What ís New In Cleaning Products, Procedures Chemicals & Equipment What's new in cleaning products, procedures, chemicals and equipment by Wm R. Griffin

New products and processes are being developed and refined to improve both the quality and amount of work performed by cleaning professionals in all types and sizes of facilities. Some of the changes are subtle improvements or enhancements to existing products and others involve new cutting edge technology that over a period of years will have a major impact on how we clean commercial buildings in the future. Even the reasons we clean are changing. We used to clean for appearance, now the primary reason is health.

Some examples of new technology include: antimicrobial surface treatments that kill and prevent the growth of microorganisms, team cleaning using specialists, high efficiency vacuum cleaners, the use of environmentally preferable and organically based products, and the use of bacteria or enzymes for cleaning and deodorization.

There is a self-cleaning, germ-killing ceramic tile for use in health care, food processing and rest rooms that works through a process known as photocatalytic cleaning, which actually creates heat without flame and oxidizes soils on the surface. At the University of Texas, tests are being conducted to see if the same chemical process can be applied to toilets, glass, cloth and paint to make these surfaces self cleaning.

There is wider use of a systems approach to cleaning, where one process or product supports another. Examples include compatible floor finish, top coatings, pads, floor machines, detergents, restorers and procedures that keep the surface looking good for long periods of time between stripping or scrubbing.

We are also seeing a better selection of software available for monitoring and managing cleaning functions such as quality, inventory, time keeping, scheduling, labor costs and staffing. Some of the software is quite sophisticated in that floor layouts and photographs of employees, equipment and buildings can be scanned into documents to personalize them for individual areas, accounts and workers.

Scientific tests are being conducted to determine which carpet cleaning, floor care and vacuuming processes are actually the most effective in removing soil instead of spreading it around when we clean. In the past, end users often had to rely on marketing research, which was seldom based on the results of non-biased scientific testing.

More emphasis is being placed on recruiting and training qualified workers. In many areas of the country there is a severe shortage of people willing to do cleaning work. When employers find good workers it is important that they take steps to keep them on the job and improve their skills. The challenge of keeping good workers, while constantly striving to improve production and quality, is requiring owners, managers and supervisors to rethink their approach to dealing with workers. Ongoing employee training and certification for custodial workers is being seen as more important than it has been in the past. Progressive employers are conducting training classes for their workers and partnering with suppliers and manufacturers to upgrade their training programs.

New more participative management techniques such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) that involve employees, customers and suppliers more directly in the decision making process are being explored and tried with encouraging results in many locations.

Whatís New Overview:

Chemicals

Portion control systems are easier to use, more portable and gaining acceptance as chemicals become more concentrated and costly. One manufacturer has a product with a use/dilution ration of 750 to oneóthere is no way you can glug glug it accurately.

The latest rage in chemical delivery is actually the use of disposable wipers. This is an entirely new category of product that didnít exist a few years ago. Now you can get wipers that are pre-treated with disinfectants, glass cleaner, metal or furniture polish, graffiti remover, hand cleaners and sanitizers. This appears to be a fast growing trend in product delivery that continues to expand in use and selection each year.

Chemicals are being developed that do more than one task; as an example, one company has a floor finish that also kills germs because it contains an antimicrobial. Another has small particles in the finish that help prevent slips, trips and falls. Yet another manufacturer introduced a finish that dries in five minutes, instead of the normal twenty minutes.

Paper and Soap Dispensers

No-touch and jumbo are in. Doors, faucets, flushers, or dispensers, they are all possible sources of cross-contamination. Manufacturers have responded with electronic sensors that accurately measure and dispense products, and control sinks, toilets and doors. Many commercial buildings are cutting costs by replacing paper towel dispensers with electric hand dryers. This trend is obvious in fast food restaurants, schools, airports and other public facilities. Other locations are cutting service frequencies by going to large jumbo and coreless rolls that need replacement less often. One new product idea is a toilet seat sanitizer that comes with its own wall-mounted dispenser.

Floor Maintenance

Dust mops are being replaced by vacuum cleaners that do a better job of capturing and removing soil. Miniature automatic scrubbers are replacing damp mopping because they use clean water, are more productive and actually get the floor cleaner with less wear and tear on workersí bodies.

High productivity riding equipment is the latest trend in servicing large areas of carpet and hard floors. Riding vacuum cleaners, sweepers, burnishers and autoscrubbers can reach productions levels of 35,0000 square feet per hour or more. Advanced robotic cleaning equipment is available for use in wide-open areas such as halls, corridors and gymnasiums.

Equipment

Equipment in general is getting smaller and lighter as well as easier to use and maintain. Backpack vacuums are being used for new tasks and finding acceptance into more facilities every day. Itís hard to argue against a piece of equipment that increases production from two thousand square feet per hour to over seven thousand square feet per hour and captures more soil in the process.

Several manufacturers are experimenting with lightweight compact battery powered equipment, such as sprayers, burnishers, and backpack vacuums.

Natural Products

Environmentally preferable and recycled materials are gaining popularity once again. Several manufacturers now offer such lines. One company offers hand scrubbing and floor pads made of coconut or walnut shells. Another offers a soybean-based line of cleaning chemicals. Another company offers one product that contains orange solvent, peroxide and detergents that, depending on the concentration, can be used on any surface.

Whatís it All Mean?

It is important to search out, be aware of, and utilize changes in equipment, technology and procedures that allow professional cleaners to do a better job in less time. The expectation everywhere today is to do more with less. No one Iíve talked to expects that challenge to go away anytime soon. When we fail to stay abreast of changing technology we fall farther behind, are less competitive and put everyoneís job at risk. In todayís fast changing world, we must all learn to live and survive on the edge of the unknown. Thatís part of the price we pay for the benefits we receive from rapid changes in technology.



				22 Feature Articles D•I•R•E•C•T•O•R•Y

What ís New In Cleaning Products, Procedures Chemicals & Equipment by Wm R. Griffin New products and processes are being developed and refined to improve both the quality and amount of work performed by cleaning professionals in all types and sizes of facilities. Some of the changes are subtle improvements or enhancements to existing products and others involve new cutting edge technology that over a period of years will have a major impact on how we clean commercial buildings in the future. Even the reasons we clean are changing. We used to clean for appearance, now the primary reason is health. Some examples of new technology include: antimicrobial surface treatments that kill and prevent the growth of microorganisms, team cleaning using specialists, high efficiency vacuum cleaners, the use of environmentally preferable and organically based products, and the use of bacteria or enzymes for cleaning and deodorization. There is a self-cleaning, germ-killing ceramic tile for use in health care, food processing and rest rooms that works through a process known as photocatalytic cleaning, which actually creates heat without flame and oxidizes soils on the surface. At the University of Texas, tests are being conducted to see if the same chemical process can be applied to toilets, glass, cloth and paint to make these surfaces self cleaning. There is wider use of a systems approach to cleaning, where one process or product supports another. Examples include compatible floor finish, top coatings, pads, floor machines, detergents, restorers and procedures that keep the surface looking good for long periods of time between stripping or scrubbing. We are also seeing a better selection of software available for monitoring and managing cleaning functions such as quality, inventory, time keeping, scheduling, labor costs and staffing. Some of the software is quite sophisticated in that floor layouts and photographs of employees, equipment and buildings can be scanned into documents to personalize them for individual areas, accounts and workers. Scientific tests are being conducted to determine which carpet cleaning, floor care and vacuuming processes are actually the most effective in removing soil instead of spreading it around when we clean. In the past, end users often had to rely on marketing research, which was seldom based on the results of non-biased scientific testing. More emphasis is being placed on recruiting and training qualified workers. In many areas of the country there is a severe shortage of people willing to do cleaning work. When employers find good workers it is important that they take steps to keep them on the job and improve their skills. The challenge of keeping good workers, while constantly striving to improve production and quality, is requiring owners, managers and supervisors to rethink their approach to dealing with workers. Ongoing employee training and certification for custodial workers is being seen as more important than it has been in the past. Progressive employers are conducting training classes for their workers and partnering with suppliers and manufacturers to upgrade their training programs. New more participative management techniques such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) that involve employees, customers and suppliers more directly in the decision making process are being explored and tried with encouraging results in many locations. Whatís New Overview: Chemicals Portion control systems are easier to use, more portable and gaining acceptance as chemicals become more concentrated and costly. One manufacturer has a product with a use/dilution ration of 750 to oneóthere is no way you can glug glug it accurately. The latest rage in chemical delivery is actually the use of disposable wipers. This is an entirely new category of product that didnít exist a few years ago. Now you can get wipers that are pre-treated with disinfectants, glass cleaner, metal or furniture polish, graffiti remover, hand cleaners and sanitizers. This appears to be a fast growing trend in product delivery that continues to expand in use and selection each year. Chemicals are being developed that do more than one task; as an example, one company has a floor finish that also kills germs because it contains an antimicrobial. Another has small particles in the finish that help prevent slips, trips and falls. Yet another manufacturer introduced a finish that dries in five minutes, instead of the normal twenty minutes. Paper and Soap Dispensers No-touch and jumbo are in. Doors, faucets, flushers, or dispensers, they are all possible sources of cross-contamination. Manufacturers have responded with electronic sensors that accurately measure and dispense products, and control sinks, toilets and doors. Many commercial buildings are cutting costs by replacing paper towel dispensers with electric hand dryers. This trend is obvious in fast food restaurants, schools, airports and other public facilities. Other locations are cutting service frequencies by going to large jumbo and coreless rolls that need replacement less often. One new product idea is a toilet seat sanitizer that comes with its own wall-mounted dispenser. Floor Maintenance Dust mops are being replaced by vacuum cleaners that do a better job of capturing and removing soil. Miniature automatic scrubbers are replacing damp mopping because they use clean water, are more productive and actually get the floor cleaner with less wear and tear on workersí bodies. High productivity riding equipment is the latest trend in servicing large areas of carpet and hard floors. Riding vacuum cleaners, sweepers, burnishers and autoscrubbers can reach productions levels of 35,0000 square feet per hour or more. Advanced robotic cleaning equipment is available for use in wide-open areas such as halls, corridors and gymnasiums. Equipment Equipment in general is getting smaller and lighter as well as easier to use and maintain. Backpack vacuums are being used for new tasks and finding acceptance into more facilities every day. Itís hard to argue against a piece of equipment that increases production from two thousand square feet per hour to over seven thousand square feet per hour and captures more soil in the process. Several manufacturers are experimenting with lightweight compact battery powered equipment, such as sprayers, burnishers, and backpack vacuums. Natural Products Environmentally preferable and recycled materials are gaining popularity once again. Several manufacturers now offer such lines. One company offers hand scrubbing and floor pads made of coconut or walnut shells. Another offers a soybean-based line of cleaning chemicals. Another company offers one product that contains orange solvent, peroxide and detergents that, depending on the concentration, can be used on any surface. Whatís it All Mean? It is important to search out, be aware of, and utilize changes in equipment, technology and procedures that allow professional cleaners to do a better job in less time. The expectation everywhere today is to do more with less. No one Iíve talked to expects that challenge to go away anytime soon. When we fail to stay abreast of changing technology we fall farther behind, are less competitive and put everyoneís job at risk. In todayís fast changing world, we must all learn to live and survive on the edge of the unknown. Thatís part of the price we pay for the benefits we receive from rapid changes in technology.