Healthy & High Performance Cleaning Programme

The HHPC programme takes conventional cleaning beyond appearances in commercial buildings, with procedures, chemicals, tools and equipment designed to make them the safest, healthiest and cleanest.

Dust Removal

1. Dusting tools like microfibre, lint-free dusting cloths and vacuums that capture and remove dust should be used.
2. Carpet & Rug Institute (C&RI) Green Label Programme certified vacuum cleaners fitted with appropriate bags and HEPA filters meet HHPC requirements.
3. Even while making use of basic things like a folded cloth, one should refold it when full of soil. Refolding provides more cleaning surface area and maximises use of the cloth.
4. Dusting chemicals should be used minimally. Water or water-based dusting chemicals should be used if required.
5. Use appropriate personal protective equipment as stated on the product label and MSDS.
6. Proper sized attachments are to be made use of when using a vacuum. Dusting should be carried out from top to bottom including hard-to-reach areas.
7. A microfibre flat mop is preferred over a dry or chemically treated cotton mop. If using a microfibre mop, the widest possible mop should be used taking into consideration the area, obstructions and unevenness of the floor.
8. When using a vacuum, a wide area hard floor attachment will maximise soil removal and minimise labour.
9. Any gum or other debris stuck to the floor should be removed using a putty knife, start from a far corner and work toward the door.
10. The microfibre flat mop should be used in a continuous motion, without lifting the mop from the floor. Start next to the wall. When turning, pivot so that the leading edge remains the same. Overlap the previously mopped path by two to four inches to ensure complete coverage. After finishing, the collected debris should be picked up using a counter brush and dust pan or vacuum. When the microfibre no longer attracts soil, it needs to be laundered. Vacuum bags should be checked periodically and changed when they become half-full.

Floor Care

Mostly, the procedures for floor care in a HHPC programme are similar to those in a traditional programme. Beyond the traditional issues, floor care in a HHPC programme addresses the selection of the procedures themselves. The lifecycle assessment of the selected finish should factor in the durability and the frequency of stripping and recoating. In a HHPC programme, the primary effort should be a pollution prevention strategy, or one that minimises the need to strip and recoat a floor. Thus, the specific focus should be on preventative measures, such as:

• Outside entryways should be kept clean to prevent soils from being tracked into the building. This may include sweeping and use of a power sprayer.
• Matting systems should be used at all entrances to capture soils and moisture from shoes. The mats should be large enough for each shoe to hit on it twice (typically a minimum of 12 to 15 feet). Entryway mats and grating systems should be frequently vacuumed.
• Frequent dust mopping of resilient tile floors or vacuuming, especially close to entryway and other sources of particulates (i.e. near copier rooms).
• Under floor mats should be periodically cleaned to reduce the potential for moisture to lead to bacterial and fungal growth. When floor mats get wet, replace them with clean dry mats.
• An intensive cleaning and frequent cleaning of the entryway to capture soils at source rather than remove it after it has spread throughout the entire building.

Carpet Care

Beyond the traditional issues, carpet care in a HHPC programme addresses the selection of the appropriate products and equipment. The programme includes some minor modifications of the typical procedures and pays special attention to moisture and ventilation. The primary effort should be a soil prevention strategy, or one that minimises the need to extract a carpet.

HHPC requirements

• Keep outside/outdoor entryway clean to prevent soils from being tracked into the building. This may include sweeping and use of a power sprayer.
• Use entry mats to capture soils and moisture from shoes. It is preferable that the mats be large enough for each shoe to hit the mat two times (typically a minimum of 12 to 15 feet). Frequently vacuum entryway mats and grating systems.
• Frequent dust mopping of resilient tile floors, or vacuuming of carpeted surfaces, especially close to entryway and other sources of particulates (i.e. near copier rooms) reduces soiling on surrounding carpeted areas.
• There should be a daily routine for cleaning carpets.
• Develop a programme of occupant education to inform tenants on how to handle small spills or who to call so that spills can be removed quickly by the cleaning personnel.
• An interim cleaning process to address needs of high traffic areas should be established.
• Minimise the needs for large scale extracting.

Washrooms

• Because of their heavy use and moisture, restrooms must be cleaned frequently using appropriate cleaning products and procedures.
• Cleaning should be done thoroughly, including hard-to-reach areas such as behind toilets and around urinals.
• Restroom floors should be periodically machine scrubbed or pressure washed with a cleaner disinfectant.
• Label directions for appropriate dilutions and necessary dwell times should be followed to allow for thorough germ-killing activity. Dwell time for many disinfectants is 10 minutes.
• Some products used in the restroom can be hazardous, such as drain cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners. Appropriate PPE should be used and appropriate ventilation should be provided for cleaning personnel. Cleaning products should never be mixed.
• Use paper products that meet the minimum requirements for post-consumer recycled content. Preference should be given to paper that has not been bleached with chlorine compounds. Additionally, preference should be given to paper provided on large rolls; this minimises packaging materials and reduces the frequency in which the rolls need to be restocked. These steps will minimise waste and the corresponding environmental impact.