Robert Kravitz

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2010, there were approximately 2.5 million cleaning workers in the United States. The actual number may be considerably higher, however, because many cleaning workers own their businesses and might not be included in this number. Additionally, cleaning workers who work part time may not be counted.

The key benefit of chemical-free cleaning is that it has essentially no impact on the environment; no chemicals — green or otherwise — are used in the process.

Recently, I attended a three-day conference for public relations and communications professionals in New York City. The conference focused on one thing, which it seemed virtually all the attendees were eager—if not desperate—to learn more about: social media sites. You know the ones—Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and, of course, Twitter.

This was one of the first books published discussing how to start and build a commercial janitorial business. Publishing this book led me to a position in New York representing an internet portal for the professional cleaning industry. From here, I was hired to be web content manager and created for ISSA, the largest cleaning association in the world.

It should not be surprising that so many churches today have or are considering an e-newsletter. Some are professionally prepared, while others are little more than an e-mail announcing the next service's topic.

Although we are all swamped with e-mail�much of it unwanted�the simple truth is that e-newsletters work. Study after study indicates that e-newsletters can be an effective way to sell a product or a service or even to promote a church

All the competing claims today from different jansan manufacturers about the power and performance of their vacuum cleaners can cause a lot of confusion for cleaning professionals, especially when they decide that it’s time to select a new machine. Rather than discuss terms such as “HEPA filtration,” “amps,” “airflow,” “particles out,” “particles in,” “true-HEPA,” “ergonomics,” etc., many have just about given up and decided to go back to the old “bowling ball test” to determine which machine… Show more

All the competing claims today from different jansan manufacturers about the power and performance of their vacuum cleaners can cause a lot of confusion for cleaning professionals, especially when they decide that it’s time to select a new machine. Rather than discuss terms such as “HEPA filtration,” “amps,” “airflow,” “particles out,” “particles in,” “true-HEPA,” “ergonomics,” etc., many have just about given up and decided to go back to the old “bowling ball test” to determine which machine to select. Show less

Content marketing is a tactic that is gaining a lot of buzz in the public relations, marketing, and communications industries as the new way to grow your business’s online presence. If this is the first you’ve heard of it―get ready—you most likely will be hearing much more about it in the near future and may even be involved with it directly.

Recently, a franchisee of a nationwide cleaning contractor proudly shared that he had secured 19 properties of a local library system, 39 locations of county facilities, and a 100,000 square-foot LEED Gold property.

There have been a number of surprising studies throughout the years regarding the amount of germs and bacteria that can be found on office desks, cell phones, and the sponges we use to wipe down counters and wash dishes. However, one study that has gotten relatively little notice relates to carpets and concerns about indoor air quality.

There have been a number of surprising studies throughout the years regarding the amount of germs and bacteria that can be found on office desks, cell phones, and the sponges we use to wipe down counters and wash dishes. However, one study that has gotten relatively little notice relates to carpets and concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ).

Food-processing companies cover a wide spectrum of the foodservice industry, including bakeries, breweries, cereal manufacturers, candy and cookie manufacturers, and meat-processing facilities, to name just a few. In one way or another, all of these facilities are involved in the processing and packaging of food products and beverages for human consumption.

With time, the carpets in most high-traffic facilities will need to be cleaned, not only to protect the appearance and durability of the carpet but also to safeguard the health of the facilities and the people who use them.

Traffic-Lane Soiling
Observant facility managers and cleaning professionals know that soil patterns develop on carpeting. Certain areas of a carpet tend to become more soiled at a more rapid pace than other areas. This is especially true in hallways, where the… Show more

With time, the carpets in most high-traffic facilities will need to be cleaned, not only to protect the appearance and durability of the carpet but also to safeguard the health of the facilities and the people who use them.

Traffic-Lane Soiling
Observant facility managers and cleaning professionals know that soil patterns develop on carpeting. Certain areas of a carpet tend to become more soiled at a more rapid pace than other areas. This is especially true in hallways, where the center section of the carpeting becomes darker due to soiling while the outer edges may look essentially brand-new. This is referred to as traffic-lane soiling. Show less

Green roofs are quite common in Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as in Asia; however, few or only limited studies evaluating their benefits have been conducted. The Denver facility’s EPA evaluation will likely be one of the most thorough evaluations ever undertaken.

Patients enter hospitals believing they will be treated for their health problems and, as soon as they are better, discharged. However, in literally millions of cases each year, that simply is not what happens. Not only do some patients develop new health problems while in the hospital, thousands more die due to infections they acquire during their hospital stay

If you are like many water treatment professionals and others in businesses that service or market to other businesses (B2B), the thought of using social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others, to promote and grow your business as well as develop closer ties with current clients is probably pretty remote. Most likely you are thinking social media is for families sharing photo albums and high school and college kids tweeting 140-character thoughts about little or nothing… Show more

If you are like many water treatment professionals and others in businesses that service or market to other businesses (B2B), the thought of using social media outlets, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and others, to promote and grow your business as well as develop closer ties with current clients is probably pretty remote. Most likely you are thinking social media is for families sharing photo albums and high school and college kids tweeting 140-character thoughts about little or nothing of essence to anyone but themselves. Show less

Floor maintenance is both an art and a science. The same can be said for buying floor maintenance machinery. The many nuances include: choosing a a low speed buffer or high-speed burnisher; knowing which machine will do what; and determining compatibility, size, power and price.

The two principal types of floor machines are the “traditional” low-speed buffer, and the high-speed burnisher. Each type of machine has it pros and cons, which are very important considerations.

In the U.S., last year has been without question the best year ever for green roof manufacturers and enthusiasts. In fact, one Chicago-based manufacturer of modular green roof systems reports installing more green roofs in one month in 2007 than in all of 2006.

Building service contractors use vacuum cleaners in just about every facility they clean, every time they clean. For this reason, alone, making an equipment purchase solely based on cost is not wise. Instead, BSCs should consider the vacuum cleaner’s long-term durability, efficiency, power and maintenance outlay.

They also need to combine quality vacuums with the right extractors to make sure the entire carpet care process is seamless and satisfactory for clients.

As more and more facilities transfer from conventional to green cleaning, property owners and facility managers typically turn to their contract cleaning service for help. After all, the cleaning contractor’s staff members are the people most familiar with the cleaning procedures and products being used in a facility every day

A woman posed a question on an interactive forum hosted by the television network The Learning Channel. The gist of her question was:

What's the best way to clean carpets? [I have] that cheap carpeting that's put down in new homes and I'd like to get two more years out of it. Should I hire a professional or rent a carpet cleaning machine?

It seems as though everyone is inundated with electronic (e) newsletters and e-marketing materials every day. Sometimes these are formally presented, similar to a Web page delivered to your inbox; other times they may be in the form of conventional e-mail. Both formats encourage you to read something, link to something, buy something, or just know something

It’s generally accepted that people spend as much – if not more – time looking down as they do looking up. This is especially true when walking into an office building or a large facility such as an airport or convention center. And surprisingly, this is also true in large shopping centers and malls, where both store tenants and shopping center developers have gone out of their way to design facilities encouraging shoppers to look here and there – anywhere but the floor.

I recently paid a visit to my former elementary school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which I had not seen in more than 20 years. The old building—it was old even back then—looked much the same as it always had. It was clean and well maintained, and the hallway floors boasted a surprisingly high-gloss shine.

As much as the industry has changed, many cleaning contractors find that the old-fashioned way of marketing—making cold calls, often by walking into facilities they wish to clean—is still an effective way to secure new customers. However, many cleaning contractors do not like this or any type of cold calling, and many more simply do not have the time to do it.

Without question, advertising has played a crucial role in making scores of companies successful, but we now know that many of these successes were achieved when they also included what is
often referred to as “PR,” publicity or public relations

Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group and founder/executive director of the Green Cleaning Network, is considered by many to be the father of green cleaning.

Along with forecasting that the performance of green cleaning products will improve and their costs will continue to fall, he believes green cleaning will take on a broader meaning: The definitions of the words green and sustainable will merge, and being a more sustainable company will be of greater concern to customers and… Show more

Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group and founder/executive director of the Green Cleaning Network, is considered by many to be the father of green cleaning.

Along with forecasting that the performance of green cleaning products will improve and their costs will continue to fall, he believes green cleaning will take on a broader meaning: The definitions of the words green and sustainable will merge, and being a more sustainable company will be of greater concern to customers and prove to be a differentiator in the marketplace. Show less

Jessica joined a Chicago gym right after Christmas 2009. She had gained a few pounds over the holidays and was determined to shed them quickly. She decided joining the gym, along with eating properly, was the way to do it.

Every day at 7 a.m., she ran on the treadmill for about 20 minutes then rode the stationary bike for another 20 minutes. She finished up with free weights. With time, the weight was gone, and Jessica was so impressed with her body and the way she felt about herself… Show more

Jessica joined a Chicago gym right after Christmas 2009. She had gained a few pounds over the holidays and was determined to shed them quickly. She decided joining the gym, along with eating properly, was the way to do it.

Every day at 7 a.m., she ran on the treadmill for about 20 minutes then rode the stationary bike for another 20 minutes. She finished up with free weights. With time, the weight was gone, and Jessica was so impressed with her body and the way she felt about herself that going to the gym every morning became like breathing. Show less