5 Useful Tips to Reorganize a Janitorial Closet

We spend the majority of our time restocking our janitorial closet with cleaning supplies we bought from Manila stores. We don’t mind investing in expensive but quality janitorial supplies. It could be because we’re worried of running out of supplies or we are just utilizing the use of this room because of the mentality that the purpose of a closet is to store things in it. But when was the last time we really took a look at our janitorial closet? Does your janitorial closet fit the description of ‘organized mess’ or ‘organized and clean’? Which side are you on?

Try to imagine the following scenario in an office setting: the lobby is sparkling clean; each office or room is tidied up, dust-free and the wastebasket is emptied the night before; the hallways are squeaky clean and free of any obstructions. However, as you take a peek at the janitorial closet, it tells a different story. Paper towels are strewn everywhere. The flooring is sticky because of chemical spills or residue. Several containers are found in the four corners of the room’s floor and not in the shelves. In the eyes of an outsider, if they witness such odd scenario, it is either they will be confused or doubt the cleanliness of the building. Why? The janitorial closet is a dead giveaway.

According to CleanLink, “…the custodial closet is a janitor’s “office” and should be treated with as much respect as other workspaces in the building.” A well-kept and tidy closet shows the quality of custodians’ work. It also reflects the level of their professionalism and dedication to the task assigned to them. If they cannot keep their workstation clean, how are you going to entrust the overall maintenance and sanitation of the whole building to them?

It is not too late to shake things up and start a little closet makeover. Here are the following tips to restore the dingy janitorial closet of yours to its dignified glory:


Declutter

It is time to purge some items if your closet looks like a mini janitorial supplies store in Manila. Do you really need three types of the same cleaning product? This practice is not only pointless, it is not cost-effective as well. Stick to one brand and throw away the rest. Or better yet, as John Walker, the president of ManageMen, Inc. and the founder of Janitor University suggests, you should be “selling, donating, or pitching anything that hasn’t been used in the last nine months.” Let go of the cleaning products you had for years because it already lost its effectiveness.


Sort out and label

After the decluttering phase, sort out items based on its usage by creating a color-coding scheme, the Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN) shares. For example, green for all products used for cleaning windows; yellow for floor products; and blue for the restrooms. Each product should be properly labeled. According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “labels for hazardous chemical must contain name, address and telephone number; product identifier; signal word; hazard statement(s); precautionary statement(s); and pictogram(s).” You may refer to this link for more details.


Organize supplies and equipment

The equipment, cleaning supplies or products should be at shoulder height or eye level to avoid bending, lifting and stretching. Worldwide Janitor recommends installing shelving units and wall mount hangers. Line up cleaning products on the shelves. Hang cleaning supplies or equipment like brooms, mops and vacuums. As much as possible, the floor must be free of any items to avoid tripping hazards. This is also to clean chemical spills easier.


Clean supplies after work

Custodians should be accountable on every item they retrieve and use from the closet. Return the cleaning products to its designated shelf or rack. Clean the equipment before hanging it. Rinse and hang mops and cleaning cloth to dry. Empty mop buckets and vacuum bags. This is to prevent mold from accumulating because it may affect the indoor air quality inside the room. It would be much better if the closet has a proper ventilation system, too.


Update the look of your closet

The janitorial closet makeover isn’t complete without a few touch ups. It doesn’t need to be too extravagant or too expensive. Put a fresh coat of light-colored paint on the walls and floor to make the room brighter and larger. A closet should be well-lit so install LED lights that last a long time.


Lastly, conduct regular training sessions intended for custodians in order to enforce the proper maintenance of the janitorial closet. Supervisors should be held accountable and they should schedule their own rounds as well. This might be a lot of work and may take time to implement but it will pay off in the end. Remember that a janitorial closet makeover is not only for beautification but also to ensure the safety and health of those who uses it.

This article was brought to you by: Polymer Products Inc. 

Safe Work Practices When Using Cleaning Products

Much like the janitorial supplies bought in Manila, cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to the health and environment.  Companies are aware of such risks because they are purchasing the same, if not more high-end, products. They simply let their custodians have access to it whenever the next cleaning session is scheduled. However, this kind of freedom could pose certain risks especially on the side of the custodians. Wearing of face masks and latex gloves are not enough. What should the management and cleaning personnel do?

An article brought to you by: http://www.polymerprod.com/

The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), under United States Department of Labor, formulated some guidelines regarding the proper use of cleaning products for the safety of workers. These are the following:

Training of Workers

This must be initiated by the management or the employer who hires the people to be assigned in the cleaning department. You don’t just give them an identification card, tell them their work schedules, give them a timecard, point where the cleaning supply closet is and off they go. As any other employee under the payroll of the company, they must undergo orientation and training.

                 

This training includes a discussion of the cleaning products they will be dealing with such as the chemicals or ingredients they contain; the symptoms and health problems they may cause; and what type of first aid measure is applicable if improperly used.

Investing in Proper Protective Equipment

The basic “battle gear” of a custodian are gloves, safety goggles, and face masks or respirators. The management may have accomplished this requirement which is good. On the other hand, workers should take part as well by wearing all three while even working on basic tasks. Why is this necessary?

As we mentioned above, cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that if accidentally diluted may cause severe consequences. What we mean by ‘accidental’ is, in general, chemicals should not be mixed. The prime example is bleach and ammonia, a deadly combination that may cause lung damage or worse, death.

Put on Labels on Cleaning Products

Or never peel off the labels, whatever is applicable. Labels don’t just tell the name of the product. It shows how to properly use the said product and the chemicals or ingredients it has. Plus, the corresponding first aid in case something bad happens while using the product.

Strictly read and follow what is written on the label at all times.

Establish Open Communication

Unfortunately, in this type of job, complaints are sometimes unheard of or shrugged off by the higher ups. According to the “Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual” published by Green Seal, communication is encouraged among building management/owners, employees, and occupants. Of course, let us not forget the custodians as well. It is not only the job of the custodian to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the building. The occupants and the management must take part too because they are the ones who use the facilities inside the building frequently. How?

Address the grievances of the custodians and provide an immediate solution to their problems. In this way, they will be more productive and work with the best results.

In an ideal world, guidelines such as these must be enforced, followed and implemented but in reality they don’t happen word-for-word. Most of the time, the management itself takes these for granted. Their duty doesn’t end by buying janitorial supplies that may be from Manila or the US. They must take into consideration the health, safety and well-being of their custodians.

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