10 Tips for Vacuuming Success

• Clean your filters regularly. Keeping vacuum filters clean is essential for maximum efficiency. Check the filters frequently and clean and replace as needed.

• Change the bag. Vacuum cleaners can only pick up material if air can flow through the bag, so check it frequently.

• Listen to the tone. Often the vacuum itself will let you know there is a clog or blockage. Listen for a change in the sound, and check for blockages.

• Don’t bend over. You don’t need to bend over like you’re scrubbing the floor. Let the vacuum do the work. This will save the machine and your back!

• Don’t forget the edges. Dust and debris will gather along the edges of a room. Improve your customer's experience by not just vacuuming the center of the room.

• Avoid cord damage. Coil the cable starting from the machine end every day. That way it won’t get twisted and damaged in the long term.

• Keep it clean. Use a damp cloth to clean the vacuum inside and out. This will keep it in good condition and clean equipment also makes a better impression on your clients, your staff, and the public.

• Don’t carry it. Pull the vacuum on its wheels rather than carrying it. Only carry it if you’re going upstairs.

• Vacuum up the stairs. When you’re cleaning stairs, place the vacuum at the bottom of the stairs and vacuum up. Don’t risk an injury by placing the vacuum above you at the top of the stairs.

• Carry scissors. Keep a pair of scissors handy to cut off any hair that collects around the roller brush of an upright vacuum cleaner.

Article by Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

Flu Season is Finally Over

Just when you thought the 2018-19 flu season was over, it suddenly spiked. Lasting 21 weeks, the longest in a decade, the last flu season was unusual in that it had two separate waves of influenza, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC officials explained the unusual pattern as almost having two flu seasons within one. Flu activity surged between October 2018 to February 2019, then a second surge occurred in mid-February lasting through mid-May. A typical flu season has one spike in winter.

Despite its length, the last flu season was only moderate in severity, with an estimated 36,400 to 61,200 flu-related deaths. In comparison, the severe flu season of 2017-2018 was responsible for more than 80,000 deaths, including 180 children.


Article by Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

12 Simple Steps for Better Deep Cleaning

1. 1. Vacuum thoroughly first. It’s important to vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove loose debris before extracting with water. Make several passes at different angles to remove as much soil as possible. 

1. 2. Use a pretreatment cleaning solution. If the carpet is heavily soiled, consider using a pretreatment chemical spray. This will break down the dirt and allow for faster, more efficient cleaning. 

1. 3. Use good-quality detergent. Not all detergents are made equal. Check both the quality of the detergent and the material that it’s designed to clean.

1. 4. Use the warmest water possible. Check the material of the carpet and set the water temperature on the machine accordingly. Start farthest from the door. This will prevent you from having to walk on wet carpet. 

1. 5. Use tools to good effect. Use the appropriate tools for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and other unique surfaces. Also, use the tools for concentrated cleaning to break down dirt near entrances and in high-traffic areas. 

1. 6. Extract moisture after cleaning. This will speed up the drying process and prevent it from smelling musty. 

1. 7. Allow carpets to dry completely. Damp carpet attracts dirt, so make sure your carpet dries completely before allowing footfall. Make sure the central heating is on and open the windows or use a fan.
2. 8. Clean your dirty water tank. Debris from carpet fibers can build up and cause a blockage. 

1. 9. Keep the unit clean, inside and out. Clean equipment will have fewer service issues and will make a better impression on anyone who may see it—clients, staff, supervisors, and the public. 

1. 10. Keep the batteries in tip-top shape. Keep the batteries charged and check the water level on a regular basis. 

1. 11. Service your machine regularly. Preventative maintenance reduces downtime and lowers your total cost of ownership. Don’t wait until the carpet cleaner breaks down before you contact a maintenance engineer. Waiting until the equipment is broken will cost you in staff time and more.

Article by Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

Workers Report Workplace Hygiene Concerns

A recent survey on worker behavior concerning illness in the workplace, conducted by cleaning firm Cleanology, found that facilities management employees were most concerned about workplace hygiene, Qube Magazine reports.

The survey found that 80% of facility management (FM) workers believe sick colleagues are responsible for passing on germs, compared to 66% or workers in other sectors. The FM workers also were more hygiene conscious, with just over half likely to carry sanitizing spray at the workplace to disinfect surfaces.

Among workers in all sectors, almost two-thirds said they feel pressured to go to work when they are ill, even when it impedes their productivity. More than 60% said they are not able to work to the best of their abilities when they are sick, and 57% of FMs felt they were more likely to make mistakes when sick.

Men were more likely to take sick days, with one-third of men calling off sick compared to just one one-quarter of women. Interestingly, men were also more likely to voluntarily do workplace cleaning, with 25% of male workers reporting they cleaned the workplace toilet even though it wasn’t part of their job duties, while only 17% of women picked up a toilet brush at work.






Article by Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

The Benefits of Backpack Vacuuming Hardwood Floors

From installation onward, hardwood floors must be cleaned on a regular basis. With a myriad of tools and techniques available, choosing the right tool takes careful consideration. 

1. Capture fine dust

Fine dust can sabotage the installation of hardwood floors and leave behind a gritty finish. Likewise, fine dust left behind after cleaning can scuff the finish and dull the floor. ProTeam backpack vacuums capture fine dust in a multi-level filtration system. Each filter captures smaller particles until all visible particles (and some invisible particles) are removed. Over time, backpack vacuuming can help extend the life of the floor.

2. Keep the weight off the floor

The weight of an upright or canister vacuum rides on the wheels. When the vacuum is moving around a room, the unit can easily scuff a floor, mark a wall, or dent a baseboard. A backpack vacuum moves with the user. The lightweight wand and floor tool are the only parts that come into contact with the floors, reducing the risk of damage. 

3. Clean without kicking up dust

Brooms and dust mops move soil into a pile, so it can be removed. They also kick dust up into the air where it lingers. Both methods redistribute particles across the floor, leaving minute scratches and dulling a high-gloss finish. A backpack vacuum captures dust and soil directly off the floor, protecting the flooring surface. Regular backpack vacuuming also keeps dust bunnies away longer.

A backpack vacuum cleans without kicking up dust.

4. Match the tool to the surface

When it comes to hardwood, different floors have different maintenance needs. With a backpack vacuums, simply changing the floor tool can customize the unit to the floor surface at hand. The 14" scalloped felt brush tool works well on delicate or high-polished finishes. The 8” Sidewinder tool with horsehair brush excels at cleaning baseboards, architectural details, and hard-to-reach areas. For debris along walls, the Problade Hard Surface tool cleans flush against baseboards. Whatever the flooring surface, there is a ProTeam tool to match it.

Article by Cleaning & Maintenance Management.