As The Toilet Turns
Custodial/Maintenance Staff Newsletter
February, 2011—Volume 9, Issue 8
Circulation—99
How Important : Are Ratios?
Look at any cleaning chemical concentrate that does not use a metering valve and you’ll
almost always find a mixture ratio written somewhere on the container. These ratios are
important in providing the correct mixture of chemical to water. Using the ratio stated will
result in optimum cleaning performance.
A ratio tells you how much of something to use in comparison to something else. In
cleaning, the ratios usually denote how much chemical is to be used compared to water.
Ratios can be written as fractions, by the word “to” or by the colon symbol (:). Let’s look at a
few examples.
First, a few basics will help. A gallon of any liquid is the equivalent of 128 ounces. There
are four quarts in a gallon, two pints in a quart and two cups in a pint. Thus:
1 Gallon = 4 quarts = 8 pints = 16 cups
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
It’s In the Contract
2
Winner’s Box
2
Did You Know?
2
If your gallon jug says to mix the product at a ratio of 1:32 (1/32 or 1 to 32), then that
means that for every one ounce of chemical you’ll add 32 ounces of water. A simple way to
figure out how many ounces this will be is to take the number of ounces in a gallon and
divide by the ratio number.
Water Efficiency
Standards
3
128 ounces / x, where x is the ratio
Things That Use
Water Puzzle
3
Dishwasher Soap Film Removal
The soap you use for
washing dishes may clean
your cups and plates, but it
may also leave a film on
t he
i ns i d e
of
y o ur
dishwasher. Try this kitchen
cleaning tip for a film free
dishwasher:
Fill
washer
with dirty dishes but make
(Continued on page 2)
What concerns should you
have about chemicals that
disrupt your endocrine system?
Find out in the March issue of
As The Toilet Turns.
In this instance, the equation would read 128 ounces/32 = 4 ounces. Thus, your mixture rate
is four ounces of chemical to every gallon of water. Here’s another. This time the bottle says
the ratio is 1:256. Immediately you can ascertain that your product usage will be very
minimal since the ratio is so high. Plugging it into the formula you get the following. 128
ounces/256 = .5 or 1/2 ounce per gallon. A very potent chemical indeed!
The same formula will work for any size container or spray bottle. Just plug in the total
ounce capacity of the container and the rest is based on your ratio. One example would be as
follows. Your spray bottle is 24 ounces. The ratio is 1:32. Using the formula, you get the
following. 24 ounces/32 = .75 ounces per spray bottle.
Be careful though! A ratio of 1:32 is totally different from a ratio of 32:1. Also avoid
getting sucked into the misnomer that “more is better;” that adding more chemical than
(Continued on page 2)
Cleaning News—12-6-10—Cincinnati, OH
Cintas Issues List of Best Practices for Maintaining Clean
Restrooms to Enhance Image and Drive Repeat Business
CINCINNATI – According to a recent Harris poll survey, 86 percent of U.S. adults
equate the cleanliness of a restaurant’s restroom with the cleanliness of its
kitchen. The survey also revealed that 75 percent of U.S. adults would not return
to a restaurant with dirty restrooms. Regardless of industry, clean restrooms
directly impact a business’ ability to attract and retain customers. Cintas
Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today issued a checklist of best practices to help
(Continued on page 2)
As The Toilet Turns
It’s In the Contract
February, 2011—Page Two
(Continued from Ratios)
recommended will clean more efficiently. Chemical companies test, test and retest
their products and formulate them for maximum cleaning power. Going beyond
the ratios instructed only wastes product, unbalances the cleaning chemical
efficiency and could even be dangerous. Often times it negates the cleaning
action of the chemical completely.
Some companies have designed bottles that have metering valves. These
bottles are used inside of a specific dispensing system. Other bottles may be
designed to connect directly to a hose. They are often known as RTD or “ready to
dispense” chemicals. In both instances, the metering valve is calibrated to dilute
the product at the correct rate. Each dilution factor varies depending on the size
of the metering valve. These systems are very effective as they control the use of
the chemical and prevent inaccurate mixing.
NEVER BYPASS THE
METERING VALVE ASSEMBLY AND PUNCH A HOLE IN THE
CONTAINER TO MIX THE CHEMICAL YOURSELF! By doing that, you have
just completely defeated the purpose of the metering valve and you may end up
with damaged cleaning surfaces, wasted products, health hazards, loss of money
and a very unbalanced cleaning environment.
Ratios are critical when it comes to cleaning. By following the directions and
using chemicals at the ratios prescribed, your cleaning will be effective, healthy,
time-saving and accurate!
Section 1.5.1. Full-time equivalent (FTE):
For purposes other than insurance benefits
as provided herein, the percentage of the
total annual hours, including paid holidays
worked by an employee, shall be based on
two thousand eighty (2,080) annual hours.
For computation of insurance benefits, the
percentage shall be based on one thousand
four hundred forty (1,440) annual hours.
Section 1.5.2. Full-time employee: An
employee who is employed two thousand
eighty (2,080) hours per year (forty (40)
hours per week, twelve (12) months per
year, two hundred sixty (260) working days
per work year).
Section 1.5.3. Regular part-time employee
is an hourly employee who works a regular
monthly schedule, and is not a full-time
employee.
(Continued from Helpful Tips)
(Continued from Cleaning News)
sure you have not included any
silver or other metals. Place a bowl
with 1/2 cup of bleach on the bottom
rack and allow the machine to run
through the wash cycle only. Fill the
same bowl with 1/2 cup of vinegar
and this time allow the machine to
run through a full cycle.
business owners and facility managers keep restrooms clean to boost
sales and leave a powerful impression on guests.
Winner’s Box
Cintas’ best practices for maintaining clean restrooms include:
Win some items as provided by Amy
Casey of WCP Solutions. Answer the
following two questions correctly and
send
your
answers
to
[email protected] by February 6.
All school employees are eligible.
1. How many ounces of solution will
you use if something is mixed at the
rate of 1:256?
2. Which weighs more? A ton of bricks
or a ton of feathers?
Did You Know?
1.
2.
3.
1 cubic foot of water = 7.48 gallons?
1 gallon of water weighs 8.34
pounds?
H20 is the chemical abbreviation for
water and means two atoms of
hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
“Maintaining clean restrooms is a critical component to the success of any
organization,” said Brian Garry, Senior Director, Cintas Foodservice. “If
not properly maintained, they will leave patrons with a poor impression,
causing a decline in repeat customers which will negatively impact
sales. The lifeblood of any restaurant is the repeat customer and no
operator can afford to lose their best customers.”
1. Develop a restroom maintenance program. To sustain clean restrooms,
develop a program that outlines cleaning tasks and frequencies. Cleaning
frequency largely depends on restroom usage. However, it’s critical that
organizations thoroughly clean restroom surfaces at least once a day. In
addition, management needs to train, reinforce and inspect the execution
of the program so employees know exactly what is expected of them.
2. Give restrooms frequent attention. Beyond daily cleaning, assign
specific employees to spot clean the restroom frequently. This is especially
important during high-traffic periods. The goal of spot cleaning is to keep
a restroom dry and free of debris, not to conduct a true “cleaning”. Spot
cleaning ensures messes and spills won’t be left unattended and will also
make routine, daily cleaning easier. Employees should keep surfaces dry
and stock supplies consistently throughout the day. They should also
regularly check toilets, urinals, sink areas, mirrors, dispensers and babychanging areas, as well as check to ensure everything is functioning
properly.
3. Equip staff with the right tools and chemicals. Pairing the proper
cleaning tools with the right cleaning chemicals enable employees to clean
(Continued on page 3)
As The Toilet Turns
February, 2011—Page Three
(Continued from Cleaning News page two)
with less effort while still producing quality results. Also, arming staff with chemical dispensing systems ensures
they use correct dilution and controlled portions to optimize cleaning performance and reduce waste.
4. Deep clean restrooms on a routine basis. Many businesses only perform a spot and daily clean. However, deep
cleans should also be performed on a routine basis. Deep cleaning will remove tough built-up soils left behind
from normal daily cleanings. Deep cleaning should include all surfaces including walls, floors, toilet areas, sinks
and mirrors. All surfaces should also be treated with disinfectant, followed by a fresh water rinse and extraction to
make sure contaminants are gone for good. Doing so lifts away old grime and dirt making surfaces look like new
and day-to-day cleaning easier.
5. Partner with the right facility services provider. By partnering with a provider, organizations can develop a
customized program designed to meet their specific needs. A provider will ensure restrooms always have full and
functioning dispensers and that staff is armed with the proper cleaning tools and chemicals to make restrooms
look clean and fresh. In addition, trained technicians will also visit an organization’s facility on a routine basis to
perform a deep clean. This is ideal for many businesses as they do not have the equipment or trained staff to
complete this task.
“Restrooms can make or break a customer’s impression of a business,” said Dave Mesko, Senior Director of
Marketing, Cintas. “Business owners should review their restroom maintenance program to ensure they allocate
the right resources to the right tasks. Doing so will enable them to save time and money while providing users
with a positive experience.”
Cintas Facility Services offers a wide range of solutions that enable businesses to build their image and increase
profitability and productivity. These solutions improve the comfort and well-being of customers and
employees. Whether you need restocking services, floor mat services, proper cleaning chemicals and tools or
regular deep cleaning, Cintas can customize a program to meet your needs.
Water Efficiency Standards
Below are some water efficiency standards for commercial
facilities. New laws will be going into effect over the next few
years to help reduce water waste and conserve water. How
does your building measure up?
Toilets—1.6 gpf (gallons per flush). Changing to 1.28 gpf
in the near future.
Urinals—1 gpf. Higher standards require 1/2 gpf.
Lavatory faucets—2.2 gpm (gallons per minute). This
could be reduced to 1 or 1/2 gpm to save water.
Public lavatory faucets—1/2 gpm.
Kitchen faucets—2.2 gpm.
Pre-spray rinse faucets in kitchens—1.6 gpm
Some of these figures may continue to change as more
efficient fixtures are manufactured and water conservation
becomes a bigger issue.
When replacing fixtures, check to see if they have the Water
Sense label. These are equivalent to the Energy Star ratings
for electrical devices and meet the criteria as outlined by the
EPA.
Things That Use Water
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Find the words below in the puzzle above and then insert the
letters that are left in the blanks below for a hidden message.
Animals, baking, bathroom, boiler, chemicals, classroom,
cleaning, cooking, fountain, kitchen, mixing, people,
showering, sink, toilet, urinal, washing.
__ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ .
__ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .