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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Why Stratus Building Solutions Never Mixes Cleaning Chemicals


John Wunderlich, Nyco & Dennis Jarrett, Stratus Building Solutions




















From John Wunderlich:

Thank you for sending me the article  about the workers who were injured at the IHOP restaurant from the fumes caused by mixing bleach and an acidic cleaning compound. It is the position of Nyco Products Company  and other reputable chemical manufacturing companies to NEVER mix different cleaning products together, especially bleach or products containing chlorine.

Bleach is a dangerous products that is corrosive to skin, mucous membranes and can cause severe
injury to eyes. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is chlorine gas in water. Highly unstable by nature, bleach releases chlorine gas fumes which will attack / damage a variety of surfaces. Exposure to bleach fumes is also considered to be a trigger for asthmatic attacks and use in schools, office buildings and most commercial establishments is discouraged.

Bleach is also known as an oxidizer – or compound that releases oxygen/gas. When mixed with other compounds, the sodium hypochlorite combines with other chemical compounds and can produce violent reactions including the release of dangerous gases such as what occurred in the IHOP restaurant when bleach and phosphoric acid were mixed. Mixing bleach with any cleaning compound is NEVER recommended and should be discouraged at all times.

Three (3) compounds should NEVER be mixed with any other product are:
  • Bleach
  • Ammonia
  • Acids (including vinegar)
These compounds are oxidizers and will produce gases when mixed with other cleaning compounds. If any of the three (bleach, acid, ammonia) are mixed together DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY LETHAL fumes will be produced.

The literature is full of examples of hazardous situations occurring when cleaning compounds have been mixed together. They include:
  • The death of homeowner in Chicago who was overcome with fumes from mixing bleach and acid in his kitchen sink to unclog a drain The explosion and injury to staff and hospitalization of staff/guests at a resort in Wisconsin when bleach and acid were accidentally mixed in the laundry.
Stratus Green Clean Glass Cleaner
Stratus brand of cleaning products are bleach free and certified by Green Seal for safety and effectiveness. Although they are not corrosive and considered to be safe, it remains our position that:

Cleaning products should not be mixed with other cleaning products.

Before using all users should read the container labels and become familiar with the directions for safe use.

Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet including first aid and instructions for proper storage.

 Information provided by John Wunderlich, I.C.E. at Nyco Products Company

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Disinfecting vs Sanitizing: Which is Right for Your Facility?

Ever wonder the difference between disinfecting and sanitizing? Stratus doesn't (because we already know), but you might!


People use these terms interchangeably, but while they are similar, the law says they have very distinct differences.


Disinfectants: products that destroy all specific test organisms and [legally] must reduce the level of pathogenic bacteria by 99.999% during a time frame greater than 5 minutes but less than 10 minutes. (U.S Environmental Protection Agency guidelines)


Sanitizers: products that destroy 99.99% of specified test bacteria under 30 seconds to reduce the number of microorganisms down to a safe level. It is important to note sanitizers don't kill viruses or fungi.


Now you are well-versed when it comes to which solution is stronger and fits your needs.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Stratus as Franchising's "Best of the Best"

As a result of ranking #1 in the industry category in Entrepreneur’s 2012 Franchise 500
(if you remember, Stratus was the #1 Commercial Cleaning Franchise), we  are proud to announce special inclusion on the privileged list of “Best of the Best” by Entrepreneur
magazine.


The May issue features this limited directory – and also marks the fifth
consecutive month
of Stratus Building Solutions’ representation in the magazine for 2012.


Franchising with Stratus is the way to go.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Stratus Building Solutions = "Best of the Best"

We are pleased to announce Stratus Building Solutions has been named in Entrepreneur magazine's "Best of the Best" listings for franchises!


This comes as a result of ranking #1 in our industry category in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 (if you remember, we were the #1 Commercial Cleaning Franchise).


The May issue features this limited directory – and also marks the fifth consecutive month of Stratus Building Solutions’ representation in Entrepreneur magazine.


Check out your latest issue of Entrepreneur magazine or check out the Stratus Building Solutions' profile here.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Stratus Keeps Up on Green Cleaning Trends

The ISSA Today is a free magazine put out by the ISSA (International Sanitary Supply Association
- now named as The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association) who are known as the leading experts in professional cleaning. Stratus Building Solutions is an active ISSA member.


They have released their magazine, ISSA Today, which shares tips on the latest in green cleaning mandates and guidelines for schools, technology impacting professional restroom maintenance, different certifications and 2012 trends in green cleaning.


Click here for free access to ISSA Today & learn about the latest in the professional cleaning industry.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Meet the Stratus CEO Dennis Jarrett

Have you ever talked to Dennis Jarrett with Stratus Building Solutions? If you call the 877-731-2020 on the weekend, you've spoken directly with the CEO of a world-class franchise operation. Pretty cool, huh?


Here's a little more about who we call DJ:


Currently residing in Chicago, Illinois, this world traveler is always on the go. Before he co-founded Stratus, the 20 year veteran of the franchising industry served as President of Jan-Pro International, a national janitorial franchise company based in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Prior to his work with Jan-Pro, he was Vice-President of Coverall North America, Inc., also a national janitorial franchising company based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.


Bringing his experience and innovation with him enabled Stratus to grow exponentially and win awards such as the annual 2010 & 2011 Inc. 500|5000 Fastest Growing Companies, three Top Ten spots on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 – including 2nd time #1 Fastest Growing Franchise, Franchise Times Fast 55, Black Enterprise Top 40 Best Franchises for African Americans, Poder 360′s Top 26 Franchises for Hispanics and the 50 Top Franchises for Minorities by the World Franchising Network. He is married with three daughters and enjoys reading, traveling and even more than executing a successful business, time with his family.


Here is, too, at the LouFest St. Louis music festival where Stratus participated in the EcoZone.


 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

What is Dirt?

In the professional cleaning industry, we are always talking about dirt. Sure, it goes by a variety of pseudonyms such as soils, contaminants, impurities, unwanted matter, particulates, and the like. But ultimately, what we are talking about is plain old dirt—what we in the professional cleaning industry are tasked to remove from facilities every day.


But have you ever wondered what’s in dirt? Street dirt, the kind that most often finds its way into the facilities we clean, is comprised of many of the following (starting with the largest amounts first):



  • Humus: Organic material such as compost

  • Cement powder or dust: Composed of limestone and carbonate rock

  • Silica: Sand or quartz

  • Clay: Fine-grained materials, with variable amounts of moisture trapped in the mineral structure of the particulate

  • Sodium chloride: Salt

  • Gelatin: Solid substances from animal skin and bones

  • Oleic acid: Derived from the fat from animals and plants

  • Carbon black: material produced by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products.


Much of what is in dirt is so small it becomes airborne. And studies indicate that as much as 80 percent—possibly more—is tracked in by people using a facility. And now you know the dirt on dirt.


Article found on ISSA By John Holibaugh