Tag Archive for: green cleaning

Expert Kelowna janitorial services - Woman cleaning the counter in the kitchen

Revitalize Your Business With Our Expert Commercial Cleaning Services

A clean and well-maintained workspace is not only visually appealing but also essential for creating a positive and productive environment.

However, keeping up with the demands of cleaning and maintaining a commercial space can be a daunting task. That’s where our expert commercial cleaning services come in.

Evergreen Maintenance is dedicated to revitalizing your office space or entire building and ensuring it remains spotless, allowing you to focus on what matters most.

At Evergreen, we understand that each business has unique commercial cleaning requirements so we customize the daily or weekly cleaning plan specifically for your needs.

Whether you own an office building, retail store, healthcare facility, or educational institution, our team of cleaning professionals has the expertise, tools, and experience to meet your specific needs.

One of the key benefits of choosing our commercial cleaning services is the knowledge that you are entrusting your space to. We are experts in the field and we make sure our staff are highly trained and experienced cleaners.

Our cleaning crews are well-versed in the latest green cleaning techniques and industry best practices.

All new employees go through a rigorous in-house, monitored, mentored training program to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver exceptional results.

When you choose us, you can expect a thorough and comprehensive cleaning process that covers all areas of your facility from the reception area to individual offices, conference rooms, restrooms, and common areas. We leave no stone unturned.

Our staff is specifically trained to pay attention to details with checklists to make sure nothing gets missed. It’s how we are able to provide a consistent, high standard of cleaning. That’s what sets us apart.

We take pride in providing a clean and hygienic environment for both your employees and clients.

Evergreen Building Maintenance cleaning crews understand that cleanliness goes beyond just aesthetics. It plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and safe workspace. Our commercial cleaning services incorporate environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning products, ensuring the well-being of everyone in your facility.

We pay special attention to high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and countertops, to minimize the spread of germs and maintain a sanitary environment.

Another advantage of choosing our services is our flexible scheduling options.

We understand that each business operates on its unique timetable. Regardless of when you need us, we are committed to working around your schedule to minimize disruption.

Whether you require daily or weekly cleaning, we can tailor a cleaning plan that suits your specific needs and ensures your space remains consistently clean and inviting.

Our expertise extends beyond general cleaning. We offer a range of specialized services to address specific needs and challenges. This includes carpet and upholstery cleaning, window washing, floor maintenance, and more.

Each of our cleaning teams are provided with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques to deliver exceptional results, leaving your space looking its best.

As a business owner or manager, your time is precious. By outsourcing your cleaning needs to our expert team, you can reclaim valuable time and redirect your focus to core business activities.

You can trust that our cleaners will arrive on time, fully equipped, and ready to work efficiently and effectively.

We are committed to delivering prompt and reliable service, ensuring your satisfaction every step of the way.

Choosing the right commercial cleaning service is an investment in the success and reputation of your business.

A clean and well-maintained space not only enhances the productivity and well-being of your employees but also leaves a positive impression on clients and visitors.

With our expert commercial cleaning services, you can create an environment that reflects professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

So, why wait? Take the first step toward revitalizing your space by contacting us today.

Our friendly and knowledgeable team will be happy to discuss your cleaning requirements, answer any questions you may have, and provide a customized cleaning solution tailored to your needs and budget.

Revitalize your space with our expert commercial cleaning services and experience the transformative power of a clean and well-maintained environment.

Trust us to exceed your expectations and deliver results that will leave your space looking and feeling refreshed.

VOC Gasses can cause cancer and other illnesses

Is Your Commercial Cleaning Company Poisoning The Air With VOC Gasses?

Are you aware if VOC gasses are a problem in your office?

Here’s the scenario:

You hire a commercial cleaning company to keep your office building clean. The floors are shiny, the door handles have been sanitized, toilets are cleaned, dust on desks and equipment has been removed, cubicle walls are cleaned and the garbage is thrown out regularly.

That’s a pretty solid cleaning routine in an office environment. It would be fair for you to believe you have provided a clean and healthy environment for staff and clients… right?

Not quite…

In a first-of-its-kind study, Environmental Defence tested the impact of cleaning products on indoor air quality. In all 14 studied households, levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) went up during cleaning.

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.

Watch Out For Products Containing Prohibited Ingredients

Prohibited ingredients in cleaning products include:

  • Toxic Air Contaminants
  • Great Waters Pollutants of Concern
  • Hazardous Air Pollutants
  • Global Warming Compounds
  • Ozone Depleting Compounds
  • Alkylphenol ethoxylates
  • Dibutyl phthalates
  • Heavy Metals (including arsenic, lead, cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, mercury, nickel and zinc)
  • Carcinogens as listed by: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program, USA EPA, Occupational Health and Safety Administration
  • Carcinogens and Reproductive Toxins as listed in Proposition 65

Health Effects Of VOC’s In Products Commonly Used By Commercial Cleaning Companies

As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Scientifically proven health effects of exposure to VOC’s include:

  • Eye, nose and throat irritation
  • Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
  • Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
  • Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Key Signs Or Symptoms Associated With Exposure To VOC Gasses:

  • conjunctival irritation
  • nose and throat discomfort
  • headache
  • allergic skin reaction
  • dyspnea
  • declines in serum cholinesterase levels
  • nausea
  • emesis
  • epistaxis
  • fatigue
  • dizziness

Common Sources of VOCs In An Office / Home Environment:

  • paints, paint strippers and other solvents
  • wood preservatives
  • aerosol sprays
  • cleansers and disinfectants
  • moth repellents and air fresheners
  • stored fuels and automotive products
  • hobby supplies
  • dry-cleaned clothing
  • pesticides
  • building materials and furnishings
  • office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper
  • graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions.

Indoor air quality has always been a key component of effective green cleaning. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC gasses) are a major control point from cleaning and sanitation products.

Studies are now showing that VOCs from cleaning products are also a large contributor to outdoor air pollution.

Make sure your commercial cleaning uses Green Cleaning products and processes.

Evergreen Building Maintenance Is Committed To Green Cleaning.

Call Evergreen Building Maintenance for a free quote for daily or weekly office cleaning services: 1-888-559-6870 or 250-999-2796

Kelowna Commercial Cleaning Services – Evergreen Building Maintenance uses “Green” cleaning solutions and equipment so you can breathe easy!

Commercial Janitorial Companies - Evergreen Building Maintenance

What Makes Evergreen Different From Other Commercial Cleaning And Janitorial Companies

Clients are looking for commercial janitorial companies that can deliver consistently reliable cleaning.  But they also want to keep their costs down.

Commercial janitorial companies also have to manage their expenses.  If you want top-of-the-line services but pay bottom-of-the-barrel pricing, something is likely to go wrong.

How Much Do You Need To Compromise?

Having a clean facility does not seem to be directly related to a company’s profitability.  Indirectly, however, the cleanliness of your office or building determines how comfortable your staff is working there. It also determines how willing your clients are to do business with you.  Both of these factors are directly related to profitability.

Even though you may not want to spend money on commercial office cleaning, you know you have to do it.  You have to bite the bullet and hire the best company you can find for as little cost as possible…but not so low that you end up getting a low-quality cleaning company.

Low-Ball Pricing

Unfortunately, there are commercial janitorial companies that are more than happy to give you low-ball pricing.  You get excited when they promise to deliver almost everything you want, but when you try them out, quite often you realize that maybe you cut corners in the wrong place.

How Evergreen Building Maintenance Does Things Differently

Some Things To Look Out For When Hiring A Commercial Janitorial Service:

  1. When you were getting quotes, you may have indicated that you want to see the lowest price possible. Based on this, the janitorial services company may decide to cut their costs by not using the best cleaning materials or they may use low-quality equipment.

You won’t realize this until you see that your facility is just not as nice looking or smelling as you would like it to be.  The cleaning staff may be doing all the right things but the results are not there.

Evergreen Building Maintenance has been in the business for over 30 years.  They know short-term thinking is not good for business.  We will never compromise the cleaning quality in order to provide bottom-of-the-barrel pricing…but you’ll find our pricing to be very attractive!

We know that regardless of what you “appear” to be saying if the janitorial services company is not able to clean your office satisfactorily, you are not going to keep them around.  From experience, we know that, so we are not even going to try to give you unrealistic expectations.

Evergreen Building Maintenance spends a lot of time training cleaning staff so we can get your building cleaner at a lower cost.

We will never use inferior products or low-quality cleaning equipment. 

  1. Another way to cut costs is to skip on using “green”, “eco-friendly” cleaning practices. “Green” or “eco-friendly” cleaning practices will prevent your staff and clients from having allergic reactions or getting sick from cleaning chemicals.  They will often also do a better job of eliminating viruses and bacteria from spreading.

However, for some commercial cleaning and janitorial companies, this is an “optional” service.   Eco-friendly “chemicals” and equipment can be more expensive.  If they know your main criteria for hiring a commercial janitorial company is to keep costs down, they just won’t offer you the “option”.

Evergreen Building Maintenance includes “green cleaning” as a standard part of their service.  We realize it is better for the health of your employees and clients, so unless you specify otherwise, “eco-friendly” cleaning is the service we will provide while still keeping your costs low.

  1. Sometimes a janitorial company can cut costs by hiring low-cost, temporary workers. This is a bad strategy if you want consistently high cleaning standards.

Commercial cleaning is not as easy as it looks.  We have found that properly trained personnel get better and better at cleaning the longer they are with us.

In order to keep employees so they stick around long enough to provide superior results, we provide a respectable wage, benefits, good quality equipment suitable for the job, and opportunities to move up in the company.

When you see the same people coming to clean your building day after day or week after week you get to know them, and they get to know you and the “special” needs of your office.  They learn the “secret” spots where germs hang out and when you need extra cleaning from time to time.

Long-term, consistent employees are a big reason why we are able to provide a high standard of cleaning without fail.

  1. What happens if you get new equipment, new circumstances, or have a big promotion coming up? Will your commercial cleaning company be able to respond to the changed situation?  On-time?  Effectively?

Evergreen Building Maintenance has lots of people with a variety of skills and experience so we can respond quickly to any situation.

  1. Is The Management Of The Company Easily Accessible?

If you have a special situation coming up, just give the cleaning team manager a call or even just call up the president of the company.  The management of the company is always happy to hear from clients.  In fact, we look forward to it.  Our management does an “official” review of the cleaning team’s performance every three months.

While every company wants to keep its costs down, the lowest-priced commercial cleaning and janitorial companies are often not the way to go.

Take time to review the reputation of the company you are going to hire…get several references and call those references to see what their experience has been.

Make sure the cleaning company you hire uses “green”, “eco-friendly” cleaning materials and cleaning equipment.  There is no sense in having your employees or clients getting sick from harsh chemicals.

Evergreen Building Maintenance provides a high standard of cleaning without you having to compromise on price.

Give us a call today!  Call 1-888-559-6870 or 250-999-2796.

Healthcare, flu, people, rhinitis and medicine concept - ill man blowing his nose with paper napkin and drinking tea at home

Conquering Flu Season With The Right Janitorial Services

Flu season in Canada is typically in late fall into early winter. Unlike the common cold, the flu is far worse because it can lead to other illnesses like pneumonia and an onset of other worsened symptoms. The best way to avoid the flu altogether is to have strong preventative measures put into place, especially if you run a business. This not only benefits the health of your workers but it also benefits you as a business owner. Hiring a professional cleaning service is a cost-effective measure that ensures that you, the business owner, can minimize sick days due to the flu. It’s a strong tactic to keep your business running smoothly and to minimize illness. Here is a comprehensive review on how to minimize the flu in your office.

Secure areas with sanitization

The truth is, most people get sick from touching an infected surface. While illnesses like the flu can be caught from transmission in the air, repeated exposure to the virus in shared areas like break rooms, kitchens and conference rooms are often the main culprit.

Increase cleaning frequency

Hiring a professional cleaning service to routinely sanitize these areas and items within the areas on a frequent basis will reduce the spread of the flu virus. If you normally have a bi-weekly cleaning, consider having one once a week and set the priorities to be focused toward flu management.

General tips

Your professional cleaning service can work with you to determine the best ways to do this by cleaning door handles, hard surfaces and computer keyboards.

  • Tell your sick workers to stay home –if someone falls ill at your workplace, encourage them to work-from-home or to rest up and get better. This will minimize the spread of the virus in your office.
  • Encourage workers to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer during the flu season and to avoid touching their face
  • Encourage people who are pregnant or who have underlying health conditions to take precautions during flu season to avoid hospitalizations

The truth is, the flu can affect each person differently. You do not want to run the risk of having your workers get ill – as some people may be ill a longer than the average and could suffer worse repercussions. Take precautions by hiring a professional cleaning service that will work to reduce the spread of viruses.

Are you ready to conquer the flu? Get in touch with us today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimizing Allergens in the Workplace

At Evergreen Building and Maintenance is concerned with the health of our clients and customers. The Spring and Summer season is the time for allergies that can be triggered by pollen and ragweed outdoors. Allergic rhinitis, the condition describing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms affecting the nose, is common among allergy sufferers, but allergens can also affect the lungs, throat, sinuses, ears and eyes.

A survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson also suggested that as many as 10 million Canadians suffer from allergy symptoms and that 55 percent of Canadians claim that their allergies cut into their work productivity.

The immune system identifies and reacts to different allergens. When an allergen enters the body of someone who is predisposed to allergies, it triggers an immune reaction which results in the familiar symptoms allergy sufferers know all too well. Improving the upkeep of your office is crucial in reducing and maintaining indoor allergens and ensuring the wellbeing of everyone in the workplace environment.

The Evergreen Building Maintenance team can help you with…

  • Eliminating dust mites and other indoor allergens
  • Cleaning mold or mildew on concrete flooring or walls
  • Cleaning carpeting to prevent moisture seepage
  • Improving the air quality by assessing ventilation (we conduct air quality reports)
  • Window cleaning –to remove dust and debris build up

While a deep clean is integral to reducing allergens in the workplace, certain cleaning products actually emit chemicals such as VOCs that contain allergens that many people react to severely. With this in mind, we do not use VOCs to ensure that we’re doing our best to meet your health and safety needs.

According to The Lung Association, a study found that 72 percent of people in Canada with asthma had adverse reactions to chemicals found in fragrances (Canada Safety Council). Our products are specifically fragrance and scent free to avoid any kind of contact allergy situation.

At Evergreen, we make every effort to reduce airborne concentrations of allergens. With proper training in healthy and safety, we implement strong training programs to keep our employees up-to-date with the latest protocol.

Fill out our service request form today!

Green Seal Certified and Ecologo logos

Evergreen ‘Smart’ Green Cleaning Policy In Name and in Practice

Here at Evergreen Maintenance, we have taken the initiative to be green in more than name. We know that our clients want to minimize their environmental footprint, and that’s what we want too. That’s why we have a Smart Green Cleaning Policy.

What is Our ‘Smart’ Green Cleaning Policy?

Our Green Clean Policy is a commitment to only using green products that reduce harmful effects on human health and the environment. Our Green Clean policy doesn’t only affect what cleaning produces we use; it also influences our choice of paper products and equipment. We will only stock recycled products unless a client specifically requests a non-recycled version. We also purchase energy-efficient equipment that allows us to reduce our energy consumption.

Our Green Staff

At Evergreen, we are committed to giving our staff the education they need to do the best job possible. This includes their work in helping to lead the way in sustainable cleaning. We hire certified experts to educate our staff on the most current sustainable methods in environmental cleaning. We keep abreast of the research available to ensure that we are not missing any opportunity to be more sustainable as a company.

What Kinds of Products Do We Use?

logos_blogs

We use products that are Green Seal or Ecologo certified. You can recognize these products by the following logos:

 

Where Will I Notice the Green Difference in My Cleaning Service?

  1. You’ll notice that we utilize products that emit zero VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
  2. When we finish cleaning, your space will be a fragrance and scent-free environment.
  3. Our floor-finishing procedure is zinc-free.
  4. We conduct interior building air quality reports.
  5. We will use paperless systems to give you your invoice.
  6. You will notice that we do not use fuel powered equipment.
  7. We adapt our disposal/recycling programs according to your needs.
  8. We have developed low-impact solutions for graffiti removal.

As a business owner or manager, you know that you want to be as sustainable as possible. Your cleaning service is one of the major factors in deciding the sustainability of your company.  Let us lower your ecological footprint – one green clean at a time.