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.

1. 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.
   
   

2. 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.
   
   

3. 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.
   
   

4. 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.
   
   

5. 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.
   
   

6. 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.

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