How to Start Green Building Cleaning

So you want to do something for the environment at your office? Think your office cleaning could stand to be greener? More and more offices are looking to lessen their marks on the environment, and together, they’re making quite the impact.

Want to start going green at your office? Here is your essential guide to green building cleaning. 

Start recycling

Going green starts when everyone in the office or building is pitching in and doing their part. The easiest way to get them involved is to start a recycling program and encourage everyone to organize their trash.

Set up recycling bins around your office in strategic locations. Put bottle and aluminum recycling bins in your break rooms and cafeteria. This will encourage people buying cans of soda and bottled water from vending machines to recycling their empty cans and bottles when they’re finished.

Place paper recycling bins near printers. People often print off extra papers or the wrong documents on accident. Having the recycling bin right there will make it easy for them to recycling without having to walk far. 

The trick to implementing a new recycling program is to make it as easy and non-invasive as possible. If employees don’t have to take an extra step to recycle (putting the paper bin right next to the printer instead of across the room), then they will be more likely to start doing it.

Ditch harmful cleaners

 

Take a look at your office cleaning supplies. What are they? Do you use a lot of antibacterial products, especially during cold and flu season?

While you never want to sacrifice the quality of your cleaning, it may be time to ditch some of your building cleaning products in favor of more environmentally-friendly products. These products are safe to wash down drains without harming the water supply. 

Although you may swear by antibacterial sanitizer over hand soap, remember that they don’t always protect you. When a hand sanitizer fails to kill a type of bacteria on a person’s hands, that bacteria goes on to reproduce and create more resistant bacteria. Now that strand is immune to your hand sanitizer and will continue to infect others around the office.

Encourage people to use regular hand soap by keeping it in all bathrooms. Though some will bring their own hand sanitizer, most will just use the hand soap. Choose green office supplies

 

Sometimes going green starts with using green supplies around the office. Look for environmentally-friendly alternatives to common office supplies such as:

• Light bulbs
• Paper and files
• Toner
• Ink
• Pens

By reducing the amount of garbage going into landfills, your office is doing its part. Turn off equipment at the end of the day Some people like to leave their computers on all night so they can easily get back to work in the morning. They also tend to leave lights on in the bathrooms and even in offices. This wastes electricity, and it leads to high energy bills at the end of the month.

Start a new policy around the office and make sure everyone starts turning office their equipment and their lights. The company will save money, and your office will lessen its own carbon footprint.

Green cleaning starts when everyone in the office gets involved? Tell us, how will you get your office involved in green cleaning? Share your ideas with us!

Tips for Business Office Cleaning for Restrooms

There’s nothing office employees hate more than a messy restroom, and much as they’d like to believe otherwise, not everyone is neat and tidy. Some people leave paper towel on the floor, and others are messy in the stalls. Some women reapply their makeup after lunch, leaving bits of foundation and eye shadow all over the countertops.

If your workplace restroom is of a good business office cleaning, follow these tips to keeping your restroom clean, looking bright and smelling fresh. 

Have the essentials on hand

No matter how big or small your office restroom is, you should have a few essentials on hand to make sure that your restroom stays neat and tidy throughout the day.

You won’t get far without a mop, broom and a good bucket, preferably on wheels. Make sure all three are clean before you go in.

Among your cleaning items, you should also have:

• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Toilet bowl wand
• Countertop cleaner
• Washcloths
• Floor cleaner
• Window cleaner
• Extra toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags and hand soap
• Air freshener

With these items on hand, you’ll be ready to tackle any challengeyou might have. Schedule routine cleanings When it comes to business office cleaning, you should not be cleaning your restrooms just once in the morning and then once at night. Restrooms do get dirty throughout the day, and employees will be disgruntled if they have to hold their noses when they use the restroom in the afternoon. To keep your restrooms clean, work out two types of scheduled routine cleanings. Before the workday begins/Hourly checks

• Pick up paper towel, toilet paper and any other debris on the floor and sink
• Check the conditions of the toilets/urinals. Clean if needed and refill toilet paper if needed.
• Check the condition of the sinks. Clean if needed and refill paper towel if needed.
• Change garbage bags if necessary
• Sweep and mop if necessary

After the workday ends

• Pick up paper towel, toilet paper and any other debris on the floor and sink
• Clean the toilets/urinals and refill any toilet paper
• Clean the sinks and refill any paper towel
• Wipe down the mirrors
• Empty the garbage bags and take the trash out of the restroom (evening only)
• Sweep and mop the floors

You may not need to do every task on the hourly checklist each time you go to clean the restroom, but you should be checking each item on the list. 

Depending on the size of your office and how many people you have, you may not need to check on your restrooms as often. For example, if you less than 50 peoplein your office, then you may need to check the restroom once every two hours or so. If your office has 50 or more people in it, then you should be checking at least every hour.

Don’t be afraid to go green Cleaning

Going green is the new frontier of cleaning. Green products use chemicals that don’t harm the environment, and they usually don’t harm your skin or clothing either.

Research the top cleaning products that use environmentally-friendly chemicals to help you get the job done well. There are a number of floor cleaners, toilet bowel cleaners and countertop cleaners that don’t use harsh chemicals. Try out these different products to see which one will work best for you. So share with us: what’s your biggest concern when cleaning the restroom at your office? Share your thoughts with us!

What Makes A Product "Green"

Head down the cleaning isle at your local supermarket and you’ll probably see hundreds of items that claim to be “green” or “environmentally friendly.” We usually assume that all these products are better for the environment, but not all of them are. Though a cleaning bottle may say “natural,” the product ingredient list may say otherwise.

So what does this label really mean?  How do you really know whether you’re cleaning with a “green” product or not?

Whether you’re doing an industrial cleaning in Maryland or an office cleaning in Washington, D.C., you need to know what it really means to be green and how some companies abuse that term. Learn more about what makes a product “green” and see for yourself.

LAYERS OF GREEN

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are layers of green that a product can be.

A truly green product starts with the raw materials used to create it. It also involves the production process through which the product is created. If the company produces the product in a factory that pumps tons of greenhouse gases into the air, then it isn’t environmentally-friendly.

The product’s use and its inevitable disposal also help determine whether it is green or not. Products that use minimal packaging, for example, are usually greener, as are those whose bottles are recyclable. The product itself should also not cause harm after it is washed down the sink or flushed through the toilet.

If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning in Maryland, look to your cleaning company’s product list to ensure that they’re using the safest products.

THE LABEL

When determining whether or not a product is actually green, you should first look to the label. Environmentally-friendly products will list all the chemicals in the product right on the label. Consumers can look up each chemical and see what it is and any possible hazards the chemical causes.

Chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine should be red flags that the product is not environmentally-friendly. If you see symbols on the bottle warning you of the product’s corrosiveness, toxicity or flammability, then the chemicals aren’t green.

Don’t assume that just because you cannot pronounce a chemical that it is inherently bad for you. Do your own research online and learn for yourself before you start your industrial cleaning in Maryland.

CERTIFICATIONS

There are many groups out there dedicated to investigating these products and determining whether they’re truly green.

Groups such as PETA, Green Seal, Leaping Bunny and EcoLogo test and review these products themselves and recommend the ones that pass their tests. They set their own standards for eco-friendly and ensure that each product meets those standards, such as:

• Not tested on animals
• Uses organic ingredients
• Safe to handle

If you see the logo of any one of these companies on the product’s bottle, then you can be assured that the product is eco-friendly. When office cleaning in Washington, D.C. gets heavy, turn to these certified products.

It’s not always easy being green, but if you commit to researching your products, then you’ll have the best chance of making a positive impact on the environment. Tell us, when you’re looking for a commercial cleaning in Maryland, what’s your biggest priority?

Add Floor Stripping and Waxing to your Commercial Cleaning Routine

Whether your floor is vinyl, tile, ceramic, or marble, it should be clean. Having a scratched up floor full of stains and scuff marks is a turn off for any customer.  They will assume your store is dirty with low-quality merchandise and will most likely shop elsewhere. You need to incorporate floor stripping and waxing into your building cleaning or office cleaning routine.

The maintenance of your floor is more complex than you think. As you have probably noticed, simply sweeping and mopping will not rid the surface of spots. You must hire a professional cleaning team that uses special equipment and techniques for stripping, waxing, scrubbing, and buffing. Specific chemicals need to be utilized in order to sanitize the floor, but allow it to have a sparkling gleam. Above all, it needs to be slip-resistant and safe for your customers.

After applying these particular supplies and cleaning it with the right equipment, your floor will reflect a quality surface that is protected from future dirt and grime. Your bathroom floor, common areas, hallways, and aisles should all be subject to a proper floor stripping and waxing every few months. You, along with your customers, will adore the before and after results.

Interworld Cleaning has proudly served the Baltimore Metro Area, Washington D.C., and Maryland for years with office cleaning, building cleaning, and other commercial cleaning services including floor stripping and waxing. You can take advantage of green products and affordable, customizable schedules today. 

Warehouse Moving: Cleaning Made Easy

Are you relocating your warehouse or industrial business to a bigger building? You are thrilled that you have expanded your company and maximized your profits. In the new building, you will be able to create even more goods and services! Although you are overjoyed by your success, you have to finalize a moving plan.

Not only must you consider how you will physically move everything in a timely manner, but you also have to clean every nook and cranny. The old building you are using has to be spic and span in order for you to sell it or stop leasing it. Moving cleaning can take even longer than actually packing, loading, and unloading your supplies and equipment. You can leave this task along with the warehouse cleaning and industrial cleaning to the professionals!

It does not matter if you operate a shipping facility, food manufacturing plant, parking garage, or any other type of industrial complex, you should schedule warehouse cleaning services like:

• Carpet and ceiling cleaning
• Floor stripping and waxing
• Window cleaning
• Vent cleaning
• Shelving cleaning
• Wall cleaning
• Ride-on and/or walk-behind auto scrubbing
• Pressure washing and chemical degreasing
• Complete adhesive removal

Interworld Cleaning has the experience and equipment you need to complete your moving cleaning and warehouse cleaning requests. They have proudly served the Baltimore Metro Area, Washington D.C., and Maryland for years! You can customize your cleaning packages, so you do not have to overspend on unnecessary services. Learn more about green cleaning that is available at affordable rates. 

Promote Learning Success: Keep your School Clean

When you work in a clean environment, it makes for a better, more productive day. Teachers and students alike desire to walk into a building or office that is sparkling clean with a fresh aroma; it sets the pace for the entire day. When it comes to school cleaning and office cleaning, the janitorial services are standard but necessary. Basic duties include:

• Sweeping
• Mopping
• Vacuuming
• Taking out the trash
• Cleaning the bathrooms
• Sanitizing the lunchroom
• Dusting surfaces
• Washing desks, lockers, and other common areas

Although this may seem simple to accomplish, the turnover rate for janitorial services is very high in school settings for various reasons. Interworld Cleaning, Inc. offers flexible schedules, affordable contracts, and 24-hour service to fit your needs. Schools are on a tight budget, but still require janitorial services on a regular basis. When hiring a professional company rather than an individual, you can expect friendly service, reliable support, and old-fashioned courtesy. Beyond that, Interworld Cleaning, Inc. has green products and the proper equipment to get all the tasks done right the first time.

It is crucial to make your school cleaning and office cleaning process fast, easy, and affordable. The teachers and students will notice the difference! It will create a welcoming environment; the staff will be excited about teaching as much as the students are about learning. Boost your school’s spirit and watch the grades climb into a blue ribbon school with exceptional test scores and ratings thanks to a cleaner setting.

How To Pressure Wash A Deck

Pressure Washing A Deck

1: Assess your project and develop a plan for cleaning that considers what direction the deck drains and the location of fragile objects such as windows and light fixtures which can be shattered by the powerful water stream. Plan to work in the direction that water drains so you're not fighting gravity.

2: Select a nozzle, or tip, for the project. Nozzles attach to the end of the pressure-washing wand that is connected by a hose to the pressure washer pump and motor. Nozzles determines the water pressure - the smallest angle, or opening, will deliver the most power. Most manufacturers suggest a PSI of 2400 to 2600 for decks and most models include a nozzle specifically for cleaning decks; consult the owner's manual for help selecting the right nozzle.

3: Attach any accessories, such as extension wands, when you connect the nozzle.

4: Put on protective eyewear and gloves before starting your pressure washer. Also, check that all connections are tight; a loose nozzle can become a projectile that can hurt people or damage property when you power up.

5: Start the pressure washer and test the spray. Begin by spraying away from the deck and then slowly point the wand toward it from 3 to 4 feet away. Make a few passes and then stop for a moment to see if the surface is clean. If not, move closer. Make slow, methodical passes to rinse the deck of all dirt and other debris using water only.

6: After turning the pressure washer off, add a chemical for treating decking; consult the owner's manual for help selecting the right chemical solution. Add the chemical using the injector or special nozzle on the pressure washer. If you won't be applying a chemical solution to the surface, proceed to step 8.

7: Start the pressure washer and test the spray. Begin by spraying away from the deck and then slowly point the wand toward it from approximately the same distance as when you rinsed the deck. Make slow, methodical passes to coat the deck evenly with the chemical solution.

8: After waiting 5 to 10 minutes to let the solution work, pressure wash the deck again using water to rinse away the chemical.