Keeping it Clean

 Anago of Chicago Newsletter                                   Volume 1 Issue 1



Sick Building
Syndrome
    

Clients in the news

Franchise cleaning trends

Anago's Stars

Floors are Key

Cleaning Tips
 		For a healthier indoor environment:

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends the following:

I. Vacuum frequently. A vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency filtration bag removes soil and bio-contaminants from the carpet and the upholstery and reduces the release of restorable particles into the air.

II. Periodically have carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned. Thorough cleaning removes soil and pollutants to improve indoor air quality.

III. Control the sources. Entrance mats halt tracked-in soil contaminants.

IV. Increase fresh airflow. Our ancestors knew what they were doing when they opened windows to air out buildings.

V. Clean for health. Carpet and upholstery fabric hide soil. Don't just clean for appearance when the accumulation of soil becomes visible.

According to Michael A. Berry, Ph.D., former Deputy Director of the EPA  Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, the single leading cause of  poor indoor air quality in built environments today is poor maintenance.  Carpet and upholstery must be cleaned to remove trapped contaminants before  they overflow and are released back into the indoor air.

Continued


"What we
see depends mainly on
what we
look for."
Sir John Lubbock
Floors are key to client perception

What medical centers and long-term care facilities have known for years is that the perception of your environment is 80% reliant of how your floors look. They are a reflection(pardon the pun) of the entire facility.
Retail environments and class A buildings are following suit. Some go to extremes with custom stone, wood or true linoleum, which can be quite expensive, but what about the rest those out there who can only go with a  regular vinyl composite tile or vct as it’s referred to in the industry.
What do you need to do to keep that investment looking great for years to come?

First find a reputable company that’s bonded and insured and have the experience and know how as well as the proper equipment necessary to prepare and maintain them properly.

Continued
Keeping it Clean                                                                                                    Page 2  

Franchise Cleaning Trend Continues
 Cleaning Tips
Over the last several years, franchise cleaning companies have taken a firm hold on the market. More and more business owners  and facility managers nationwide have adopted the mindset that a nationally recognized company with a proven system in place is the only way to go. 



These companies come in and assess your needs, match the right people to your facility and take on the task of maintaining good communication, proper training and regular on-site inspections giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on your day to day company needs and goals.

  
Stainless Steel

To remove water spots on stainless steel, rub area with a clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar. Then wipe dry to avoid spots.
Sick Building (continued )

Many building owners want to reduce the cost of operating the building so they begin to cut cost. The first cost cutting comes in the reduction to the cleaning schedule, expecting more to be done in less time. Cleaning crews are given less and less time to complete the daily cleaning tasks.  Corners are cut, and dusting, that should be done daily or weekly, is put off. Floors that need to be dust mopped, swept, or otherwise maintained are ignored, and the result is more and more contaminants are left in the environment. When the occupants enter into the area the contaminants are stirred up, and the quality of the air is diminished. Workers begin to feel the effects and their productivity goes down.



So, rather than reduce the work schedule, the emphasis has to be with an improved work schedule. It should be one that allows the time necessary for the proper techniques and equipment to be used. Even though the cost of maintenance may rise by pennies, the savings will be in dollars. If we just reduced the loss of workdays by 1 percent, what do you imagine the savings in wages alone would be?

We would be foolish to think that we could diagnose our own sickness and then prescribe a cure without consulting a physician. It would be the same as if building owners and their tenants tried to cure a "sick" building without consulting the physician (the professional contract cleaner).



Removing Blood from Furniture

Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently


Removing Gum

Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.
Clients in the News

Lou Malnattis Pizzeria is well known for their awesome Chicago style deep dish pizza makes a difference in many peoples lives besides filling their stomachs.

Every year, Lou Malnatti’s in Buffalo Grove and the Chicago Bears join together to host a fundraiser for cancer relief. This year was their 33rd annual., A silent auction was in progress throughout the event and supporters of the event bid on over 100 items. Auction items included an autographed Brian Urlacher football, jersey, and bobble head dolls. A live auction was also held during the evening and valuable prizes included a trip to Super Bowl XXXVIII, Pro Bowl tickets, and a package to the Bears home opener against Green Bay.


Clean Mirrors

Remove hair spray from a mirror with a little rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth




Keeping it Clean                                                                                                       Page 3


Floors (continued


"I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time."

Charles Dickens

 Make sure they outline for you what they are going to do.
There are a lot of misconceptions about floor care. Here's a few things should know to get them looking good and make them last:

When a floor is first installed it has a thin coat of finish from the factory so as to protect it from marks and stains during the installation process.  After the floor has been installed it should cure 72 hours before exposing to excess water as used during the preparation process.

The factory finish needs to be machine scrubbed off. The floor should be rinsed and neutralized and thoroughly dried before applying a and then finish.

Generally 2 coats of sealer and 3 to 5 coats of a high solid content finish should be applied depending on traffic and the maintenance program you are going to follow.





Dust mopping at least once daily is the highest concern for optimum care. Damp mopping daily or as needed is next in line to remove surface dirt not removed when dust mopping.

Buffing, high speed polishing, scrubbing and recoating worn areas should all be part of the maintenance schedule.

Stripping and refinishing once a year is not enough to keep your floors looking good and stay in top shape for years to come.

Anago’s Stars
Keeping it Clean                                                                                                      Page 4



"You can have everything in life you want, if you'll just help enough other people get what they want"

 ZIG ZIGLAR




Anago
Cleaning Systems

(630)616-1010

www.
anagochicago
.com
 Julio Fabian,

After only 18 months in the business Julio has achieved what some in the franchise cleaning industry only dream of.

Julio came into this with three things in mind. To grow a business large enough that he could quit his full time job which sometimes occupied 50 hour a week, have something that he could leave to his children one day and to have the time and money to dedicate to his family and church.

An additional 25 – 30 hours a week: evenings, weekends and overnights is what it took.

His dedication and commitment showed through his work at two medical units, which helped us land 13 others in the Chicago area, totaling just under $30,000 a month in business.

He was rewarded with several of the units and subsequently has been able to quit his full time job and is now on track concentrating fully on his Anago franchise.

Julio has a wife and 2 children that are his motivation.. When he's not cleaning, supervising or training his ever growing crew, he is making memories with his family that will last forever.

On a nightly basis he is now responsible for cleaning 4 medical units 4 car dealerships and several other office accounts.

If you see him or his crew you will notice they're neat in appearance, in uniform and represent the  professionalism we strive for at Anago.

He has invested a lot of time and money in his business, and is reaping the benefits.

Way-to-go


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