Customers In Action!

At Action, we pride ourselves on working with our customers to offer innovative and fresh solutions to all sorts of cleaning opportunities. Our knowledgeable staff strives to satisfy every customer. Just like you, we try to think outside the box in order to help you accomplish your goals.
Recently, Bob Friant of SERVPRO completed a smoke damage restoration with odd constraints. The customer had delicate light fixtures and explained to Bob that all cleaning must done with something as soft as a cotton ball or she would not allow the work to be completed by SERVPRO. Action worked with Bob to find a solution that would satisfy his need to clean quickly, correctly, and efficiently, as well as satisfy the requirement of the homeowner to accomplish the task without damage to the light fixtures.
Initially there were solutions offered ranging from sea sponges to microfiber rags, but none of these options satisfied the customer’s concern that damage could occur to the light fixture. It was important to offer Bob the right solution, so the problem was presented company-wide. Pat Spinden, a valued employee with over 14 years of experience with Action, offered the right solution that would balance the homeowner’s need for care with Bob Friant’s need to complete the job quickly, correctly, and efficiently. Her solution: Johnny mops normally used to clean toilet bowls. A Johnny mop looks like cotton, it is as gentle as cotton, and helped Bob finish this job in a proficient manner.
After completing the job, Bob came back looking to offer a product to his customer so that she could continue to care for her delicate fixtures on her own in the future. He was happy with the Johnny mops and told Action how they saved him a large amount of time, but now he needed Q-tips for his client. Standard Q-tips from the store are too flimsy for the job. After a little research, Action found Q-tips with wooden handles that could hold up to the applied pressure needed to do the job. Bob had these heavy duty Q-tips shipped in overnight and satisfied his client. In the end, Bob was happy, his customer was happy, and Action Unlimited Resources and all of its employees took pride in the fact that we were able to go above and beyond to help solve the problem.

Recycling Action!

Action Unlimited Resources is well known for offering alternative green solutions for all your needs in the janitorial & sanitary maintenance field and beyond. We offer an array of bio-renewable resource based cleaning products made from sustainable materials which lessen our petroleum use and dependence. We inform our customers about the advantages of products which minimize the immediate and residual impact on the earth’s biosphere and on the health and safety of those using them. We also strive to outfit our clients with products that minimize solid waste and save money. We recently assured our Action’s home office lives up to our environmentally-conscious reputation as we institute an inner-office recycling program.

Starting a recycling program in your business is surprisingly easy. You can take small steps at first, such as giving all employees small recycling bins to place by their desks. It is surprising how much trash is recyclable. Placing a large recycling bin in your break room is another great step towards running a more sustainable company. You can contact your local solid waste company to find out about the different programs offered in your area.

Once your customers and staff see how easy it is to help the earth, it will encourage them to start doing the same in their daily lives. We can all embrace opportunities to help sustain our environment and reinforce the truth that we can all do our part!

Store Movement!

As part of our continuing effort to improve service to our customers, the Foodservice Store, currently located at our main distribution center (230 Quigley Blvd), will be moved to our location at 325 Quigley Blvd.
The friendly, knowledgeable Action Team at that location will be prepared to handle all of your questions and service your every need on Monday, November 3, 2008.
This move will make way for the expansion of our rapidly growing Action Academy. Response to the Academy programs has been phenomenal and requests for new classes appear endless. Beginning with our November sessions, Action Academy classes will be held at our main distribution center (230 Quigley Blvd.)
This space will be renovated to accommodate all the Academy courses. The renovations planned include multiple floor training facilities, open restroom areas, and classroom with audio/visual aids.
For details on Action Academy courses, please, speak to your Action Representative or call today – (302) 323-1455.

Action Academy

This week I attended my second term at Action Academy. Action Academy is Action Unlimited Resources' monthly seminar which focuses on educating sanitary/janitorial professionals, or anyone interested in improving their knowledge and skills when it comes to cleaning. This month, Action experts Professor Bob Seibel and Mr. Wayne Dippold enlightened and entertained their students in the areas of Restroom Cleaning For Health and Safety and Hard Floor Care.
In the morning session, Professor Seibel focused on instilling attendees with the strong sense of pride appropriate to the janitorial business, as we are charged with "protecting the treasures of the temple," and demonstrated the proper ways to protect one's self and employees while using chemical. He outlined, step by step, the best way to clean a restroom and why and what type of chemical is best for each situation.
In the afternoon session, Mr. Dippold offered an outline for how to strip, rinse, finish, guard, and burnish a VCT floor. After the lecture portion, to the delight of attendees, Mr. Dippold conducted a demonstration of his methods on the floor of Action Academy! Students were encouraged to participate and learn machinery and chemical use, as well as experience the proper methods first hand.
Action's staff houses a wealth of knowledge and experience for their customer's benefit, and Action Academy presents focused sessions that will no doubt provide you with some new information, insight, or method, and it is fun! While the classes are not sales oriented, once the final bell has rung, every product and machine you learned about are available for purchase from Action Unlimited Resources.

LET ECO-LYZER CONSUME THE ODOR!

You clean the toilet bowls and urinals, wipe down the fixtures, disinfect the sinks and counters, clean the mirrors and finally mop the floor with your favorite disinfectant cleaner – but, after just a short period of time, that nasty bathroom odor returns. You can turn up the spray rate for the deodorant spray of change the fragrance, but that nasty bathroom odor returns. Why does this odor persist? What could possibly be the root cause?

For the most part this odor is caused by odor causing bacteria that lives on the floor. They hide in the grout lines, corners and hard to get to crevices. Why do they continue to live after you’ve mopped with your favorite disinfectant cleaner? It could be any number of reasons. Dirty mops, dirty mop water and incorrect dilution of the cleaning solution can contribute greatly to the persistence of the foul bathroom odor. Improper procedures, such as not rinsing can contribute as well.

Well, there is a product that, when used properly, will eliminate that nasty bathroom odor. My personal experience with Consume Eco-Lyzer by Spartan Chemical Company – a revolutionary biotechnology that combines traditional quaternaries and cleaning surfactants with non-pathogenic bacteria – has been nothing short of phenomenal. At 2oz per gallon, this product cleans, disinfects, eliminates odor-causing bacteria and continues to eliminate them for extended periods of time.

When used in conjunction with Microfiber Tube Mops or Flatmops the results will absolutely astound you. The directions call for a no rinse operation and suggest that you let the product air dry on the floor. Give it try. You’ve got nothing to lose except that foul, lingering odor that seems to have been around forever.
By Mike Pinto

Convenient Touch Free Cleaning!

ICS 8950
- Compact size allows unit to be used even in small areas
- Simplicity of design reduces on-going maintenance requirements
- Large 12 gallon fresh water tank allows multiple room cleaning before refilling
- 15 ft. discharge hose provides extended cleaning range; strain relief device allows the unit to be pulled by hose without damaging connection
- Integrated hose hanger conveniently wraps hose when not in use for safety
- Chemical holders accommodate two round or F-style gallon (or two liter) containers; unit has option to dispense up to four chemicals
- Storage area on top of cart for spray bottles, paper products, etc.
- Large back wheels easily roll over obstacles; lockable casters on front wheels allow for great maneuverability and safety
- Storage holders with mop clips on side for deck brush (12 in, 30 cm) and squeegee (16in, 41 cm)
- Model 8900 provides cordless cleaning via rechargeable battery

STOP BY THE ACTION STORE AT 325 QUIGLEY BLVD NEW CASTLE DE TO SEE THE ICS 8950 IN ACTION!

OR CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION (302-323-1455)

Proper Chemical Usage in Hospitals

A U.S. study published in the journal Microbiology found bugs that survive disinfectant contact can become harder to kill. They evolve new defences which allow them to "pump" cleaning chemicals and antibiotics out of their system. A UK expert said it was important that cleaning guidance was followed closely.

The NHS has recently met a target for the reduction of MRSA cases, but the rise of antibiotic resistance remains a problem.

Doctors have been told to use antibiotics sparingly, as overuse can allow harmful bacteria to develop resistance, but the new research suggests that some cleaning chemicals may also cause a problem.

The researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit exposed Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to low concentrations of a wide range of antiseptic and antibacterial solutions, many of which are in common use in hospitals and the home.

They found that because the bacteria were not killed by the chemicals, they began to mutate into new strains.



No watering down
Dr Glenn Kaatz, who led the study, said that if bacteria in hospitals were exposed to "biocides" - antibacterial chemicals - repeatedly, they could build up this resistance, and even contribute to hospital-acquired infections.

However, Dr Adam Fraise, a consultant in infection control at Birmingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said that the important thing was for cleaning staff to use chemicals in the recommended concentrations, and not to water them down more than required.

He said: "Biocides are not like antibiotics, in which the dose has to be kept at a level which is non-toxic to the patient.

"They can be used in very very high concentrations, and provided this happens, then bacteria will be killed, and therefore not have the opportunity to acquire this resistance.

"There are guidelines for cleaning staff about this in the NHS, and they need to be followed.

"However, there is an argument that you should be using these chemicals sparingly anyway around the ward, as there is some debate whether they are actually any more effective than simple detergents at reducing hospital infections."
(Article from cleanlink.com)

Winter is on its way

Anderson Mats

Daycleaning & Energy Saving

As the green movement continues to sweep the industry and country, conserving energy and resources is a topic that is fresh on everyone’s mind। Coincidentally, sustainability is what day cleaning is all about. In fact, statistics show that office buildings that switch their cleaning operations from nighttime to day cleaning lower their utility expenses and conserve their use of energy by 25 to 30 percent.
Manufacturers have been making it a priority to produce low-decibel vacuum cleaners and low-water use floor equipment. With less noise and distraction cleaners will not interrupt building occupants while making their rounds. Companies who take advantage of these new products can make an easy switch to daytime cleaning.
As safety concerns of the building occupants continues to be a major reason for not switching to day cleaning, distributors can tap into this gray area and help end users by training them and tailoring their cleaning procedures and products to best suit their individual needs.

The Bob and Wayne Show

Yesterday was the Action Academy Training and Certification day. We held two classes at our Janitorial supply store both taught by Action’s very own Professor Bob Seibel. In the morning Bob taught the class how to properly and safely clean a restroom, and in the afternoon the class learned the many different ways to attack a carpet cleaning job. More coverage of this event coming soon!

Don’t Wait For The First Snow Fall!

Get Your Ice Melt Today!

IFMA Announces New Floor Area Measurement Standard!

There has been a new official floor area measurement standard set by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). “E1836-08: Building Floor Area Measurements for Facility Management,” was recently approved and published by the IFMA, and sets a standard that gives all facility managers a clean cut procedure to use when measuring and classifying the floor are in buildings.
The Building Floor Area Measurements includes measurement rules for floor areas in text form and a easy to read matrix. This can be applied to space planning, strategic facility planning and specifying occupant requirements. It allows owner-occupiers and tenants to perform space planning activities and charge back business units for the amount of space they occupy.
The new standard also allows The Building Owners and Managers Association International and the IFMA to collaborate on different projects where an overlap of different measuring systems use to exist. This is also the first time two standards have been put in alignment, and allows for easier data sharing as well as cutting costs for facility managers and building owners.

Truck Mount Repairs!

Custom Hydraulic Hoses

Training & Certification Day

Restroom and Carpet Care training for half the price!
Call now to register! 302-323-1455

It's Better Out Of The Box!

Training Starts Now!

Just in time for the ‘Back to School’ rush, we have opened the doors to the Action Academy! So far we have held two classes - ‘How to Protect Yourself From Blood-borne Pathogens’ and ‘Cleaning for Health and Safety’. Our goal is to not only make the environment as clean and germ free as possible, but also keeping all the employees who work with potentially infectious materials safe.
Any facility that deals with bodily fluid on a regular basis such as a nursing home, most health care facilities, and many others have employees who run the risk of being infected by these materials every day. This is why we train the staff at these facilities to use products and systems that will protect them from blood-borne pathogens and keep themselves healthy. A safe, healthy and confident workforce is the end goal when certifying the staff members in this area.
We have also held a class called ‘Cleaning for Health and Safety’. As in the blood-borne pathogen training, the main focus of this course is to emphasize not only the appearance of cleaning, but also the importance of sanitizing and self-protection. This is why we show our students different systems to make sure they service their facilities as thoroughly as possible.
Our trainers have received positive feed-back from the students in these classes, and this has encouraged us to move ahead with our plans to create new classes. The Action Academy plans to offer a wide variety of training and certification courses such as ‘Green Cleaning’, floor care, odor control, and many others. So give us a call and get certified Action today!

Shades Of Green

Action like most other companies around the world today has realized the need for environmentally friendly solutions. We are offering our customers a different way to go “Green” focused as on both their needs as well as the needs of the environment. After carefully talking to each customer we realized. Going completely green is not for everybody, but everyone CAN do their part for the earth. There are shades of green and we take pride in coloring every client in with the right shade.
It would be wonderful if every business out there could invest in all recycled and naturally made products, but that’s not realistic. It is our main goal as a company to recommend and sell only products that will benefit our customers. Instead of just selling sizzle and buzz words we dig deep to offer the correct solutions.
Though it may not make economic sense for a smaller restaurant or facility to go completely green we can find to reduce waste or run a more efficient and environmentally friendly program. For example, getting a facility to use entrance matting at every door cuts back on the soil tracked in from visitors and decreases the amount of times the floor must be cleaned. Using matting therefore reduces chemical usage and saves money.
Not only do we take the greatest care to offer the best products to our customers, we also take the time to train the staff because even a “green” product is not environmentally friendly if used improperly. With the right mix of products and teaching we can help make a healthier earth and help create a healthier business at the same time.

Making Buildings Greener!

Waterhog Eco

The new Waterhog matting from Andersen is made out of 100% recycled PET post-consumer fiber reclaimed from drink bottles and 15% post-consumer recycled tires. This is a huge step in green facility maintenance. Having entrance matting is the first step to “Green” Cleaning. With the new Eco mats you can make earth conscious choices with out any sacrifice!
This mat has the same advantages as all of the other water hog matting such as the rubber reinforced face nubs and waffle design provide crush proof scraping action. The raised rubber "water dam" border traps dirt and water keeping them off carpet and floors. It cost $600 to remove one pound of soil from a facility, so why not trap the soil at the door with entrance matting? It is made in eight designer colors with multiple styles. The Eco Elite mats have the classic recycle logo at the bottom corner of each mat. In order to show everyone that you are doing your part. As always this mat is 100% customer satisfaction
guaranteed!

Clean For A Reason!

Join the fight against cancer by doing what you do best: Cleaning. The nonprofit organization Cleaning for A Reason gives cancer patients a helping hand by donating housekeeping services. Cleaning for a reason is looking for quality companies with a sense of civic responsibility who wish to participate.
Companies that pledge their participation in this worthy cause agree to provide four free house cleanings to the recipient—once a month for four months. According to the organization’s founder, Debbie Sardone, a clean and healthy environment aids the healing process and allows cancer patients to spend more time with their families.
So if you would like to give a little bit of your time and service go to www.cleaningforareason.org and sign up today!

Affordable Portable Washer

Do The Compost!

Composting currently is a popular method of waste management. It is a great way to help the environment and save money. Besides putting more money in your pocket, you can cut out up to 20% of the waste that ends up in our overflowing landfills. The compost itself does a lot for the earth by directly adding nutrients and beneficial organisms straight into the soil, thereby reducing the demand for chemical fertilizers.
There is a large push in the food industry to make products completely compostable. Products such as cutlery made from potatoes, containers made from sugarcane, and cups made from corn can all be composted. Ultimately, this permits the return of needed organic matter and nutrients into the foodchain and reduces the amount of "green" waste going into landfills.
Composting is easy if you follow the directions below.
GETTING STARTED!
• Choose a location that is flat, well drained, shaded, away from
buildings or wooden fences and has a source of water
• Choose a system: AVOID THE USE OF TREATED LUMBER!

TYPE ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGES
1. One Bin Simple Less Capacity

2. 2-3 Bins Better Aeration Takes More Space
Bigger Capacity Requires Manual Transfers

3. Rotating Systems FAST!! 3 Weeks Expensive

4. Sheet/Trench No Bins, Piles Can Not Compost Leaves

5. Commercial Neat Expensive
Bin Systems Instant Solution

• Keep the pile moist
• Mix/turn the pile to aerate(daily for rotating bin, every 2 weeks otherwise
• Keep the carbon to nitrogen ratio at 20-30:1

20-30 parts 1 part
CARBON(brown) NITROGEN(green)
leaves (shredded) vegetable wastes
corn stalks coffee grounds
straw grass clippings
bark cow, horse, pig, poultry
paper manure
wood chips, sawdust

HOW TO USE FINISHED COMPOST

• Work a 3-4 inch layer into the soil before planting

• Apply as a top dressing to shrubs and garden plants

• Use 1 handfull when transplanting
annuals/perennials use several handfuls with shrubs and trees

• Add 2 inches into 6 inches of soil to establish new lawn

• Spread ¼ inch into existing lawn with a spreader; Do this in the fall after sifting compost through a screen

• Make potting mix by combining fine compost with sand, bark, and vermiculite/perlite

Information provided By: Barbara Glazar

NEW WASHER

I am thoroughly amazed by the new portable washer in stock at ACTION.  Visit the store at 325 Quigley Blvd. New Castle, DE 19720 to check it out yourself.

 

 

 

 

The First of Many!

The Puzzle of Cost Has More Than One Piece!
As we continue to see energy prices skyrocket and watch these prices funnel down to the consumer costs, the natural inclination is to be even more price conscious than ever. However, simply comparing the prices of potential replacement products to current products in use, doesn’t necessarily provide the actual cost savings desired. The puzzle of cost has more than one piece. The purchase price is only one factor. Procedures, tools, methods of mixing and measuring and results all factor into the final use costs. A product that might be 20% less to purchase could potentially cost 20% more to use – and the final results may or may not be satisfactory. The current product being used, that once led to acceptable results, may not be correct now. Over time, employee turnover, procedural changes, acquisition of new tools or equipment, or any number of other factors could indeed affect the results and final use costs. Now is great time to audit procedures – from mixing to application to results – to determine whether cost savings could be reaped from adjustments to any of the steps. Our Sales Representatives are well-trained, and their experience can help you determine any deficiencies in systems and procedure that could be creating undo costs that are draining your budget.

By:MIke Pinto