Quality Restaurant Cleaning Supplies Make All the Difference

It’s hard to believe, but it’s summertime already! That means sunshine, vacations and another busy season for restaurateurs, especially those with businesses in busy areas like vacation and tourist spots. With the kids out of school, and families looking to get out and about, having the best restaurant cleaning supplies readily available is important for keeping your establishment looking its best to welcome all of those guests.

As every restaurant owner is surely well aware, the cleanliness of their business reflects greatly on the expectations that customers have of the place. When floors look greasy and carpets are stained, that lack of cleanliness can have customers questioning the quality of the food, among other things. So can a dirty restroom.

Even if the serving ware is spotless and the silverware shined, people tend to notice a lot more about where they choose to spend their money to eat. This is why every restaurant owner must make sure they are using the highest quality restaurant cleaning supplies.

Recent polling of restaurant customers indicates that the in this weakened economy, tighter their dollars are, the more they expect from their dining experiences, and to have a pleasant experience wherever they choose to go out to eat. Appearance and odors strongly affected these opinions, placing heavy importance in good cleaning, as much as the preparing good food. In order to keep up with the competition, little details like more thorough cleaning are going to make the difference.

Essentially, people did not have good feelings about places that seemed unkempt or dirty, and there is really nothing wrong with that! Who wants to eat someplace where there is a lack of pride and procedure that allows the establishment to remain not quite clean enough?

When considering these poll results, as well as the health concerns for both patrons and employees, it definitely pays to have the best restaurant cleaning supplies and equipment. Not only will the job be easier for your employees when they are using quality products, making it more likely for them to do a thorough job, but the difference will show in the odor-free, clean look of your restaurant.

See our extensive selection of high quality restaurant cleaning supplies to keep your restaurant sparkling clean by browsing the Complete Supply Company online catalog. Whether you need cleaning chemicals, brooms, mops and buckets, we have it all, including a large selection of green products as well.

Going Green With Restroom Fixtures

Restrooms have become focal points for many institutional and commercial organizations seeking to become more environmentally responsible. The efforts focus on the specification and maintenance of key elements within restrooms, including plumbing fixtures, paper products, dispensers, and cleaning chemicals.

Since many budgets are tighter and demands for results are louder, managers need to act as quickly as possible to improve the sustainability of restrooms and, at the same time, generate savings for organizations.

By addressing these key product areas and taking steps to improve the productivity of front-line technicians, managers can end up with restrooms that offer both greater sustainability and lower costs.

Piece by Piece

While one or two green initiatives might generate benefits, managers most likely will have to institute a series of changes to produce the desired results. Here are suggested actions related to key restroom products:

Plumbing fixtures. Measure water use for restroom fixtures, and develop a conservation plan. Check for, locate, and fix leaks in faucets, shower heads, and toilet and urinal flush valves.

Also, check for leaks in custodial closet sinks. Water waste might exist where workers store janitorial equipment and supplies and fill cleaning buckets.

Monitor for potential losses by replacing worn O-rings and washers before they start to leak water. This tactic is a proven way to lower water use and waste costs.

Replace older, high-volume, timed-cycle flush valves and high-volume taps with newer, low-flow valves. Make sure sensor valves respond only to appropriate movements and solenoids function properly. Inserting restrictors or replacing valves with return on investment in mind can lock savings into the system.

When upgrading fixtures, convert to fixtures with copper pipe extensions and a brass coupling nut. Technicians can install these extensions more quickly because they do not require a special wrench to reach up under the back of the sink.

Check to see if hot-water temperatures at the heaters are set properly. If the temperature is set at 140 degrees, adjusting it to 120 degrees
can result in large electricity savings.

Insulate hot-water lines or move the heater closer to the point of use. This step can minimize heat loss and save water and chemicals.

Put up water-conservation posters that suggest turning off water when shaving, brushing teeth, showering, and bathing.

If the savings related to water, water-softening chemicals, and waste bills in just a few years are greater than the cost of upgrades, the result is a win-win-win situation — free upgrades, a greener facility, and lower operating costs.

Paper products. Verify that paper products deliver the promised sheet count by checking the roll or pack. Use larger sheet-count rolls of toilet paper to cut cost. This step reduces replacement time and empty-dispenser calls. Consider converting to high-velocity air dryers with shorter cycle times in some locations to minimize the use paper towels.

Dispensers. Measure the flow of liquids from dispensers and install restrictors where needed. Use newer dispensers that are easy to refill. Use foam instead of liquid soap to reduce use and pipe clogs. Use cartridge soap replacements to save time reloading dispensers.

Cleaning chemicals. Measure, measure, measure. Many cleaning jobs require only a few ounces of chemical cleaner per gallon of water. If workers pour concentrated cleaner directly into a pail from the bottle, they probably are using too much and forcing the department to pay a premium for chemicals.

This wasteful practice also might create a safety hazard by leaving surfaces slippery after drying. High concentrations of chemicals in the waste water also cause buildup, clogging, and unnecessary loads on waste-treatment facilities. http://completesupplyco.com

The Nose Knows: The Quest for a Good Smelling Room

Do you work with kids? Maybe your organization hosts big events or has a large congregation a couple times a week. Or perhaps you own a pet, or many pets. If you answered yes to any of the above then you know how terrible the odors can become. You need a powerful solution and Complete Supply Company has it.

Meet the Air Wick Freshmatic Ultra Automatic Spray Starter Kit. This easy to use system is perfect for bathrooms or classrooms. It is even strong enough for medium sized, open rooms like a church auditorium.

This compact air freshening system uses some of the best odor control technology and is customizable depending on your air freshening needs. The sprayer has three different settings allowing you to control the amount of freshener sprayed. The settings are at 9-, 18- or 36-minute intervals. The Freshmatic is also wall mountable and is small enough for easy concealment. Each starter kit comes with two, fresh AA batteries and one spray canister. When it comes time to replace the canister you just pop it out and insert the new canister with no fuss. Ideal for bathrooms, the office, or just at home it will keep your rooms smelling fresh with no hassle.

Other ideal odor control products include the Adjustable Fan Dispenser for larger commercial settings, the Ajax Solid Air Freshener for small rooms and for the really persistent smells try the Bio Conqueror 105 Enzymatic Odor Counteractant Concentrate. This powerful odor control chemical uses “Billions of select spore-form bacteria” to eliminate smells at the source. It is ideal for spray bottle use or for use with a mop.

Complete Supply Company is a Michigan based janitorial and restaurant supply company.

How To: Clean Walls

Like everything there is a way and a way not to clean walls. Much of the time scrubbing too hard or with the wrong chemicals can damage the paint, finish or wall paper and scrubbing too soft won’t get the job done. Fortunately Complete Supply Company has the answers and the products you need to get your walls looking like new.

The frequency in which you clean is an important part of keeping your walls looking nice. If you clean to often you could damage the paint or wallpaper but if left for too long the fingerprints and dust build-up can make it very difficult to clean and you may have to repaint. It depends on how quickly your walls become dirty. If you start seeing fingerprints or dirt on your wall it is probably time to clean. Different walls require different techniques. If you are not careful you could accidently remove coatings or paints and have to repaint the area. Wallpaper is even easier to damage.

The first thing that should be done when cleaning any wall is to dust the wall and remove as much dirt as possible before getting the wall wet. A feather duster is the best tool to use or if you have out of reach places an overhead duster may be helpful. The equipment and technique for cleaning the wall varies slightly depending on if you are cleaning a painted wall or a wallpapered wall. The painted wall is not as delicate as the wallpapered wall and therefore you can use a moderate cleaner. Mr. Clean works very well. You will also need a bucket of clean water, a bucket with a moderate cleaning solution, a soft sponge and several dry, clean towels or you can use paper towel. You start cleaning the wall bottom to top and proceed in circular motions. Once the section of the wall in cleaned, rinse if off and dry it with a towel. It is important that a painted wall not remain wet for very long so only clean a section for about 2 minutes before you dry it off. If there are sections of wall that are still dirty, wait until the wall is completely dry before cleaning again. Keep in mind, not all painted walls are the same. Some are more delicate than others or may have coatings that require a more gentle cleanser. Often organic or natural cleansers are the best choice. 

This is also the case with wallpaper. Because wallpaper is so much more delicate than paint it is more tedious to clean. Unlike most paints, wallpaper requires a much gentler approach. For starters, the cleanser should be delicate. Once again, a natural cleanser is often the best choice due to their gentle nature. The Seventh Generation All-Purpose Cleaner is a great option. Other than the cleanser all the material is the same. Two buckets, one with mild cleanser solution and one with clean water and several clean, dry towels. It is important to use as little water as possible on wallpaper so when rinsing, use a damp sponge, not a wet sponge, you want to avoid dripping if possible. Wallpaper takes longer to clean because each section can only be wet for about 1 minute before it should be patted dry and not rubbed dry.

Other useful cleaning tools include the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, for pesky spots or try Green Works All Purpose Cleaner when you need a more gentle cleaner.

The On-The-Spot Stain Solution

Stains can be a problem, especially when on a white surface surrounded by colors and precision bleach application is nearly impossible with a gallon of liquid. Complete Supply Company has the solution to this debacle. 

That solution comes if the form of the awesome Clorox Bleach Pen. This small applicator is perfect for detail bleach work and can be used on more than just clothes; the pen is great for a variety of surfaces.

The pen has a dual tip to maximize precision application. There is no need to worry about spraying bleach where you don’t want it. The pen is great for making your clothes a bright white that only comes from bleach. Or use it to get that luster in your kitchen or bathroom. Simply use the pen to draw a neat line of bleach on caulk or grout and they will shine like never before with no mess. It is also great for carrying with you for use on the go. Spill coffee on that white shirt, no problem. The pen is great for removing small stains wherever you might be. 

Other great bleach products that can aid in your cleaning include the Color Safe Bleach Powder and for those who have more sensitive skin or just don’t like the idea of super harsh chemicals, check out Borateem Chlorine Free Color Safe Bleach Powder. They can all be found at www.Completesupplyco.com. 

 Complete Supply Company is a Michigan based janitorial and restaurant supply company.

The Great Mop Dilemma

I Mop, You Mop, We All Mop

For over 100 years the mop has graced nearly every household, business and factory. Almost every floor that has ever been in the last century has met a mop. They are able to clean spills and stains, wood or linoleum. Over those 100 years the needs of the cleaning industry have evolved and the mop has had to evolve with it. As the mop evolved it changed into two main iterations and it can be difficult to know which mop is right for your work. In this article the differences between the string mop as well as the microfiber or ‘flat mop’ will be discussed. Hopefully at the end it will be easier to choose which mop is best for you.

A mop is an essential part of cleaning in any setting but the different kinds of mops are better for different situations. The first kind of mop that we will discuss is the String Mop. String mops are the original mops.  Credit for first inventing mops goes to a Thomas Stewart who received a patent in 1893. Despite being over 100 years old Stewarts string mop continues to be a major tool in any cleaning arsenal. The modern mop has undergone certain improvements but the principal is the same. This century old invention still holds as one of the best ways to absorb liquid. This is the primary advantage to the string mop versus the microfiber or flat mop, which does not have the absorption capacity of the string mop. Because of this, many cleaning companies prefer the string mop on uneven surfaces such as corrugated floors or ceramic floors where there is grout. The string mop can get into all the small spaces the grout creates. This mop is best for areas that are prone to a lot of liquid such as schools, community centers, or restaurants. Another significant issue with upgrading to the microfiber mop is the cost to the company. The microfiber head requires more care than most string mop users are used to and new buckets designed for the microfiber mop must be purchased. So for now, in areas involving a high level of spills, string mops are still the tools of choice.

Despite the level of maintenance required for microfiber flat mops they have broken their way onto the cleaning scene with force. While they may not be able to absorb as much liquid, they can clean with much less water all together. This allows them to be more efficient; in areas where sources of water might be very spread out efficiency in a huge advantage. There are a couple other economical advantages to the microfiber mop. Each mop head is much easier to clean even if it has to be done more often. A washer and dryer are all you need. Flat mops can also be used for both wet and dry mopping. The double purpose decreases on the amount of products that must be purchased. The mops can also be equipped with a bucket free system as well. A chemical storage reservoir can be attached to the pole making water virtually unneeded. Companies have reported these mops being used in a variety of settings, particularly with concrete or vinyl composition tile (VLC). Another significant advantage to the flat mop is its ease of use. Because the mop head is smaller and lighter with not as much water in it the entire mop is more ergonomic and as a result is popular in the home where only small spills occur and not as much water is needed.

No matter your choice of mop http://www.completesupplyco.com/ has what you need! With a user friendly website and a comprehensive search system it is simple to find the style of mop that fits your work the best.

The Detergent Debate: Powder Vs. Liquid

Laundry is one of the most common household tasks. It is estimated by water conservation analysts that about 2.5 loads of laundry are done per person per week in the US. That is a lot of water and a lot of detergent. With rising costs and ever increasing options it is important to know which detergents to buy to keep your costs low and your clothes clean. Considerations can include cost, effectiveness, and environmental, and with so many options it can be difficult to know which to choose. That is why Complete Supply Company has created this brief and easy to read review of what people are saying about powder vs. liquid detergents and which are the best.

           Some people think that powder detergents are going the way of the dinosaur. This is because if too much is used they can leave a powdery, gunky residue on clothes causing people to switch to liquid based detergents. But is that the right choice? There are many advantages to powder detergents over liquid detergents with few disadvantages. First and foremost, powder detergents tend to be less expensive than most of their liquid counterparts. They can also be bought in bulk much easier than liquid detergents. As reported in a study done by Good House Keeping, powder detergents are more powerful and have shown to be more effective when fighting stains. More effective means you can buy less of it. Another significant advantage to powder detergents is their shelf life. Most of the active chemicals in detergents are more stable in powder form allowing for a longer shelf life. This means that when bought in bulk there is little concern for waste. Less waste is better for the planet. There are other factors that make powders a greener choice. They use considerably less packaging, saving you money and saving the environment plastic waste. They also have fewer sudsing chemicals that cause fish gills to absorb less oxygen and can lead to population die offs.  These are things to consider when purchasing your next detergent.

            Despite all the pros, powder is not without it’s cons. As mentioned before, it can leave a residue on clothes if too much is used requiring an extra rinse cycle, which uses a lot more water and costs money. Powders tend to work better with warm water; again this uses more energy and costs more money. The powders can cause septic system trouble from the chemicals that keep them in powder form. They also tend to have more chemicals in them then do liquid alternatives.

            Even though powders have a few cons they have more pros and with some careful measuring when using powders and ensuring they won’t damage your septic system, they seem to be the right choice. However, liquid detergents do have their place and are not without merit. First of all, liquid detergent dissolves much better in water regardless of temperature. This means that liquid detergents do not leave any kind of residue on clothes and can be used with cold water. Another significant and very useful advantage to liquids is their ability to pretreat a stain. However, this is where the pros to liquid ends and the cons begin. Liquids are essentially pre-diluted powders, which means that people are paying for a process that can be done inside the washer. Liquid detergents are not as effective as powder detergents and more must be used. According to consumer reports liquid detergent measuring caps are not effective and often cause over use, which can glum up the washing machine over time. They have environmental cons as well. Liquid detergent means big heavy plastic containers, which do not break down easily. Liquid detergents also have more sudsing chemicals that, as mentioned before, can cause serious problems for marine life. Even though liquid detergents leave no residue and can be used to pretreat, they are host to a number of other problems and with a little diligence are not needed. There are certain exceptions however. Some people report powder detergents irritating their skin where liquid does not. Liquid may also be appropriate if your septic tank is damaged by powder.

           Both styles of detergent have their place and after reading this review, hopefully it will be easier to choose which one is best for you. To make the choice of brand a little easier, Green Housekeeping performed a study to find the most effective detergents and this is what they found. Powder is more powerful and the best brand to get is Ultra Tide Plus Bleach powder. However, if liquid is the choice for you then they reported Gain Dazzle & Shine With Bleach Alternative a close second. No matter your choice, Completesupplyco.com has all your options.

Stay Clean, Stay Green

Green and Clean:

How Organic Cleaning Products can make a Safer Home

Pollution is a problem and Completesupplyco.com has the answers. Kids hear about it in school, adults hear about it on the news and anybody can see it when they look out and see a green skyline. 

Everyone knows about the growing problem in our planet’s atmosphere but, few people take the time to think about the atmosphere in their own home. From spray surface cleaner to laundry detergent to dish soap there are pollutants in every corner of the average household. The EPA identified up to 5 times as many chemical pollutants in the home than outside and research has linked these items to health problems. Short-term exposure can cause headaches or minor cold symptoms while long-term exposure can lead to complications with asthma and bronchitis patients. Many of the cleaning supplies that are found in the home release VOC’s or volatile organic compounds. Many of these products are found in janitorial supplies, restaurant supplies/food service industry, institutional supplies,hotel supplies , parish supplies , office supplies and other commercial supplies that we are surrounded by every day. These dangerous chemicals have been linked to occupational asthma meaning that these chemicals cause people to suffer an asthma attack due to their toxic nature. 

There are other considerations regarding these synthetic chemicals. The CEO of Seventh Generation brought up a good point regarding oil dependency in his interview with Natural News. In his statement he points out that most of these synthetic chemicals are petroleum based and ad to the oil dependency problem harming society as well as environment. By shifting to natural products derived from plants instead of oil we can reduce our oil consumption and decrease health risks for each other and ourselves. Complete Supply Co. has a many green products for janitorial, restaurant, school and parish management.

            Several reasons exist to switch over to green products; health, environmental, and social. So why don’t more people switch. One reason could be doubt of their effectiveness. An article by LiveScience indicates that cleaning products derived from nature are just as effective as synthetic cleaners with the exception of those that contain bleach. Even though organic cleaners cannot clean like bleach, they also do not cause respiratory or other health problems, long-term or short-term. They are safe to use regarding the environment as well. Many of the green chemicals break down rapidly and have a neutral PH level. Also by lowering the dependence on oil, organic cleaning products have a social impact as well helping them to be a small but significant step on the road to a greener, cleaner future.      

Due to the up rise in green products and grass root movements, many companies have started using buzzwords like “green” and “Natural”. These companies are guilty of greenwashing, or taking advantage people’s desire to do what is right by making minor changes to their products so that they can be called natural or even organic.Completesupplyco.com knows cleaning supplies and one product that lives up to their name is Greenworks. This company, which is owned by Clorox, makes a product that was derived from plant and mineral bases, uses biodegradable ingredients, is not tested on animals, and uses biodegradable packaging whenever possible. The EPA Design for the Environment program has recognized their products as being environmentally friendly and they have established themselves as a great cleaner.

Greenworks is just one great product.

Other great and green cleaning brands out there:

·         Misty Aspire-

http://www.completesupplyco.com/search.php?search_query=misty+aspire,

·         Seventh Generation - 

http://www.completesupplyco.com/search.php?search_query=seventh+generation&x=55&y=9

·         Gojo-

http://www.completesupplyco.com/search.php?search_query=Gojo

 

All of these products plus many other trusted brands can be found here: http://www.completesupplyco.com/categories/Green-Products/.

Which to Do First: Dust or Vacuum?

Deciding whether to dust or vacuum first is a valid cleaning concern. It seems reasonable to assume that because dusting may send a certain amount of dust to the floor it is better to dust first and vacuum second. On the contrary, some believe vacuuming stirs up dust, then settles on furniture. No matter the sequence of your dusting/vacuuming, Complete Supply Company has all the necessary supplies to keep your space clean.

In order to perform a thorough dusting, you need to remove all clutter and unnecessary items. Next, dampen a dust cloth with furniture polish. You should begin dusting at the highest points in the room first. This is essential because any dust that falls down to a lower surface can be swept up as you work downwards. You may also choose a direction-either clockwise or counter clockwise and stick to is as you move throughout the room to ensure you don’t skip any areas. When you notice your dust cloth beginning to accumulate dust, be sure to shake it off onto the floor if you plan on vacuuming next or get a fresh new dust cloth. You may prefer a feather duster over a cloth. This may allow you to dust those hard to reach spots. To dust hardwood floors, swiffer sweeper mops work great.

Before you begin to vacuum, it may be beneficial to do a quick inspection of your vacuum. Check the vacuum belts, wheels, and the vacuum brush for any repairs. It is also important that you replace the vacuum bag frequently. It is recommended you change the bag every month. Next, pick up any debris that your vacuum can not suck up such as paper clips, shedding plants, small objects, anything that is obvious. Start vacuuming the corner that is farthest from the door and work toward the door, using gliding, even strokes. Find the grain of the carpet and work with it. You may also want to use a carpet deodorizer to freshen your space. It is recommended to vacuum carpeted surfaces at least once a week. This will help to control allergens.

Again, whether you dust first or vacuum first, as long as you are cleaning your area, you’re better off than before you started. The sequence doesn’t really matter; it’s the cleanliness of your area that counts!

Complete Supply Company is a Michigan based janitorial and restaurant supply company.

For more information or to browse our products visit www.completesupplyco.com. Or for more interesting articles and updates on products visit the Complete Supply Co. blog at http://blog.wwwcompletesupplyco.com/.