Janitorial Service Blog - Strategic Janitorial Solutions

Keep Your Office Space Clean and Sanitized During the COVID and Cold and Flu Season

ruben@smartartbranding.com (Ruben Amesquita) — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 07:12:50 GMT

Maintaining a clean and healthy office environment is more critical than ever as the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and enters the cold and flu season.

Strategic Janitorial, a trusted professional cleaning service, understands the significance of implementing stringent cleaning practices to promote a safe workspace. In this blog post, we will discuss key strategies for keeping your office space clean during these challenging times and explore how Strategic Janitorial can assist you in maintaining a pristine and sanitized workplace.

Proper Disinfection Measures:
- Highlight the importance of regularly disinfecting high-touch areas such as doorknobs, light switches, elevator buttons, and shared equipment.
- Advise using effective “earth-friendly” disinfectants approved by globally recognized health authorities.
- Recommend frequent cleaning of restrooms to eliminate potential sources of transmission.
Enhanced Cleaning Protocols:
- Emphasize the need for comprehensive cleaning protocols, including dusting and vacuuming, to remove allergens and particles that can exacerbate cold and flu symptoms.
- Encourage the regular cleaning of office furniture, including desks, chairs, and keyboards, to reduce the spread of germs.
- Discuss the significance of proper waste disposal to minimize infection risks.
Promoting Hygiene Practices:
- Encourage employees to practice good hygiene, such as regular handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Advocate for placing hand sanitizing stations throughout the office for convenient use.
- Promote respiratory etiquette, reminding individuals to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Employee Awareness and Education:
- Stress the significance of creating awareness among employees about maintaining a clean and sanitary workplace environment.
- Encourage employees to proactively report any areas or items that require attention to the cleaning staff, fostering a collaborative effort in maintaining cleanliness.
The big assist... Strategic Janitorial Expertise and Services:
- Experienced professionals providing top-notch cleaning services to your office.
- Committed to utilizing eco-friendly products that are effective against viruses and bacteria.
- Well-trained and skilled staff who adhere to comprehensive cleaning procedures to ensure maximum cleanliness and safety.
- Flexible scheduling options to meet your office's unique needs.

In conclusion:

During these challenging times of COVID and the cold and flu season, it is crucial to prioritize cleanliness in your office space. Strategic Janitorial’s professional cleaning services can help create a safe and healthy environment for your employees and visitors. By implementing proper disinfection measures, enhanced cleaning protocols, promoting hygiene practices, and leveraging Strategic Janitorial’s expertise, you can maintain a clean office that reduces the risk of infections. Together, let's ensure the well-being of everyone in your workspace.

The Pursuit of Excellence in the Commercial Cleaning Industry

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:07:34 GMT

Where Your Dreams Can Come True

In today's competitive world, individuals and businesses alike strive for excellence in their respective fields. The commercial cleaning industry, often overlooked and undervalued, is no exception. However, those who truly understand the potential within this industry have come to realize that striving to be the best can not only lead to success but can also make dreams come true. In this post, we will explore how the commercial cleaning industry offers a unique opportunity for those who are willing to put in the effort, dedication, and passion required to excel.

Unearthing the Hidden Potential

At first glance, the commercial cleaning industry may seem mundane and unremarkable. However, upon closer inspection, one quickly realizes the immense potential it holds. The demand for professional cleaning services continues to skyrocket as businesses, organizations, and individuals recognize the importance of maintaining clean and hygienic environments. This growing demand provides a significant opportunity for entrepreneurs and ambitious individuals to establish successful commercial cleaning businesses.

Building a Strong Foundation

To strive for greatness in the commercial cleaning industry, one must build a strong foundation. This entails understanding the industry's intricacies, acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge, and establishing a solid business plan. Investing in professional training, obtaining relevant certifications, and staying updated on the latest cleaning techniques and technologies are crucial to success. Additionally, learning about business management, marketing strategies, and customer service will ensure a well-rounded approach to running a thriving cleaning company.

Exceeding Expectations

Being the best in the commercial cleaning industry goes beyond merely meeting expectations. It requires going above and beyond to exceed clients' expectations consistently. Striving for excellence means delivering exceptional service that leaves a lasting impression. This involves paying attention to detail, utilizing high-quality cleaning products, implementing sustainable practices, and employing well-trained and trustworthy staff. By consistently surpassing client expectations, cleaning companies can build a loyal clientele base and establish a reputation for excellence.

The Power of Innovation

In an ever-evolving world, innovation plays a pivotal role in any industry's success, including commercial cleaning. Those striving to be the best in this field understand the importance of embracing new technologies and techniques. Innovations such as eco-friendly cleaning solutions, green cleaning, and advanced disinfection methods are revolutionizing the industry, making it more efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly. By embracing these innovations and staying at the forefront of technological advancements, cleaning businesses can differentiate themselves from competitors and attract discerning clients.

Opportunities for Growth and Expansion

Striving to be the best in the commercial cleaning industry not only leads to current success but also opens doors for future growth and expansion. A dedication to excellence can result in increased market share, recognition, and the ability to attract larger contracts. Cleaning companies that consistently deliver outstanding service often find themselves able to expand their operations, hire more staff, and branch out into new markets. This growth not only benefits the business but also provides opportunities for employees to advance their careers and achieve their own dreams.

Conclusion

While the commercial cleaning industry may not be glamorous, it presents a unique opportunity for individuals and businesses to pursue excellence and make dreams come true. By building a strong foundation, exceeding expectations, embracing innovation, and seeking growth opportunities, those striving to be the best can establish successful and fulfilling careers in this often-overlooked industry. So, let us recognize the untapped potential within the commercial cleaning industry and embark on a journey towards achieving greatness, one sparkling clean office, school, or facility at a time.

For more information about starting your very own commercial cleaning company, please call Tim Tays at 800-527-5264.

Major Clean, the Strategic Janitorial hero saves the day by working as the world's greatest cleaning champion!

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:28:17 GMT

Today's Modern Heroes Work Behind the Scenes

Many of today's modern heroes are regular people whose jobs typically go unnoticed. For instance, the weekend father that finds the incredible strength and energy to coach the local little league baseball team, or the ever-vigilant soccer mom who loads the mini-van every weekend with half the team to get them to their destination safely and securely. These unsung heroes do their best to do things no one else will do. They are fearless and do what is necessary to get the job done right!

Heros like Larry Scrubber, a retired army major now working as a regular office employee. After completing various tours, he now picks up the mantle to eradicate germs during his quest to remain the greatest janitor of all time and Strategic Janitorial's cleaning champion, Major Clean!

Follow him as he ravages bacteria, viruses, and other bile characters in his fight to clean all offices!

Office Cleaning - The Ultimate Guide to a Ridiculously Clean Office

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:49:50 GMT

The importance of ensuring that your business is pristine at all times simply cannot be underestimated. The way your company looks helps to make up your corporate identity and form your reputation.

If people walk into your business premises and see dirt or dust they aren’t going to be impressed. If they walk into the toilet area and see that it has not been cleaned regularly, then they won’t be happy. It is little things like this that can make all of the difference. While you may need industrial abseiling and professional window cleaning services, there are tasks you will need to handle in-house.

What sort of supplies do you need to clean your offices?

In order to ensure your business is sparkling at all times, you need to get your hands on the following essential industrial cleaning supplies…

1. Microfiber Cloths

These cloths are sold in packs of typically 10 or 50 at industrial cleaning suppliers. They are extremely useful and a must-have for any business. Their ability to pick up dirt and grease is like no other. From bathrooms to office desks; these handy and cheap clothes can ensure every last inch of dirt is eradicated.

2. Bucket & Mop

You will need a bucket and a mop so that you can wash the windows and the floors. A 15-litre bucket is the recommended choice for industrial cleaning.

3. Janitorial Trolley

If your janitor or cleaner is going to be cleaning your business premises from top to toe then you cannot expect them to carry their supplies with them everywhere they go. You need a trolley to ensure efficient cleaning.

4. All-Purpose Cleaner

It is in the name; this product is extremely versatile. It is always good to have some all-purpose cleaner on hand because it will allow your cleaner to deal with an array of different surfaces without you needing to spend a substantial amount of money on different cleaners.

5. Vacuum Cleaner

A vacuum cleaner is essential if you want your floors to look clean – which you do! This is a product you need to give a lot of attention to when buying, after all it is rather expensive in comparison to the other products mentioned. There are different strengths and types of vacuum cleaners you can purchase, thus make sure you get one that is right for your business environment.

6. Soap / Hand / Toilet Roll Dispenser

You will need a soap dispenser, a toilet roll dispenser and a hand dispenser for your public toilets. This keeps all supplies neatly tucked away, offering a more hygienic solution. It also ensures supplies don’t go to waste too.

7. Warning Signs (Wet Floor)

Don’t leave yourself susceptible to being sued! If you have just washed the floors then you need to put a ‘wet floor’ sign down for people to see. We’ve all seen the adverts: “I was walking into the offices when I slipped on the floor, there were no signs warning me that the floor was wet.” You don’t want that to be about your company.

8. Floor Detergent

And finally, you will need some cleaning chemicals for your floor to be put inside the bucket mentioned earlier on in the list.

With these industrial cleaning supplies in hand, you have the essentials you need to make sure your business looks the best it possibly can.

Should you hire a professional cleaning company?

There are many benefits that are associated with hiring a professional cleaning company. Whether you require your rental property cleaned before you hand it back to the landlord, or you need your pub carpet cleaned, perhaps you may require a builders’ clean service, or even your gutter cleaned; whatever the reason, professional cleaners can provide you with a job which is impossible to replicate with high street products and an untrained eye.

There are lots of different cleaners for you to choose from, from carpet cleaners to window cleaning professionals. Yet it is chief that you give a lot of thought and contemplation to the one in which you select. After all, you need to be certain that the service you are paying for is going to be of high quality. Therefore, there are some telling signs that you can look out for and points that you consider in order to ensure that you find the best cleaning professionals for the job at hand.

The first thing that you should do is head to the company’s website and read the reviews and feedback that they have received from previous clients. Any company which is proud of their service and the comments that they have received should have a testimonial section on their website. If they do not have this option, then you should seriously ask yourself why. Reading feedback is the best way to get an honest insight into the service and how good it is.

In addition to this, you should also seek to get your hands on their client base if possible. This is a good way to determine just how high the level of quality of cleaning is. If the company cleans for some well-known businesses, then you know that their service is of an extremely high level. After all, these companies have a reputation to keep up, and so they will not settle for anything less than the best.

A further point to consider is whether the cleaning company is experienced or not. After all, it is always better to opt for professionals which have a lot of years in their locker. This is because they will have the necessary knowledge, insight, expertise, experience and contacts to deal with anything that comes their way. Moreover, you are more assured of a better service because you know that the cleaners will have dealt with requirements similar to yours many, many times before.

The final thing that you need to ensure is that the cleaners are trained and insured. The top companies will provide you with any health and safety or cleaning method documents that you require upon request. After all, you need to be safe in the knowledge that everything is above board.

All in all, if you take note of all the points mentioned in this article then you should be able to find the best cleaners. Remember to keep in mind the experience level of the company, the satisfaction of previous customers, their client base and whether they are insured or not. If you do, then you should benefit from a top-quality cleaning service.

Creating an inspiring and productive office space

When it comes to your business premises, the importance of having an office space that inspires your workforce and enables them to work productively cannot be underestimated. If your office space is dated, does not represent your brand, or does not enable your workforce to go about their daily tasks in an efficient manner, you need to make some changes. However, as is the case with all business purchases, you will want to keep your costs as low as possible. With that in mind, read on to discover some useful tips that will help you to decorate and revamp your office on a budget.

De-clutter first

Before you start making any changes to your office, you are going to need to de-clutter the space. Clutter is a nightmare for employees, as it makes it difficult for them to think freely and creatively. Not only this, but you won’t know what space you are truly working with if you do not get rid of the clutter first. You will be surprised by how much of a difference this actually makes.

Make changes that are going to add value

When you are making any sort of change to your office, you need to make sure that you choose something that is going to add value to the area. Yes, you want to look for cheap office additions and improvements, but if you opt for low levels of quality, such purchases are only going to cost you much more money in the long run. Instead, you need to make changes that are going to enhance the office space and provide you with value for money. Good examples of this include polished concrete floors and upgrading your appliances so that they are more energy-efficient and will save you money in terms of your utility bills.

Let there be light

When it comes to decorating any sort of office space, one of the most important things you need to consider is how you are going to let as much natural light flood into the room as possible. Good natural daylight is a priority when creating an effective working environment. However, you may think that you are going to need to knock down walls and install bigger windows if you are to achieve this, and this may be way out of your budget. However, there are a number of different ways that you can make a room lighter. This includes bringing reflective surfaces into the office space. Gloss furniture also works well. This is because the light will bounce off the surface and back into the room, which will open it up and make it appear much bigger.

Talk to your employees

The last thing you want to do is waste money because you have spent cash on items that do not add any value to the working environment in the eyes of your employees. Is important to recognize that your workers are the ones that need to put up with this environment day in and day out. Therefore, any improvements that you make must be considered with them in mind. You need to speak to your employees and you need to ask them what they struggle with in terms of the working environment at the moment. Ask them for ideas regarding improvements that you can make that will ensure the working environment is pleasant and helps them to operate efficiently. This is the only way you can make sure your money is going to be well spent on the things that really matter.

Think about flexibility

When it comes to decorating any type of office, flexibility is important. It is likely that one of your main business aims is to grow and achieve more, and so you need an office that enables you to do this. Not only this, but the business landscape is changing all of the time, as new technologies are being brought into the mix. You need an office space that enables you to capitalize on this. If you do not consider this now, you are going to end up spending your home on things that only hold you back.

Don’t overlook the second-hand market

A lot of employers overlook the second-hand market for items because they assume they will be wasting their money on poor quality items that look cheap and tatty. This is definitely not the case. While there are some items that should not be bought second-hand, for example, office chairs, there are plenty of other items that can be pre-owned, for example, office desks and adornments. You can pick up some great bargains by going down this route, so don’t write it off. Moreover, if you look for nearly new items, i.e. those that have been barely used but have been taken out of the packet, you can really make your money go far.

As you can see, you do not need to spend a fortune in order to decorate your office space. There are a number of tricks and tips you can follow to keep your costs down. It is all about making sure any decisions and purchases you make will add value to your offices, as well as speaking to your employees so you can discover what they need for a better workspace that gives them the platform to achieve more.

How to Hire the Best Commercial Cleaning Service Company

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:53:15 GMT

With employees now operating from traditional workspaces once more, the role of commercial cleaning is more important than ever. Whether returning to the office or launching a new startup, knowing how to hire commercial cleaners is an assignment that all business owners need to master.

It sounds like a relatively straightforward issue, but commercial cleaning is not an aspect of business you can afford to take lightly because its influence on the overall operation is huge. The following guide will answer all of your pressing questions, such as;

Why is commercial cleaning so vital?
Why choose commercial cleaning services?
What qualities should you look for in a commercial cleaning service company?
How can you get the best value for money from commercial cleaning services?
How can your employees chip in to help the situation?

If you need commercial cleaning services in Texas, Oklahoma, or New Mexico, call Strategic Janitorial Solutions today!

The Importance of Clean Working Environments

Before looking at how to hire commercial cleaners, you will naturally need to vindicate the investment of time and money. One of the first questions you’ll ask is “do I really need to keep the working environments clean?”. Yes, you do.

However, you probably seek a more detailed answer than that. So, let’s take a look at just some of the stats underlining the importance of clean working environments:

Staff illnesses and reduced productivity cost US firms over $530 billion annually - and that was before the pandemic.
Workplace equipment can be up to 400x dirtier than the average toilet seat, underlining how people get sick at work.
90% of customers state that unclean commercial settings will negatively impact their consumer experiences with a brand.
Air quality can be 5x worse in a closed space compared to open spaces, making the spread of viruses even greater.
Employee productivity is significantly reduced when they are surrounded by clutter and unorganized spaces.

Clean working environments will reduce staff absences while the added hygiene is even more important for a worker’s mindset since the coronavirus pandemic. After all, half of all employees remain worried about potential exposure to the virus. Further benefits include setting a great first impression on clients and visitors, preventing unnecessary damage to company assets, and meeting all CDC and OSHA regulations.

The Benefits of Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Service

Once you’ve decided to upgrade your approach to commercial cleaning and workplace management, your next task is to determine whether to take the DIY route or hire a professional company.

For most companies, outsourcing to an expert is the most suitable option by far. Here’s why;

Time is money, and distracting employees from their primary roles will have a negative impact on the business.
Commercial cleaning services can be arranged to take place at convenient times, removing any threat of downtime.
Professional cleaners inspect working environments to identify the biggest hygiene threats, including surfaces that you’d overlook.
Using an outsourced service saves you from the cost of buying cleaning products, and saves storage space.
Commercial cleaning services allow you to establish a clear schedule that is unaffected by issues that could affect your in-house efforts.
Professional cleaning experts can adapt to office spaces, warehouses, storage rooms, shop floors, and all commercial settings.
Companies are able to claim back some money via an accountant as the cleaning services are tax-deductible.
Professional commercial cleaners know the latest COVID protocols and can ensure all zones are safe and clean.
Commercial cleaners providing thorough cleaning services will reduce sick days and boost productivity, easily vindicating their fee.
The knowledge that a professional job has been completed builds a positive atmosphere for owners, employees, and clients.

Professional cleaning services can be used in virtually all of your workspaces and are the smartest choice for convenience, cost-efficiency, and cleanliness alike. Asking existing employees or recruiting new in-house teams simply won’t deliver the results you deserve. The next step, then, is deciding how to hire commercial cleaners for your organization.

Hiring a Commercial Cleaning Service: What to Look For

When thinking about how to hire commercial cleaners, the main challenge is to find one that offers everything you need for immediate and sustained success.

At a glance, you may think that cleaning services are all virtually the same. In reality, though, you must consider a wide range of aspects to find the right experts for your business needs. The following checklist will guide you to the right solution.

Location and Availability

First and foremost, you need to confirm that your chosen commercial cleaning company can provide reliable service. You cannot afford to have your cleaners let you down just before the big VIP client meeting or the store’s big promotional day. A local presence is essential as it gives the company the best chance of remaining punctual. Moreover, it allows you to seek quick solutions to any issues that may surface.

When the company is based locally, it reduces their time expenses and travel time, which can lead to savings that are subsequently passed onto your business. This is coupled with the local knowledge regarding the climate, common challenges, and virus outbreaks in the area. In turn, this provides a service that you can truly rely on.

Strategic Janitorial Solutions has offices in the following locations ;

Houston
Oklahoma City
Dallas

If your business is based in any of those locations or the surrounding area, our local experts are here to help.

In addition to the location, you need to know that the cleaning service provider has good availability. A car showroom will have different cleaning expectations to an office or a health club. Therefore, you must look for a cleaning company that can complete their duties on the days and at the times to suit you. For some, a 24/7 or ‘out of office hours’ solution will work best. The key is to know that they are aligned to your needs.

Experience

Working with a brand new company may sound exciting. They will have guaranteed availability and may be open to price negotiations. However, given the aforementioned importance of keeping commercial spaces clean and organized, it simply isn’t worth the risk.

There are many reasons to choose an experienced company. Some of their key features include;

They have seen and experienced all types of commercial cleaning jobs.
They know whether they have the tools and capabilities to treat your workspaces.
Their employees will be skilled workers who have completed regular training.
The company will know when to replace or upgrade their cleaning equipment.
They can provide advice and assistance to encourage better results.

An experienced company that has spent several years in the industry will have been working on ways to upgrade their services for several years too. So, if you’re looking to introduce elements of eco-friendly commercial cleaning, experienced teams are the answer.

Experienced teams will have the right protocols in place to manage every aspect of your ongoing project requirements. This advanced admin and lines of communication, both internally and with your company, can lead to a more effective service that you can rely on for years.

Reputation

A business that has been operating for several years will instantly fill you with an added sense of confidence. When looking at commercial cleaners, though, you also want to check their reputation. Signing up for an inferior service would signal a waste of time and money. But if the company has a solid track record of providing a great service to other businesses in your region, it is an immensely positive sign.

There is a lot of power in social proof, and the modern world makes it easier to check a company’s reputation than ever before. Some of the best options are;

Check their Google Review rating and other verified platforms.
Look for negative news stories from reputable publications.
Ask the company about their qualifications and association memberships.
Find out whether the company has won awards or gained other recognitions.
Speak to any friends, relatives, or other companies that have used their services.

If a company has shown that it can work wonders for other businesses that use similar types of working environments, you’ll have every reason to expect a similar level of service when they work for you. Above all else, it should provide peace of mind from the very first moment that you contact the company.

List of Services

When looking at how to hire commercial cleaners, it’s always preferential to work with just one company rather than several contractors. Therefore, it’s vital that you analyze the list of services that the proposed cleaning partner can offer. If they cover all the bases that you require and tailor a personalized service that produces the best results in a convenient and cost-effective way, you are onto a winner.

Moreover, a company that provides a wide range of services will be capable of cleaning all workspaces from offices to shop floors and reception areas. Likewise, they will provide cleaning duties for toilets and kitchens, which are notoriously unclean commercial settings. A cleaning professional that can offer a variety of tasks will also boast the equipment needed to get your properties sparkling clean.

Strategic Janitorial Solutions offers a wide range of services, such as;

Carpet cleaning, surface wiping, desk and POS terminal cleaning.
Bathroom and kitchen cleaning and sanitization services.
Air duct cleaning and air quality services.
On-site inspections and communication books.
Mold cleanup, trash disposal, and more.

When supported by SDS compliance and blood-borne pathogen standard training, you will know that all services are set to be completed to the very highest standards too.

Costs and Understanding

Finally, when looking to hire a commercial cleaning company, you must remember that it’s not just about finding the best service. More importantly, you must find the service that is best for you. For starters, you need to gain value for money. A tailored service that offers the desired services and frequency will set you on the path to success.

The most valuable cleaning service for your company isn’t always the cheapest. Instead it’s the one that delivers a world-class service at an affordable price. Clear communication should be at the heart of this, including but not limited to;

A full consultation that allows the company to know your requirements.
Transparent pricing that includes breakdowns of all items.
The option to pick up extra services and emergency cleaning.
Regular reviews of all features to ensure sustained maximized success.
Support with advice on how to maintain the clean and organized workspaces.

When your commercial cleaning matters are under control, you can focus on actually running the business.

How Commercial Cleaners Assist Your Workers

While the direct benefits of the professional commercial cleaning services will be your priority, you should not overlook the potential to use their expertise to support your team. Your cleaners won’t be available 24/7, but their advice can encourage workers to maintain the high standards themselves.

From holding a team meeting at the start of the agreement to using email reminders, commercial cleaners can underline the importance of clean workspaces while simultaneously teaching quick tricks to avoid clutter and dirt. Some of the ideas they can introduce include;

Not eating at desks, where up to 10 million bacteria may be found.
Washing hands regularly, not least to combat virus transmissions.
Putting toilet seats down to prevent airborne germ spreading.
Keeping products in drawers or other storage facilities.
Emptying waste paper baskets at the end of each day.

As an employer, you can further encourage these moves by offering perks when employees show a commitment to maintaining clean and organized spaces. From offices to shop floors, the rewards for your company are huge.

Hire the Best Commercial Cleaning Company Today!

The benefits of maintaining clean workspaces have always existed, but your business simply cannot afford to persist with inferior cleaning practices in the modern era. Strategic Janitorial Solutions offers comprehensive and fully tailored professional commercial cleaning services that guarantee the highest standards and exceptional value for money.

To learn more about what our experienced and fully qualified experts can do for your company, call us for a free no obligation quote today!

Let Us Take Cleaning Off Your To-Do List

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Outsourcing your company’s cleaning service to a professional commercial cleaning company will not only give your business a sparkling appearance; it will save you time, keep you healthy, save you money, and it will allow you to return your focus on your business and your customers.

Though your employee might do a decent job at keeping your workspace habitable, it doesn’t mean they’re doing a good job of keeping your workspace clean. Simply put, cleanliness is rarely a priority for businesses, so most just do the bare minimum to keep up with appearances (i.e., vacuum now and then, keep kitchen and bathroom areas tidy, etc.). And while this might save time for more “important” tasks, a messy workspace can actually inhibit your workers from completing these tasks and focusing on your customers. Here are seven reasons to outsource your cleaning:

1. It Saves You Time. Why stretch yourself thin (or ask your employees to do double duty) trying to manage your business and clean and maintain your office, building, or warehouse? Typically, commercial cleaning services can cover a wide range of tasks such as polishing floors, dusting, and restroom sanitation, and even air vent cleaning. Cleaning service companies are experts at what they do, and because of this, they can efficiently handle all aspects of keeping your business clean. You can rest assured that your business is in good hands and will always have a positive presentation to your customers.

2. It Keeps You – and Your Employees – Healthy. Aside from taking the burden of cleaning off of yourself or your employees, commercial cleaning companies can help give your employees peace of mind. Employees are usually more productive and feel more secure when their workplace is clean and healthy. High quality, professional cleaning services help to eliminate the spread of germs and prevent illnesses, and keep your employees safe, healthy, and in the workplace.

3. It Saves You Money. Outsourcing your commercial cleaning needs can save you money, too. Even though there is a cost associated with hiring a cleaning service, you can actually save money in the long run by not having to invest in commercial grade cleaning products, vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, or other professional, commercial grade equipment needed to clean your workplace, because the cleaning company supplies these things. By utilizing professionals who are properly trained to operate cleaning equipment, you also minimize the chance that an untrained employee may be injured, or your property may be damaged, and thus eliminate potential costly repairs or insurance claims.

4. It Means a Safer Work Environment. Keeping your workplace clean means keeping your workplace safe. Not only are offices a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, but an untidy workspace in a manufacturing facility can also lead to accidents and possibly injury. Though you might be sanitizing surfaces areas now and then or “keeping an eye on things” in the warehouse, no one does a better job than the trained commercial cleaning professionals. For example, when was the last time you cleared your HVAC air system of all its dust and germs? Commercial cleaning services do more than just sanitize the desks and scrub the toilets; they make sure your entire workspace is clean – even down to the air particles you breathe. And at a time when the average worker in the U.S costs businesses $230/year due to workplace absenteeism caused by personal illness, paying for cleaning services doesn’t seem all that bad.

5. It means less stress. Your employees are your top priority, but we all know the worst part about cleaning is the fact that it’s, well, cleaning. As a kid, you dreaded doing these chores, and it’s likely that not much has changed today. As a result, you’ve probably neglected a few things here and there along the way. For commercial cleaners, however, doing these tasks is just another day on the job. In fact, we’ll even work around your work schedule to make sure you aren’t bothered by our presence. Rather than spending time doing something that stresses you out, leave the cleaning up to the pros and spend more time working on what matters most to you.

6. You’ll have more productive workers. There have been numerous studies on workplace productivity and workplace cleanliness, and they all point towards one thing: a cleaner workplace leads to happier, more productive workers. In a survey by OfficeMax of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, 90% admit that unorganized clutter has a negative impact on their life, with 77% claiming that their productivity is affected the most. Additionally, in a study conducted at Brigham Young University, 88% of respondents report that visible buildups of dirt and dust can actually hinder their ability to concentrate, be productive, and learn. Want more productive workers? Hire a commercial cleaner to keep your workspace tidy and clean.

7. Your workplace will look more professional. Did you know that 35% of workers feel ashamed or embarrassed when other people see their workspace? That’s because Americans often associate cleanliness with professionalism. If you don’t look like an organized professional, you won’t be perceived as one, and there’s nothing more embarrassing than having your customers and clients view your business as unprofessional. By hiring a commercial cleaning service, however, they’ll make sure your business looks top notch, both inside and out. Whether it means power washing your parking lot and building, washing your windows, or making sure your work or retail spaces are 100% clean, commercial cleaners can certainly help your brand build a reputation around professionalism.

At Strategic Janitorial Solutions, we’ve been offering our commercial cleaning services to more than 500 businesses in the Dallas, Houston, and Oklahoma City Areas! With a team of more than 200 trained professionals, there isn’t a job too big or too small for us to handle. Whether you’re looking for a high-rise, warehouse cleaning or just a simple, weekly office cleaning, Strategic Janitorial is here to tackle the task with unparalleled skill and professionalism. For more information about how Strategic Janitorial can help with your specific cleaning needs, please contact one of our offices for a free estimate.

Would Your Gym Pass a Fitness Test for Cleanliness?

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Fitness centers and gyms can be contaminated with germs, especially during cold and flu season. Cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces like free weights, mats, and treadmill handles for minutes to several hours. Other microbes, such as staphylococcus and MRSA can linger much longer.

In many fitness centers, sanitation is frequently left up to the customer. Patrons are expected to wipe down machines post workout. Gyms typically provide sanitizing spray and paper towels for this purpose, and although many people do take a moment to spray down the machine or mat they’ve been sweating on, they may not do correctly or thoroughly.

Because customers don’t always do the best job, it is critical that facility management establish a regular cleaning schedule. Machines, free weights, and other common areas should be wiped down several times a day with paper towels and cleaning solution, or, ideally with pre-soaked antibacterial wipes designed to kill a wide range of germs. Locker rooms and showers also need a thorough sanitizing regimen, and towels need to be washed with hot water and bleach and dried thoroughly.

Some gyms and fitness centers employ a professional janitorial service company to ensure the facility is being cleaned thoroughly, as well as to ensure safety and prevent illness. However, cleaning and sanitation usually fall on facility employees, who may not be adequately trained in sanitation and germ prevention. This means that machines, mats, and common areas are likely not being cleaned properly.

Whether you are utilizing employees to clean your facility or employing a professional janitorial services company, it is essential to make sure they are adequately trained/licensed and are maintaining a routine cleaning schedule. Also, be sure they’re covering all areas of the facility – including reception, saunas, and locker rooms.

Hot tub or Petri Dish? Consider Commercial Clean to Minimize Health Risks

Hot tubs are a favorite way to unwind or soothe sore muscles at a gym. As a result of frequent use, hot tubs can become one of the germiest places in the workout facility.

As people use the hot tub, water can become contaminated. Most facilities have posted signs cautioning against use if an individual is ill, has a rash, or has open cuts or sores, but these warnings are often ignored. If contaminated water is accidentally swallowed, it can cause infections in eyes, ears, and nasal passages. Fecal, fungal, and staphylococcus microbes are often found in hot tub water samples and can cause serious skin infections. Skin infections are the number one reported side effect of using hot tubs according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Because hot tubs may simply smell of chlorine or appear to be heavily chlorinated, many people believe that hot tubs are germ-free. While chlorine does kill most germs, it does not kill all germs. Chlorine treatment also does not sterilize the water in the tub. High water temperatures can speed up the evaporation of chlorine and other sanitizing chemicals, making it important that chemical levels be consistently monitored and maintained to ensure a high level of safety.

Gyms and other facilities with hot tubs should have a maintenance and sanitation program in place or utilize a reputable, professional company to maintain and sanitize the hot tub and its equipment. This maintenance and sanitation program should include draining the tub entirely to disinfect the tub (including interior pipes) thoroughly. The maintenance program should also include the removal of any debris from drains and filters. Finally, a well-managed chemical treatment system should be established and followed at all times to minimize the growth of germs and minimize risk.

Five Tips to Keep Your Office Tip-Top

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Want to keep your office or business in good shape year-round? Roll up yourself and get ready to clean. Here are five tips to keep your space looking great. Or, you could call Strategic Janitorial to do the work for you!

Tip Number One: The Microfiber Wonder

One way to save you time and money is by using split microfiber towels or cloths to clean or wipe down surface areas. , and although they may cost more than a box of rags, they are more economical because they last longer and are much easier for you to use.

When utilized properly, the microfiber towels pick up miniscule dirt, oil and other contaminates much like a magnet picks up metal. Just by adding water, these towels are extremely efficient dusters and dirt removers.

To do this, first, submerge the towel in water and then wring it out by folding it into smaller squares. If the towel leaves streaks, it is too wet, and you must wring it out some more. If it leaves dirt behind, it is too dirty, so dump it in water until the dirt is gone and repeat the process. Unlike rags that push the dirt and grime, the microfiber towel will actually pick up the dirt and oil and hold it until you wash it off.

These microfiber towels are designed to clean on a microscopic scale. According to recent tests, using microfiber towels reduces bacteria by 99%, whereas a conventional cleaning rag reduces this number by 33% equaling less work for you.

Tip Number Two: Backpacks Rule!

No, not the kind your children use to go to school, we are talking about low-noise, energy efficient, easy to use, dirt and pollutant sucking, four-level filter, HEPA backpacks.

These powerful vacuum backpacks are easy to carry so you can quickly get to the dirt which saves you time and money. These backpacks pick up at least 99.9% of indoor pollutants and are earth friendly. This means fewer employees calling in sick due to indoor air pollutants and allergens.

Compared to the old conventional upright vacuum, these new, lightweight and efficient vacuum backpacks produce less body stress as they minimize the "hunching over" and fatigue often associated with upright vacuum cleaners. Due to the natural walking motion associated with the backpack vacuum, more carpet is cleaned in a shorter amount of time; in fact, most workers can vacuum more than twice the area with the help of backpack vacuums.

Tip Number Three: The Tale of Two Mops

Another tip that can save you time and money is to change from using old conventional loop mops, that have long been the standard for wet mopping, and replacing them with the new color-coated, economic, ergonomic and environmentally friendly, microfiber flat mops.

These micro-fiber flat mops are proving to be much more effective in cleaning floors than the old loop mops. The positively charged microfibers are like mini-magnets that attract dust and pollutants.

Using the microfiber flat mops also alleviates the bending and wringing action that has claimed many a janitor’s back and shoulders. Studies indicate that using microfiber flat mops cuts water usage associated with mopping by 95%. They have also reported a 20% savings in labor costs when using the microfiber flat mops due to their lightweight nature, effective usage and general dry time.

Tip Number Four: Powerful “Green Agents”

For many years, janitors have used harsh, cleaning chemicals containing carcinogens that cause cancer, teratogens that are known to cause congenital disabilities, and mutagens that have been found to alter DNA.

Towards the end of the last century, the commercial cleaning industry began to search for alternative cleaning products and methods that were less harmful to humans, or the earth for that matter. These “Earth Friendly” products or “Green Agents” improve air quality, reduce waste and reduce phosphates and phosphonates that can be harmful to humans.

The EPA rates indoor air quality as a top five health risk and estimates that two-thirds of our buildings are rated “SICK” with over 100 million dollars of lost work days due to poor indoor air quality. With 80 percent of our time is spent indoors, there are many good reasons why you should keep your facility clean with powerful “Green Agents”.

You may be concerned with the higher costs associated with “Green Agents,” but when you look at the cost-per-use as opposed to the cost-per-gallon, you may be pleasantly surprised. Proper dilution coupled with the use of a metered dispensing system will help your “Green Agents” go a long way in keeping your office clean and healthy.

Tip Number Five: Stay on top of it!

Another tip that will keep your office looking clean while reducing costs is having a regular maintenance program in place. Waiting too long to maintain, steam, wax, buff or deep clean may end up hurting your pocketbook in the long run.

A maintenance program extends the life of your carpet by removing the dirt and debris that rub against the fine carpet fibers causing irreparable damage. Light carpet sweepers easily remove surface dirt, but regular vacuuming helps decrease the abrasion that can seriously damage the carpet fibers. The same can be said for mopping surface areas with microfiber flat mops and give your floor a scheduled wax or yearly buffing.

Regularly scheduled cleaning protects some of your most valuable assets like your employees, your clients, and your building. With regular cleaning, dusting, and mopping, your clients and employees will enjoy a clean, fresh smelling office with better air quality thus maximizing the customer experience and improving employee productivity.

Have Fun and Keep it Clean!

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Running a hotel means you operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Operating around-the-clock means your hotel or motel must be ready to receive guests at any time, and that every place in your establishment from your lobby to your guest rooms and everywhere in between must appear clean and comfortable.

As a result, more hotels, motels, and restaurants are outsourcing their housekeeping services to professional janitorial cleaning companies to clean guest rooms, common areas, and other facilities. Outsourcing allows these venues the opportunity to provide consistent cleaning service by having a full-service cleaning crew at the ready to keep up standards and protect their image.

Aside from helping to keep up a positive image and ensuring guest satisfaction, contracting out your cleaning to a professional cleaning company allows you an opportunity to impact your bottom line by reducing overhead. Reductions in expenses can be realized because professional cleaning companies offer more manpower and can tackle cleaning jobs quickly and more efficiently than in-house cleaning teams. This means a potential elimination of overtime hours (and overtime dollars) spent completing maintenance and cleaning duties. Outsourcing may also allow you another opportunity to improve your bottom line and to cut expenses further and save labor dollars by potentially eliminating the need to keep in-house cleaning and custodial staff on payroll completely.

Another benefit to outsourcing cleaning services for your hospitality business to a professional cleaning company is the ability to handle all functions of cleaning in their offerings and eliminate the need for additional vendors. Cleaning service crews are thoroughly trained and able to tackle large jobs like maintaining your lobby and common area furniture, window cleaning, and floor and carpeting maintenance. Other cleaning specialties of some janitorial service cleaning companies include maintaining fitness area equipment, saunas, and hot tubs.

Good Clean Fun

If you’re in the business of fun and games and own or manage another type of hospitality or entertainment venue such as a bowling alley, movie theater, arcade, or concert arena, you know that keeping your facility clean is a monumental task. Maintaining restrooms, keeping concessions clean, and ensuring common areas and seating are up to snuff is a lot for in-house cleaning crews or hourly employees to manage. If you want to make sure your floors aren’t sticky and you have happy customers that will come back, you should consider hiring a professional janitorial service.

Janitorial service companies tackle your toughest cleaning jobs more efficiently than hourly employees who should be focusing on sales and ensuring customer satisfaction. Janitorial services prepare your place for crowds. They will clean, stock, and sanitize restrooms to keep them fresh, ready, and protect your patrons’ health. Door handles and handrails also collect germs as customers visit and move through your business. Professional cleaning crews tackle your floors and carpets and even make sure they’re protected against oil, dirt, and chemicals tracked in by your customers. Janitorial service companies handle your seasonal maintenance to polish and wax floors in foyers and hallways, and deep clean your carpeting to prevent stains.

Professional janitorial service companies also protect your investment by cleaning your venue’s seating including fabric coverings found in movie theaters and concert halls. Cleaning fabric upholstery removes dirt and grime that can build up in threads and make fabric appear dingy and unattractive to guests. Dirt and grime also make upholstery fabric wear faster.

If you’re considering outsourcing your entertainment venue’s cleaning needs, contact a professional janitorial service for quotes. If your business keeps late hours, make sure you communicate your scheduling needs when searching for a provider. This allows the vendor you choose to understand your schedule, clean behind the scenes, and make sure your customers are having good, clean fun!

Searching for a New Commercial Cleaning Provider? Some Tips

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Hiring professionals to clean your business or office can be a great thing. Your office looks great, smells good, and you can focus on your business instead of cleaning bathrooms. Commercial cleaning services are usually thorough, professional, and care about customer satisfaction. Sometimes cleaning services start great and eventually become less detailed. This can be frustrating for you as a business owner – especially if you or your employees have to pick up the slack to make sure the job is complete to keep your business looking great.

If your janitorial cleaning service isn’t working out, here are some steps to take to improve communication and ensure you are receiving the customer service and level of clean you deserve!

1. Identify problems or problem areas.

Make a list of the issues you are having with your cleaning service provider and any areas that aren’t getting enough attention. Review this list with your cleaning crew as well as your account manager to make sure they are aware of your concerns. Ask for written steps outlining how they will address your concerns.

2. Review your contract.

If your provider is not responsive to your request to improve cleaning or doesn’t address any concerns you may have, it may be time to find a new provider. You should review your contract terms, looking for any penalties for early termination, cancellation fees, and when and if you have to provide written notice of cancellation.

3. Source a new provider.

It is recommended that you source a new provider before terminating your old one, so you don’t have a lapse in service. Prepare an outline of your cleaning needs, concerns, and any special requirements to review with potential service providers. Don’t forget to include special projects or seasonal needs, too.

4. Check references.

Ask for and call references for each provider you interview. Be sure to ask about customer satisfaction and cleaning thoroughness.

5. Review paperwork.

Before selecting, review your new service contract in detail, making a note of fees, notice requirements, and contact information. You can also get an idea of the services they offer by asking for a thorough overview of their services. This overview should be a strategic detail of their cleaning process. Quality candidates should provide you an explanation of how and when they clean as many providers choose to clean along with a planned path for efficiency and to ensure proper coverage. The cleaning services provided should also be scalable for future growth.

Potential vendors should also be able to provide you a schedule for deep cleaning. This deep cleaning encompasses tasks such as polishing and waxing floors and steam cleaning carpeting. Good companies understand that regular and routine maintenance of floors and carpeting both keeps flooring looking good and extends its life.

A professional cleaning company should also be using commercial cleaning equipment. They should provide their own cleaning solutions, linens, and equipment and ensure it is also well maintained. Good companies recognize that using quality cleaning tools is a critical part of providing exceptional service.

Many janitorial services or cleaning companies can provide strategies for your business to save money, such as implementing inventory and stocking systems for paper products and cleaning chemicals.

Companies that you interview that can provide strategic, scalable services coupled with commercial cleaning equipment can ensure quality and cost-effective cleaning. This level of cleaning will keep your office or business looking great!

Stop Searching – Select Strategic Janitorial

Fri, 28 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As the owner or manager of a Fort Worth area business, you probably experience high traffic. Because of this, you know it can be daunting to keep your business looking its very best. You may be overwhelmed managing operations and trying to clean on top everything you do each day. You may have considered hiring a janitorial service to lighten your workload but aren’t sure where to start or how to find a trustworthy company in the Fort Worth area?

A long list of companies can be had with a quick Google search, but how do you know who is reputable and will do the quality job you need?

Frequently, when businesses search for a janitorial service, they don’t take the time to research and qualify candidates. This is because they are looking for a specific price point or need someone that can start quickly. Unfortunately, hiring a company just based on these factors can often mean inferior service and frustration.

These steps help you narrow the field of candidates and eliminate companies that may not be able to provide you with the level of service you need and leave you a qualified pool of candidates to choose from. To select the best-suited vendor for you, you should review the information you collected during our first two suggested steps.

The company you select should be compatible with your needs, provide a detailed and strategic plan for cleaning your space, has scalable services to meet future growth, employs well -trained individuals, and uses professional equipment. Ideal candidates also provide in-depth cleaning services and can handle seasonal needs or special projects. Companies should be insured and able to provide proof of liability and workers comp coverage as well.

The ideal janitorial service company will also be able to visit your site and provide you with a free, written estimate. A company willing to give a free estimate indicates a company that is working for more than profit and is looking to establish a partnership with you. Also, ask any potential provider for a copy of their standard contract to review. It is critical to read through the contract to understand its terms, limits, and any recourse you may have should you be unsatisfied with your service.

Establish Expectations

You can avoid upset if you approach your search for a janitorial service like you would a search for a new employee. Interview cleaning service candidates like you would a potential new hire; ask questions, ask for qualifications, and ask for references.

We have put together a few quick tips to help you prepare when searching for your cleaning crew:

First, outline your needs, and the types of cleaning you would like the service to do. Do you require special carpet or flooring maintenance? Do you have special sanitizing or deep cleaning needs? Do you have any seasonal or special projects? Translate your outline into detail of your requirements to review with the janitorial service companies you contact. This is to ensure you effectively communicate your needs and set the expectations for your service.

Next, consider the frequency you need service and make sure to communicate that with potential vendors. Because your business is located in a busy metro area, you may need service more frequently and want to ensure the company you select can meet your demand. Also, advise of any off-limits areas in your office or business to establish boundaries for your vendor and its employees.

Ask Away

After you have detailed your needs to potential vendors, make sure to ask questions. These questions should cover their hiring and background check, billing cycle, and terms of your contract.

Once you have gathered information from all potential service providers, compare details to find which vendor will be the best match for your business. Also, check their online reviews and ask for references.

Questions to ask potential vendors. Questions to ask potential vendors should cover topics like customer service (response time, communication, and how complaints are handled), employees (how employees are hired and vetted, training, and certifications), and billing (frequency, terms, and types of payments accepted). Another area to cover with a potential vendor is insurance coverage – be sure to ask if the vendor you are interviewing carries liability and workers comp insurance.

Also, you should expect questions. Any vendor you interview should have questions for you regarding your expectations and cleaning needs.

Qualifications to look for. Be sure to ask for any requirements from potential providers. Such skills include how long they have been in business, the number of clients, and any special abilities like handling hazardous waste or specific sanitation requirements.

Call References. Ask for a list of references and call them to ask about their satisfaction and level of service. Another way to follow up is to visit their references to visually inspect them to see if the level of service is on par with your needs.

Don't Take a Chance with the 5 Second Rule

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

We’ve all dropped a chip or other tasty treat on the floor, plucked it up quickly while disclaiming “Five Second Rule” to anyone within earshot, and then popped in our mouth. It’s totally safe, right? Bacteria can’t transfer to the food in just five seconds, right?

Wrong.

Science recently debunked the Five Second Rule. Researchers at Rutgers University tested how long it takes bacteria to transfer from floor to food. They covered four different flooring materials - stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood, and carpet – with the bacterium Enterobacter aerogenes. Enterobacter aerogenes is a kinder cousin of salmonella, a bacteria that is responsible for over one million cases of food poisoning each year. Researchers then dropped a variety of foods, like bread, watermelon, and candy, onto the bacteria covered surface. They let them sit on the surface for different intervals ranging from one second to three hundred seconds.

They did this 2,560 times. Results showed that bacterial transfer occurred at every time interval, with more bacteria transferred the longer that food was on the test surface. The research also found that bacterial transfer occurred more quickly with foods that had a higher moisture content, like watermelon.

Every day your office carpet or flooring comes in contact with bacteria like Enterobacter aerogenes, salmonella, or e.coli. These bacteria are tracked in along with dirt, chemicals, and debris by your employees and customers. They make their way down the hall to your breakroom and offices, where they wait to jump on your food when you drop something. While this isn’t exactly true - they’re not exactly laying in wait for your lunch, don’t take a chance with the Five Second Rule – and don’t risk having dirty floors! Toss dropped food in the trash and call a professional janitorial cleaning service to clean and disinfect your floors!

Go Green and Get Clean

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Professional Janitorial Services - are they "green"?

Currently weighing options between professional janitorial service companies that use conventional cleaning products versus those that offer eco-friendly cleaning alternatives? Unsure about whether or not green choices are right for your business? We’ve compiled some points to help to decide if “going green” is right for you.

Conventional cleaning products have ingredients like bleach and ammonia. Many conventional cleaners cannot be used in conjunction with each other, and often cannot be used near each other due to dangerous chemical reactions that may result. These kinds of cleaners must also be thoroughly rinsed off of surfaces in order to be safe for those surfaces to be safe. If proper usage instructions are not followed, you may be exposed to dangerous chemicals covering your workplace surfaces. By choosing eco-friendly or green cleaners, you don’t have to worry about these dangerous chemicals being released into your workplace environment and polluting your things.

Furthermore, exposure to conventional cleaners can impact your health. Minor side effects of chemical exposure can include rashes and other skin conditions, headaches, and irritated mucus membranes. More serious side effects include cancer, birth defects, and central nervous system damage.

Conventional cleaners do more than pollute your workplace surfaces; they also pollute your workplace air quality. This is because many conventional cleaners have a high number of Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs. VOCs enter the body when inhaled and can aggravate respiratory conditions and even impact organ function. Environmentally safe cleaners do not have VOCs and do not pose risks to users or those who come in contact with them.

When searching for a janitorial service provider, ask for their “green” services list. Many providers also use recycled paper products to clean and other environmentally responsible processes to keep your business looking its best while maintaining a safe environment for all.

Cobwebs and Spiders

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Is your business getting a little scary this Halloween?

Cobwebs and spiders? Monster dust bunnies? Mad science experiments growing in your breakroom fridge? If your office or business is getting a little scary this Halloween, it may be time to call in the professionals to deep clean and excise your dirt demons! In this blog we breakdown six forgotten spaces that harbor gross germs and grime.

Light switches – Light switches are high contact areas, so that means germs. Lots of germs. Germs that you touch every time you turn the light on or off.
Keyboards – Keyboards are the collectors of crumbs, dirt, and dust. Inevitably, spills happen and try as you might, they’re hard to clean. Sodas and coffee become sticky, trapping germs and bacteria.
Computer Mouse – Your mouse is a germ magnet. Think about everything you touch on the way to your desk and how many times a day you touch your mouse.
Phones – Yep, your desk phone also collects germs and grime. It collects oil, makeup, and dead skin, and then gets hung up to incubate those germs till its next use. Oh, and mobile phones aren’t off the hook, either. About one third of all cell phones are thought to be contaminated with fecal matter.
Vending Machine Buttons – Food for thought. You're not just selecting the snack from the B3 slot, you’re also touching the button after everyone else who likes B3 touched it, too.
Water fountains – Where are water fountains usually located? Right outside restrooms. Thirty three percent of people are estimated to not wash their hands after using the restroom.

Scary, right? You don’t have to be scared this Halloween season – just call a professional janitorial service to tackle these office terrors and other germs in your workplace!

Hospitality and Hotel Cleaning

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As a result, more hotels, motels, and restaurants are outsourcing their housekeeping services to professional janitorial cleaning companies to clean guest rooms, common areas, and other facilities. Outsourcing allows these venues the opportunity to provide consistent cleaning service by having a full service cleaning crew at the ready to keep up standards and protect their image.

Aside from helping to keep up a positive image and ensuring guest satisfaction, contracting out your cleaning to a professional cleaning company allows you an opportunity impact your bottom line by reducing overhead. Reductions in expenses can be realized because professional cleaning companies offer more manpower and are able to tackle cleaning jobs quickly and more efficiently than in-house cleaning teams. This means a potential elimination of overtime hours (and overtime dollars) spent completing maintenance and cleaning duties. Outsourcing may also allow you another opportunity to improve your bottom line and to further cut expenses and save labor dollars by potentially eliminating the need to keep in-house cleaning and custodial staff on payroll completely.

Another benefit to outsourcing cleaning services for your hospitality business to a professional cleaning company is the ability to handle all functions of cleaning in their offerings, and eliminate the need for additional vendors. Cleaning service crews are thoroughly trained and able tackle large jobs like maintaining your lobby and common area furniture, window cleaning, and floor and carpeting maintenance. Other cleaning specialties of some janitorial service cleaning companies include maintain fitness area equipment, saunas, and hot tubs.

Reasons to Consider Outsourcing Commercial Cleaning

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

If you haven’t ever utilized a professional cleaning service for your Fort Worth business, it can be easy to underestimate its benefits. These reasons may make you think twice about outsourcing your commercial cleaning needs:

1. First Impressions

If your business environment is dirty, dusty, or appears disorganized, customers will notice. Employees and business partners will also notice, and potentially could end up feeling apathetic about their job performance. You can prevent a negative impression and gain peace of mind knowing that your office is always customer ready by having a professional service take over your cleaning tasks.

2. Prevent Illness

Professional cleaning keeps your employees healthy and prevents absenteeism. Professional cleaning provides a level of sanitation that can help prevent the spread of illness through staff and allows employees to maintain productivity to keep your business operating smoothly.

3. Save Time

Cleaning your business can be a daunting task – and it can take up a lot of your valuable time. This is time that should be focused on maintaining and growing your business. Outsourcing cleaning needs allows you to take one thing off of your to-do list and keep your focus operations and customers.

4. Get the Job Done Right

As we just mentioned, cleaning takes an extraordinary amount of time and effort – especially when you don’t have the proper tools. A professional service will have the proper tools and be able to effectively and more expediently use them to clean your space. They can also tackle time consuming and difficult tasks like carpet cleaning and floor polishing that would likely take you an entire workday to complete.

5. Avoid Hassles

You know how much you do for your business every day and you know your limits. Allow a cleaning professional to take this one item off your list!

Four Things to Do for Fall

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

In Texas, we enjoy summer a little longer than the rest of the country, but it’s not too early to start thinking about fall. Although, if you’re anything like us, you’ve probably been thinking about fall since the first day temperatures hit one hundred degrees! You can prepare your business or office for the shift in seasons by calling in a professional janitorial service to tackle these four fall tasks you should have on your to-do list:

Windows – Take advantage of the warm weather and clean those windows! If your windows or doors are dirty, they leave your customers with a negative impression. It is also important to clean your windows to let light in – especially during the fall and winter when exposure to sunlight is limited because there are fewer hours of daylight (and you’re in the office for most of them!).

Floor Care – Your cleaning professionals can prepare and protect your hard surface flooring by ensuring that they’re cleaned, polished, and waxed. Waxing protects your floors from wet and muddy weather. Use entry mats to protect your floors and carpeting. We also suggest placing an umbrella stand in your entry or lobby so clients may easily stow umbrellas (and prevent water from dripping on to your floors).

Duct Cleaning – Consider having your janitorial service company clean your ducts this fall (and again in the spring!) to clear out any dust or pollen that could affect allergies or aggravate respiratory conditions.

Gutters – Fall is a great time to have gutters cleaned to make sure they’re free from debris or leaves that could cause a clog when it rains. Ask your janitorial service company if they service gutters, or if they could recommend a gutter cleaning company to you.

Fall Also Means Back to School

Back to school also means it’s time to get those classrooms ready for kids! It’s time for homework, bustling hallways, and lots germs! We’ve all heard of back to school illnesses, like norovirus, strep throat, or the flu, running rampant through a school, and the resulting high numbers of students (and teachers) absent from class.

Back to school is also the perfect time to hire a professional janitorial services company to manage cleaning at your school, preschool, or daycare to not only tackle the fall tasks we’ve mentioned, but many schools districts and education centers are hiring professional janitorial services companies to clean their facilities because cleaning companies recognize cleaning schools is a serious responsibility, they clean efficiently and effectively, and they can cut overhead. Professional cleaning also protects kids’ health, minimizes sick days for both students and staff, and ensures that your school is presenting its very best to parents and visitors.

Janitorial service companies clean and disinfect classrooms and restrooms and pay particular attention to areas that may collect germs and bacteria, such as light switches, door knobs, and desks. Special rooms like computer labs, cafeterias, and gymnasiums (and gym mats!) are areas of high use and need cleaning and disinfection thoroughly and regularly. Regular cleaning helps to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that cause illness such as the common cold, flu, or stomach illness. Professional cleaning companies also will make sure your floors are maintained throughout the year and can handle seasonal cleaning projects like window cleaning.

You can also protect students’ health by encouraging them to wash their hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control, regular hand washing is one of the best ways to reduce germs and prevent illnesses. Also, teach students to cover their mouths and noses when they sneeze or cough, avoid touching their eyes or mouth and dispose of used tissue properly.

Commercial cleaning doesn’t mean just disinfecting surfaces and cleaning up messes, it also means investing in your property and equipment, too. In many cases, this investment can pay off in lots of use and fewer dollars going toward maintenance and replacement.

A perfect example of this is our work with the Harmony Schools District Administration office. We maintain all of their floors and believe that if all schools had clean floors that shine like Harmony’s more kids would want to go to class! Thanks, Harmony schools!

Benefits of a Floor Maintenance Program:

Floors serviced in this manner and maintained properly with a consistent floor program will not need a full strip and finish for three years.

The floors need to be buffed weekly, with a scrub and re-coat applied once a year. The wax will harden with the buffing and actually look better as the future scrub and re-coats are applied. But, the floors need to be maintained with the proper cleaners and clean microfiber flat mops to preserve their longevity.
If using an auto scrubber machine, the scrubber pads must be changed out and always clean. This is to include the equipment being kept clean, or this process will just contaminant the surface of the floor and ware out the wax sealer.

From our experience, if the floors look this good, the cleaning performance will follow the standard.

Fall Is Here – Achoo!

While we’re talking about fall, let’s talk about fall allergies.

Fall brings more than leaves changing color - it brings pollen and other particles that make allergies flare up. Sneezing, sniffling, and coughing happens as a result of seasonal allergies. Sneezing, coughing, and people blowing their noses mean germs and bacteria flying all over your office.

While allergies aren’t contagious, no one wants to be exposed to other people’s germs. To minimize the spread of germs during allergy season, remind employees to cover their mouths when they cough and sneeze, wash hands frequently, and dispose of used tissues properly. You should also take steps to control germs by sanitizing high contact areas like door handles, countertops, and light switches.

While it is hard to control the pollen count, business owners can take steps to minimize allergy aggravation in the office. Changing HVAC filters and making sure ducts and vents are clean and free of dust helps allergy sufferers considerably. Employees can also make a difference by removing paper clutter. A thorough and routine cleaning and dusting schedule managed by a professional cleaning crew makes an even more significant impact in battling office allergens.

Several areas in the office collect allergens may be overlooked when employees are tidying up.

Electronic equipment like computer and cords attract dust and dirt particles. Baseboards and window blinds are also places that can collect dust and trigger allergies.

Carpets and upholstered furniture also harbor allergens. Pollen tracked in from the outside and ends up clinging to carpet fibers - not only does this pollen make carpets appear dirty and dingy - it also making noses run and eyes water. Professional janitorial services companies can remove this pollen and dirt to help minimize allergies and stop

Medical Office Cleaning

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As a healthcare provider or practice manager, you know first-hand that cleanliness can stop the spread of germs and illness. Did you also know that cleanliness is a factor in your reputation and patient retention? Patients trust and expect that their doctor or medical provider’s office and exam rooms are germ free. A dirty exam room or waiting room is off-putting, and can cause patients to look elsewhere for care. If your practice’s cleanliness level is less than pristine, it’s time to call a professional.

A professional janitorial services company knows that medical office cleaning is not the same as regular office cleaning and that requirements for medical cleaning involves more than wiping down surfaces and mopping floors. Medical office cleaning is serious, and commands thorough disinfecting and sanitation. Just like specialty medicine, proper and specific training is required for janitorial services companies that provide medical office cleaning. Janitorial service companies that provide specialized cleaning for medical offices are aware of protocols to follow while cleaning an environment with hazardous materials like blood borne pathogens, medical waste, and needle sharps, and understand proper sanitation needed to guarantee a safe environment for patients.

While professional janitorial services trained in medical cleaning do perform specialized functions, there are also job tasks they perform that are similar to regular cleaning services. These tasks include dusting, floor maintenance, and trash removal.

When hiring a janitorial servicing company to clean your medical office, ask for references of other medical offices or facilities they have cleaned. Be sure check these references thoroughly and ask about their level of satisfaction and the vendor’s thoroughness in disinfecting and sanitation. Make sure your provider performs thorough criminal background checks on employees cleaning your office. As a best practice, you should secure patient files, and lock up medication, narcotics, and supplies.

Good Clean Fun - Strategic Janitorial Solutions

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Cleaning for bowling alleys, movie theaters, arcades

If you’re in the business of fun and games and own or manage an entertainment venue such as a bowling alley, movie theater, arcade, or concert arena, you know that keeping your facility clean is a monumental task. Maintaining restrooms, keeping concessions clean, and ensuring common areas and seating are up to snuff is a lot for in-house cleaning crews or hourly employees to manage. If you want to make sure your floors aren’t sticky and you have happy customers that will come back, you should consider hiring a professional janitorial service.

Janitorial service companies tackle your toughest cleaning jobs more efficiently than hourly employees who should be focusing on sales and ensuring customer satisfaction. Janitorial services prepare your place for crowds. They will clean, stock, and sanitize restrooms in order to keep them fresh, ready, and protect your patrons’ health. Door handles and handrails also collect germs as customers visit and move through your business. Professional cleaning crews tackle your floors and carpets, and even make sure they’re protected against oil, dirt, and chemicals tracked in by your customers. Janitorial service companies handle your seasonal maintenance to polish and wax floors in foyers and hallways, and deep clean your carpeting to prevent stains.

Take Care to Protect Your Commercial Carpet

Fri, 11 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Commercial carpeting is made for high traffic, and it’s a good thing it is, because it typically undergoes a great deal of wear and tear. Fortunately for business owners, there are steps you can take to keep your carpet looking great, and prolong your carpet’s lifespan.

While commercial carpets are made to withstand more traffic, they also require more maintenance. Commercial carpets should be vacuumed daily – but not just for aesthetics. Vacuuming daily removes both seen (and unseen) dirt and debris from carpet’s pile and prevents it from wearing down fibers.

It is also important to use the right kind of vacuum to clean your carpets. Commercial cleaning services use commercial vacuums to clean your business’ carpet, as they are built to handle heavier dirt loads than residential vacuums. Commercial vacuums are also more durable than residential vacuums.

Just like vacuuming regularly, it is also important to have your carpets regularly deep cleaned. Many businesses do not have their carpets cleaned on a regular schedule simply because they don’t appear dirty. However, commercial carpets are made to hide stains and dirt – and thus do not look dirty to the eye. As a result, carpet pile may be degraded by unseen (and untreated) dirt and stains.

Another way to prolong the life of your carpet is to ensure office chairs have protective mats underneath them. Chair rollers can damage carpet but trapping dirt and pushing it further into the pile – even more than normal foot traffic!

Maintaining your commercial carpet is not difficult, but the basic maintenance steps described above should be done consistently and frequently to protect your investment and extend the life of your carpet. Replacing your business carpeting can be expensive, but a consistent cleaning schedule or regular service by a professional carpet cleaning company will protect your investment.

Spring Cleaning for your Office?

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

You probably Spring Clean at home every year, but as a business owner do you spruce up your Fort Worth office for Spring? If not, you may want to also consider Spring cleaning your business because, just like your home, your office can get dusty, cluttered, and may need extra attention to ensure you are ready for your customers this season.

There are many tasks you can put on your list for Spring Cleaning but here are ones we consider most important:

De-Clutter/Dust : Help eliminate office clutter sorting discarding paperwork no longer needed (be sure to shred or recycle!). Paper creates dust which can be an allergen to many people. Dust is also attracted to your office electronics – so be sure to dust computers, keyboards, and monitors.

Carpet Cleaning : Deep cleaning your office carpet is very important. As we have mentioned previously, dirt, chemicals, and debris can get tracked into your business and impact the appearance, smell, and even the lifespan of carpeting. While you can vacuum your carpeting to keep it free of debris, you should hire a professional janitorial service to tackle the task of carpet deep cleaning at least once per quarter to remove chemicals, dirt, and harmful bacteria.

Floor Maintenance : Also ask your janitorial service about deep cleaning other flooring (tile, stone, or wood) in your office. It may need to be stripped, waxed, or buffed. It is important to have regular floor maintenance done by professionals in order to make sure your flooring is safe, well-maintained, and looking its very best.

Window Cleaning : Spring cleaning is also a great time for window cleaning. Cleaning windows will allow sunlight in and give your office a brighter and more inviting atmosphere. Window cleaning is a serious – and sometimes dangerous – undertaking best left to a professional janitorial service company.

Banning the Anti-Bac

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT

The FDA ruled that beginning September 2017, soaps and sanitizers will no longer be able to contain the cleansing agent, Triclosan. Triclosan was removed because it has a negative impact on health and the environment, and contributes to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance has been a concern for decades, but concern increased when an antibiotic-resistant superbug popped up in Pennsylvania early this year.

Many businesses often provide hand sanitizers in high traffic areas for both employees and customers. Hand sanitizers have become popular because they are a quick way to clean up when users do not have access to soap and water, or do not have the time to step away and wash their hands in between customers. Research has found that although these products are intended to kill bad bacteria, they often attract bacteria because their ingredients leave a sticky film on hands that traps germs on the skin. It is recommended that individuals using hand sanitizers wash their hands with soap and water after every four or five times of sanitizer use. Sanitizers kill bad bacteria but also wipe out good bacteria on the skin that are part of the body’s natural defense against germs.

Instead of using hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, the CDC recommends using plain soap and water, scrubbing hands for twenty seconds (time yourself by singing two rounds of Happy Birthday to You), and using a clean towel to dry hands. Washing hands significantly reduces the spread of germs in the workplace by bacteria that cause illnesses like colds, flu, and norovirus.

Other ways to reduce the spread of germs through your business and protect your health is to hire a professional janitorial cleaning service to clean your business. Professional cleaning companies will disinfect and sanitize high traffic areas and target places where germs live and thrive.

In Love with Your Janitorial Service? Why Not?

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Strategic isn’t like all the other janitorial services. We’re proud of that. Most cleaning companies send over a fast-talking salesperson who gives you a pitch, closes the deal and pockets his commission. Then, you never see that person again. If you have a problem, you can’t talk to the person who convinced you to sign up with them. Therefore, any special services you requested may not have been passed along to the cleaning crew.

Strategic’s regional sales managers have a background in relationship building—not just sales. They understand the operations side of the business, and they’re well-versed in product knowledge and the latest trends in the janitorial industry. They’ll set up a strategic plan with you that will cultivate a quality, pleasant workplace via a working relationship with you. The only person who knows what you want is you. That’s why we stay in touch. Our sales managers pay attention and make sure your business gets the type of care you agreed to when you signed on with us.

Customer service is our top priority. Our sales managers conduct on-site inspections, maintain communication logs and assemble a checklist for every account. Your manager will put together a plan with you that will be followed to the letter. Monthly surveys will guarantee you’re getting the type of service you expect. Everybody who works for us is bonded, and we’re fully insured. We conduct background checks on everyone who works for us. If you have a medical facility, you’ll be pleased to know that our employees receive standard training in blood-borne pathogens, and we are MSDS-compliant.

Our franchise owners have a vested interest in our company’s success. We simply have the best business model in the janitorial business. Our relationship with our franchisees and their relationship with you is meant to foster a hand in hand commitment to the betterment of your business environment. We consider our customers to be partners in our business, not just accounts that we service. Your success is our success as well. We deliver what we promise. We plan on a cooperative partnership that will last a lifetime. We’ve been servicing many of our customers for a decade or more. Likewise, many of our franchise owners have worked with us for a decade too. We continuously upgrade our franchisee’s training and provide our customer partners with business savvy intended to improve their bottom line.

Hands down, we at Strategic Janitorial Solutions have the best relationship with our customers. We know your name, your business and what you expect from us. That’s what makes our relationship work.

Another thing that makes our relationship work is our commitment to clean. We are passionate about cleaning and customer service, so that means we are meticulous – just like the “white glove” cleaning standards that military members are subjected to during boot camp. At Strategic, we conduct cleaning boot camps for all our crews. Field training is ongoing so that our crews stay up to date with the latest technologies in keeping facilities.

We’re Committed to Clean

Just like the military, we give your office white glove treatment. That means we clean everywhere and everything thoroughly. We offer green cleaning solutions by using bio-degradable waste bags, low levels of cleaning fluids and cleaning products with the fewest Volatile Organic Compounds possible. We use diluted solutions, so your facilities don’t smell like chemicals. Your office smells clean and fresh. Our microfiber cloths, mops, and high filtration vacuums capture all the dust to improve your indoor air quality. Better air makes your workers more comfortable and productive. Nobody likes to work in an over-cleaned area. We leave your property fresh and sanitary without the odors of heavy-duty cleansers.

Our field supervisors conduct on-site inspections to ensure each crew lives up to our standards of white glove treatment. They’ve been trained to maintain a healthy relationship with our customers, so you will always deal with the same person who signed you up for our services. They stay abreast of your needs and can rapidly handle any situations that require their attention. We conduct monthly customer surveys and offer 24/7 telephone communication. Our white glove service is insured and bonded. If you have a medical facility, you will be happy to learn that our crews receive blood-borne pathogen training and are MSDS-compliant.

The result of our white glove treatment is a growing list of customers, many of whom we have serviced for a decade. We have franchise owners who are vested partners with their customer base. The fact that many of them have been with us for over ten years is a testimony to the quality of the services we offer. We take our business seriously, and so do our franchise owners. Our goal is to exceed your expectations. We try to anticipate your concerns and provide proactive attention to any situation that might arise.

You won’t find better service than our white glove treatment. We promise that we’ll keep your property spotless, fresh and a pleasant place to conduct your business, whatever it may be. Your employees and clients will notice the difference immediately. That’s what white glove treatment is all about.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

This white glove treatment is the philosophy of our entire organization – be it in Dallas, Houston or Oklahoma City. Our team is made up of highly trained cleaning professionals and franchise owners who all have a vested interest in our company and share in its success.

You see there are many types of cleaning companies and our customers will say that our business model is the best. Our franchise owners have a vested interest in providing you with excellent service and Strategic's experienced staff and quality control system make this a seamless relationship.

We view our customers as strategic partners: you are giving us the opportunity to provide a service to you, and we are doing our part and putting together a strategic plan to focus on your facility's needs, our goal is to exceed your cleaning concerns and expectations.

We treat our customers like lifetime partners with many using our service for over ten years. We have many franchise owners approaching their 10th anniversary with Strategic, which proves our commitment to training and business knowledge for our franchise owners is a top priority to us.

Spotlight: Franchise Owner Jose Lopez

One such franchise owner is Jose Lopez. Jose has maintained the Life School campus in Dallas, Texas, for more than four years. He has been a franchise owner with Strategic Janitorial Solutions for more than ten years.

Jose Lopez maintains the Life School campus in Dallas Tx. Mr. Lopez has been keeping this facility for over four years. He has been a franchise owner with Strategic Janitorial Solutions for over ten years.

He is an excellent communicator with his customers and a team builder with his crews. His dedication to his career and knowledge of the commercial cleaning industry shows in all accounts that his crews service.

Mr. Lopez and his business is a perfect example of how a Strategic Janitorial Solution franchise can help someone with little or no experience Start Small and make it BIG.