I became a green cleaning company a long time and it has been a process where I now help other cleaning companies move to becoming green.  I started out as a carpet cleaning company but one thing that became very clear as I went from a traditional company to a green company was that people gave me more authority.  My clients started to treat me with more respect and my opinions and knowledge became much more valuable to them.  I have a master’s degree in business but it was the forward thinking in transitioning my company that created an heir of authority my clients give to me.

When you make it happen to take the time to educate yourself through the IJCSA courses, this certification shows your clients you are not just another cleaning company or even just a company calling yourself green.  You have a process that designates you as being an expert in this field.  One this about being an elite, you will now see the best of companies start to look at you and what you can offer because they don’t want the schmuck who hasn’t read a label on product in 10 years in their building.  They are looking for the educated company that has a view of where the cleaning industry is going.

This Green Certification shows that you’re a company moving in a progressive direction.  It allows you to advertise this distinction and demonstrates to companies an ethical imperative that is truly unique to this industry.  You can increase this authority by education and offering of programs which make it simple for companies to become more ecological such as proper recycling and eco kitchen/bath use products.

The green certification course also allows for you to review many of your own practices and how they can be upgraded for better results.  In doing this, I will start educating my client base as well as the cleaners I work with some of the information I have picked up during the course.  This should not only increase my knowledge by way of review but demonstrate my own knowledge on the green perspective as a cleaner.

Workers that are cleaning bloodborne pathogens are of extreme importance, as they help stop the spread of dangerous diseases. It is important for employees to know the risks involved with working around bloodborne pathogens.  

Bloodborne Pathogens are pathogenic microorganism that can cause disease such as but not limited to HBV and HIV/AIDS. Taking proper precautions in handling can greatly reduce the chance of serious illness or death.

Knowing what personal protection equipment (PPE) to be used is a good first step in protecting yourself against bloodborne pathogens. Some examples may include but are not limited to eye protection, gloves, masks and face shields.

It is important for each cleaning worker to take the time to learn and be aware of  safely guidelines with bloodborne pathogens. Knowing these guidelines could help prevent contracting a disease and/or spreading one, it could save yours or others lives. 

Medical cleaning practices are the standard bearer for cleanliness in public. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities require the most attention with powerful disinfection and cleaning practices. However, in the age of COVID-19, shouldn’t the standards of cleanliness also make its way into residential and commercial cleaning solutions as well? Shouldn’t our homes and schools try to kill pathogens now, more than ever?

Using more powerful disinfectants in residential and commercial settings can help kill germs before they can infect. Regularly cleaning high-contact surfaces at the office can keep workforces at work and not sick at home. High-contact surface cleaning at home can keep families more healthy as well.

Healthier families mean that less germs are being passed around when in public, helping to protect the population and work from harmful bacteria, germs and viruses. Healthcare professional standards of using gloves, rigoriously washing hands before and after interactions should make its way into everyday life.

The janitorial services offered by members of IJCSA can bring these powerful and effective practices to your home or office. Using hospital grade cleaners and cleaning methods can ensure a healthy living or working environment. Use this Services Directory to find the closest member near you: https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices.

It is important for cleaning/janitorial companies and employees to understand bloodborne pathogens to keep everyone safe.  Exposure to these pathogens can happen anywhere or any time.  You must understand that these pathogens can affect you if you are exposed and can harm others if not cleaned and sanitized properly.

Employees should always use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, gowns, etc.  The proper use of this equipment is equally important as using it.  Any supplies (mop, bucket, etc.) also needs to be disinfecting and sanitized properly after clean up.  Laundry should be separate and labelled with a red or orange tag.  Handwashing after clean up is imperative.  

To keep employees safe, they need to understand how these pathogens are spread and if they are exposed, what steps need to be taken.  Owners/supervisors should have a written plan in place in case of exposure.  Employees should also be vaccinated whenever possible.

There is so much information all over the internet on how bad the chemicals are in our home products.  Most of us are realizing we need to make a transition to safe more natural products.  This article is supposed to be the first step in making that transition by giving you a push in the right direction.  Having an Green Cleaning Company, many of my clients began asking me is it really important to use natural products.  I explain to them understanding why it’s important to transition to safe natural products is the first step to detoxifying your home or workspace.  This will give you the knowledge to motivate yourself into and through this process.  These reasons range from heath concerns, to saving the environment, to de-cluttering and giving you a more serein space to live and/or work.  Yet, I am focusing on the health perspective here.

I live in Los Angeles which has worst outdoor air quality in the United States while the EPA states that indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times worse than the outdoor air quality.  For too long, we have ignored this and many recent studies are showing the detriment an unhealthy indoor space has on our personal health.  So, I suggest a transition to natural products is the first step to improving your health and the overall health of your home and/or work area.

The traditional common cleaning items such as hand soaps, all-purpose cleaners, detergents, and degreasing agents contain dangerous chemicals that are contaminating your home and/or workspace.  There is a growing amount of evidence of environmental toxins being a causation for many diseases and disorders in US.  In my opinion our products are not well regulated and that allows for these of toxins to be used and effect our health.  There are also several ways toxic chemicals are put in our products via government loopholes.  One is through the term” Fragrance” which will allow up to 1% of a chemicals to be used and no further information or labeling is required.  We don’t even know what effects these have on us.

We only know a small percentage of chemicals have had testing to determine toxicity but what do toxins do to us.  To begin with toxins damage enzymes and thus undermine countless bodily functions.  Enzymes create chemical reactions that keep the different systems in the body working.  These chemical reactions are catalysts to the body’s mechanisms of operation like breathing, fighting and destroying toxins, building muscle, the production of hemoglobin in the blood, breaking down food particles for digestion, keeping organs healthy and functioning just to name a few important ones.  The poisoning of enzymes effects the function of organs, but toxins can also cause damage to the organs themselves.  This can affect the organ’s ability to work properly. 

Toxins also displace structural minerals resulting in weaker bones this is believed to be a major reason the disease of Osteoporosis is skyrocketing among seniors in the United States.  Another major concern for older individuals is damage to DNA increasing rate of aging and degeneration of the body.  Even with all our modern medical advancements if the body ages faster more physical ailments beset the body. 

Along with this, toxins modify gene expression causing a host of physical problems from birth defects to numerous types of cancers.  There is also damage to cell membranes, so they don’t respond properly, and toxins interfere with hormones causing imbalances.  Finally, toxins impair your ability to detoxify leading to sensitivities, allergies, cancer, birth defects, as well as other health issues.

Now with all this effecting our bodies, there is no government agency that really overlooks and documents the causation of people getting sick from household products.  Since chemicals are not well regulated in homes, we can however look at OSHA studies on chemicals in the workplace.  They estimate that chemicals in the US cause more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths suffered annually by workers.  (This number is derived using the methodology from “Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation, to estimate illness and deaths attributable to workplace chemical exposures.)  Yet many of these same chemicals are in the products we use to clean in our homes.

Now as you’re thinking about some of this it’s scary and you want to know what to do and how to transition to natural products.  The good thing is the chemistry and research used to develop nontoxic products is growing and evolving in all areas of personal products.  We now have options, and it makes it so much easier today.  I have one client who is now in her late 70s but in her 30s suffered from cancer and realized she need to transition to natural products.  At that time very few products existed, she had to do the research and develop her own cleaning and personal products.  Today we can go and buy safe natural products but need to be aware of what is in those products.

Ultimately with this article, I am hoping to sway you to making a change.  I am hoping a bit of data presented here might twist your arm and push your motivation toward finally transitioning you to a healthier way of life.  We all want a better healthier life and making a transition with the way you clean is a great way to start.  If you need help and are in the Los Angeles, you can find us at Naturallygreencleaning.com or if you’re in another are check out https://www.ijcsa.org/Green-Cleaning-Services.

In order to provide a safe and healthy environment not only for ourselves but for those we provide services to we must be aware of all dangers that could possibly arise. By becoming aware we will obtain a better understanding of how these dangers are passed or transmitted.  By following OSHA guidelines and proper practices we effectively eliminate these dangers from spreading during any medical emergency in order to save lives.

Working in the cleaning industry we are more likely to be exposed to blood and bodily fluid when servicing medical facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals. Even as a residential housekeeper there's a possibility of exposure. Cleaning staff needs to be aware of the different symptoms following an exposure and how to protect themselves and others.

Recovering from the COVID outbreak that hit worldwide it is essential to take safety measures and ensure workers are able to identify the pathogens, transmission modes, and symptoms to prevent and control occupational exposure by providing training  to prevent becoming infected.

  Everyday people make the switch to using eco-friendly or "green" products to clean their homes or businesses with. Some make the switch slowly others jump into it. Why? Because more and more studies reveal the benefits of earth friendly products. Harvard University's Healthy Buildings Program did a controlled study. Using different scenarios they were able to see exactly the effects of the byproducts of using regular everyday cleaning products. In a nutshell they were able to figure by removing the toxic chemicals typically found in office settings, it produced a $6,500 increase in productivity per employee. 

  Others may talk to a friend or someone who is using these environmentally friendly products. They can ask their questions and feel confident in making the switch themselves. If you haven't made the switch yet and don't know someone who has, one of the Certified Companies on the IJCSA Green Cleaning Directory will be more than capable and happy to help you.

  The EPA conducted a study at a school on the East Coast. They found dust in the school that still contained a pesticide that's been banned for decades because it is known to cause cancer. This shows the harmful and possibly devastating effects ordinary cleaners can have on our environments both indoor and outdoor.

  If these studies keep finding these benefits, imagine how eco-friendly products will improve your life at home or at work. Fewer headaches means less aspirin or nsaids (save money). Do you ever breakout with some type of dermatitis? This could be caused by your cleaning chemicals or even laundry detergent. It can save you from putting other chemicals on your skin to counteract the other chemicals that caused it, saving you money, especially if you need medical attention. 

  Green cleaning chemicals have been shown to improve cognitive function, so if you work from home you can get more work done. If you have kids doing homework it could improve their grades. The negative effects of regular cleaning products on are environment both indoor and outdoor are quite astonishing, and the benefits of using environmentally friendly products is mind-blowing. So don't we owe it to ourselves, pets, kids, and family to have the best and healthiest environments, to feel and be safe from these harmful side effects?

Janitorial staff are the key employees that keep buildings running around the world. The day after day work that they engage in is some of the most important to keep clean and sanitary facilities operating around the globe. As the old saying goes, you don't know what you've got until it's gone. 

The importance of janitorial staff cannot be overstated. Have you ever been in a restroom without hand soap, paper towels, or toilet paper. Have you ever walked through an office with visible trash on the floor? Each person has a role to play and janitorial staff are on the list of the most important for facilities management. 

How would your building or business run without them? Think about it for a minute. If you are in need of professional certified janitorial staff, give a look in your area here - IJCSA Janitorial Directory - Hire one of these professional individuals or services today.

The importance of cleaning is to keep ourselves and clients safe. Clients can rest easy knowing you have a team properly trained in handling contaminated material. It may sound like a small thing, but clients will want to know that your employees are educated as their own when it comes bloodborne pathogens. It surely works in our favor when we ensure that all of our staff are aware of protocols and safety practices.

Another benefit is our custodial staff that handles sharp bins, biohazard waste, or other potentially contaminated objects should know how to protect themselves and know what to do in the case of exposure. Training is one of the most important experiences for employees to go through. Employees act as the first line of defense after, or another bodily fluid contaminates an area. Unclean, bloodborne pathogens could spread to other people. This can cause serious illness. 

And of course, there is a legal and financial side. Did you know in a health care setting alone, there were 238 federal citations issued? Between October 2015 and September 2016, resulting in over $415,000 in fines. With just training alone will not guarantee you could avoid citations, however it certainly works if your follow the rules, practice safety and apply the right protocols. The moral of the importance of cleaning is that, If you can clean up properly and dispose of the bodily fluids before a bloodborne pathogen gets the opportunity to spread, you could save lives.

It is very important to maintain a clean environment in the cleaning healthcare field. It is of significant importance to not only protect yourself but also protect the other employees and patients. If you are careless in a healthcare setting it can have a very negative impact. 

Bloodborne Pathogens are infections in the blood that can be spread to others if exposed. The pathogens include the three types of Hepatitis and HIV. 

These pathogens can be found in the healthcare setting. Although, the healthcare staff should be the initial crew to begin the proper disposal of infected items there can still be traces of blood or other bodily fluids on surfaces. The cleaning crew must be sure to have the proper PPE to help protect themselves from these infected items.

You must always be sure to wipe all surfaces properly to avoid infection to yourself or to the other patients that have just had surgery and have fresh incisions.