Cleaning for Health BEST PRACTICES “Cleaning to protect health without harming the environment.”

Indoor Air Quality  We spend 90% of our time indoors  Indoor air can be 2-5 times as bad as outdoor air  Tight buildings plus air conditioning  20% of the nations population spend their day in school buildings

Asthma  Asthma is the leading chronic cause of absenteeism in schools.  160% increase for children under 5  4.8 million children are affected  14 million missed school days

This Was Then  The mop was brought into a building from the roofers in the mid 1850’s.  About 80% of the material seen floating in a sunbeam is actually skin flakes.  The first mop bucket made its appearance in the 1890’s.

This is Now  Over the last several years the concept of “green cleaning” has been gaining momentum in the marketplace. However, without a standard definition of the term there is a growing misinterpretation or even abuse by marketing hype. Buyers are generally on their own to deduce its meaning and significance. As a result, many assume that green cleaning is solely an issue of chemistry

Greening your Cleaning  Reduce water consumption  Reduce accidents related to chemicals  Improve indoor air quality for students and faculty  Increase security of facility  Increase life of fixtures  Increase employee job performance

Current Zone Cleaning  Each employee is given a square footage of the total area to clean.  That employee is required to maintain all aspects of that given area and must be trained in all those areas of cleaning.  This requires a great amount of equipment and other resources.  This makes the tasks completed, less consistent.

Goals and Objectives of Green Cleaning  Fewer Mistakes  Less Training Time  Reduced Inventory  Smoother Work Flow  Higher Employee Satisfaction  Greater Productivity

Fewer Mistakes  Lessen the risk of using the wrong chemical or mixing chemicals which could cause physical injury or costly damage.

Less Training Time  Workers don’t have to be trained on as many different products, MSDS requirements and procedures.

Reduced Inventory  Fewer under-utilized chemicals and equipment typing up space and capital as well as creating a potential for accidents.

Smoother Work Flow  Fewer “interruptions” caused by having to retrieve specialized chemicals or wasted trips to and from the custodial closets.

Higher Employee Satisfaction  Simplification reduces workers’ confusion and stress, resulting in better morale, lower turnover and a safer situation.

Greater Productivity  More time spent doing the actual job, rather than training, deciding on which product or equipment to use, product handling, etc.

What is Specialist cleaning?  One specific task is assigned to each employee for the entire facility.  Enables employees to become more proficient in a specific task leading to improved productivity.  It uses resources more efficiently and enhances team ownership and individual accountability.  This makes the tasks less complicated, more consistent.

Items to Aid in Greening Your Cleaning Programs  Chemicals  Equipment  Microfiber  Mats  Ergonomics

Chemicals-Then Acid Bowl Cleaners Chalkboard Cleaners Butyl Multipurpose Cleaners Glass Cleaners Disinfectant Sprays Enzyme Cleaners

Chemical Damage  Acidic and butyl chemicals have damaged fixtures in our facilities over the years.  Sinks, water fountains, faucets, and gaskets in our plumbing.  Vinyl flooring and carpets.  Laminate on cabinets, tables, and countertops.

Tabletop damage from chemicals Faucet damage from chemicals Floor damage from chemicals Fixture damage from chemicals

Chemicals now 1 product for 85% of cleaning 1 product for carpet 1 product for minerals and soap

Replace cotton dust mops and cloths with microfiber cloths and mops.

Use the Most Modern Equipment  Modern, high-performance equipment is and important component of environmentally preferable cleaning because these tools are designed to prevent dirt and soil from contaminating surfaces, thus reducing the amount of chemicals needed.

Place 15 to 20 feet of multi-level scraper mats on the outside and inside of entryways to minimize dirt tracked in.

Use Ergonomic equipment whenever possible to reduce stress on workers arms, hands and back.

The High Value of Training  Most custodians are self-taught. Important procedures, such as restroom cleaning, often are left to custodians to figure out. That’s why it’s unusual for any two custodians to perform the same task in the same way and in the same amount of time. Too many schools have either never considered investing in custodial training or view it as a waste of money. As a result, most custodians never are exposed to the benefits of new methodologies.

 Custodians learn from each other.  School cleaning has different concerns than home cleaning.  Mixing of chemicals such as bleach and ammonia are deadly.  Best practices mean more productivity.

Involvement From the Top  School administrators and business managers can help set the tone to overcome an institution’s natural resistance to change. Considering the potential effect on the learning environment and public perception, it is well worth the effort.

Think About What we Know  The mop & bucket are two of the oldest tools still used today in the custodial profession…Isn’t it time to update from the 19 th century?  An average adult person my shed up to 1.5 grams of skin a day, enough to feed 1 million dust mites…Isn’t it time to focus more on our procedures to remove dust and soil instead of how shinny the floor is?

Greening Your Cleaning  Not just environmentally responsible chemicals, paper and supplies.  Not just modern equipment.  Not just better communication.  Not just more training and new procedures.  Not just involvement by administration.

LEED-EB  Leadership in  Energy &  Environmental  Design for  Existing  Buildings

What is LEED-EB Certification?  LEED-EB is a rating system for the sustainable operation and upgrades of existing building. LEED-EB improves building operation and performance while reducing overall operating costs, and provides a structure for maintaining performance over the long term.

Choosing the Best Practices  There are many methodologies directed toward the maintenance of your facilities.  Choose the program that uses the best practices available to your school.  LEED-EB encompasses not only the custodial programs, but others within the building and district.

Example of Modern Methodology

Green Cleaning IS  A systematic approach to standardize the use of “green” products, supplies and equipment in conjunction with those practices that best utilize the modern technology available. Through joint awareness from both custodial staff and administration, as to the schools goals, will the results be apparent by the students, staff, families and visitors of our facilities.

Cleaning for Health: Best Practices We should maintain a clean, healthy campus through improved systems and communication while reducing potential negative impact on cleaning staff and occupants.