Are Two Masks Better Than One?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

Better Protection, Better Masks

Masks are a crucial step in preventing the spread of COVID-19. These masks provide the best protection when everyone wears them, however not all masks are made the same or provide the same level of protection. How can you choose the right mask? Are two better than one?

Choose a mask that will...

1. Fit snuggly against your face. This prevents air and droplet leaks around the edge of the mask.
2. Have multiple layers. This prevents leaks through the mask.

Remember! Masks need to fit properly & be a good quality to be effective. When masks don't fit properly or is made of a single layer of cloth, an additional mask may be needed.

N95 masks provide the best level of protection. The demand for these masks are high, and are primarily sourced for the medical field. If you're unable to use an N95 mask, here are some things to keep in mind.

The mask should...

• Have a Nose Wire. This helps keep the mask on your face.
• Fit snuggly over your mouth, nose, & chin. This helps seal your mask around your entire face. 
• Have multiple Layers. This prevents droplets from escaping.

If you cannot find a mask that matches the upon criteria, a lowering performing single layer mask will suffice when combined with an additional tight fitting mask.

For more information on mask protection visit the CDC.gov. SERVPRO® of Downey provides defensive virus protection for your property. For more information on our sanitation services, call (562) 392-3007.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – A Defensive Cleaning Program

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Downey today at (562) 392-3007 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

Hand Sanitizer vs Wet Wipes

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

What are the best methods to combat germs & bacteria?

What are the best methods to combat germs & bacteria? The tried and true method of Hand Washing is most effective for cleaning your hands. Many though, are reaching for alternatives such as Hand Sanitizer or Wet Wipes. Is one more effective than the other?

Consider first, why hand washing is so effective. Our hands are filled with germs and bacteria, when we wash our hands, the mixture of hot water, soap, and drying helps break down that bacteria and wash it off our hands completely. 

However, after we leave the store or enter our car, we may reach for an alternative such as hand sanitizer or wet wipes. Whichever alternative we choose, we want to keep in mind a few things...

• The CDC recommends "using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol."

That information is important for us to know. Some sanitizers, and especially wet wipes do not meet that 60% requirement from the CDC. That percentage helps guarantee the most effectiveness. Some DIY recipes for sanitizers use only 40%, which will not effectively kill germs as well as 60% alcohol.

Important!!! Not all sanitizers and wet wipes are made the same.

Consider this, Benzalkonium chloride is an active ingredient in a popular wet wipe brand. This ingredient however, is less effective than alcohol or Ethanol found commonly in most sanitizers.

As we navigate this germ and virus filled world, we want to continue to educate ourselves to keep us and those we love safe and healthy. As you choose hand washing alternatives, follow the CDC's guidelines for most effectiveness.

If your facility or property needs sanitation or cleaning services, call us at (562) 392-3007.

Are You Utilizing ULV Fogging?

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Does your cleaning crew utilize ULV Foggers?

A ULV Fogger is a great resource for your maintenance or janitorial team. These foggers can be used for disinfecting, pest control, & mold elimination.

How Do they Work?

Foggers use air pressure to atomize liquid into a mist or fog. Once these droplets are dispersed, they'll remain airborne then settle on surfaces where the solution will do its job. 

What Solutions Work with Foggers?

The fogging solution is stored in a tank. Solutions will depend on the purpose of your fogger. It can be used for mosquito control, in which you'd use an insecticide. It can also be used for disinfecting, which a hospital grade solution would be best.  

Particle Sizes

ULV Foggers produce a very consistent particle size. Foggers allow you to adjust the particle size down to a Micron level. The Micron size will depend on what you're trying to fog and how big of a space you'll be covering. Most Foggers will come with instructions for best use. 

Are ULV Foggers the same as Thermal Foggers or Electrostatic sprayers?

No. Thermal foggers use heat to dispense dense fog. These droplets are non-adjustable, unlike ULV Foggers. Electrostatic sprayers uses positively charged ions to stimulate the solution. When the solution is dispersed they gravitate towards grounded objects. This allows the droplets to cover more territory.

For more information on ULV Foggers and how your team can utilize them, contact SERVPRO® of Downey (562) 392-3007

What's Your Deep Clean & Sanitation Plan?

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

Do you have a plan for Cleaning & Sanitizing?

We care about your safety. That's why SERVPRO® of Downey has standards and protocols in place to ensure your environments are clean and sanitized.  

Why Choose SERVPRO® for your Cleaning & Sanitizing?

• Immediate Response Time. No matter what time of day, SERVPRO® is ready to respond and mobilize to your call for help. Immediate response helps lessen the damage or spread of bacteria & other potentially dangerous viruses.
• OSHA & FDA Approved Cleaning Agents. SERVPRO® uses agents with a 99.9% bacteria kill rate recommended by the CDC. Such cleaning agents can give you the confidence that your environment is sanitized and cleaned to its fullest.
• Well Documented Strategy and Procedures. When it comes to full sanitation, you shouldn't have to worry about the small things. We document and communicate all procedures giving you the confidence you need to walk back into a clean & safe environment. 

If you don't have a plan in place, don't be afraid, let SERVPRO® be your plan. We follow the cleaning and safety standards of OSHA, CDC, & IICRC. You can be confident that your environment will be clean and safe from most bacteria and germs.

If you would like your Commercial, Institutional, or Home environment sanitized & disinfected, Call SERVPRO of Downey (562) 392-3007

For more information on safety standards, disinfecting, and sanitizing contact us!

How to Clean Condenser Coils

3/26/2018 (Permalink)

Any sort of coiled equipment collects dust. Don't believe us? Go look under your refrigerator. All those coils that are used to keep your food cold collect dust. Some are good about regularly cleaning them, others...not so much. I'm sure the last thing we're all thinking is, "I need to clean the coils under my fridge!"

Fridges, A/C units, and heaters are all notorious for dust. The danger? Too much dust can cause your machine to overheat, and not function as effectively as it should.

How to Clean the Coils

• Have a vacuum handy, specifically one with an extension hose. Use the hose to suck up any dust the coils are collecting.

• You may not have a vacuum that fits where the coils are placed. Use a feather duster wand or hairdryer to get the dust. Simultaneously have the vacuum right there to collect any lose dust that might be floating around. 

• If you want to do a more extensive cleaning, make the piece of equipment you're working with lighter. That may mean emptying out your fridge, unfasten an A/C unit, and tilt the machine for easy access.

Once you're done, your coils will be nice and clean and ready to work at full capacity.

How to Get Rid of Common Household Stains

9/15/2017 (Permalink)

There's nothing more frustrating than getting a stain on a new rug or piece of furniture. Sadly, no matter how clean we may be it's not a matter of if it'll happen, but a matter of when.

The key to getting out any stain is treating it as soon as possible. 

Here's some of the things you'll need:

• Paper Towels/Cloths
• Vinegar
• Laundry/Dish Soap
• Hydrogen-Peroxide/Rubbing Alcohol
• Salt
• Water
• Hairspray

Wine:

1. Dab stain with paper towels and soak up as much liquid as possible.
2. Generously spread salt on the stain.
3. Use Club Soda to rinse the stain.
4. Dry and Vacuum stain away.

Use Hydrogen Peroxide for tougher stains. 

Coffee:

1. Dab stain with paper towels and soak up as much liquid as possible.
2. Pour cold water on stain to flush out coffee, continue dabbing stain to remove liquid.
3. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon of White Vinegar, and warm water. 
4. Soak sponge or cloth in solution and blot stain until removed.

Professional Tip: Always dab/blot a stain. Rubbing it in can make it harder to remove.

Ink: 

1. Dab with Rubbing Alcohol and soak up as much as the ink as possible.
2. Liberally spray with hairspray.
3. Use warm sponge or cloth to finish up stain.

Juice:

1. Dab stain with paper towels or cloth to soak up liquid.
2. Pour warm water on stain and continue to soak up liquid.
3. Blot stain again to dry up.

Tomato Based Stain:

1. Remove excess sauce and run cold water through stain. 
2. Use small amount of laundry detergent to clean stain.
3. Cold water, Blot, and Dry.

Aside from the common methods above, retail Stain Removers can also be useful. Be sure to check the instructions so you will not damage any home furnishings.

Cleaning Your Air Conditioner

7/22/2016 (Permalink)

Most of us don't give any attention to our Air Conditioner Unit until it goes out. Then, we give it all the TLC we can to get it back in action again. But our A/C Unit needs our attention, not just when it's not working. Especially during these hot summer weeks/months ahead, we need to give our A/C Unit the attention it deserves.

If you have a large HVAC system, refer to this article on how to check and properly clean it. 

In this section we're going to briefly discuss cleaning Window Units. A quick clean every month will keep your portable A/C unit working effectively.

How to Clean:

• First, unplug the A/C Unit.

• Proceed to remove the front cover, or vent. This may need to be screwed off. 

• Once the cover is off, the filter should be right behind it. Remove the filter from the unit.

• Take the front cover and filter and clean them with soap & water. 

• Once every thing is completely dried, put the filter and cover back on.

You A/C Unit is now cleaner and will deliver the best possible results on any setting.    

3 Things You're Forgetting to Clean

3/11/2016 (Permalink)

It's that time of year again...Spring Cleaning. It comes at a time when you're busy getting your Taxes done and trying to readjust your sleep schedule due to Daylight Savings time. 

You may just put off your Spring Cleaning altogether or clean whenever you get the chance. But whether you clean in the Spring or some other time, these 3 things can make all the difference.

1) Dust:

Dust is easily overlooked. We may think, "There's so little, nobody will notice it." But they do! 

- Dust contains animal dander, insect waste, dirt, & human skin. -  

The worst part is that it can be almost everywhere. Counter tops, picture frames, shelves, and glass are notorious for collecting dust.

So grab a few cloths and your choice of dust cleaner. Dust can make all the difference between clean and squeaky clean. 

2) Mold:

This one might seem scary, but we're not talking about the mold that grows from in your basement or that needs to be handled by a Mold Remediation Company. 

                       - Mold Thrives on Moisture. -

Where is moisture found? Bathrooms for one. With all the water and steam, it creates a perfect environment for mold. Kitchens is another place, specifically around the sink and if you have grout tops. Dishwashers too make a great place for mold to hid. 

Look between the cracks in your shower, if you see a black spec, it's probably mold. Check your kitchen area, around your sink and dishwasher, near where the steam comes out. 

Did you find any mold? If you did, don't be alarmed. Grab a thick sponge/cloth and multi-purpose cleaner and wipe that mold away. Better to get rid of it now, then later.

3) Cleaning Supplies:

Most of us neglect to clean the tools we clean with. Ironic right? However, failure to clean our supplies can lead to the spread of more bacteria and germs. 

Cleaning is as easy as letting your supplies soak for a few minutes. A bucket with hot water and OxiClean powder or Bleach, is all you need to soak your Broom Heads and Brushes. 

When it comes to Sponges, you can soak those too. Another option is throwing them in the Dishwasher, just make sure there's no dishes in there.

Any type of Mop Pad or Cloth can be put in the Washer and Dryer. If you have a Vacuum with Bags or Filters, be sure those get changed out. Failure to do so can lead to a clog or malfunction. 

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It's important to be clean. These 3 things can bring on a new meaning to clean and can really impress your guests. Visit our cleaning services page if you're interested in a deeper cleaning for your home.