Winterize Your Business Now To Reduce Annual Maintenance Costs
Will winter bring milder temperatures, or will the Midwest brace for another bout of brutal cold, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions? While nobody can say for certain, there is one truth we can all agree on. Winter tends to bring increased maintenance responsibilities with its constant unpredictability. With that uncertainty comes increased costs. However, with a bit of proactive planning, you can be prepared for the winter and control costs in the process.
1. Use Snow and Ice Melters.
After all, tracking snow and ice into your facilities is an accident waiting to happen. Using the correct snow and ice melting compounds can reduce both unsightly hazards and costly restorative procedures. Manufactured or blended snow and ice melters are easy to use, and using the correct type will help minimize oily residues on carpets and other interior surfaces. In addition, when using the correct type of ice melter, it’s fast-acting and melts down to 0º F, unlike salt and some other blends. In addition to being safe and economical to use, snow melters prolong the life of your carpets and hard flooring areas. In addition, using the proper type of ice melters will help prolong the life of your driveways and walkways as well as ensure your lawns are not damaged by the salt and other harsh chemicals that may be in many ice melters and salts.
2. Institute a Matting Program.
The right matting program for your facility accomplishes two important goals at once. Proper walk-off matting is the key to minimizing the likelihood of customers or personnel slipping and falling during winter’s icy grip. While providing a professional appearance for your entranceways, mats could even reduce your exposure to liability issues. Just as important, your matting program can reduce up to 80% of the soils and litter that enter your facilities through daily traffic. That reduction can, in turn, pay off in both less time and labor spent removing dirt and grime and less wear and tear on carpets and flooring surfaces, resulting in greater efficiency in protecting your investment. Using both interior and exterior walk-off mats increases efficiency, since each foot comes in contact with the mat for three to five strides. People judge quickly. A proper matting program can help you maintain a spotless reputation while minimizing winter residue.
3. Employ Proper Cleaning Products.
Facing winter and its spring reprises, it’s important to have the proper current cleaning products on hand. The right product can reduce the time and effort it takes to rid your facility of seasonal soils. Neutral cleaners can help reduce or eliminate the powdery residues often left behind by cheaper cleaning products. In addition, carrying neutral disinfectant mop solutions minimizes the effort of keeping floors clean. Both mop solutions and carpet cleaners are highly dilutable and cost-effective while improving overall sanitation.
4. Use Sanitizing Agents.
Winter is cold and flu season. How you address this problem in your facilities will speak volumes about your brand. Don’t forget, your brand includes your entire company, including its employees. Sanitation procedures keep both customers and employees happy and healthy. Anti-bacterial soaps and both paper and CRT towels are staples in sanitation. In addition, antibacterial sanitizers can be placed outside doors and close to entranceways for greater peace of mind. Ready-to-use (RTU) antimicrobial sprays for countertops, desks, and other surfaces are available as well, and provide 1-2 day protection.
5. Use the Right Equipment.
Having up-to-date equipment can be instrumental in minimizing the labor costs associated with cleaning your facilities. Whether for carpeting or hard surfaces, a complete program of mops, including both dust mops and wet mops, carpet vacuums, carpet extractors, and automatic scrubbers, is essential. Equipment that is specifically designed for a particular type of floor or carpet will deliver more efficient cleaning, reduce costs, improve appearance, and prolong the service life of your facility’s investment.
6. Provide the Right Training.
Even with the right cleaning equipment, if your personnel lack proper training, you are less likely to achieve the results you are looking for. Make your cleaning staff more productive and efficient by installing proper procedures and training. Also, conduct thorough walk-throughs, approach all your cleaning requirements in a consultative manner, and explain how to use specific products and equipment to achieve optimal results. In addition, creating individual procedure sheets that spell out which products are to be used, which equipment is to be used, and how often cleanings are to take place is the best course of action for creating an overall winter-ready program.
Start Preparing to Winterize Your Facility
Don’t let the winter season catch you off guard. Miller’s Textile Services can help you put the right matting and sanitizing agents in place to protect your space all winter long. Reach out to us today to get started.
