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Cleaning And Disinfecting With Water
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网曝门 Services Does Financial Institution Cleaning In Belmont, NY 14813The final part of this three-part article examines the obstacles of cleaning with activated water.After ABM began documenting positive results from the on-site generators at its test facilities, France says the company began placing the machines in various buildings across the country, sticking mostly to facilities with 500,000 square feet or more. At more than 1 million square feet, the company typically invests in a second machine, says France.听鈥淭hese machines cost money, and so we have to be able to make sure that all of this comes together from a cost-effective perspective,鈥� he says. 鈥淔or us, having the innovation on site and not having to worry about the storage of chemicals, or having a truck delivering it, it鈥檚 very cost-effective in the right situation.鈥滸etting clients and janitors to wrap their heads around the cleaning technology, however, presented a bit of a challenge 鈥� especially with two visually indistinguishable, clear solutions.听鈥淥ur clients were like, 鈥榃hat is this?鈥欌�� says France. 鈥淧eople got used to using a blue color liquid or purple, and pink means 鈥榗leaning the toilet bowl.鈥� They have this 鈥業鈥檓 cleaning with water鈥� thought process. Anytime we have something radically different introduced to our world, you鈥檙e going to have that. So, there is still a challenge.鈥澨鼳s with any new technology or product, education is key, says France. ABM janitors receive comprehensive training on how to use the generator and are also informed as to which solution is appropriate for each cleaning task.听Once janitors are used to cleaning with the OSG solutions, training is simpler, because there are fewer products to learn and use in the program.听As for convincing clients, France says he points to third-party resources to back up the machine鈥檚 claims and lets the results speak for themselves.听鈥淸The manufacturer] did ESTM soil removal testing, but we鈥檙e more of a final test,鈥� says France. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 lose a contract based on theory.鈥澨鼳ccording to the manufacturer, the oS3 is Green Seal GS-37 certified as an environmentally responsible multisurface cleaning product; NFSI (National Floor Safety Institute) certified for slip resistance; certified by the NSF International as acceptable for use as a general floor and wall cleaner in and around food processing areas; and is certified by other third-party seals.听The technology also received a stamp of approval from the听听(USGBC), says France.听鈥淲e started out with clients who like to be on the forefront, on the cutting edge,鈥� says France. 鈥淲e also had clients who are very concerned from a safety and environmental side.鈥澨鼺rance says building service contractors and facility management companies should be upfront about an on-site generator鈥檚 cleaning capabilities and effectiveness to eliminate any confusion or misrepresentation.听鈥淐lients always want to know how many pounds of toxic chemical we鈥檙e taking out. That鈥檚 not the way it works,鈥� says France. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not like just eight years ago we were killing people (with cleaning chemicals) 鈥� chemistry has come a long way.鈥漌hat OSG technology does do is reduce risk of chemical exposure. For example, both solutions are dye and fragrance free, and the multipurpose solution is completely odorless (the sodium hydroxide has a slightly chlorinated scent often associated with the idea of 鈥渃lean.鈥�). And since there are fewer refills and less packaging waste, it鈥檚 helping the environment, too.听听ABM found combining the solution鈥檚 cleaning power with reusable microfiber cloths to be the most effective strategy for cleaning surfaces in restrooms, classrooms, lobby areas and floors. Because the solutions are free of synthetic substances, they don鈥檛 leave behind sticky surfactants, chemical residues or dyes, leaving surfaces cleaner for longer.听Although the solutions dispensed from on-site generators have largely replaced ABM鈥檚 roster of general cleaning chemicals in many of its facilities, they won鈥檛 eliminate the facility management company鈥檚 need for chemicals entirely, says France.听鈥淭his will never replace the waxes, heavy-duty carpet cleaning (chemicals) or chemicals used during an outbreak,鈥� says France. 鈥淏ut OSG brought us to a whole new level that isn鈥檛 taxing on the environment. This is evolution, this is the next step.鈥澨�Stephanie S. Beecher is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee. She is a former Assistant Editor of听Contracting Profits.
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