From November to February, much of the US can expect to get hit with snow, ice, and sleet. For many, preparing for the increased wet weather and associated dangers means laying down ice melt and rock salt.
Winter weather is unpredictable. There’s just no knowing for sure how harsh it will be until we’re in the thick of it. Last year, the foremost weather observatory in the US recorded a warmer winter than average, but sporadic weather meant that it also saw more cold fronts and above-average snowfall. In fact, winter snowfall totaled 65.6 inches, almost 25% higher than the 30-year average. There’s really no telling how much snow we’ll get this year, but there’s no harm in preparing for the worst. In fact, the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks of adjusting your floor care routine for the winter. For example, while ice melt and rock salt are key to lowering slip and fall risks in the winter, especially during times of heavy snowfall, these products are also harsh on your floors and equipment and can damage them if you don’t take the necessary precautions - like regular equipment cleaning and maintenance.
When creating a winter floor care bundle for your facility, consider the winter weather hazards you dealt with last year, the problems that arose from them, and what products you needed to address those issues. Did you deal with hazy, white ice melt residue on your hard floors? Stock up on winter floor neutralizer. Or, maybe you dealt with wet floors during heavy snowfalls? Invest in a solid matting system.
With all the products and floor prep information floating around this season, we thought we’d save you from the hassle of having to figure out what the best option for winter prep is by putting together this guide.
With labor being the most costly expense for most facilities, finding ways to make cleaning your building quicker and easier for your janitorial team is likely a high priority for your business.
Commercial restrooms are one of the germiest areas in your facility.
Did you know that your guests can leave your restroom with twice the amount of germs on their hands than when they entered? Using the restroom requires the people in your building to touch multiple surfaces and objects. Whether they’re touching the doors, toilet flush valves, or faucets, there’s a high risk of spreading germs throughout your facility, especially if they don’t clean their hands before leaving. While some people may just choose not to wash their hands, one of the most common reasons people skip the wash process is empty soap dispensers. If the people in your building don’t have access to hand soap or sanitizer in your restroom, they can spread germs that cause unpleasant illnesses like salmonella, E. Coli, norovirus, and other respiratory viruses.
Dispenser stockouts are a common plight of commercial restrooms, especially during periods of high traffic.
Grout can easily become the cause of a wide range of restroom odors.
Keeping your commercial restroom looking and smelling its best is an important part of maintaining a positive perception of your facility among guests. If your guests notice a foul odor while they’re in your restroom, it’s possible that you and your janitorial team will have to clean your restroom more often to address complaints and negative reviews. Negative reviews about the state of your restroom can lead to reduced patronage and more frequent restroom maintenance. It’s essential to be able to identify, remove, and prevent odors in your restroom. Offensive smells in your commercial restroom can be caused by various sources like floor grout, drains, and toilets/urinals.
Your facility’s restroom can make or break the experience that your guests have in your business. Dirty restrooms not only make for a negative bathroom experience but can lead to an increased amount of complaints about the cleanliness of your facility. In fact, restrooms make up 5% of the space but account for 80% of complaints.
