Latest Tips & Health Tricks for a Healthier Office

October 30, 2017July 18, 2019

Massachusetts Cleaning Franchises & What You Should Know

Did you know?

Until a few years ago, about 30% of commercial cleaning services in the New England area were being provided by franchised cleaning services and franchise cleaning operations. Changes in the Massachusetts labor laws forced cleaning franchise companies that were previously doing commercial cleaning out of the subcontract cleaning market.

Individuals looking to seek out jobs or work in the cleaning industry may not be aware of the changes in the Massachusetts labor law. There have been lawsuits and arguments where franchisees can or cannot be considered employees by their master company. In Massachusetts, cleaning franchises, specifically, are structured differently than a franchise in another state. Franchisees are considered employees under the Massachusetts labor law, and therefore it can make operating a traditional cleaning franchise difficult, since the law is different than the rest of the states in the country.

October 23, 2017July 16, 2019

Disinfectants: More Harm than Good?

You may remember our post about hand sanitizers and how the repeated use of just sanitizer can be less effective than traditional hand washing. This time, we’ve come to talk about disinfectants.

When we say disinfectant, you may think of a spray like a bleach spray, but we also mean those seemingly useful wipe products. Disinfectants can be spread out across a variety of products, and it isn’t just limited to sprays. A disinfectant is essentially a substance that kills life and is regulated by the EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodent Act. A disinfectant must be safe to use and undergoes a variety of testing to show that it can kill “life” (in this case, bacteria) and be effective.

A disinfectant can often be considered a pesticide as well, and many of the “harsher” chemical sprays require the use of personal protective equipment. Disinfecting a surface properly means cleaning the surface, applying the disinfectant, and then waiting a certain period of time in order for the disinfectant to properly work. Many of us just wipe up the disinfectant immediately after applying it; often times this is not correct and does not work as intended. Disinfectants are also commonly mixed improperly. Because of this, disinfectants can be very unlikely to work effectively, as effectively, or at all. Sanitizing with disinfectant is a very particular job that requires time and attention, and if not done properly, can have disastrous results.

October 9, 2017July 18, 2019

When should the air filters in the office be changed?

We’ve all been there. A stuffy office setting where the windows may only open slightly or may not open at all. Constantly having air flow running through the HVAC system, whether hot or cold, means that particles are always getting caught in the air filters. That’s exactly what they’re for — to catch dust and particles that would otherwise float around the office. With constant use air filters can get clogged up and be less effective as well as put undue strain on your HVAC system.

When should the air filters be changed in an office?

Unlike home air filters you may use for your HVAC system that only require to be changed every 6-12 months, office HVAC air filters should be checked and possibly replaced every 2 months. The frequency of which air filters should be checked and changed can be determined by the kind of HVAC system you have. Some manufacturers suggest more or less time between changes. Industrial facilities may probably need to change out their air filters once a month. You should speak with a licensed HVAC technician for your office to figure out how often your air filter should be maintained.

Blog