The Impact of Professional Cleaning On Indoor Air Quality In Commercial Spaces.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can exacerbate illnesses like asthma and cause headaches, coughing, and sneezing wherever it’s spawned, including in commercial spaces. 

Generally speaking, when IAQ is substandard, it contributes to diminished wellness, negatively impacting performance in commercial workplace settings.

On the other hand, improving IAQ–removing dirt, pollutants, dust, fungi, particulate matter, viruses, bacteria, and allergens from the air–enhances employee performance in commercial spaces. It keeps everyone healthy and turning up to work eager to deliver results, increasing cognitive performance by 61% and productivity by 10%.

There’s also a matter of savings–commercial buildings can reduce their energy bills by up to 79% with clean air.

Harvard Health cites how good indoor hygiene and frequent cleaning bolsters indoor air quality (IAQ). 

The above-cited research from Harvard discusses the air quality in a home, which endures drastically less foot traffic than a commercial building. 

Thus, cleaning in commercial establishments isn’t something you can DIY–you require a professional’s touch and commitment.

Fundamentals Of Indoor Air Quality.

IAQ and its importance are best encapsulated by the EPA, which explains how it applies to the air quality in and around structures and buildings. Most relevant is how the IAQ impacts building occupants’ comfort and health. 

Understanding common indoor pollutants can better help you control them, reducing risk factors and health concerns in your commercial facilities. 

Biological organisms like fungi, dust mites, dander, and pollen feed off the nutrients and moisture that are prevalent pollutants in commercial buildings. The dust, paper, fibers, etc., littered throughout these structures generate particulate matter, which, when inhaled, can lead to severe health issues. 

These pollutants encapsulate an unavoidable reality of a commercial building. They can’t be entirely eliminated–only mitigated and neutralized to limit their adverse effects. 

Several strategies exist to improve IAQ, including improved ventilation. However, HVAC and optimized ducts can’t do all the heavy lifting. The interior of your building must be rigorously cleaned to maximize IAQ. 

The Role Of Professional Cleaning In IAQ.

Offsetting and neutralizing airborne contaminants in all their ubiquity requires a level of thorough cleaning only professionals can provide.

As an owner, manager, or everyday inhabitant of a specific commercial building, you’re focused on running your own businesses or doing your particular job. Your attention must revolve around organizational operations and processes, whether helping customers or dealing with more backend details.

Deep cleaning likely isn’t one of your core competencies–you’ve got other things to do.

All the same, the cleaning must be done, and it must be done well to deliver the results you need. On that note, a professional cleaner possesses the specialized skill set, equipment, and cleansing products to remove airborne contamination, explains LinkedIn.

Industry professionals–like the team at Summit Janitorial–also have the deep-dive knowledge and understanding of IAQ to know what cleaning solutions to avoid. After all, some products can introduce new pollutants into the air and shouldn’t be used.

As a leading professional cleaner in the commercial sector, Summit selects our cleaning solutions based on criteria dedicated to reducing airborne contamination.

Dust And Allergen Reduction.

Examine this list of symptoms for a moment:

• Red, itchy eyes.
• Sneezing.
• Nasal congestion.
• Postnasal drip.
• Runny nose.

Who wants any of that in their life? Employees in a commercial building dealing with these symptoms will suffer mentally and physically, hurting their performance. 

Moreover, customers experiencing these symptoms every time they arrive at your commercial establishment will be less enticed to stay (and pay).

If you don’t reduce dust and allergens, the symptoms listed above will be the fate of every building inhabitant with allergies. 

Note how 10% of the world is allergic to dust mites, and up to 90% of those with allergic asthma possess similar sensitivities. 

Professional cleaning services can minimize dust and allergens with high-quality vacuum cleaners. These catch minuscule particles that would otherwise wreak havoc, triggering asthma and allergy symptoms. 

Also, a professional cleaning team like the high-performing group at Summit Janitorial utilizes specialized products to thoroughly wipe, dust, and scrub surfaces, eradicating dust mites, mold spores, pollen, and other allergens. 

Chemical Contaminants And VOCs.

Chemical pollutant sources include caulks, cleaning agents, sealants, vinyl flooring, fuel, combustibles, and personal products–all prevalent in commercial buildings. 

Also under this umbrella are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are high-vapor-pressure and low-water-solubility compounds. 

VOCs are often human-made and produced in refrigerants, paints, and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes. 

Below are some best practices for using and storing chemicals to protect IAQ:

• All cleaning agents should be certified to meet the US EPA’s Safer Product Standards. 
• Avoid pine or citrus oil-based cleaning products and air fresheners.
• Be economical with cleaning solution usage–only use as much as is necessary. 
• Surfaces should be rinsed vigorously with water after cleaning agents are used.
• All paper towels, mops, and sponges used in cleaning should be removed from areas where people inhabit. Mops and sponges should be well-rinsed before storage.
• Ensure ventilation is optimized for several hours after cleaning is complete. 
• Safe cleaners can still produce chemicals, so they should be stored in air-tight containers to stop them from polluting the air. 

Mold And Mildew Mitigation.

When you think of mold and mildew, it’s natural for your head to go to bathrooms and showers–not necessarily commercial spaces. After all, mold and mildew require moisture to thrive.

However, mold and mildew can rear their ugly heads in commercial and workplace buildings. Cardboard, wood materials, wallpaper, jute, etc., can all be exposed to water or water damage and can all exist in commercial establishments.

Also, similar to any residential structure, commercial buildings have bathrooms with sinks and toilets–other sources of moisture. 

Professional cleaners use specialized cleaning solutions to get rid of mold and mildew. Also, high-powered vacuums and UV light can be used to eliminate mold. 

At Summit, we utilize high-pressure cleaning equipment in bathrooms that can reach areas standard equipment can’t, reducing scenarios for mold and mildew to thrive. 

Enhancing Ventilation Through Cleanliness.

Throughout this article, we’ve discussed how cleaned surfaces can vastly improve IAQ. This improves ventilation because you’re removing harmful pollutants from the air and ensuring the airflow is unimpeded by them. 

Cleanliness of your commercial building interior alone can’t do the trick. There’s also the matter of your HVAC system. Heating and air conditioning deal with airflow and can become as filthy as (or filthier than) the rest of your building. 

Specifically, air ducts can become contaminated with mold, vermin, pests, debris, and dust. 

Receiving frequent maintenance care on your HVAC system will help remove particles and allergens from your IAQ. 

Yet, the cleanliness-HVAC relationship is symbiotic. 

You can help maximize the performance of your HVAC systems by hiring professional cleaners to remove harmful air pollutants to prevent your HVAC from working too hard. 

The Benefits Of Professional Cleaning Services.

Professional janitorial services improve indoor air quality by eliminating accumulated dirt, dust, allergens, particulate matter, and debris.

Janitorial companies specializing in improved IAQ utilize fine-tuned methods, schedules, and products approved by governing bodies like the EPA. Janitors can also inspect air vents on your behalf to ensure the airflow isn’t obstructed.

Industry professionals will also remove garbage properly, thoroughly clean water spills, and more. 

At Summit, we leave no stone unturned in ensuring your IAQ is top-notch. Look only as far as our reviews page for results. We leave our customers satisfied and are committed to achieving their broader business objectives with our services, including our commitment to improving indoor air quality. 

Creating A Cleaning Schedule For Optimal IAQ.

Maintaining exceptional IAQ is an ongoing effort, calling for commitment and a willingness to never take your eyes off the clean-air prize.

In other words, cleaning can’t be an ad hoc task performed occasionally in your commercial building. There’s far too much daily activity going on. 

Cleaning is an ongoing necessity, especially given the excess number of inhabitants in your commercial building. As soon as cleaning is complete, the debris, dirt, dust, and pollutants accumulate again.

That said, paying for everyday janitorial cleaning doesn’t make budgetary sense. Also, having professional cleaners in your building while people are working can be distracting.

Professional cleaning services should be performed once or twice weekly when your commercial building is primarily uninhabited. Set a specific schedule with a janitorial company to ensure you don’t have to repeatedly schedule services. 

Conclusion.

Professional cleaning services offer peace of mind in knowing your indoor air quality won’t dwindle, keeping your commercial building inhabitants (employees, customers, etc.) healthy and happy. 

When you hire the right company for scheduled cleanings, they’ll handle this aspect of running your commercial building, so you don’t have to worry about it. 

In the long term, janitorial deep cleaning will help yield superior results in your commercial space. Your employees will perform at a higher level because of improved wellness from bolstered IAQ. They’ll miss fewer work days and will remain sharp when working because allergens and pollutants won’t be triggering adverse symptoms that hamper performance. 

Want Optimized IAQ For Your Commercial Building? Reach Out To Summit Janitorial.

Leave the bulk of your IAQ management to the team of cleaning professionals at Summit Janitorial. We know the ins and outs of maintaining optimal air quality in commercial establishments.

Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can do to optimize your IAQ.