Wash Your Hands! Help Prevent Infections

Most of us were reminded time and time again as children ‘WASH YOUR HANDS!’  Then we reminded our children and their children ... but who reminds us?

Washing your hands is still the easiest way to prevent the spread of germs. In 1988 GOJO Industries Inc. introduced Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, which went on to become the number one selling brand of hand sanitizer in the U.S. Since then the market has exploded with varieties being sold everywhere from fancy body shops, to individual sizes that clip onto anything, to free standing dispensers located in central traffic areas; making hand sanitizers available even when the best hygiene practices cannot be observed.

“In multiple studies reviewed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol solutions were found to be more effective than washing hands with plain soap,” says Andy Clement, director of hand hygiene and tissue for Kimberly-Clark Professional. “They reduced bacterial counts on the hands more than antimicrobial soaps or detergents in a majority of experiments. Hand sanitizers provide a broad spectrum, fast- acting antimicrobial effect and can be used on the go without the need for running water.” Clement adds.

With hand sanitizers readily available it would become easy to become dependent on them for all our hand washing needs. However, this is not the right choice to make in every situation, especially when hands are visibly dirty. According to the CDC, “Alcohols are not appropriate for use when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with proteinaceous materials, such as blood.” While popular, hand sanitizers are not perfect for every situation. Remember proper hand washing techniques with soap and water in addition to hand sanitizers can help propel us to a cleaner, healthier and safer environment.

As summer draws to an end and we look ahead to the beginning of school and more hours spent indoors, we should reflect on our homes and work environments as well. Hand washing and hand sanitizers will help in breaking the chain of infection but cleaning our high traffic touch point areas are just as important. If you find yourself needing help to keep your environments clean call Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corp. at 215.757.4014 for your free, no obligation quote. With over 20 years of experience we are your ‘Go To’ cleaning professionals, ready to make your home and work environments Sparkle & be Germ Free!

Source: CM Cleaning & Maintenance Management, August 2011, The Germs Stop Here, by: Amanda Martini-Hughes, assistant editor.

Rings... of the Porcelain Kind

Everyone in developed nations have at least one toilet, hence the porcelain throne. What a marvelous invention! Push a lever and down the drain everything goes.

Now there is the cleaning aspect of the porcelain throne. When you are purchasing supplies for this non-royal task, look for a cleaning product that will cling to the bowl and under the rim. Common concerns are black mold under the rim or ring at the water level line.

Let’s first address the water line ring. Rings can develop due to high mineral content or lack of frequent flushing. Should you have multiple bathrooms and don’t use all of them, be sure to flush the toilet at least twice a week. This will help eliminate the water from “standing” which allows the minerals to attach to the porcelain. If you already have a ring in your bowl, you may need a low-acid bowl cleaner. However, individuals who have septic systems should not use a low acid cleaner. An option for those with septic systems looking to obtain positive results, should try using a pumice stone for scrubbing. This cleaning method can prove to be time consuming; with no guarantees of removing the entire ring. Routine maintenance and diligence works best over time on toilets. Therefore remember to go the simplest route… flush, flush flush!

Now we address that black ring under the rim. In looking at that we see there are several types of bowl wands that can be used; from the old fashioned metal with bristles to plastic. I recommend staying away from metal as they can scratch your porcelain. Look for a wand that has two (2) heads, making sure one is designed to access under the rim.

Cleaning the toilet weekly will help resolve both of the above issues… or if life is just too busy… give Sparkle Professional Cleaning a call: 215.757.4014. We will ready the porcelain throne for your royal flush!

Written by: Sharon Bordak, President Sparkle Professional Cleaning, Corp., Lincoln Center, Reetz & Lincoln Avenues, Suite 1, Hulmeville, PA 19047. Check out our complete line of services at: http://www.sparkleproclean.com/

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Vacuuming

The primary reason Building Service Contractors (BSC) clean is to protect the health and safety of their clients' clients - aka - the building occupants. Protecting health and safety should include careful chemical selection and usage, non-skid floor finish, restroom disinfection, touch point sanitation and prompt removal of trash to avoid attracting pests.


The most important benefit a BSC can provide a client is to improve indoor air quality. Our health is directly impacted by the air we breathe. Dust that accumulates inside a building carries with it soot, bacteria, allergens, paper dust, mold and dust mite droppings; couple that with outside dust, we have pollen, spores, various natural toxins, pesticides, fertilizers and plain old airborne soil making air quality poor at best.

BSCs can do a lot to remove dust particles from the workplace, including the use of: HEPA filter vacuums, hard surface floor vacuums, microfiber dust wipes and damp mops. Keeping in mind that fewer noxious particles inhaled by the client’s employees means lower health care costs, fewer sick days, and a more productive, healthier staff at work!

Using a backpack vacuum allows janitors to easily access corners, edges and under furniture. Vacuum filters are essential in maintaining good indoor air quality for your clients. Allergens (spores, pollen, bacteria, dust mite droppings, etc.) range in size from about 10 microns in diameter down to a micron. Standard paper vacuum cleaner bags generally filter out particles down to 10 microns, reusable cloth bags are even worse.

Vacuuming with standard paper (or cloth) bags pulls lots of fine dust (and allergens) out of the carpet, and pumps it into the air. Fine particles can remain airborne for eight hours! So if your BSC vacuums at 2 a.m., the client’s staff is still breathing in air borne allergens at their 10 a.m. coffee break. A HEPA filter will capture particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter, and virtually filters out all of the allergens keeping them in the filter and not redistributing them back into the air.

Perhaps the most significant benefit a janitor or BSC can provide his client is to improve indoor air quality. Let your environment sparkle! Call Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corporation at 215.757.4014 and inquire how we can help!  

Source: Contracting Profits June/July 2011, Improve IAQ with Vacuuming, by: Bob Croft

When Are Disinfectants "GREEN" ?

According to one expert, Rebecca S. Kaufold, Chemist at Spartan Chemical Company in Maume, Ohio: "Disinfectants are designed to kill, hence, they are not considered 'green.' Disinfectatnts, however, are necessary in specific applications, such as in an operating room. This is where product usage and facility priorities come into play. The Building Service Contractor (BSC) needs to work with the facility to identify what kill claims are necessary and determine what types of products carry those claims. From there, the BSC can try to find the 'greenest' product.
The greenest option may include a neutral pH (safer for the worker than something highly alkaline), low or no VOC (improves the indoor air quality for building occupants), or no phosphates (that can be harmful to aquatic life).
BSCs should also consider the intended product use. Infection control through disinfectant use is important in high contact areas (door handles, faucets, etc.) Low contact areas, like floors may be better served with a good cleaner. The BSC should be willing to discuss these alternative cleaning options, as well as alternative chemical options, with the facilities they service."
Mike Sawchuk, VP Enviro-Solutions/Charlotte Products, Ontario Canada, tells us: "Even though in the United States there are currently no green certified disinfectants (as they are not allowed by the EPA), Business Service Contractors should always review and compare the disinfectant attributes and advise their customers of those facts and why they are using a particular disinfectant."

For all you BSC questions and needs contact Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corparation at 215.757.4014. If we don't have the answer, we will find it!

Source: Contracting Profits, April 2011, "Defining Biobased Chemicals & How to Disinfect with Green In Mind"

Achoo! What Your Floors Are Doing to Your Allergies

Ever heard the statement that people with asthma should remove their carpets to reduce allergens in their environment? Well, this may not necessarily be true. It would seem logical that carpets can trap and carry more dust, dander, pollen, mites, and other allergens than a hardwood floor. But a recent study suggests that homes with carpets and homes with other flooring are essentially equal in terms of allergen control.

In an article from the Housekeeping Channel, a study (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) on children and families with asthma and allergies is described. The study touched on factors such as flooring type, presence of pets, rats or mice, and if there were any smokers in the home. They targeted an intervention group for families who tested positive on an allergy skin test for three or more factors. These families were provided with HEPA-filter vacuums and educated on removing allergens from the home. After the intervention was complete, a evaluation study was done on these families.

“The study found that children in the intervention group missed fewer days of school, slept through the night more, and made fewer trips to the emergency room. Contrary to researchers' expectations, children with carpet in their bedrooms improved as much and did just as well as children who had hard surface floors.”

Contrary to what we may believe about carpets holding more allergens than other floor types, this study found “no difference in allergen reduction between homes with carpets and those without carpeting.”

There are a few things we can take from this study. Number one, don’t always believe hear-say about cleaning your home! Number two, using a quality vacuum and replacing the filter when necessary will aid in the reduction of allergens from your home. Hardwood floors need to be swept weekly and mopped at least once a month to prevent allergens securing themselves in between the panels. Using a crevasse cleaner on your vacuum will work best for cleaning edges and underneath cabinets. Finally, number three is to have your child or family member tested for their allergies! You will not know what you need to rid your house of if you do not know what is causing the asthma or sickening allergy.

If you suffer from asthma, definitely look into this study, which was published by the New England Journal of Medicine. You may be changing your mind about tossing those cozy carpets you have in your home!

Do you need help keeping up with monthly house cleaning? Give us a call! We are more than happy to take a tour of your home and give you a free estimate, with no obligation to hire us. We service Lower Bucks County and surrounding areas of PA and NJ. We hope to hear from you! 215.757.4014.

Have a safe and allergen-free June!  J

Source: Housekeeping Channel Online. The New England Journal of Medicine: No Difference in Allergen Levels in Carpeted vs. Uncarpeted Homes.

Local Food Drive to Benefit Penndel Food Pantry

Help Your Community Sparkle

The indoor spring cleaning ritual may have come to an end, but it's finally getting warm enough to depend on a great, sunny day for outdoor fixes. Painting, roofing, mildew removal, lanscaping, you name it.. everything needs some fine tuning. But there are some places that can't fix everything themselves.

The Morrisville YMCA (home to preschool programs and other recreational community services) is having a Spring Clean-Up Day this Saturday, May 14, 2011. "The YMCA is looking for individuals, groups, agencies and scouts to pitch in and help out on Clean Up Day. Boy and Girl scout troops are welcome. High school students with community service project hours to put in are also welcome."

We at Sparkle Professional Cleaning are trying to get a team together to help clean up the facilities but I wanted to extend the invitation to anyone else who cares for their community and has just an hour to spare on Saturday. The YMCA provides a FREE preschool program and childcare for other age groups. Give back to this great non-profit, helping our children learn and grow!

More information can be found here.