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International Janitorial Cleaning Services Association

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  • 22 Mar 2024 9:23 PM | Sierrah Voll

    The widespread use of cleaning chemicals in our daily lives has undoubtedly made sanitizing surfaces and keeping our homes and businesses clean much more convenient. However, a hidden cost to this convenience often goes unnoticed – the harmful effects these chemicals can have on the planet and our health.

    Firstly, many cleaning chemicals contain toxic ingredients that can negatively impact the environment. When these chemicals are flushed down drains or disposed of improperly, they can contaminate waterways and soil, leading to pollution and damage to ecosystems. Additionally, the production and transportation of these chemicals contribute to carbon emissions and other pollutants, further exacerbating environmental degradation.

    Moreover, using cleaning chemicals can also pose significant risks to human health. Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates, which have been linked to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even more severe health conditions with long-term exposure. Children, pets, and individuals with respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals, highlighting the importance of choosing safer, eco-friendly alternatives. Overall, it's essential to be mindful of the impact of cleaning chemicals on the planet and our well-being and opt for greener, more sustainable cleaning solutions whenever possible. 

  • 22 Mar 2024 7:34 AM | Paulo Filho

    Finding a carpet cleaning service is easy but finding a certified carpet cleaning professional is even more important. When it comes time to finding certified carpet cleaning pros, check out IJCSA directory. It takes time, dedication, proper training, and proper tools to properly clean a carpet and rug. Next time you think about renting a machine at home depot, make sure to consider the possible outcomes, such as carpet damage, mold, mildew and other scenarios when attempting to clean your own carpets. Don't waste time and money and hire a professional today.

  • 22 Mar 2024 1:46 AM | Nadine Mackey

    Blood-borne viruses are a major risk to human health because they can lead to life-threatening illnesses and long-term health issues. It is crucial to comprehend these hazards and put into practice efficient preventative measures, particularly for healthcare workers and those employed in high-risk workplaces. We will examine common blood-borne infections, their mechanisms of transmission, precautions to take, and safety procedures in and outside of healthcare facilities in this extensive handbook. Let's investigate the realm of blood-borne infections and the essential measures to protect health.

    Training on bloodborne pathogens is essential for providing people with the information and abilities they need to stop the spread of these illnesses, protecting everyone's health and safety.  Being on the front lines of patient care puts healthcare workers at danger of coming into contact with bloodborne infections. By giving them the tools to defend themselves while giving care, training lowers the risk of occupational infections that might result in long-term health problems.

    Employers are shielded from exposure by PPE, which acts as a barrier against bloodborne infections. PPE does not completely remove the risk; contaminated equipment and PPE should be disposed of safely by placing it in bags or containers with the proper labels. One of the best ways to reduce infections and stop the spread of disease is to practice good hand hygiene in addition to wearing personal protective equipment. Hand hygiene is a requirement for all personnel who work with patients.



  • 22 Mar 2024 12:02 AM | William Boston

    It is obvious that cleaning medical facilities poses different threats on the surface than cleaning commercial or residential properties. While there are things that you must keep in mind in a medical facility to prevent the spread of germs, there are concepts in this training that you could and should take with you to any property that you are tasked with cleaning. Sanitation is the name of the game in medical facilities, but keeping yourself safe includes this step no matter where you are cleaning. 

    Knowing the proper ways to maintain your health and safety are of the highest importance and understanding proper procedures to ensure this safety is helpful. While residential and commercial jobs may look clean visually, there are millions of germs hiding on high touch surfaces. While you must remove the dust and grime, there should be some level of sanitation in your cleaning process to kill germs and prevent the spread of illness. 

    As a cleaner it is our job and duty to protect our clients as well as ourselves from sickness and germs. Clients expect to have not only a visually clean area, but also an area that is free of germs. The area when completed should be safe for inhabitants. Protecting the population of your community is not something that will generally be overly stated in your contract, but should be implied. Small changes to your routine to include utilizing cleaners with sanitation properties, handwashing, or use of hand sanitizer can drastically reduce the risk of spreading illness in an area. Focusing these efforts on high touch areas of a home or workplace can mean that you or your clients can stay safe from communicable illnesses to include influenza, Covid-19, and even human pathogenic bacteria. 

    Utilizing the IJCSA’s Janitorial Directory of professionals can assist you in locating a cleaning crew that has been specially trained in these areas. Cleaners listed on this directory have been properly trained on the importance of handwashing as well as disinfection and understand that skipping over these steps can put the public at risk. While all cleaners want happy customers, utilizing this directory can ensure that you will find a cleaning company that also cares about your health and safety.


  • 21 Mar 2024 9:46 PM | Jaqua Lawson

    Knowledge of bloodborne pathogens is crucial for those working in the healthcare field. Proper education will help you from getting sick. For example, you should always treat any bodily fluids as contaminated. This means that wearing protective gear is a must.

    It is also important to know how to clean up after potentially infectious substances in the correct way. While wearing PPE, you should disinfect with proper chemicals and dispose of items in proper containers. Mishandling of hazardous materials is a great way to get sick and/or fired.

    Knowing what to do if you get exposed is just as vital as prevention. Thoroughly clean the exposed area and contact your supervisor right away! Follow the guidelines given to you. Finally, learn from this accident to ensure it does not happen again.


  • 21 Mar 2024 8:17 PM | Anthony Epps

    When it comes to cleaning healthcare facilities, know-how and what to use to properly clean the hospital and maintain a clean environment for the patient and staff. For cleaning company to clean a hospital, they should be certification in cleaning and healthcare location. OSHA has set up good practices to follow.

    Following the polices from OSHA can ensure the cleaning services is properly being used. PPE use can help prevent cross containment. Cleaning to top to bottom and clockwise cleaning a room. Disinfection solution to wipe down hard surfaces and soft surfaces. Gloves should be changed every three-patient room. Washing hands is important to reduce the risk of diseases, such as HBV, HCV, HIV. 

    For more information on this topic Janitorial Service Directory.  In addition to practices the CDC guidelines for are healthcare environments. Medical cleaning certification is essential in the upkeep of a clean hospital.


  • 21 Mar 2024 6:32 PM | Vivian Martin

    These past couple of years have been difficult for us all as you well know first hand. Our happy go lucky worlds were turned upside down by a virus that we basically knew nothing about except for the similar symptoms and the rising death rate of our population! It was extremely scary and some of us lost loved ones along the way and will forever have to be reminded of the horrible sickness that rocked our world. For me this is personal, so I truly understand the importance of implementing medical cleaning practices in residential and commercial situations.

    When we clean a medical facility we follow strict guidelines, use specific cleaning chemicals, wear PPE, and sign off on daily reports to ensure the cleaning was completed properly. We should put every residential or commercial cleaning job in the same category with medical cleaning to ensure the safety of the employees and residents of those structures. 

    Just as with medical "Universal Precautions" while in a healthcare facility, we should also follow this same recommendation in ALL residential and commercial buildings. Treating ALL residents and employees of these structures to be considered potentially infectious and precautions need to be taken to minimize the risk of exposure. You never know what someone is going through in their private lives, so just because we are not in a healthcare environment does not mean we do not need to follow certain cleaning methods to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. 

    How can we implement the same cleaning standards in other structures that we use in healthcare facilities? By following same Health and Safety procedures that are required in medical spaces. Some of these precautions should include but are not limited to, washing hands before and after each location, wear proper cleaning PPE such as latex gloves and goggles, never compress trash manually, use the proper disinfectants and sanitizers for the area you are cleaning, handle laundry cautiously, make sure you clean the high touch surfaces, and always put on new latex gloves when starting a new job. 

    I am so happy that I found the IJCSA web page, Doing the certifications and being a member of  https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices I can confidently do my job and feel that I am helping my clients to the best of my ability.

  • 21 Mar 2024 1:20 PM | Ana Gonzalez

    Using harmful products can lead to severe health conditions that may even result in death. Furthermore, the chemicals present in these products are also damaging to the environment. We must raise awareness of the importance of using safe and environmentally friendly products.

    As a company, we must strive to educate our clients about the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning methods. We must reassure them that our services are safe and will not contaminate their homes, offices, clinics, or hospitals.


  • 20 Mar 2024 5:11 PM | Anonymous member

    Properly cleaning healthcare facilities is extremely important. A healthcare facility is generally a place where people who are sick or have a health problem go to be treated and with that it is essential to properly clean the facility to avoid patients from getting sick. Viruses, bacteria’s and other pathogens are going to enter the facility and disinfecting/cleaning everything correctly can eliminate those pathogens. Healthcare associated infections can make a patient sicker that what they first went into the hospital.

    Hospitals are supposed to be one of the cleanest places but in the other hand it also contains a lot of germs from people who are going in sick. In a hospital there is always people who are touching everything from doorknobs to light switches and if this is not properly clean daily the germs and viruses can become a problem.  Proper training will help identify high traffic areas and with that proper cleaning/disinfecting techniques.

    Having a trained cleaning crew will be of great benefit it will give you a peace of mind knowing that your crew have the knowledge to clean efficiently a healthcare facility.  IJCSA is a great association that offers trainings and with that you can be certain that you get a great cleaning company. Check out https://www.ijcsa.org/Janitorial-Service-Directory-Find-A-Janitorial-Service-JanitorialServices to find a certified company.


  • 20 Mar 2024 1:02 PM | CarrieAnne Bailey

    I think we are all tired these days. Confused from the pandemic and beginning to try and navigate this life of pathogens, world crisis, politics and ever-growing crime. We all must adapt unfortunately, until the situation gets better. I won't add an alternative to that, because it must get better. In the end, most of us just want to live happy, healthy, clean, prosperous and in love with our homes, families and safety and one thing we learned from the pandemic is, cleanliness is essential, and I believe we have all made strides to do better and make the necessary changes that will behoove our lives and keep the germs and illnesses away as best as possible. 

    Janitorial work, especially in the commercial realm is not for the faint of heart, but just as teachers love to teach and doctors love to heal, cleaning is in the heart and soul of those that choose this profession. Making things livable, wiping the handprints, the germs, the pathogens away is a satisfaction achieved by those of us who do it out of love and respect for the space we all share, the lobbies, churches, doctor's offices or the homes of the busy that are making their strides and have chosen to delegate. Then there are those that have faced catastrophic losses, illness, depression and other avenues that have caused the cleaning part of their lives to take a backseat to actual living and luckily, a company, especially those in the directory of the IJCSA, that are just a phone call away to help. Companies that have taken the measures to be in a partnership that are like-minded and want nothing more than to help those that need help, and make spaces livable, clean, safe and geared towards green and environmentally friendly. Spaces that allow us to congregate that should and deserve to be clean and inviting. 

    I have worked in healthcare for many years and saw the downtrodden and overworked janitorial staff, doing their part to clean and do the best they can while others took that for granted. Patients remaining sick for things like a simple table wipe down and better instrument decontamination practices could have prevented. Some people love the smell of wildflowers or expensive perfume, and don't get me wrong I love and appreciate those things as well, but there is nothing like a germicide, or a good (albeit faint) bleach smell that gets me motivated. How satisfying it is to pressure wash the mold and make things new again. It makes me smile and look for my gloves just thinking about it. 

    Just know, when you hire a reputable company, such as the hard-working companies you will find that are IJCSA certified, you are hiring those that have made it their mission to work tirelessly in order to give you that same fuzzy feeling of love through disinfectants. 

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