer a wide array of additional services that will not only keep your industrial business clean and disinfected, but will also keep your facility looking exactly the way you want it to. Your facility serves as a place of business and daily operation, but it may also serve as a tool to demonstrate your services and products to your customers. Even if this aspect of your business is currently suspended, things will go back to normal eventually, and it is best to be prepared now rather than waiting for that day to come.

Some of our most popular additional services include:

• Hard floor care
• Carpet cleaning
• Electrostatic spraying
• Green cleaning
• Post-construction clean-ups
• Window cleaning
• Day porters
• Emergency clean-ups

Corvus Janitorial Systems

We’ll work with you to determine the best schedule, plan, and services for your facility. We’ve been an industry leader for the better part of two decades, and we’ve used our experience to create systems that ensure we are providing top-level industrial cleaning services. We’ve worked with and met the unique needs of industrial operations for years. We look forward to learning about yours and becoming a part of your team. Contact us today for more information and to receive a free quote.

Why Purchase an Office Cleaning Franchise…and Why Not

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In the past, we’ve talked about the actionable steps involved in opening an office cleaning business. We’ve talked about personal considerations, preferences, and unique goals, risk tolerance and aversion, and the benefits of entrepreneurship. Since we’ve shared these thoughts with you, the world has changed. Traditional employment options are fewer and farther between than they have been in a very long time. And it’s difficult to predict when things will return to normal for us again.

For some people, starting a business or becoming an entrepreneur has shifted from wish to necessity. For others, the trials and tribulations of this year have been enlightening and shown them that there is a better, stronger, and smarter career path available to them. Whatever drives you to consider purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If a business venture aligns with your personal mission, values, and goals, it’s much more likely to be successful.

Let’s talk about why you may want to purchase an office cleaning franchise first:

It offers freedom and independence

Purchasing an office cleaning franchise gives you freedom and independence that is nearly unmatched when it comes to other career paths. You can choose how much of yourself you want to dedicate to this business. You can work full-time with a few other employees or hire a full team and supervise, check-in, or work part-time. You can run a large full-time operation that acts as your sole source of income or you can simply use your office cleaning franchise to bring in supplemental income. Unlike many others, you can tailor this type of career path to align with your unique goals and lifestyle.

You can skip a step or two

When you purchase into a franchised business, you gain immediate access to assets that have already been established by someone in your industry. The franchisor has developed a business model, systems, and procedures that you can adopt and learn from. This saves you valuable time and energy by allowing you to skip over the time-consuming steps of developing these things on your own. You benefit from the work that they put in, their track record, and their success. They’ve established themselves as reliable, credible, and high-quality service providers in the cleaning industry. These things all increase the probability of your success when you purchase an office cleaning franchise under their wing.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from ongoing operational and sales support, access to capital, and a strong support system to rely on when you need guidance. While we help you build, you can focus on providing quality services, building meaningful client relationships, and doing what you do best. When you choose to own and operate an office cleaning franchise under Corvus, you’re never alone. With nearly 15 years under the same management and ownership team, we’ve built a trustworthy brand with national recognition. Our high-quality service, honesty, and reliability are what we’re known for. When you join us, these qualities will be what you’re known for, too.

Commercial cleaning is an essential business

Another important factor to consider is the incredible amount of stability involved in purchasing an office cleaning franchise. The cleaning industry isn’t going anywhere. Offices and other commercial buildings will always need to be cleaned and disinfected, and now more than ever before, they’ll need these services to be more frequent and more thorough. But that stability also comes with a few additional bonuses: the cleaning industry also has low initial capital requirements and allows you to keep your overhead low, create recurring and reliable revenue streams, and remain open as an essential business, even when other businesses are being shut down.

Low barriers to entry

Unlike many other startups, there are no licensing fees, patents, heavy machinery, or sprawling factory needed to own and operate an office cleaning franchise. You can hire as many or as few employees as you choose, depending on how much time you personally want to dedicate to your business. There is no formal training or educational requirements. Janitorial expertise and technical skills can be developed through experience rather than costly training programs. This means that you can get started right away, building and growing at your own pace.

You choose your hours of operation

This goes along with office cleaning franchises providing freedom and independence, but it’s worthy of its own explanation. Anyone who already works during traditional business hours, takes classes during the day, or cares for family members knows how difficult it can be to juggle so many different things at once. This career path opens the door to an incredible amount of customization, right down to your hours of operation. You can customize the volume of your services, the scope, the days and times your business operates, and so much more. If you’re working or with your kids during the day, you can operate your office cleaning franchise on weeknights or weekends.

Now, here are a few reasons why you may not want to purchase an office cleaning franchise:

You’re capable of building the business on your own

At Corvus, transparency and honesty are important to us. It wouldn’t be right to issue blanket statements and claim that our office cleaning franchises are right for everyone. We know that for some people, this is not the right choice. If you’re already at a high level in your career or you’ve built successful businesses in the past, you may already know how to perform the functions necessary to run an office cleaning business. You may know how to develop operating systems, handle marketing and brand development, and look forward to completing these tasks rather than skipping over them. If this is true for you, it may not make financial sense for you to purchase a franchise.

You don’t need access to capital or other forms of support

While we exist to help our Franchisees improve their lives and careers, we are also a for-profit company, like all other franchisors. This means that royalties or start-up fees will be owed to Corvus by Franchisees. If you are privy to effective sales and marketing techniques, have access to sufficient capital, have time to oversee your team, and can juggle everything from training and customer service to payroll and performance, it likely won’t make sense for you to be part of a franchise system. Whether you’re starting your own business or purchasing an office cleaning franchise, it’s important to remember that starting a business is inherently risky. Success is never guaranteed. Everything from the economic climate to your own effort and ability will impact the success of your business, no matter what form it takes.

The wrap-up
In our humble opinion, there are more reasons to purchase an office cleaning franchise than there are not to. But we recognize that this is not the right path for everyone. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what the right path is. Consider your goals, strengths, and weaknesses. If you do decide to purchase an office cleaning franchise, our proven process and successful track record give us confidence in our ability to support and help franchisees prosper. Contact us today for more information.

Electrostatic Spraying: A Safe & Easy Step for Your Cleaning Routine

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Electrostatic spraying is a powerful disinfection technique that promotes health and safety in public spaces.

How Does Electrostatic Spraying Work?

Electrostatic spraying has gained a lot of attention as businesses, workplaces, and schools reopen. These large, indoor spaces have several high-touch surface areas that, if improperly cleaned, can induce the transmission of COVID-19. A detailed explanation can be found here, but essentially electrostatic spraying works by applying a positive electric charge to a liquid spray. The liquid spray then passes through a nozzle and sticks to a surface containing a negative electric charge. Most surfaces are negatively charged, so the positively charged particles produced in the electrostatic sprayer will stick to these surfaces. While standard cleaning sprays disinfect the areas that the spray is directly applied to, electrostatic spraying provides complete, 360-degree coverage of the area. It ensures that the disinfectant reaches those hard-to-reach corners and crevices that are often neglected in standard cleaning routines.

Your Facility Needs Electrostatic Spraying

Just as individuals must continue to follow recommended safety actions like wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining a social distance of at least six feet, organizations must take the necessary safety precautions to protect individuals and control the spread of COVID-19. This fall we are seeing more and more businesses reopening their doors to customers, employees returning to workspaces, and students going back to school. Social distance restrictions are being lifted at a state and local level alike, but many people are still nervous about contracting COVID-19 in public spaces. Shopping in stores or eating at restaurants can be avoided, but someone who is an employee or a student might not have the option to work from home or learn remotely. It is crucial that all facilities, whether they are deemed essential or non-essential, keep this in mind as they are operating through these times.

Follow CDC Guidance

We know that when the coronavirus lives on an object or surface, it can take anywhere between a few hours to several days for the virus to die naturally. Traditional cleaning methods, like using soap and water, can decrease how much of a virus is on a surface, but in order to completely kill a germ on a surface, a disinfectant must be applied. Fortunately, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed with proper cleaning and disinfection. The cleaning and disinfecting guidelines they published emphasize that both a cleaner and disinfectant must be used to best reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It…

An electrostatic sprayer is beneficial no matter what the size or scope of your facility might be. Take airlines, for example. This industry was immediately affected by the stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions implemented in response to COVID-19. There are many high-touch surface areas on an aircraft (overhead bins, seats, armrests, tray tables, etc.) that require deep cleaning and disinfection. Major airlines, such as Delta and American Airlines, are using electrostatic sprayers to ensure that the aircraft is sanitized and their passengers’ are safe.

Is Electrostatic Spray Toxic or Dangerous?

There is no need to worry about electrostatic spraying being toxic or dangerous. Electrostatic sprayers require fewer chemicals than standard disinfection techniques. This is due to their vastly higher transfer efficiency – it requires fewer chemicals to properly disinfect, leading to less chemical exposure for both humans as well as the environment. While electrostatic spray technology has only recently been used in the cleaning industry, it is not new by any means. The technology was invented in the 1930s to improve spray disposition and was made popular by the auto industry in the 1940s. Electrostatic spray is completely safe for the person applying it as well as the occupants within the area it is being applied to.

Take the Extra Step

As state and local officials continue to ease social distancing restriction, day-to-day life is becoming seemingly more normal. It is important to understand that the coronavirus is still very much out there, and we must do everything in our power to stop the spread. Corvus Janitorial is offering electrostatic spray services for high-level disinfection that will protect your business and give you peace of mind as you reopen.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

If you are looking for a commercial cleaning company that uses only the highest-quality products and proven techniques, Corvus Janitorial is it. For all of your cleaning, purifying, and disinfecting needs, trust Corvus Janitorial. Contact us today to learn more about how Corvus can help your facility.

Starting an Office Cleaning Business: Invest in an Essential Service

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Interested in starting an office cleaning business of your own? It can be a very exciting venture, but there are several things you need to do before diving in! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with the four biggest things that should be on your to-do list before starting an office cleaning business.

Now more than ever, cleaning matters. As an essential industry, the commercial cleaning business has never been more in the spotlight – or more in demand.

STEP 1: RESEARCH

At Corvus, we are partial to the reliable and tested system that we and our franchise partners have built. However, as with any important decision, we recommend researching your options. There are many different franchisors of office cleaning and janitorial services concepts out there, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with the market. Resources to assist an individual in their initial research include Franchise.com, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the International Franchising Association (IFA).

When researching potential franchises, we suggest paying attention to the following:

• Company’s longevity

• Pricing of fees and services

• Quality of relationship between firms and its franchise base

While there are other things to consider than the few items listed above, this will be a great starting point on your researching journey. Once the initial due diligence has been exhausted and you have decided whether or not to go with a franchise base, it’s time to start the process.

STEP 2: CONTACT

Once you have researched, it’s time to make an initial call or email to a company teammate in order to learn more and explore the possibility of purchasing a cleaning franchise. The aim of the initial call is intended for both parties, the potential franchisee and franchisor, to get a basic sense of each other’s goals, experience, and ideal investment level. At Corvus, we aim to understand the level of interest by the inquiring party. When it comes to franchisees, we only want the best and most dedicated to represent us. At some point during the initial call, a prospective franchisee will typically be invited to attend a “Disclosure” meeting, or Discovery Meeting, at a Corvus Regional office.

STEP 3: MEET

The Discovery or “Disclosure” meeting is critically important. Many companies conduct these in a variety of ways, but we will be sharing how it is handled with our franchisees.

While there are several things that will be happening at a Corvus Discovery meeting, there are many things that most certainly will NOT be happening. Specifically, no sale or pressure is applied whatsoever to the prospective franchisee. The meeting is simply intended for two purposes. First, we provide the individual with regulatory paperwork called a Federal Disclosure Document. Then, we explain Corvus’ franchise system. During that explanation, we will typically go through the different features and benefits while also addressing cost structures and ongoing fees. In other words, the goal is to explain to potential franchisees how our system works and what it costs. We want anyone that is considering joining our team to make an informed decision about starting an office cleaning business.

Although a general presentation is a part of the meeting, the balance of time is usually spent addressing any and all questions and concerns the prospective franchisee may have. Additionally, for any franchise company, it would be against federal regulations and laws to affect any sale until the minimum 14 day holding period has passed following the Disclosure Meeting. Corvus highly recommends that all interested individuals review and thoroughly read FDD materials, including providing the FDD to an advisor, attorney or CPA to receive additional professional counsel or advice.

STEP 4: LAUNCH

Once the fourteen-day holding period has passed, an individual may become eligible to purchase a Corvus Cleaning Franchise. To do so, the individual contacts their regional Corvus support office to schedule a closing, or as we call it, an opening. Business openings typically occur on Fridays, but regional offices will always be willing to schedule an opening at a time that works for the franchisee. Generally, a business opening takes approximately 1-2 hours. Oftentimes, a regional office will attempt to include some initial cursory training at the time of signing. Once the individual purchases their franchise, becoming an owner of an essential business, training and orientation is scheduled…and then it’s time to launch!

As you can see, there is a lot of careful consideration and time that goes into deciding to start an office cleaning business by opening a franchise. While we at Corvus Janitorial are only one franchise of the many available, we hope this gives you a little more insight into what’s ahead if you decide to venture into the world of franchising.

If you are interested in learning more about business ownership with Corvus Janitorial Systems, inquire today to speak to a local representative.

Cleaning Matters: The Importance of Floor Care | Pro-Tips from Corvus Franchisees and Personnel

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The Importance of Floor Care

…$.30 per square foot or $4.00 per square foot to replace

Most facility or office managers know the importance of floor cleaning, insisting their workspaces receive regular sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming as a part of their regular janitorial services. However, many organizations overlook the importance of more technical floor care processes. This can be a costly oversight in terms of both appearance and cost. Whether an office possesses a soft, carpeted floor or a harder floor material like vinyl or terrazzo, methods for deeper cleaning and protection of those surfaces both exist and should be utilized at least twice per year.

Carpet Cleaning – Hot Water Extraction

In the case of carpets, steaming the material, also referred to as hot water extraction, is an essential part of the process. Hot water extraction is a method by which hot water and a properly diluted carpet cleaning solution are injected into the fibers of the carpet using relatively high-pressure. This form of cleaning yields several desirable results.

First, this method dislodges debris, dirt, and dander from carpeted materials. The same debris which causes foul odors can contribute to sinus or allergy issues by contaminating the air, or simply render the carpet’s aesthetic unpleasant to the eye.

Hot water extraction also allows for agitation of the chemical application that further cleans the carpeted material, all before being vacuumed up by a high-power suction hose attached to the equipment. While some organizations use truck-mounted carpet cleaning techniques, hot water extraction works at a lower pressure level which, in turn, keeps the liquid and chemical from overly pressurizing the important adhesive material used to attach carpet to the subfloor.

Hard Floor Cleaning – Strip and Refinish

When it comes to cleaning hard floors, more rigorous applications for cleaning and protecting floors also exist. Notably, a service called “stripping and refinishing”, or “stripping and waxing”, stands out as the gold standard for floor protection and maintenance of aesthetics.

Typically, when a floor is installed, a layer of floor finish, or sealant, coats the top surface of the raw floor. This provides protection from wear and tear by creating an in-between layer of sealant. As the sealant is worn down by typical traffic and other use, the floor becomes increasingly prone to scrapes, scuffs, or cuts into the actual flooring. Unfortunately, this could lead to a costly replacement process.

Moreover, debris, dust, and dirt usually begin to seep into eroding sealant. As this happens, the “deep, wet” desirable look turns dull, giving the floor the appearance of being unclean and unattractive. The remedy for these phenomena is to remove the sealant with a cleaning chemical called a “stripper”. Essentially, this is the commercial cleaning version of fingernail polish. Once the sealant is removed and the floor material is exposed, janitorial service providers can begin coating the floor with a floor finish or “wax”.

Stripping and waxing not only protects the floor as it dries “hard”; the acrylic in the compound also provides the floor with the wet look that gives it that much-desired sparkle and shine. Of course, the reapplied finish also builds back up a protective layer, which mitigates the potential for damage. The strip and refinish process will not only save the unfortunate cost of ultimately having to completely replace the flooring, it will also restore it to its former, shiny glory.

Considering the cleaning and sanitary benefits of hot water extraction carpet cleaning or stripping and refinishing, pursuing a floor program seems like an easy decision. However, further comparing the relative prices of floor replacement – $3 – $6 per square foot – against service cost – $0.10 – $0.35 per square foot, the choice becomes a no brainer.

Corvus Janitorial Systems

With over two decades of experience, Corvus Janitorial Systems has perfected floor care. We use a wide range of techniques and tools to maintain facilities of all types. Reach out to us today for a free quote for your floor care, cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sanitizing needs.