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Go Green Company Environmentally Friendly Business Cleaning Services Hamilton Universal Cleaners Inc

5 Reasons Why You Should Stop Using Toxic Cleaning Chemicals

We are dedicated to being part of the environmental solution, not the problem. For that reason, we have chosen to use Green Seal products to ensure our business doesn’t add any unnecessary toxins into your space or our atmosphere. If this sounds like something you’re considering for your business, we have five reasons that might convince you.

We are advocates of green, non-toxic cleaning products. Learn more here.

Your Lungs

If the bottle reads “use in a well-ventilated area” you just know it’s full of harmful chemicals. Studies have shown that using a household cleaning spray can increase the risk of asthma and exacerbate allergies. If you clean to remove the triggers found in your home such as mold, pet dander, and dust mites you may be doing more damage with the caustic cleaners they spray indoors.

The added scent to cover up the chemical smell is typically made of additional chemicals. Those particles do not instantly dissipate when you have finished cleaning the bathroom. They will hang in the air, penetrating the lungs of anyone who uses the bathroom over the next hours, or even days. A better choice: use natural products like tea tree oil, lavender, or essential oils to add fragrance to your cleaners.

Your Skin

As you clean, your skin absorbs the chemical in the cleaners you use. If you’re using cleaners that contain a large amount of chlorine or bleach, that could be an issue for you. Many cleaning products include hypochlorites, a caustic soda that causes the skin to burn after only a few minutes of exposure.

You may notice how dry your hands are after a day of cleaning. It seems that no amount of lotion can quench the dryness. This is because your cleaning products have leeched all your natural oils out of your hands. Alternatively, you may notice a rash, itching, or red bumps on your wrists, arms or hands. This is a reaction from your body indicating that the chemicals in your cleaners are irritants.

Your Eyes

Your eyes are delicate organs, vital to your life. When you use harmful chemicals in your cleaning you run the risk of splashing, spraying, and sprinkling them into your eyes, causing permanent damage. Your eyes are only protected by a thin mucous membrane and these toxic chemicals can be very dangerous.

Even when you are finished cleaning your home, you leave a small amount of residue on the surfaces you cleaned. Particularly in the bathroom, bleach and abrasive chemicals can be left behind to be splashed in the eyes when water is turned on.

Immediately following chemical contact with the eyes: Flush your eyes with cool water for 15 minutes. Your eyes may feel better right away, but it’s important to continue rinsing for the full 15 minutes to make sure the majority of the chemical is washed away. Once you have flushed your eyes out, immediately head to your nearest emergency clinic.

Our Environment

Cleaning products packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonia are dangerous to our earth. You may think that the damage is isolated to your home, but the effects of chemical cleaners go far deeper than that. They exit your home through your drains and pipes, into the sewers. Water treatment plants do what they can to strip harmful pollutants out of the water but those three remain as this tainted water heads to our natural waterways.

These residual chemicals now invade our lakes and rivers, affecting fish, ducks, and bugs native to those landscapes. These animals are eaten by the larger animals like mountain lions and wolves who live around the water source. It grows into the plants, which are eaten by the herbivorous deer and birds. Soon our entire ecosystem is living with the effects of your household chemicals.

Switch to Green Cleaning

The only benefit to cleaning with abrasive and toxic chemicals found in household cleaners is that they strip your surfaces more aggressively, meaning less intense scrubbing for you. However, they end result of non-toxic cleaners is the same, even if it took a little more work to get there.

We know the importance of your health, and our environment. That’s why we’ve chosen to use Green Seal certified products. It takes a little more elbow grease but the overall impact of choosing non-toxic cleaners is something we can be proud of.

If you’re running a business, you have too much on your plate to stop for office cleaning. Universal Cleaners Inc. is there to WOW your employees and your clients EVERY clean, EVERY time! Call us today to book a consultation – 905-745-7990

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Office Celaning Technology Germs Flu Season Universal Cleaners Inc Hamilton

How Quickly do Germs Grow on your Office Technology?

The use of computers, smartphones, tablets and all sorts of technology and electronic devices have become ingrained in our daily lives.  The portability, convenience and necessity of many devices means we are using them almost everywhere and in any situation.

Therefore, it should be no surprise that it does not take long for any of these gadgets to become contaminated with tiny bugs and germs.  In fact, every screen, keyboard, mouse or remote control you touch today is probably already littered with bacteria; some of which can include viruses such as influenza and even E. coli.

However, there is no need to panic.

READ MORE : Cleaning for Health: Germs & Bacteria in the Office

 

By the Numbers

Cell Phones

A study by the University of Oregon found an 82% overlap between bacteria on the tip of the index finger and the microbes found on the surface of a smartphone. In other words: if it’s on your hands, there’s an 82% chance it’s also on your phone.

An article from The Nerdist shows compelling visual evidence that bacteria growth on a cell phone centres around where the phone is touched. Moreover, the more a phone is used – and shared among people – the more bacteria is present.

Some sources claim phones harbor 18x more bacteria than a public bathroom. While that sounds far dirtier than it really is (not all bacteria on your phone is bad bacteria), it still highlights the reality that cross-contamination between your phone and other devices is very much a reality.

Computer Peripherals (Keyboard & Mouse)

A study performed in 2011 found a staggering 95.5% of keyboards/mice tested contaminated with bacteria. In reality, this is not at all surprising given that humans regularly come into contact with, and are breeding grounds for, microbes.

Another study, first published in 2010, found a high rate of contamination across keyboards and mice. Like our first reference, it found multiple types of bacteria present on both keyboards and mice after testing 100 different devices.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Technology Helps

The use of disinfecting wipes or cleaners on your gadgets can provide basic protection from germs.  While self-cleaning is mostly practiced at home, devices at home and personal devices are typically found to be the most contaminated.

Many public places such as libraries or grocery stores offer sanitizing dispensers which can be used on your hands after using computers or touchscreens at checkout lanes.  These same places also employ janitorial staff to regularly clean surfaces that people come in contact with.

Before you clean your device, remember:

  • Different screens/screen protectors will react to cleaning agents in their own way. Read your owner’s manual before you scrub down your device to ensure that the product you’re using is safe.
  • Bacteria multiply, on average, every 30 minutes. Make cleaning a regular habit (a quick wipe once per day is usually sufficient).

Good Personal Hygiene is the Key

While cleaning your surroundings may temporarily reduce exposure to germs and bacteria, it is virtually impossible not to come into contact with contaminated devices on a regular basis.

Bacteria is omnipresent, and there should be no inherent fear for you to come into contact with it – as long as you wash your hands diligently and practice good hygiene.  This cuts off the part of the infection chain where viruses or bacteria are able to enter your body.

Generally speaking, viruses or bacteria found on your hands or fingers will not cause you any harm.  Direct transmission of germs or viruses from other people is a much more likely way to become ill.

We are the number one choice for all your office cleaning.

Professional Office Cleaning Services from Universal Cleaners ensures that your office is both welcoming and impeccably clean. We understand that customers and new clients rely on a pristine appearance. It is our job to guarantee that entry ways, lobbies, frequent locations, waiting areas and washrooms remain immaculate in order to maintain the general public perception of one’s organization.

Contact us today for your FREE Assessment for a professional clean of your office.

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Hand-washing & a Healthy, Clean Office

Washing Your Hands at Certain Times and After Certain Events Can Help Prevent Sickness in the Office

We all remember being told to wash our hands before eating when we were younger, but sometimes as adults we forget to do this. Washing your hands, however, is an important to prevent infection and avoid spreading germs both in and out of the office. Keep your office healthy and happy by learning the importance of hand washing.

 

WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS

At work, you touch many different surfaces like your mouse, your computer, and the break room’s fridge door. All these surfaces have germs living on them. When you touch these items, germs are instantly transferred onto your hand.

To prevent illness from germ transfer, most of us know it’s important to wash your hands before and after you eat and after using the bathroom. In addition, it’s especially important to wash your hands after blowing your nose, sneezing, and coughing during the cold and flu season.

Sadly, most people don’t realize that YOU SHOULD ALSO WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER SHAKING SOMEONE’S HAND. Think about the last time you went to a business luncheon or networking event. You probably met several colleagues and new people and shook their hands. Do you remember washing your hands after? Did you eat something right after shaking their hands or touch your face?

You can easily spread germs that can make you and others sick by not washing your hands after making contact with others.

READ MORE: How Quickly do Germs Grow on your Office Technology?

THE PROPER WAY TO WASH YOUR HANDS

According to Mayo Clinic, you should wash your hands with both soap and water. Both warm and cold water will work. You should scrub all the surfaces of your hand including the wrists, between the fingers, under the nails, and on the back of your hands to ensure every part of your hand is being cleaned. After drying your hands, try to use a towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet. This way you don’t touch the same germs that you just washed off.

EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE

There are several ways you can help promote hand washing and other healthy habits at the office. You can have printed signs, fliers, and cards near the sinks and bathrooms. If you prefer to promote a healthy office digitally, look at doing digital signage or a weekly email newsletter. You can place the signs in the lobby and other commonly trafficked areas for your employees to see. You can use the newsletter to remind your employees about flu season and hand washing.

While hand washing can help prevent the spreading of germs, regularly cleaning is also important to stop germs from spreading. When you regularly have the areas with the most germs cleaned, you reduce the risk of your employees becoming sick. Disinfecting keyboards, phones, and other frequently used equipment will keep everyone in the office healthy.

READ MORE : Cleaning for Health: Germs & Bacteria in the Office

We are the number one choice for all your office cleaning.

Professional Office Cleaning Services from Universal Cleaners ensures that your office is both welcoming and impeccably clean. We understand that customers and new clients rely on a pristine appearance. It is our job to guarantee that entry ways, lobbies, frequent locations, waiting areas and washrooms remain immaculate in order to maintain the general public perception of one’s organization.

Contact us today for your FREE Assessment for a professional clean of your office.

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Reduce the Impact of Flu Season

School Cleaning: Reducing the Impact of This Year’s Flu Season

School, Daycare and College is back in session which means before long it will be that dreaded time of year again, flu season. If you’ve ever had children, you understand that educational facilities are an incredibly effective and efficient breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Just a few sick kids in school and disease causing germs are spread around your campus. Children are effective carriers bringing to both school and home everything from the common cold to stomach viruses and more. When we say kids love “hands on” learning, we aren’t kidding. They put their hands anywhere and everywhere. From their noses and mouths to your facility getting more and more kids sick at record pace. Without careful cleaning, your school, daycare or college could get hit hard this flu and cold season.

 

Research Shows That Your School Cleaning May Not be as Good as You Think

The ISSA, or International Sanitary and Supply Association, has conducted several studies about the bacterial and viral load in the average elementary school classroom to put together better cleaning guidelines. With this information, professional school cleaning services can focus on cleaning areas that will have the highest impact on reducing the spread of classroom pathogens. So, what areas are the dirtiest and where should you commercial cleaning company be cleaning the most?

  • The average elementary school classroom has a higher bacterial load than most restrooms, even those found on campus.
  • Contaminated versus non-contaminated surfaces appeared to be the same on visual inspection indicating that they had been cleaned by not sanitized.
  • Computer mice were found to possess a bacterial and viral load nearly four times higher than that of most toilets.
  • Key touch points (including but not limited to hand railings, door knobs and other high traffic surfaces) where commonly neglected by school cleaning programs.
  • Athletic equipment, especially athletic mats had the highest bacterial load of any single object in the school as a result of being cleaned with dirty mops, which just spread around filth.
  • In general, most schools suffer from having a superficial level of cleanliness but a low or non-existent level of sanitation in core problematic areas.

 

Targeted Cleaning of Touch Points Reduces Bacterial Transmission 

The ISSA’s extensive research revealed that touch points were the most common way that disease was being transferred from person to person in a school. Simply put, many school cleaning services do not spend enough time or clean with enough frequency to keep these high traffic touch points from being ground zero for a host of different infections and illnesses. For instance, it was found that many school cleaning services were not regularly cleaning and sanitizing shared electronics such as computers despite extensive scientific evidence that indicates they are one of the most commonly contaminated areas in a school campus.

To be an effective school cleaning service, you have to realize that having a surface or area look clean and be clean are two very different things. When we walk into a classroom, odds are it will appear to be clean. After all, what school, daycare or college wants to be known for having visually dirty classrooms? Proper cleaning goes beyond this superficial layer. It requires knowledge of key touch points and frequent, proper sanitation habits to help prevent the spread of disease among students.

Not only does proper cleaning help keep students healthy, it has a number of measurable benefits in different areas of the school. For example, a study based in Arizona State University demonstrated that when common touch points such as desktops were regularly and properly cleaned and sanitized, that classroom absenteeism decreased significantly. Why is this important, you may ask? Absenteeism and standardized testing scores are directly correlated. The more days a student is in class, the higher their scores tend to be showing how impactful proper cleaning can be on the performance of your school, daycare of educational facility.

 

The Right Company for the Job

We understand the specific challenges of managing education and institutional environments. That is why you can count on our experience and knowledge at Universal Cleaners Inc to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance services. We provide services to Day Cares, Primary Schools, Colleges, Universities, Technical Institutes, and any Learning Centre.

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