Innovative Cleaning

This article was originally published on the Cleaning Hygiene Today. 

 

Cleaning a food manufacturing facility may, at the outset, sound like a fairly straightforward process. Cleaning is, after all, a science.

However in planning a cleaning program, care must be taken to properly match particular machinery or types of soil with the correct cleaning methodology and materials, as this can have a significant impact on the quality, speed, and cost of cleaning. Additionally, and often overlooked, the delivery of cleaning must be managed effectively. With the needs of all factories being fluid, changing seasonally or even week-by-week, it’s clear that there is also more than a little art in the science of cleaning.

As the traditional approach to cleaning, the sequential method seems intuitive and follows a simple workflow pattern: Remove debris, rinse surfaces, apply detergent, rinse again and finish with sanitiser. This method seems to be the most logical way of cleaning, everything being done a stage at a time by a group of cleaners all working together, making it easy to supervise and monitor how the clean is progressing. The sequential format is often referred to as ‘legacy cleaning’ – procedures that have always been carried out in the same way as they are seen to work effectively. Is this a case of ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it’ – or is there a more efficient solution?

When cleaning in a convoy, as in the sequential method, a team can only work as fast as the slowest member. In addition, a rigid and highly structured approach such as this can mean a team lacks the flexibility required to respond to short-term needs or crises. Finally, there may be an unintended consequence – it is very easy to find a sequential team cleaning an area of piece of equipment that does not need cleaning, simply because it is on the schedule.

The traditional approach does have many strengths and is indeed the most appropriate option in specific cases; for example when a factory or process shuts down sequentially and each processing area becomes available for cleaning as the product moves through the system. However with extended or continuous production, it is necessary to combine elements of legacy cleaning with a more flexible approach that balances food safety with economy – equipment must be cleaned when necessary, and not before.

Read the full article here to learn more about cluster cleaning and event cleaning. 

As the traditional approach to cleaning, the sequential method seems intuitive and follows a simple workflow pattern: Remove debris, rinse surfaces, apply detergent, rinse again and finish with sanitiser. This method seems to be the most logical way of cleaning, everything being done a stage at a time by a group of cleaners all working together, making it easy to supervise and monitor how the clean is progressing. The sequential format is often referred to as ‘legacy cleaning’ – procedures that have always been carried out in the same way as they are seen to work effectively. Is this a case of ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it’ – or is there a more efficient solution?
When cleaning in a convoy, as in the sequential method, a team can only work as fast as the slowest member. In addition, a rigid and highly structured approach such as this can mean a team lacks the flexibility required to respond to short-term needs or crises. Finally, there may be an unintended consequence – it is very easy to find a sequential team cleaning an area of piece of equipment that does not need cleaning, simply because it is on the schedule.
The traditional approach does have many strengths and is indeed the most appropriate option in specific cases; for example when a factory or process shuts down sequentially and each processing area becomes available for cleaning as the product moves through the system. However with extended or continuous production, it is necessary to combine elements of legacy cleaning with a more flexible approach that balances food safety with economy – equipment must be cleaned when necessary, and not before.
- See more at: http://www.chtdata.com/2013/07/24/the-art-of-innovative-cleaning/#sthash.nIr90cit.dpuf

 

Cleaning a food manufacturing facility may, at the outset, sound like a fairly straightforward process. Cleaning is, after all, a science.
However in planning a cleaning programme, care must be taken to properly match particular machinery or types of soil with the correct cleaning methodology and materials, as this can have a significant impact on the quality, speed, and cost of cleaning. Additionally, and often overlooked, the delivery of cleaning must be managed effectively. With the needs of all factories being fluid, changing seasonally or even week-by-week, it’s clear that there is also more than a little art in the science of cleaning.
- See more at: http://www.chtdata.com/2013/07/24/the-art-of-innovative-cleaning/#sthash.nIr90cit.dpuf

Cleaning a food manufacturing facility may, at the outset, sound like a fairly straightforward process. Cleaning is, after all, a science.
However in planning a cleaning programme, care must be taken to properly match particular machinery or types of soil with the correct cleaning methodology and materials, as this can have a significant impact on the quality, speed, and cost of cleaning. Additionally, and often overlooked, the delivery of cleaning must be managed effectively. With the needs of all factories being fluid, changing seasonally or even week-by-week, it’s clear that there is also more than a little art in the science of cleaning.
- See more at: http://www.chtdata.com/2013/07/24/the-art-of-innovative-cleaning/#sthash.nIr90cit.dpuf

Is Your Cleaning Method Really 'Green'?

This article was originally published on the Cleaning & Maintenance Management. 

'Green' cleaning is a prominent trend in the cleaning industry. In fact, according to Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group who is considered the leading advocate for green cleaning in the professional cleaning industry, most facilities, probably more than 80 percent, are selecting green cleaning tools and equipment and incorporating green cleaning strategies.

That being said, there are many green cleaning methods out there, but which ones are truly considered to be 'green'?

A few green cleaning myths are included below. To read about all of them, read the full article. 

Myth: All green products perform alike.

Fact: Green cleaning products are not all the same. Like other cleaning products, some perform better than others, some work better on certain surfaces than others and so on. It is best to try the products first and compare them with others before making a final selection.

Myth: All green certifications are the same.

Fact: While many of the certification organizations use similar standards and criteria, they are not all the same and some products certified by one organization may not earn certification with another. It is best to select a certification organization that is well-known and widely respected, and then look for the products they have certified.

Myth: Cleaning with green products usually takes more time.

Fact: While this may have been true years ago, this is not true today. However, cleaning professionals are advised to try different green products, just as they would conventional cleaning chemicals, and select those that perform most effectively for them.

ec-H20 Claims Still Being Challenged

According to a recent article published by the Pioneer Press at Twincities.com, Tennant Co.’s ecH20, also known as “electrified water”, has received heavy criticism from the company’s competitors. In fact, competitors in Europe, including Alfred Karcher & Co. and Nilfisk-Advance, have taken their argument against the technology to the court, with legal or regulatory decisions against Tennant in three countries and a fourth set for the future.

However, even with the controversy in full swing, Tennant stands by its technology and plans to appeal any court decisions. The controversy started in 2008 when Tennant first introduced ec-H20 and claimed that the water is electrically charged by equipment inside the scrubber. Through this electric activation, Tennant claims the water is converted into an environmentally clean cleaning agent, which enables the water to act like a detergent.

These claims caused suspicion among competitors who said that Tennant’s advertisements about its ec-H20 technology were “misleading.” To date, the company’s technology has been challenged several times, including by a regional court in Germany, the British Advertising Standards Authority and the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the U.S.

The Germany court found several of Tennant's advertisements about its ec-H2O technology "misleading." That included claims that the ec-H2O process "activates water to perform like a powerful detergent," and that it "makes its own powerful cleaner." This decision required Tennant to change its advertising. The BBB’s advertising division and the British authority both found Tennant’s claims to be inadequately supported by the evidence in comparative tests and recommended that the claims be discontinued. However, as these are self-regulating agencies, these decisions are nonbinding.

Tennant’s competitors are not giving up so easily though, and now a Belgium court will challenge the claims.

To learn more about the rulings and ec-H20 claims, read the full article here.

How to Brighten Dull and Stained VCT Tile

Brightening stained tiles is usually accomplished through use of specific chemicals. For example, there are special spray buff products designed to be used with floor machines that can help bring back shine or remove stains from VCT tile. In addition to the chemical angle you can also use autoscrubbers that can remove embedded dirt and discoloration by removing the top layers of finish from your floor.

Typically the dullness and staining is embedded only in the top layers so by removing these dirty layers of finish you can apply a two to three new coats and return your floor to a much better appearance. In cases where the stain has penetrated deep in to the floor finish a chemical strip out may be required.

Best Practices for Removing Stains

This article was originally published on the CRI Blog. 

There are many ways to go about removing carpet stains; some people turn to sprays and treatments, while others turn to floor equipment. However, there are lot of rumored "dos and don'ts" in the carpet stain world.

Recently, Best Pick Reports wrote and article to dispel these myths and provide some great advice for stain removal and carpet maintenance.

Conventional Wisdom #1: Scrubbing Stains

The tendency is to think that vigorous agitation is the best way to attack any stain, but scrubbing is very bad for carpets. Rubbing at the stain will often cause it to embed even more deeply in the carpet fibers. When the carpet’s texture is roughed up by scrubbing or by using a stiff brush on it, McPherson points out, the fibers in that area will never return to normal.

Best Practice #1: Blotting Stains

By blotting instead of scrubbing, you are using the wicking action of liquid to gently pull the stain out. Blot with a towel to remove the stain and the carpet fibers will maintain their form.

Conventional Wisdom #2: Cleaning Solutions

There’s a world of home carpet cleaning products on the market, but their value as a permanent solution to carpet stain woes is questionable. Most of the common products we buy for cleaning purposes are simply too alkaline. That’s often the reason that carpets seem to resoil in exactly the same spots that were cleaned.

Best Practice #2: Plain Water

Surprisingly, water by itself is highly recommended as a tool for fighting both stains and the residue resulting from consumer carpet cleaning solutions. Additionally, rinsing with plain water after using a carpet cleaner will neutralize the alkaline residue and prevent resoiling. Just be sure to avoid overwetting the carpet, and dry the area thoroughly.

Conventional Wisdom #3: No Shoes on the Carpet

We all know those people who are fanatical about having shoes removed when anyone enters the house. However, dry soil, like that tracked in from outdoors, creates abrasion. When it’s constantly ground into the carpet by walking back and forth, it wears on the fibers and can leave the carpet more vulnerable to staining after a short time. 

Best Practice #3: No Bare Feet, Either!

While it might seem that taking shoes out of the equation is the way to go, having bare feet in regular contact with the carpet poses its own problem. Oil-based soils are the most difficult to get out of carpet. For walking around at home, McPherson suggests clean white socks as the best foot covering.