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Summer is here... and so are fruit flies. The #1 way to fight them? Eliminate the organic buildup and odors that draw them in! ALCO Drain Cleaners:
 Independence Day Schedule Both the Akron & Canton ALCO locations will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Our normal business hours (8:00 to 4:30, Monday-Friday) will resume Monday, 7/7. Be sure to get your orders in on time to prepare for our holiday schedule as some delivery days may be different than normal. If you are unaware what day at noon to have your order in for delivery, contact our Customer Service at 1-800-589-2526 (Akron) or 1-800-437-5248 (Canton) and they will be glad to help! As a reminder, if you need assistance on a day we are closed, please call 330.253.3535 and leave a detailed message. ALCO Customer Favorite Product! ALCO Blast Off
Oven & Grill Cleaner
LET'S START - |
How is Microfiber Better Than Traditional Materials? |  |
- Highly efficient: Microfiber's thousands of cleaning surfaces remove 4x more dirt and bacteria than conventional cotton products
- Cotton blended or other synthetic yarns have basically one cleaning surface per fiber and tend to move dirt around instead of lifting it from the surface
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to look at your cleaning schedule and techniques to reevaluate your practices. If you want a cleaner, and consequentially healthier, 2020 then check out these 10 commercial cleaning tips and facts to help you reach your cleaning goals for the New Year.
1. Organize Your Storage Space
It all starts where your cleaning supplies are stored. A disorganized and dirty janitorial closet is the wrong way to start your New Year's Resolution. You'll want to properly throw out what you no longer need, make sure every cleaning chemical is labeled appropriately (it's required!), and organize your items by frequency of use. Supplies you use the most should be within hands reach.
Safety Data Sheets should all be in one place and your cleaning crew should know where that place is in case of an emergency. For more tips on organizing your janitorial closet, click here.
It all starts where your cleaning supplies are stored. A disorganized and dirty janitorial closet is the wrong way to start your New Year's Resolution. You'll want to properly throw out what you no longer need, make sure every cleaning chemical is labeled appropriately (it's required!), and organize your items by frequency of use. Supplies you use the most should be within hands reach.
Safety Data Sheets should all be in one place and your cleaning crew should know where that place is in case of an emergency. For more tips on organizing your janitorial closet, click here.
2. All-Purpose Cleaners Don't Do It All
The term "all-purpose" or "multi-purpose" can be misleading. Sure it can be used on just about any surface, but that doesn't mean it will do the job well. For instance if you're using an all-purpose cleaner to try and battle tough kitchen grease, you're going have a bad time simply because it will take you a lot longer.
All-purpose cleaners are great for general cleaning but we manufacturers put ingredients in kitchen degreasers that are made to tackle kitchen grease. It's crazy, we know! The same goes for window cleaners, bathroom cleaners, disinfectant cleaners... you get the idea.
The term "all-purpose" or "multi-purpose" can be misleading. Sure it can be used on just about any surface, but that doesn't mean it will do the job well. For instance if you're using an all-purpose cleaner to try and battle tough kitchen grease, you're going have a bad time simply because it will take you a lot longer.
All-purpose cleaners are great for general cleaning but we manufacturers put ingredients in kitchen degreasers that are made to tackle kitchen grease. It's crazy, we know! The same goes for window cleaners, bathroom cleaners, disinfectant cleaners... you get the idea.
Summer brings more foot traffic; people are getting out more due to the nice weather. This means more customers at your businesses and friends to your home! Where people gather, wear and tear on your carpet and even permanent discoloring from spills can become an issue. Here are the best practices to prevent and remove tough carpet stains, protecting your investment.
How Often Should You Be Vacuuming? Doesn’t Too Much Vacuuming Damage Your Carpet?
When it comes to wear and tear of your carpet, dirt will do more damage to carpet fibers than vacuuming regularly. Overworking your carpet by vacuuming is definitely possible, specifically when you’re doing it wrong.
The floor settings on your machine are important – most vacuums have a bare floor setting versus carpet, and many distinguish between low, medium and high carpet. These definitely matter as vacuum height settings can affect how well it cleans or the wears on your carpet. Too high and the vacuum can’t pick up the dirt, but too low and you could hurt your carpet. Additionally, it could damage your roller brush or drive belt if you frequently use the wrong setting. If your vacuum doesn’t have automatic height adjustment, and you’re not sure how high or low the setting should be, turn it on the highest setting and then gradually lower it until you can feel the vacuum tugging the carpet.
The floor settings on your machine are important – most vacuums have a bare floor setting versus carpet, and many distinguish between low, medium and high carpet. These definitely matter as vacuum height settings can affect how well it cleans or the wears on your carpet. Too high and the vacuum can’t pick up the dirt, but too low and you could hurt your carpet. Additionally, it could damage your roller brush or drive belt if you frequently use the wrong setting. If your vacuum doesn’t have automatic height adjustment, and you’re not sure how high or low the setting should be, turn it on the highest setting and then gradually lower it until you can feel the vacuum tugging the carpet.
We often talk about bacteria hot spots. These are places that harbor bacteria and the environment and conditions surrounding them cause bacteria to multiply quickly. A good example of a bacteria hot spot is a kitchen sponge that gets touched often with hands and comes into contact with various foods. Additionally the moisture makes it the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Other times hot spots are places that are touched frequently and often times by many people, but are rarely (if ever) cleaned. The reason your smart phone has more germs than an average toilet seat is because toilet seats are cleaned much more often. Office objects like phones, keyboards and pens are easily forgotten or not included in a cleaning routine. Objects in a communal space get overlooked most often because people aren’t sure whose responsibility it is to clean them. This leads to bacteria being spread most often through things we use every day.
Here are the germiest places in any office.
Other times hot spots are places that are touched frequently and often times by many people, but are rarely (if ever) cleaned. The reason your smart phone has more germs than an average toilet seat is because toilet seats are cleaned much more often. Office objects like phones, keyboards and pens are easily forgotten or not included in a cleaning routine. Objects in a communal space get overlooked most often because people aren’t sure whose responsibility it is to clean them. This leads to bacteria being spread most often through things we use every day.
Here are the germiest places in any office.
Desks – Workspace or Germspace?
Office Phone
On average, an office phone can harbor about 25,000 germs per square inch according to research done by the University of Arizona. It gets coated in bacteria from our mouth and hands, and should be wiped down daily with a sanitizing wipe.
On average, an office phone can harbor about 25,000 germs per square inch according to research done by the University of Arizona. It gets coated in bacteria from our mouth and hands, and should be wiped down daily with a sanitizing wipe.
What They Are, How They Spread & Prevention
| Other than knowing that we don’t want any of them, what is the difference between influenza (the flu), a common cold and the stomach flu? Knowledge is power! Today we’re talking about illnesses, how they spread and prevention. Let’s start with the flu... Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is “in-season” throughout winter and into spring. Though we think of it as common, it can get very serious. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US saw a record number of deaths associated with the flu in the 2017-18 flu season: an estimated 80,000 people. This number is based on death certificate reports of influenza or pneumonia. It's not something to take lightly when symptoms get severe. |  |
Slipping on ice usually isn't this cute. Ice Melt Protects Your Business as
Well as Your Patrons...
Do not make the potentially expensive mistake of skipping ice melt in winter months. We recognize the temptation to save money and/or time where you can. However in the long run, not taking care of your walkways could cost you a whole lot more than the price of ice melt. Slip and fall accidents are a huge liability concern.
Many states have legislation that requires businesses to take action to prevent slips and falls. For instance, Ohio business owners are required to remove as much ice and snow from their property as possible and to warn patrons of dangerous conditions that could cause injuries. Owners or possessors can be held liable for a slip and fall accident if they knew of the condition and neglected to correct it or if the condition existed for such a length of time that the owner/possessor should have discovered and corrected it prior to the slip and fall incident in question.
Some might not see the need to put down ice melt as long as the parking lots and sidewalks have been shoveled, but in cold temperatures there is typically a thin yet dangerous layer of ice. Additionally, people may only use ice melt when there has been a bad storm but even light dustings can create slick surfaces particularly if the snow melts and refreezes throughout the day.
In short, don't skip the ice melt. Now that we have that out of the way, here's some tips to using ice melt efficiently and effectively. Use these to come up with an ice melt policy or training guide for employees.
Well as Your Patrons...
Do not make the potentially expensive mistake of skipping ice melt in winter months. We recognize the temptation to save money and/or time where you can. However in the long run, not taking care of your walkways could cost you a whole lot more than the price of ice melt. Slip and fall accidents are a huge liability concern.
Many states have legislation that requires businesses to take action to prevent slips and falls. For instance, Ohio business owners are required to remove as much ice and snow from their property as possible and to warn patrons of dangerous conditions that could cause injuries. Owners or possessors can be held liable for a slip and fall accident if they knew of the condition and neglected to correct it or if the condition existed for such a length of time that the owner/possessor should have discovered and corrected it prior to the slip and fall incident in question.
Some might not see the need to put down ice melt as long as the parking lots and sidewalks have been shoveled, but in cold temperatures there is typically a thin yet dangerous layer of ice. Additionally, people may only use ice melt when there has been a bad storm but even light dustings can create slick surfaces particularly if the snow melts and refreezes throughout the day.
In short, don't skip the ice melt. Now that we have that out of the way, here's some tips to using ice melt efficiently and effectively. Use these to come up with an ice melt policy or training guide for employees.
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