As The Toilet Turns
Tahoma School District Custodial Staff Newsletter
January 1, 2005—Volume 3, Issue 7
Custodial Closets—A Reflection of You
More Stuff for You on
Two
● Test Your Memory Crossword Puzzle
● Test Your Memory Crossword Puzzle Answers
● Custodial Closets—A Reflection of You continued
● Mop Up Some Knowledge
Page Three Supplement:
● Common Carpet Problems
and Solutions
The way a person dresses and grooms them self
tells a lot about them. The way a home looks outside
says a lot about the inside. The things a person talks
about says a lot about their personality. The way a
school’s custodial closets look says a lot about the
way the school is being taken care of.
Believe it not, these statements ring true with a
clarity that is undeniable when examined closely.
Take for discussion’s sake that of the common custodial closet.
Each custodial closet in a school is used as the
home base from which the cleaning of the facility
starts. How does it look? Is it organized, neat, clean?
Is it tidy, that is, everything in its place? Do you find
clutter and junk stuffed into closets so that it is difficult if not impossible to move around? Is the equipment that is used hung up, put on shelves or otherwise
organized for quick easy access?
The way a closet looks says a lot about how the
person(s) using that closet will clean. If the closet
gives the appearance of ‘I don’t care, I just want to get
Things to Think About
A. Polar Bears can smell humans 20 miles away. They run at speeds up to 25
miles per hour and can out swim any human, even an Olympic record holder.
B. Fleas can jump 13 feet from a standing position.
C. If you are troubled by excessive blinking, it could be dryness of the eyes, a
nervous twitch, or an early sign of blepharospasm, a rare muscle disorder that
causes the eyelids to lock shut permanently.
(Taken from the book The Paranoid’s Pocket Guide by Cameron Tuttle.)
Science Corner
Carpet Browning—Causes and Cures
“I just cleaned this carpet! What are all these brown
splotches that are showing up?” Have you ever asked that question? What causes it and can it be reversed? The answer is yes.
Most often, brown areas in carpeting after cleaning are caused by one of two things;
over wetting of a carpet with jute backing wherein the moisture causes the vegetable
dye to wick to the surface or a high pH often due to an improper use of chemicals.
Both problems can be reversed by using a little chemistry.
In both situations, the browning will have a high alkaline reading when tested with
pH paper. A simple cure for this is an acidic rinse. The acid used will be something
very mild such as citric acid which can be purchased from any cleaning company. It is
sold in both powder and liquid form. Since it is an acid, when it is properly mixed and
sprayed over the brown areas, it will neutralize the high alkalinity of those areas. The
result will be a carpet that returns to its original color. Often you can see this change
right before your eyes as soon as the acid rinse is applied.
A little chemistry, knowledge and experience can go a long way in solving many
problems that may at first seem overwhelming or perhaps even devastating!
(For more information on common carpet problems and cures, see page three and
the related link.)
out of here as soon as I can,’ then the cleaning of the
school in that person(s) area will have the same appearance. This in turn is going to reflect not only on
the custodian, but also on the school, the administration and teachers in that building and ultimately the
community. Keeping a tidy and clean closet will
benefit all, not just those who work out of it.
Instead of allowing a closet to clutter up and become a haven of disarray, take a few minutes to organize and clean it. Your assigned closet is like your
mini-home, your place of residence, your base for all
your activities that you perform on a daily basis.
Keeping it looking good will reflect well on you and
gives a powerful indication as to how you will clean
your assigned area. To give it a bit more pizzazz,
make it your own. Add a radio, maybe a few pictures
or some small nick-knacks to personalize your work
area. A coat hook for your coat or hat will also help to
keep your area organized. True, some closets may not
be large enough to do much with. Still, keeping it tidy
(continued on page two)
No Student Day:
1-3-05
Half Day:
1-14-05
Paid Holiday:
1-17-05—MLK Jr. Day
Semester Break Day:
1-28-05
Something Extra!
Why Does Some Paper Turn Yellow?
Have you ever left your newspaper outside or in front of a
window only to return later and find those areas exposed to the
sunlight turning yellow? Have you ever wondered why this
happens? The reason is very simple.
Paper comes from
wood.
Wood contains a
chemical known as lignin. Wood also contains
cellulose.
The more
lignin left in paper products, the more yellow
the paper will become
when exposed to
sunlight. According
to the How Stuff
Works
website:
“The lignin molecules, when
exposed to oxygen in the
air, begin to change and become less stable. The lignin will
absorb more light, giving off a darker color.” Thus, yellowing
occurs.
To get white paper, the lignin, through a chemical
process, is removed leaving only cellulose. Pure cellulose is
white, so when the lignin is removed, you’re left with clean,
bright, white paper. Now you know.
As The Toilet Turns
Test Your Memory
January, 2005—Page Two
Clues for Test Your
Memory
Crossword Puzzle
Across
3.
Acronym for a filter that arrests
particulates
5. Produces a high voltage in fluorescent lights to start them
7. Never mix ammonia and this
11. The process that makes rubber
pliable, water-proof and longlasting
13. In chemistry, pH stands for this
(Three words)
Down
Sometimes it’s amazing how much we don’t know. For
example, we all use mops every day. But have you ever considered the kinds of mops that are available? Consider wet mops.
On the Parish Maintenance Supply web-site, they have available
for cleaning Anti-Microbial wet mops, cut-end wet mops, floor
finish mops, looped-end wet mops and a micro-power flat mop.
Other mops have what’s known as a headband and tailband
according to goldenstar.com. Mops also come in a variety of
sizes measured in ounces. The most common sizes are 24 oz and
32 oz. These mops all serve a different function and are used in
different situations.
The anti-microbial mop goes through a process that actually
builds in the ability to resist microbes. This particular mop is
exceptionally useful in hospitals, restaurants and stores. It is also
recommended for schools, especially locker rooms where germs
can multiply. Cut-end, looped-end and finish mops are more
commonly used. The cut-end mop is “popular because of their
low initial cost. Functional and affordable, they are ideal for
almost any application from general mopping to applying finishes,” whereas the looped-end “allow for an open more absorbent twist that does not lint, fray or unravel.” This is “ideal when
a facility wants to launder their wet mops.” Mops with head-
bands are unique in that
the “extra stitching
holds mop strands securely. All headbands on looped end wet
mops are color
coded by size for quick
identification of
inventory and department use separation.” Mops designed with a
tailband “improve coverage control. They enable the mop to
cover a wider path saving time and labor. Tailbands prevent
tangling and permit laundering.”
The micro-power flat mop is uniquely designed. According to
Parish, “The SSS MicroPower Mop is a flat mop for both wet
and dry use. Microfibers are ultra-soft, man-made fibers 100
times finer than human hair. They are highly absorbent, holding
up to six times their weight in water. The fibers reach into the
floor surface pores and remove dirt that standard mop fibers
cannot reach.”
As in any trade, a variety of tools makes for easier work and
more efficient use of time. Mops can do the same. Using the
right mop for the right job will prove beneficial for everyone
involved and will make your work much easier.
References: http://www.parish-supply.com/
mops_wet_mops__dust_mops.htm
Across
Mop Up Some Knowledge
sponges, scrapers and other daily supplies. A shelf
dedicated to boxes of garbage can liners is also
helpful.
Third, have a specific place in your closet to put
mop buckets, vacuums and other floor machines.
You may find it helpful to mark the floor with
painters tape or some other system of identification
so that these machines have a designated ‘parking
place.’ This will keep the closet from becoming a
tripping hazard due to clutter.
Finally, keep all your tools and machines clean.
You can’t clean with dirty tools. Plus, it looks
unprofessional and careless if you’re trying to clean
the building with filthy equipment or equipment
that is breaking down or not functioning properly.
(See the article Treat Your Tools Tenderly in the
September 1, 2004 issue of As The Toilet Turns.)
A well-organized and tidy custodial closet saves
time, hassle and frustration. It tells others what
kind of custodian you are and adds to the smooth
operation of the entire school.
Answers to Test Your
Memory
(Closets—continued)
will add much to your sanity and the appearance
you give of how you clean and care for your
school.
Beginning with the main custodial room and
trickling on down to the smaller rooms throughout
the building each custodian should organize and
keep tidy his or her assigned area. A few simple
steps can be taken to do so.
First, have a place to hang your equipment. A
simple mop hanger can be mounted on the wall and
the mops, brooms and other long-handled tools can
be hung here out-of-the-way. Many of these mop
hangers have a place to hang toilet swabs, rags and
other tools too.
Second, use a cabinet or some type of shelving
system on which to place your cleaning products
such as spare Johnson Wax refills, buckets, rags,
3. HEPA 5. Ballast
7. Bleach 11. Vulcanization
13. Power of Hydrogen
Down
The reason floors dry faster when
a fan blows across them. (Two
words)
2. Called the “Universal Solvent”
4. Mandelbrot made these famous
6. The difference in air pressure
inside and outside a structure
(Two words)
8. Night Vision Goggles are also
known by this acronym
9. The opposite of soft water
10. The main building block of a
modern floor finish
12. The number of minutes that disinfectants should be left on a hard
surface to kill the germs
1. Bernoulli’s Law 2. Water
4. Fractals 6. Static Pressure
8. NVD 9. Hard
10. Polymer
12. Ten
1.
Created with: http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/code/BuildCrissCross.asp
January, 2005—Page 3
Common Carpet Problems and Solutions
(Information taken from http://www.crscarpet.com/Bulletinbroen.htm)
PROBLEM
FILTRATION
MARKS
CELLULOSIC
BROWNING
DESCRIPTION
The effect of doors and windows Permanent solution is to seal the
opening, elevator movement, fur- walls or floor. Filtration lines are
nace starting etc. that cause changes very difficult to clean and can
in room air pressure. Air is forced quickly return if the area is not
sealed. Interim solution is to
into wall cavities or under doors
spot-clean the problem areas.
filtering airborne particulate
through the carpet fibres.
Spotty brownish appearance in parts
of the carpet.
Carpet has been over-wet causing Acid rinse the carpet or topically
vegetable dye that is present in jute spray a souring agent.
backing to wick to the surface.
Brownish to yellowish discoloration of
the carpet or a yellowish colour on the
tips of the fibres.
The moisture in the cleaned carpet Bonnet clean with a mild neutral
pulls residual soil up to the tips of pH cleaner.
the fibres. Usually occurs in a heavily soil-compacted area or in an
area that has taken an extended
period of time to dry.
Yellowish to brownish discoloration
on the carpet
Caused by alkaline residue build-up
from cleaning chemicals, improper Test to determine the pH of the
rinsing of the fibres or “ice melt” carpet. Select an acidic rinse
with opposite acidic value to
salts.
balance the pH at 7.
HIGH pH
OPTICAL
BRIGHTENERS
ASPHALT
YELLOWING
Dark areas or greying in areas which Scratches and abrasions to the fibre This is not reversible and is not
receive the highest level of foot traffic. (level loop) matting, flaring or tip a warranty item.
compression (cut pile).
Gradually evolving yellow discolora- Ionic optical brighteners found in Avoid use of ionic optical
tion. Carpet slowly losing its color to some cleaning compounds applied brighteners. Not possible to
reverse once damage is done.
a yellowish tinge. Ionic optical bright- to the carpet
eners are agents used to convert invisible ultraviolet light to visible light,
Yellowing of carpet in traffic areas
around entrances and exits especially
from parking or street areas.
Occurs when liquid is spilled on the Extract or bonnet clean with a
mild acidic solution.
carpet. The spill pushes the contaminants that are present in the
carpet to the edge of spill where
they dry.
Carpet appears to have different col-
Fibres in cut pile carpet lie in dif- This is not reversible. Carpet
ferent directions usually as a result producers do not warranty this.
of an installation defect.
SHADING, POOLING ored sections. Sometimes looks like a
waterline.
& CARPET NAP
REVERSAL
WEAR
Caused by asphalt sealers, tar or oil. Very difficult to remove. Use
entranceway mats to reduce
Particularly frequent during hot
problem. Solvent-based cleaner
spells, fresh coatings or from asphalt being dissolved by coolants, to remove from the carpet.
gasoline or ice-melt salts.
Shows as a lighter area on the carpet
surrounded by a darker ring.
WATER STAINS
REFLECTION &
SHADOWS
SOLUTION
Dark line around room perimeter,
stair edges, under doorways and
drapery
SOIL WICKING
TRAFFIC LANES
DISCOLORATION
CAUSE
Carpet has light or dark spots in
random locations.
Change light or reflective
Light reflections from a nonobvious light source (e.g. pinholes sources.
in draperies, reflection from shiny
objects, shiny kick plates in elevators and corners in buildings.)
Carpet looks worn or old.
Reduction in the amount of fibre on Replace carpet.
the face of the carpet.