RZJ Janitorial Services » cleaning

Great Book to help in Starting your Cleaning Business

RZJ Janitorial Services — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:17:19 +0000

I wanted to share one of the great books I studied to get my cleaning business started. Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Start Your Own ) was put out by Entrepreneur magazine. They are now on the 2nd addition of Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Start Your Own ). This is a great book that has some great tips to get started with minimum cash up front. Here are a few things the book covers:

Current statistics and trend forecasts that keep you ahead of the curve
The ins and outs of finding customers
New ideas for hiring and training employees
What equipment and supplies you’ll need (and where to find them)
How to use technology to make your business competitive
Up-to-date legal, tax and insurance requirements
How to avoid common pitfalls
Surefire tips for growing your business

The book only cost $11 bucks on Amazon. The information I got from the book is priceless.

Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Start Your Own )

Gimmicks vs. Creative Marketing Ideas for Your Cleaning Company

RZJ Janitorial Services — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:54:19 +0000

So sales are slow and you need to pull out all the stops to get new accounts. Marketing, marketing, marketing. You have a good “product.” You manage it well. Your clients are happy. Operationally, you seem to be doing well. The problem is sales are down. What to do? How are you going to set yourself apart from the competition? How about some innovative sales ideas? Those are always good, right? Well, whatever increases your sales is good for business, right? Well, not always. There is a fine line between an innovative marketing idea and a gimmick. Good marketing is a long-term effort to further your business’s goals. Gimmicks may provide a short-term gain, but are they worth it in the long run? Gimmicks have also turned into scams, certainly something you don’t want to be associated with.

What are some common gimmicks in the cleaning industry? Probably the most well-known is used by unscrupulous carpet-cleaning companies. Known as the “bait and switch,” they will offer the client the “bait” of a low cost for their service. Once they are hired, they try the “switch” of add-ons to increase their sale. The “gimmick” is tempting the customer with low cost to get the sale. Offering introductory offers, coupons, free cleanings, and specials are acceptable means to attract clients. But when you take advantage of a customer and try to get them to upgrade to something they did not initially agree to, then you enter the world of unethical behavior. You can, however, offer clients introductory offers with the intent of making up for any losses by generating future revenue through continued service. Establishing trust with your clients is an important part of building your business. Even one poorly planned campaign can destroy your credibility if you aren’t careful.

Another pitfall of using gimmicks is you may be perceived as not being a “serious” company, as many people do see gimmicks for what they are: a sales tool. Too many special offers, coupons, cutesy ads, or other “gimmicky” promotions may have the effect of making you seem desperate, not a true competitor in your field. Do you want that reputation? You may see short-term results, but your long-term goals are not being met.

Promotional items do have their place in a marketing plan, however. The reason you see so many personalized pens, caps, coffee, etc. is that they work. It is a proven fact that such promotional materials result in far better name recognition than print ads. Pens are a staple of such types of promotion because almost everyone uses them at work, but here you run into the problem of differentiating yourself, since so many companies give out pens. Keep in mind, too, that you can use promotional items for current clients as well. It is well-established that it is far easier to keep a client than get a new one! So are these gimmicks? Some may think so, but others call them good marketing tools.

Finding the balance between what is simply good marketing and excessive use of gimmicks can be a hard one to find. The gray area between the two is subjective, so there is no definitive answer to whether a “gimmick” will work for your cleaning company or not. Unethical use of gimmicks is not only short-sighted, but eventually counterproductive. You need to determine any costs involved with any marketing idea, and weigh them against their benefit and how they fit into your long-term goals. Gimmicks should not be used as a crutch to get by, but a tool in your marketing arsenal.

Copyright TheJanitorialStore.com. All Rights Reserved.
Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.thejanitorialstore.com

How to Choose the Right Microfiber Cloth for the Job

RZJ Janitorial Services — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:48:38 +0000

If you use microfiber cleaning cloths, then you’ve probably discovered that there are different grades of cloth available for different tasks. Most manufacturers will carry at least 3 different types of microfiber cloths. So how do you know which one to choose?

Two things will help you to determine which type of cloth to use: 1) the type of surface you’ll be cleaning, and 2) the type of soil you’ll be cleaning.

Heavy-duty microfiber cloths are used for heavy-duty cleaning to remove deep soil and oils. These cloths are great for construction cleaning and locations like automotive shops.
Medium grade microfibers are used for dusting and medium-duty tasks like wiping countertops and sinks.
Microfiber cloths that have a suede-like texure are used for glass, mirrors and bright-work. These cloths are usually much thinner than the heavy-duty or medium grade cloths but are more tightly woven.

How do you know you’re buying quality microfiber cloths?

Size. You should be able to fold the cloth in half, and then in half again. It should still be big enough to fit your entire hand.
Polyester piping around the edge of the cloth. This helps the cloth to withstand many washings.
Look for 80% polyester and 20% polyamide.
Run the cloth across your hand. Does it seem to “catch”? This is caused by the dense fibers and indicates quality microfiber.
Do a test. Take a small dab of hand lotion and smear it on a mirror. Then wipe with your cloth to see how many passes it takes to remove the lotion. A good quality microfiber cloth will remove the lotion in only one or two passes.

These aren’t scientific ways to choose microfiber cloths or test for quality, but “seeing is believing”, and once you’ve used a quality microfiber cloth and use the right cloth for the job, you’ll immediately see the difference.

Do’s and Dont’s of Caring for Microfiber Cloths

RZJ Janitorial Services — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:48:37 +0000

David Holly, co-author of Green Cleaning for Dummies and founder of Green Cleaning University offered this advice on the topic of laundering microfiber cloths:

“You really have no worry about machine washing in hot water – the typical hot water temperature of a home or commercial machine is below the temperature that can harm the fibers of a well made micro fiber cloth.

The two products to avoid are bleach and fabric softener. Bleach WILL damage the fibers. Fabric softener eliminates “static cling” or electrostatic energy – this is a critical part of what makes a micro fiber work. However, if you accidentally use some fabric softener – don’t panic – just rewash the cloth(s) and you’ll be fine. There is no permanent damage from this.

When washing, use a VERY SMALL amount of detergent. Micro fibers release the soil when washed very easily. Overuse of detergent is at best wasteful and at worst will load the cloth with detergent that remains after drying. A good starting point is 1/2 the amount you would normally use for a comparable size load. As with many chemicals in our business – more is NOT better.

A single cycle is fine for cleaning the cloths. There is no additional benefit from washing for more than one cycle – just wasting water and energy. The nature of the fibers helps prevent mold, mildew or other “nasties” from growing. By the same token, drying is not necessary either. They will air dry very quickly and will not mildew as they dry. If you choose to machine dry – this is where temperature IS an issue. Use a LOW setting. Dryer temps are MUCH higher than wash temps.

Do NOT dry any other cloths, rags, towels or other clothing with your micro fibers if you choose to machine dry them. They will pull all of the lint off these other materials and become so loaded that they may be worthless in the future.”

How to Increase Cleaning Productivity by Developing Routines

RZJ Janitorial Services — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:56:54 +0000

Whether you’re providing cleaning services to residential homes or commercial facilities, the amount of profit you’ll make is directly related to how quickly and efficiently you or your employees can clean. The less productive you are, the lower the profits.

Since every location is different, you’ll want to establish a routine for yourself or your employees so the same path is followed each visit. Generally, you’ll work in circular patterns, either clockwise or counter-clockwise.

If possible, carry as much as you can with you so there’s no need to run back and forth to pick up and drop off equipment or supplies. You should be able to carry spray bottles of all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner, as well as microfiber cloths. To keep things together, buy a portable caddy, which you can carry with you. If working in an office, use a brute (trash can on wheels), and attach an apron or caddy that can carry your supplies. This will enable you to collect trash, dust, clean the breakrooms and restrooms without having to go back to collect different cleaning supplies.

Avoid backtracking and moving about the home or office erratically. This wastes precious time, and increases the chance that one or more tasks will be missed. When each home or office is given a specific route, it’s much easier to get into a flow or rhythm each time it’s cleaned.

When deciding on a routine, think logically. In homes, you may start with the back bedrooms and move forward to the entryway, leaving kitchens and bathrooms for last. For offices, you’ll usually work your way around the office removing trash, dusting, and spot cleaning. Then you’ll clean break rooms, coffee centers and rest rooms, leaving the floors for last.

When routines are established early, you take the guesswork out of cleaning, which means a bigger bottom line for your cleaning business!

How to Use Ladders Safely in Your Cleaning Business

RZJ Janitorial Services — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:56:39 +0000

When you’re in the cleaning business, chances are your employees will need to use ladders for some of their cleaning tasks. Whether it’s to wash windows or to dust a hard-to-reach ledge, training your employees to use ladders safely is very important if you don’t want them to fall. The following are tips for using ladders safely:

Use a ladder that is the appropriate size for the task at hand.
Use ladders that are in good condition. Check rungs to make sure they are secure and check your shoes for grease and grime, and clean if necessary.
Never use a metal ladder when working with electrical fixtures.
Stepladders should be opened fully with spreaders locked in place. Never use a stepladder as a straight ladder.
Use both hands when climbing a ladder. Keep your weight centered between the rails and do not overreach on either side.
Carry tools and window washing equipment on a tool belt.
When working at heights exceeding 6 feet, have a second person hold and steady the ladder. Ladders should not be stored where they present a tripping hazard, nor where they can fall on people.
Ladder angle – one foot out for each four feet of ladder working length.
Always use a ladder or footstool on a flat, stable floor.
Never stand on chairs, desks, boxes, books or other objects to reach up high.
Never lean or reach to one side of the ladder. Instead, get down and move the ladder.
Use caution cones when working in areas where there are a lot of people.

What is the Difference Between Class A, Class B, and Class C Office Buildings?

RZJ Janitorial Services — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:05:35 +0000

If you clean commercial office buildings, you should know the difference between Class A, Class B, and Class C buildings. Why? Because when you bid on office buildings, you’ll most likely charge more per square foot for a Class A office than you will for a Class C office.

Property managers and owners of Class A office buildings usually have very high standards of cleanliness. They may also have specialized cleaning needs. Because of this you’ll be able to charge more for cleaning services.

Class A buildings have high-end finishes such as hard wood moldings like maple and cherry; 6 panel doors; countertops and flooring made from corian or natural stone such as granite and marble; sinks and faucets that are corian, china, and gold. Class A buildings will have high quality carpet or carpet tile, windows and doors. The building exterior will have an upscale design and look, and you’ll see more angles and architectural details. You’ll also see natural stone, granite, stamped concrete, fountains, high-end lighting and landscaping.

Class B buildings may have some of the same surfaces as a Class A office building, but a lesser grade. You will see a mix of hard woods, wood flat panel doors, formica countertops, ceramic tile, porcelain sinks and toilets. Design and look are not at the level of the Class A building. Medium grade carpet or carpet tile. You’ll see fewer angles and architectural details on the buildings.

Class C buildings will use lower cost materials, formica countertops, vct or sheet vinyl floors, vinyl baseboards, and lower grade carpet. The design will be basic with the use of lower grade windows and doors. You’ll also see very few angles and architectural details on Class C buildings. Steel buildings would also fit into this category.

6 Keys to More Effective Cleaning

RZJ Janitorial Services — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:20:44 +0000

Sometimes custodial workers are in such a hurry to get the job done that they’re not cleaning properly, or they’re working too hard to get things cleaned. That’s because they’re not letting the tools and chemicals they’re using do most of the work. Below are 6 keys to cleaning more effectively, without wasting more time or energy in the process.

Taking advantage of time. Many cleaning chemicals need time to work, so if you just spray and wipe, the area may not be properly cleaned or disinfected. Read the directions on the label to see if the chemical needs dwell time in order to kill germs or loosen soil so you can more easily remove it from the surfact you’re cleaning.
Using the wrong chemical for the job. If you have greasy build-up on a stovetop, using an all-purpose cleaner may be the wrong choice because you’ll have to work much harder to get it clean. Choosing a degreaser or citrus cleaner that can break through the grease is a much better solution.
Agitation. Sometimes just spraying and wiping won’t get the job done properly. You may need a little more “elbow grease”, or you may need better equipment to clean more effectively. If you have a ceramic tile floor with dirty grout, you’d be better off using a slow speed floor machine with a good cleaning chemical and a nylo-grit brush in order to agitate the soil so it can be more easily removed. This is much more effective than trying to do it by hand with a grout brush.
Temperature. Some cleaning chemicals work best with hot water, and some work best in cool water. Be sure to read the directions to find out what water temperature you should be using when diluting the cleaning chemical.
Ventilation. When cleaning floors or carpets, ventilation is important to make sure the surfaces dry quickly. If floor surfaces are allowed to stay damp, you could be creating additional problems like growth of mold and mildew.
Soil removal. Some cleaning tools like feather dusters don’t remove soil, they just spread it around. Likewise, using vacuum cleaners without sealed bags or Hepa filters can spread soil that was just vacuumed up out into the air again. So removing soil is key to cleaning more effectively.

Think about the tools and procedures you use to clean. Is there equipment that you can use to make the job easier and more efficient? Are you using the cleaning chemicals according to the directions on the label? If not, consider the above tips and start cleaning more effectively.

How to Mop Floors

RZJ Janitorial Services — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:27:53 +0000

Mopping floors seems like one of those things everyone knows how to do, but few people actually know the right way to do it. If you’re not using the right technique, you’re causing a lot more work for yourself and are probably taking a chance with your own safety as well. Following are the steps to proper mopping:

Mop heads come in different sizes. Choose a weight that works for your body size. If you choose one that is too heavy, you’ll likely put too much stress on your back and it might be more difficult to move quickly and efficiently.
Fill your mop bucket with 4 gallons of cool water. Add your cleaning solution according to manufacturer’s directions. Always use a neutral pH floor cleaner to keep from damaging any finish on the floor.
Before you start mopping a floor, make sure you sweep or vaccum it first. If you don’t remove the loose soil, you’ll simply push it all around the floor, making more of a mess. Use a putty knife to remove gum, stickers or other items stuck to the floor.
Put out wet floor signs near entrances to the area you’ll be mopping.
Start at the farthest corner of the room and work your way backwards toward the door. Keep the mop bucket on the section of floor that has not been mopped yet in an area where it won’t be tripped over.
Start by mopping along the baseboards to keep from slopping your cleaning solution up onto the wall or baseboard. Then fill in the open areas.
Never push the mop forward and backward. Instead, move it from side to side in a figure eight motion, overlapping each stroke as you move back and forth. Keep your back straight as you mop – do not twist your spine, as it puts stress on the back. Use your arm muscles to move the mop back and forth – do not use your back muscles.
As one side of the mop gets soiled, turn it over to use the other side.
Rinse the mop in clean water and wring it out. Try to wring out as much liquid as possible, but do not force the wringer and do not twist the mop head as it will break the fibers.
Change water as necessary.
When the floor is dry, pick up the wet floor signs. Rinse out the mop head, mop bucket and sink. Store the mop properly – hang it so it can air dry.

Preparation Tips for Stripping and Waxing Floors – Cleaning Tip#4

RZJ Janitorial Services — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:19:09 +0000

Stripping and waxing floors is a service that many cleaning companies provide, but not all are doing it productively and safely so as to maximize profit on the job.

If you want to provide floor care services, you need to make sure your employees are following the procedures YOU set for them. Below are preparation tips for stripping and waxing floors:

Start with a standard equipment checklist. All your stripping and waxing tools and equipment should be kept separate from other cleaning equipment. We suggest keeping tools and chemicals in a heavy duty tote. Keep a laminated checklist of required equipment in the tote so you or your employees can go through the list when preparing for a job to make sure nothing is missing. There is nothing more frustrating than getting to the job site only to find that your putty knife or some other important piece of equipment is missing!
Measure all chemicals according to manufacturer’s instructions. Read the label to make sure chemicals are being diluted properly. Employees who don’t follow directions and use the “glug-glug” method of measuring are taking risks with the floor they’re working on and they’re also taking risks with their own safety.
After mixing chemicals, take all equipment and tools to the area being stripped and waxed. Running back and forth is a waste of time and productivity so make sure everything you need is close at hand.
Set up temporary barriers. Use yellow tape or rope to block the area. Floors that are being stripped and waxed are slippery so keeping the area blocked off helps to prevent slip/fall accidents.
Wear safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, knee pads and rubber shoe covers.
After the floor has been stripped and you’ve applied the first coat of finish, you have time between coats to work on cleaning up the equipment. Make sure you train your employees to remain productive while waiting for finish to dry. Each piece of equipment can be cleaned, dried and loaded back into the vehicle.

Part of the reason cleaning companies lose money on stripping and waxing is due to lack of training and lack of productivity. The more time wasted on a job, the more money you lose. By putting systems into place for stripping and waxing floor jobs, you’ll maximize your profit.

Copyright © TheJanitorialStore.com. All Rights Reserved.
Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com.