Author: Jmessenger

As more facilities welcome employees and building occupants back at increased or full capacity, facility managers must remember that the public’s heightened awareness around cleanliness is here to stay. Knowing the role cleaning plays in helping to reduce the spread of illness, it is imperative that facility managers enhance their cleaning protocols to promote a culture of cleanliness. Moving forward, cleanliness protocols will likely impact employee retention, satisfaction and productivity as employees want to be reassured that their facility is keeping them as safe as possible.

Cleaning Up Old Habits: Instilling a Culture of Cleanliness

Many facilities will need to rethink their approach to cleaning as cleanliness continues to stay top of mind. A few considerations facility managers must take include:

Scheduling daytime cleaning.

A recent national survey found that nearly 90% of Americans want proof workplaces are being cleaned and sanitized regularly even after they have been vaccinated. Scheduling daytime cleaning reassures employees that
high-traffic areas and high-touch surfaces are being cleaned regularly. Making cleaning more visible stresses a facility’s commitment to cleanliness and builds trust with employees.

Additionally, a daytime cleaning schedule also supports the happiness and wellbeing of cleaning staff. This can improve productivity, cleaning performance and reduce turnover rates. Hence, shifting to a daytime schedule supports the bottom line and helps to foster a culture of cleanliness.

Cleaning for health and appearance.

Cleaning for appearance remains critical but facility managers must make cleaning for health a priority. It’s vital to implement cleaning solutions and equipment that can eliminate pathogens of concern, but are also sustainable. Sustainable cleaning products promote good indoor air quality (IAQ) and reduces cleaning’s impact on the environment, which further supports public health. In fact, a recent Harris Poll found that 1 in 2 U.S. adults believe buildings should follow sustainable cleaning practices.

One way to clean for health and appearance is to implement an on-site generation (OSG) system. OSG systems produce two electrochemically-activated solutions (ECAS) with just salt, water and electricity. ECAS are as effective as other cleaning products, but don’t use harsh ingredients or volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting chemicals. Similarly, verify if your service provider’s cleaning protocols are Green Seal® certified. Cleaning programs are required to go through a rigorous process to confirm whether they incorporate effective, sustainable cleaning and disinfecting procedures and equipment

Promoting good hand hygiene.

Proper hand washing is a pillar of cleanliness and infection prevention. In addition to cleaning protocols, it’s pivotal for facilities to promote proper hand washing techniques. Consider installing signs in restrooms that serve as a reminder to building occupants of the facility’s standards and commitment to cleanliness. Be sure that there’s an adequate supply of sanitizer and hand soap regularly.

Prioritizing training.

Training supports cleaning performance, safety and the continued success of cleaning professionals. It not only allows employees to feel more comfortable with the products and equipment they’re using, but also teaches them how to reduce waste and be more sustainable. Training improves cleaning consistency, which takes away from having to reclean or use more resources needed. It should be ongoing, starting with the onboarding process and continuing throughout their tenure.

Long-term Change for Long-term Results

The public’s perceptions of clean have been forever altered as a result of the pandemic, and facilities will need to adapt. As we grow closer towards a post-pandemic world, trust will be hard to earn and even easier to burn. Facility manager that are mindful of employees’ concerns and willing to work towards a culture of cleanliness will be better prepared for the future.

Do you need help bringing a culture of cleanliness to your facility? Contact us here to learn more about our offerings, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates.

In the latest edition of our quarterly spotlight, “Celebrating the People who Care about Clean,” we recognize the hardworking individuals who bring their best to GSF USA every day. One of the key differentiators at GSF is the way we treat our people. We focus on leading and developing our staff through ongoing training, education and support. By empowering employees to continually learn and improve, we enhance the level of clean in our customers’ facilities and build stronger teams.  

Thank you to our team for your dedication to delivering cleanliness for our customers and their customers. We couldn’t have done it without your efforts! 

30th Anniversary 

• Jerry B., General Manager, GSF Indiana: Jerry is integral to the success of GSF USA. For 30 years, he has held various sales and managerial roles and has served as General Manager of the Indianapolis market for 20 years. He is a go-to resource and mentor for our employees and has extensive experience and certifications around floor care. In his current role, Jerry oversees Human Resources, Customer Service, Sales and daily operations of all GSF Indiana sites, including The Overlook at Riverdale, Indiana Spine Hospital and BMO Plaza.  

 25th Anniversaries  

Our latest silver anniversaries include:  

• Daniel L., GSF Indiana 
• Abraham A., GSF Illinois 
• Jasel A., GSF Illinois
• Lisa C., GSF USA
• Mary M., GSF Indiana 

 20th Anniversaries 

For two decades, these team members have served GSF and their customers: 

• Sandra H., GSF Illinois 
• Armando M., GSF Illinois  
• Arlin T., GSF Indiana  

 15th Anniversary  

• Charles B., GSF Indiana  

 10th Anniversaries 

• Israel L., GSF Indiana  
• Libia F., GSF Illinois  

 5th Anniversaries  

• Alexis T., GSF Indiana 
• Olga P., GSF Indiana 
• Santos A., GSF Indiana
• Mauricio P., GSF Indiana 
• Gudelia R., GSF Indiana  
• Rafael G., GSF Indiana  
• Alberto L., GSF Ohio 
• Ramon A., GSF Ohio 
• Margarita E., GSF Indiana 
• Daniel R., GSF Indiana 
• Edgar L., GSF Illinois 
• Wioletta M., GSF Illinois 
• Francisco M., GSF Illinois 
• Suzanne D., GSF Illinois 
• David D., GSF Illinois 
• Maricela V., GSF Indiana 

 Would you like to join the GSF USA team? Visit our online careers page and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest hiring updates.  

With cleaning procedures, equipment and products continually evolving, ongoing training should be a point of emphasis for facility managers. Training supports cleaning performance, employee and building occupant health and safety, and professional development. While there are different ways to train staff, there are several universal do’s and don’ts that facility managers should consider to ensure their cleaning teams know how best to clean. 

The Need for Ongoing Training 

Training is the backbone of every successful cleaning program because it enhances safety and cleaning performance. Education makes employees more comfortable working with various chemicals, equipment and machines. This is especially important because innovative technology, products and practices are regularly being developed and new viruses can emerge. Cleaning programs looking to stay ahead need to continuously adapt their operations and keep experienced and new staff members aware of how to effectively clean. 

Additionally, ongoing training promotes employee development, making them feel valued and vital to the company. For instance, the 2019 LinkedIn Workforce Learning Report showed that 94% of employees are willing to stay at a company longer if it invests in helping them learn. Periodic training keeps employees engaged with their work and can also reduce the high turnover rate for custodial workers.  

Do’s and Don’ts for Better Employee Training

Behind every successful cleaning program is an effective training program that must consider several universal do’s and don’ts, including: 

• DO offer training in multiple formats to appeal to numerous types of learners, including hands-on training, classroom training, online training and written handouts with visual icons and graphics. Offer training in multiple languages to adequately educate those whose first language is not English. 
• DON’T introduce new chemicals, tools or equipment without first explaining their purpose and how to use them properly. This yields poor cleaning performance, risks damage to equipment and creates health risks for employees and building occupants.  
• DO stress reviewing labels, safety data sheets (SDS) and individualized literature for each chemical before using products and equipment. This enhances cleaning performance by ensuring products get applied correctly and to the right surfaces.
• DON’T implement products that could be harmful to employees, especially those with conditions such as asthma or allergies. The best way to avoid this altogether is by using green cleaning products that don’t contain volatile organic compounds, fragrances or dyes. 
• DO provide onsite training when staff begin working at new sites. When employees have to assess areas as they go, they are more likely to make mistakes and may need more time to complete tasks due to a lack of familiarity. The more information employees have about an environment, the more efficiently they can clean. 
• DON’T let staff operate equipment before demonstrating how to maintain and store it. Depending on equipment type, make, and model, there will be different requirements for keeping it in peak operating condition. Giving employees protocols specific to equipment at each site ensures consistent results and reduces replacement and repair costs.  
• DO create opportunities for feedback during training. Directly addressing areas needing improvement ensures cleaning is consistent and correct. Regularly give employees words of encouragement and praise. 
• DON’T expect newer staff to operate without any guidance or supervision. Turnover is often high in cleaning roles. While some employees may have previous cleaning experience, others may be new to the industry and it’s still important to train both equally. Have new employees shadow seasoned workers to reduce the learning curve and create less room for error. 
• DO indicate growth and leadership opportunities. Studies show that 74% of workers feel they aren’t achieving their full potential at work due to a lack of development opportunities. Letting employees know that you want to invest in them makes them feel valued and understand that their hard work won’t go unnoticed. 
• DON’T allow seasoned employees to fall behind. The longer employees follow the same habits, the more difficult it can be to introduce new products and practices. Designate time regularly to review company-wide cleaning standards as well as leadership habits.  

Cleaning Employee Training Yields Success

A cleaning program’s success is dependent on the professionals who complete daily cleaning tasks. Investing in regular and thorough training is key, as it leads to better, more consistent cleaning and employee retention and growth. Following the above best practices can help facility managers nurture a culture of learning and development. 

At GSF USA, we prioritize training because we care about people as much as we do clean. For more information, contact our offices here and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for more information. 

Over the course of the last year, cleaning professionals have been more visible than ever by completing much of their work during the day. From using electrostatic sprayers in schools and on transportation systems like buses and trains to disinfecting in retail stores and airports, they are working to make these spaces safer. What will happen once concerns around COVID-19 dwindle? Read on as we explore the importance of daytime cleaning, now and in the future.  

Shining a Light on Daytime Cleaning Advantages 

There are numerous benefits related to daytime cleaning, including: 

Greater peace of mind for building occupants and guests.  

The pandemic caused a dramatic shift in expectations about cleanliness in public settings like retail stores, schools, commercial offices, and restaurants. Many facilities increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting so they could curb the spread of infections such as COVID-19. This also had another effect: building occupants and visitors could see these processes in action and feel safer knowing cleanliness was a priority.  

Day cleaning brings the cleaning process front and center, thereby demonstrating a facility’s commitment to protecting employees, guests and customers. As we progress towards a post-pandemic world, it will be important for organizations to remain committed to cleaning regularly when customers, employees and other building occupants are present.  

Better cleaning results.  

An advantage to daytime cleaning is that it typically leads to enhanced cleaning performance. There are several reasons why this occurs. Cleaning with natural light helps many cleaning professionals better address issues like carpet stains and the buildup of dust on surfaces. Additionally, other building occupants can interact with cleaning staff and have cleanliness concerns addressed more quickly than if employees were cleaning after hours.  

Environmental savings.  

Conducting cleaning during daytime and early evening hours can help facilities reduce reliance on HVAC systems and electricity. This can lead to lower energy bills, and can have a significant long-term impact on the bottom line, especially for larger buildings like convention centers, schools and commercial offices. Many facilities are looking for ways to limit their environmental impact. Daytime cleaning is a simple change that organizations can implement to cut energy consumption and realize other benefits as well.  

Enhanced employee morale.  

Cleaning professionals often have limited opportunities for flexibility in their roles. Many are accustomed to working nighttime hours. Transitioning employees to morning hours puts them back on a traditional work schedule, giving them time at home in the evenings. These schedules are preferred by employees. Offering morning hours can improve their job satisfaction and help them feel valued by their employer. Focusing on employee morale helps reduce turnover rates, which further improves the quality and consistency of cleaning results.  

Best Practices for Shifting your Cleaning Hours 

Facilities that wish to transition to daytime cleaning can consider the following recommendations to ensure success. 

Determine your employees’ preferences.  

It’s possible that not every employee will want to alter their schedule. Perhaps they already work a daytime shift for another employer and don’t have the flexibility to transition to daytime cleaning. Discuss options with your employees so that you can provide them with a schedule that works for their specific needs.  

Conduct interpersonal training. 

Employees may be approached by building guests while they are cleaning. Provide training on the types of inquiries they might receive so that they are comfortable interacting with others. For example, people may want to know more about the cleaning chemicals being used, cleaning frequency or whether a custodian can address a specific area of the building. If employees are confident, they’ll be more successful having discussions related to their roles.  

Select the right equipment.  

Noisy equipment will disrupt building occupants, especially in settings like offices, schools and libraries. Be sure to review the decibel level of machines like vacuums, carpet care systems and autoscrubbers to confirm they operate quietly while others are present. Keeping tasks as quiet as possible can avoid complaints and is one way to work harmoniously alongside facility guests.  

Making your Commitment to Cleanliness Clear 

There are many reasons to adopt daytime cleaning. From enhancing trust among building occupants and visitors to improving the consistency of cleaning results, facilities can realize the many benefits simply by shifting cleaning schedules forward slightly. Before making this change, it’s important to consider best practices so that daytime cleaning runs smoothly. By following the aforementioned strategies, organizations can transform their approach to cleaning and their workplace culture. 

Looking to implement a successful day cleaning program? Contact GSF USA here and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest updates.   

Robotic floor scrubbers are increasingly being adopted by cleaning service providers to clean more efficiently and effectively. In fact, vetting and adopting high-tech equipment like automated machines is one of the key tenets of GSF USA’s Écologique cleaning program. By implementing high-quality equipment, we can help our clients realize environmental savings and create cleaner indoor environments that support the health and wellbeing of occupants and visitors. 

The T7AMR is a robotic solution from Tennant, a leader in commercial floor cleaning machines. It is powered by an advanced artificial intelligence and robotic technology platform, making it a smart solution and a great addition to GSF USA’s fleet.

Download the GSF USA Tennant Case Study or read it here to learn how this machine is helping to power our cleaning program at Bolingbrook High School.

Maintaining healthy learning environments is crucial to the success of students, teachers and staff, and gives parents peace of mind. Cleanliness contributes to indoor air quality (IAQ), visual appeal and safety of schools. Our team at GSF USA is very passionate about helping schools clean in a more responsible way.

An increasing number of schools are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and align their cleaning programs with their overarching sustainability goals. We are proud that our expertise and commitment to high-quality and sustainable cleaning has enabled us to secure new contracts with schools.

Big Wins for GSF USA

The following are the latest schools and districts that GSF USA will manage:

Rockford Public Schools:

Our office in Rockford, Ill. opened in January 2021 and just a few months later, we’ve secured an exciting win with Rockford Public Schools. Beginning in July, GSF USA will be managing 42 schools that serve more than 28,000 students. This is one of the largest outsourced custodial contracts in the state of Illinois. With over 200 staff members servicing district 205, we look forward to hiring to support this expansion.

Barrington High School:

Part of Barrington Community Unit School District 220, Barrington High School is located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and has an enrollment of about 3,000 students in grades 9-12. The high school opened at its current location in 1949 and has expanded over the years to accommodate the growing community. GSF USA will have dozens of full-time team members supporting this site.

Keeneyville School District 20:

Located in Hanover Park, Ill., Keeneyville School District 20 serves more than 1,400 students from Kindergarten through eighth grade in four different buildings.. GSF will have 11 full-time employees working in the district’s buildings.

How We Approach Cleaning

Our Écologique cleaning program uses Green Seal®-certified processes to ensure we are implementing the most sustainable chemicals, tools, equipment and protocols in educational environments. By incorporating sustainability, we can better protect people and the environment.

The five tenets of the Écologique program include:

1. GSF University Leadership Training ​– GSF USA team members are required to complete a minimum of 24 hours of training.
2. Documented Training and Procedures​ – Our procedures are developed by R&D experts and clearly documented to ensure employees understand and follow proven best practices.
3. Environmentally Sourced Consumables​ – Mindfully sourcing consumables like toilet paper, cleaning cloths and chemicals can limit waste and negative environmental effects.
4. Sustainable Cleaning Chemicals​ – We cleans and disinfect with safe and sustainable electrochemically activated solutions (ECAS) that are made with just water, salt and electricity.
5. High-tech Equipment​ – We use the most advanced cleaning equipment, like robotic floor care machines and electrostatic disinfection systems, whenever possible.

Schools that implement safe and sustainable cleaning demonstrate they care about the wellbeing of their students, teachers, staff and visitors. In addition to supporting public health, green cleaning is also better for the planet. We are thrilled to expand into these new schools and districts, and look forward to bringing on new team members to help us deliver the cleanest environments.

If you are interested in applying to GSF, visit our Careers page here.

To date, more than 211 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the U.S. and this number continues to climb each day. This added and long-awaited protection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus is giving many people the confidence to return to their places of work, to dine out with friends and family and even to travel again.  

As more businesses reopen or expand their capacity limits, it is important for facility managers to understand how to operate in a post-vaccine world. Consumer attitudes and concerns have greatly shifted over the last year, and with highly transmissible strains of COVID-19 still circulating around the world, facilities need to have the right cleaning precautions in place.  

Best Practices for Busy Buildings 

Consider the following strategies to give your facility’s visitors and occupants greater peace of mind as they start to frequent busier places.

Establish transparent cleaning routines that maximize productivity.  

Before the pandemic, cleaning often happened out of sight of building occupants to avoid disruptions. Now, it’s important that visitors see cleaning taking place to enhance their peace of mind. Facility managers must set cleaning schedules carefully. Employees need time and space to complete their tasks, so avoiding the busiest parts of the day or night will be important. However, having staff on hand to clean floors, surfaces and restrooms while guests are present is key. As your facility returns to normal occupancies, note the typical flow of foot traffic to determine when and how many staff members to assign to cleaning.  

Consider the environmental and health impacts of your cleaning chemicals.  

With many organizations dedicated to cleaning more thoroughly and more often, it’s essential that facility managers understand what kind of impact their cleaning may have on indoor air quality, occupant wellbeing and their surrounding communities. Caustic chemicals that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), strong fragrances or even dyes can irritate cleaning professionals and building visitors. They can even seep into the ground and local water supplies if poured down drains or disposals.  

Environmentally friendly chemicals can effectively inactive viruses, restore the look of surfaces and reduce indoor air pollution. Consider floor care machines that electrically convert water into an innovative cleaning solution, as well as electrochemically-activated solutions (ECAS) for cleaning and disinfecting counters, walls, restrooms, railings and more. Safe and sustainable solutions take the worry out of dealing with chemicals, which is especially helpful as foot traffic increases in your facility. 

Bring automated solutions into the mix.  

Robotics are increasingly becoming mainstream in the cleaning industry. This is because they allow cleaning teams to focus on other high-priority needs while automated machines resolve the tedious tasks. Floors are often the first thing facility visitors notice upon entering, so it’s crucial that they are always looking their best. Consider integrating automated vacuums or floor scrubbers into your program that will ensure floors are clean. They operate quickly and quietly and have sensors in place to avoid running into people, walls or other obstacles.    

Regularly check the stock of restroom essentials.  

With more people visiting facilities, restrooms will become busier. While they are often the smallest areas within a building, they can have the biggest impact on a visitor’s perception of cleanliness and impact their willingness to return. Make sure to frequently check the stock of necessities like hand soap, toilet paper and paper towels. If your facility has installed door tissue near restroom exits so guests can avoid directly touching door handles, be sure to restock these and regularly empty trash cans to avoid overflow.   

A Rise in Occupancy and Consumer Confidence  

As an increasing number of people receive the COVID-19 vaccination, the risk of disease transmission decreases. In turn, the public will feel more comfortable congregating in larger groups and facilities will increase occupancy thresholds. Allowing more occupants inside enables businesses to be more profitable. By keeping facilities clean, building occupants and guests will feel confident returning to the places where they work, learn, shop and socialize.   

At GSF, we care about clean and understand the challenges facing facilities today. Contact us here to learn more about our offerings, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates.   

Clean work environments offer many benefits. They allow employees to be more productive, project a more professional atmosphere and perhaps most importantly, they reduce the spread of potentially harmful pathogens that can lead to widespread outbreaks of illness. In the wake of the pandemic, employees are demanding that employers prioritize staff wellbeing. One way to do so is by considering the important role that cleaning plays in upholding health and safety. Access our free e-book that shares best practices for limiting outbreaks and facility closures to protect your employees, reputation and bottom line.

Maintaining Employee Health & Safety e-book

The future of our planet is a growing concern for many citizens worldwide. In fact, a groundbreaking new study by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) surveyed 1.2 million people living in 50 countries about climate change and found that two-thirds (66%) of people think it is a global emergency. Sustainability can manifest itself in many ways, including in the way a facility approaches cleaning and maintenance.  

With Earth Day on April 22, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the myths around sustainable cleaning and to create your own goals around greening your operation.  

The Truth behind Green Cleaning 

Consider the following myths and truths about green cleaning to successfully implement sustainability into your program.  

Sustainable chemicals aren’t as effective. 

Just because a cleaning chemical is made in a more sustainable way doesn’t mean it won’t deliver on cleaning performance. As with introducing any type of new solution into your cleaning program, it’s important to carefully vet green cleaning chemicals. Take a close look at the ingredients to confirm the product is sustainable, note which pathogens it’s effective against and review the contact time to ensure it will be a good fit for your organization. You no longer have to use caustic chemicals to kill bacteria and fungi and inactivate viruses. 

Green cleaning is too expensive.  

Too often, sustainability is met with opposition because leaders believe that following environmental best practices will be costly. While it’s true that most green cleaning solutions and processes may require an initial cash infusion to implement successfully, investing in sustainability pays dividends. Companies committed to sustainability often outperform others that don’t consider the impact of their operations.     

Green cleaning is too difficult.  

Sustainability doesn’t have to be complex. If you’re unsure on where to start, consult with a qualified building service contractor and look to trusted organizations like LEED and Green Seal to understand ways to green facility maintenance and cleaning. These leaders offer certification programs that outline various categories and best practices, as well as guides on certified products to help facility managers jumpstart their sustainability journey.   

How Sustainable Cleaning Benefits Everyone 

Debunking myths around sustainable cleaning is crucial because a more strategic approach to cleaning supports the triple bottom line. Consider these benefits: 

People

With chronic conditions like asthma and allergies on the rise, it’s important to consider the impact that cleaning solutions have on indoor air and the people who use these spaces. Using sustainable chemicals improves indoor air quality and upholds cleanliness in commercial buildings. This creates healthier environments for facility occupants and visitors. Sustainable chemicals are also safer for staff who clean with them. 

Planet

The global population is on the rise and our society consumes resources faster than they can regenerate. If every country consumed as much as the United States, we would need five planet Earths’ worth of resources annually. As there is only one planet Earth, finding ways to reduce consumption is critical. Cleaning more sustainably is one easy-to-implement method for limiting waste. Green cleaning can drastically lower water, energy, chemical and plastic consumption, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, air pollution and more.  

Profit

Green cleaning can also support brand reputation, which offers its own unique benefits. Improving image can attract new customers and eco-conscious employees and strengthen loyalty. Today, the public is more in tune with a business’s ethical and environmental report card than in decades past. Sustainability efforts like green cleaning programs can drive a competitive advantage in the marketplace, setting your organization up for long-term success.  

Achieving Greatness through Green Cleaning 

Facilities realize many benefits through a more sustainable approach to cleaning. This includes energy and water savings, waste reduction, profit, better indoor air quality, enhanced brand reputation and more. Too often, facilities carry on using non-green alternatives because of the myths that exist around sustainable cleaning. This is the way they have always structured their cleaning programs. Today, there are many chemical, equipment and tool options on the market, as well as sustainable procedures that facilities can incorporate to improve the impact on people, the planet and profit.  

We believe in the benefits of sustainable cleaning. For more information about our Écologique cleaning program, contact our offices here and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest updates from GSF USA.