Archive for April 8th, 2009

Recently, a customer wrote in asking about air fresheners. She was complaining that she gets headaches from the strong smells and chemical scent of most air fresheners. Unfortunately, this a common problem. Disinfectant sprays like Lysol are made with harsh chemicals because it needs to kill strong bacteria like Staph, E-Coli, Flu, and Salmonella. Air Fresheners like Oust and Glade tend to have strong scents to cover up ugly bathroom smells. So what do you do if you need a light air freshener for your office or home area?

One option is to try Arm and Hammer Deodorizing Air Freshener.  Because it is made with the power of baking soda to neutralize odors, it is not as harsh on your nose or the environment. If that is still strong, you may have to stick with natural deodorizers. Here are some options:

1) Put a few drops of essential oil in a spray bottle filled with water. I like citrus or lavender. However, this will only mask smells, not remove them. 

2) Place small bowls or cups filled with baking soda around the room. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber and allergen reducer.

3) Simply placing plants around the room should soak up some bad smells, and possibly emit some good ones! Try a herb garden to get fresh smells and a healthy source of flavor for meals.

4) Open some windows!

5) Light some soy candles- they smell great and are environmentally friendly.

If you have any other questions, or know some great air freshening remedies, please comment below.

 According to the Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, over 26lbs. of dirt can  be tracked into a facility in one month by just 1000 people. The cost of removing that dirt can be up to $500 per pound! If you want to avoid extensive cleaning  costs, your best bet is an efficient matting system.

 Matting systems are designed to stop dirt, soil, dust, residue, grime, and  other foreign materials from entering your facility. The benefits of installing  matting are endless- from a better facility appearance, to increased safety for your  workers, an easier daily cleaning routine, less damage to products, a lower cost of carpet care, and decreased frequency in replacing carpet and flooring. 

There are three types of matting systems:

1) Outside Matting- Outside matting is durable, long lasting, and stain resistant. We recommend non-backed mats so that dirt and moisture can pass through the mat for easy clean-up. 

2) Foyer & Entrance Matting- The mats need to be durable and non-slip. We recommend the 3M Entrance Floor Mats because they come in different sizes and construction depending on traffic. They are also attractive and look nice in a foyer, with colors like Brown, Slate, Ebony and Grey.

3) Inside Matting- Inside Matting  is usually made of nylon or polypropylene with a vinyl backing to hold moisture and dirt off the floor- backless mats are a no no for indoor use because you will stain your floor! The vinyl back will also make sure the mat stays in place and doesn’t move along the floor. 

Not only should you consider what type of mat to purchase, but you also need to think about what size is necessary. Many factors come into play when deciding what type of mat you need- how much traffic, how much moisture, and what type of mat you prefer. For more questions, please email cs@CleaningProductsWorld.com, or comment below.