Public Service Cleaning: Techniques and Regulations

• The document provides an overview of cleaning techniques, equipment, and safety regulations relevant to public service professionals

Key Topics Covered

• Cleaning techniques
• Types of cleaning
• Cleaning tools and equipment
• Floor types and cleaning methods
• Cleaning products
• Behavioral norms for cleaning staff
• Health and safety regulations for detergents and cleaners
• Occupational risk prevention standards

General Cleaning Concepts

• Dirt is any unwanted foreign matter on a surface, which can be organic or inorganic
• 80% of dirt comes from outside, entering through doors and windows
• 20% is generated by the occupants of the space

Common Types of Dirt

• Loose, fine particles that float in the air such as dust
• Small particles like sand, soil, and hair which may be light but don't float, often carried in by people
• Various items left by people, such as cigarette butts, papers, and food scraps
• Liquid and fluid residue, which can be difficult to clean due to absorption into the surface

Objectives of Cleaning

• Understand hygiene and how to achieve it in the workplace
• Define the concept of image and its impact on visitors
• Know different cleaning techniques and types
• Know cleaning tools, equipment, and products
• Understand regulations and specific standards for occupational risk prevention

Cleaning Techniques

• Cleaning is divided into manual and mechanical methods based on the tools used
• Manual cleaning involves the worker's physical effort with simple, non-electric tools like mops and brooms
• Mechanical cleaning uses specific machines like vacuum cleaners and polishers

Elements of Work

• Effective cleaning involves products, mechanical action (manual or machinery), and time
• Detergent requires mechanical action to clean a surface
• More product doesn't necessarily mean better or faster cleaning
• Mixing cleaning products is dangerous and should be avoided
• Always read and follow product label instructions
• Ensure good ventilation and mask use when using solvents because they produce toxic and flammable gases
• Never use gasoline for stain removal on pavements

Manual Cleaning Tools

• Manual cleaning items include cloths, wipes, and brushes, for both wet and dry cleaning, as well as cellulose paper
• Dry cleaning elements include brooms, dustpans, cloths, cotton cloths
• Wet cleaning involves using small amounts of water to trap dust particles
• Wet cleaning replaces traditional wet scrubbing, combining sweeping and scrubbing into a single operation
• Mops perform wet sweeping, generally on non-porous surfaces
• Mops are made of a handle with a metal frame that holds a cotton fringe cover
• Wipes should be moistened before use and washed after each use
• Sponges are useful for wetting surfaces or spreading detergent
• Brushes, with natural or synthetic bristles, remove encrusted dirt, with bristle hardness depending on the surface

Mechanical Cleaning Equipment

• The monocepillo is a basic machine for cleaning floors that uses a rotating brush or abrasive discs
• The monocepillo can include a tank for spray cleaning liquid

Using the Monocepillo

• The user should lean the machine against themselves for control so that the brush rotates opposite the clock direction
• Guide the machine with small handle movements
• Change the tilt or height with the machine stopped to avoid accidents
• Always work backwards towards the power outlet and dry elements
• Common accessories include brushes (specific to task), driving disks (to hold abrasive disks), and abrasive disks (synthetic or metal fibres)

Vacuum Cleaners

• Vacuum cleaners are classified as either dust-only or mixed (liquids and solids)
• Dust vacuum cleaners are exclusively for dry use and use a filter to trap dust, and the filter needs cleaning

Parts of the Dust Vacuum

• A container collects dust, typically a disposable paper bag
• Flexible and rigid tubes carry dust to the container
• Interchangeable nozzles are used for different surfaces

Mixed Vacuum

• Mixed vacuum cleaners are designed for liquid dirt and solids and all parts of the machine must be carefully cleaned and dried after each use to prevent rust

Types of Cleaning

• Maintenance cleaning involves routine planning and tools
• Periodic cleaning includes bathrooms, glass, and furniture
• End-of-construction cleaning proceeds from ceiling to floor
• Special cleaning addresses non-routine objectives
• Disinfection focuses on eliminating germs and bacteria

Maintaining Cleaning Supplies

• Stock a well-prepared cleaning cart including mop buckets, trash bags, sponges, wipes etc.

Periodic Cleaning Tips

• Always start cleaning from the top down, finishing with the floor
• Mop floors dauly, and in hospitals scrub them while wearing gloves
• Regularly clean ceilings, walls, lights, and outlets as well

Bathroom Cleaning Steps

• Begin by ventilating the area, removing soiled towels, and emptying waste bins
• Use a creamy detergent for sinks, rinsing and drying to prevent water spots
• A gentle disinfectant should be used to clean bidets, faucets, and drains, subsequently rinsed and dried
• Enamel tubs cleaned with creamy cleaner and sponge
• Acrylic tubs use dish soap with a soft cloth to avoid damage
• Shower heads should be periodically cleaned to prevent blockage using warm water
• The toilet bowl should be scrubbed with an antiscale cleaner, rinsing the brush, seat, tank, and exterior
• Abrasive muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid damage enamel so only product to remove "scale" accumulation in the toilet bowl
• Dry and polish all fixtures, tiles, mirrors, and hardware
• Use creaming cleaner on tiles, scrubbing tile joints with a brush as required
• Rinse chrome fittings after cleaning with creaming cleaner or diluted vinegar
• Check drains/traps are clear of blockages
• Ensure taps and cistern close properly
• Plastic liners will minimise waste bin mess

How to Clean Mirrors

• Mirrors should be cleaned with lint-free cloths and glass cleaner or alcohol
• Remove items to avoid work entanglement and raise blinds to reach surfaces
• Move curtains to prevent splashing windows and wash with cleaning solution
• Wipe windows wiping with a sponge and dry with a clean cloth, chamois, or squeegee as needed
• Do not clean crystal when there is ice because it weakens it and adding a dash of alcohol in cold weather prevents freezing
• Clean windows out of direct sunlight

Furniture Cleaning Steps

• Use lint-free cloths and soft brushes/dusters for wooden furniture
• Apply polish after removing dust and surface stain
• Waxed surfaces cleaned with dry cloths only
• Veneered furniture should be wiped dry immediately if wetted
• Plastic laminates cleaned with hot, soapy water
• Bare wooden furniture can be washed and thoroughly dried to prevent damage
• Avoid abrasives or solvents on metal furniture, use special wax and silicone spray
• Use vacuum cleaner/brush on upholstered furniture

Carpet Cleaning

• Use low vacuum power and always vacuum corners

Other Types of Cleaning

• Post-construction and specialized non-routine cleaning exists
• Disinfect surfaces to kill germs/bacteria

Types of Floors

• Cleaning methods vary depending on floor type
• Damp sweeping is quick and useful for maintenance, using treated mop
• Floor washing removes non-damp stains and resists humidity
• Spray cleaning emulsifies and polishes

Spray Method Requirements

• Rotary monocepillo machine with medium-hardness disk
• Sprayer (independent or part of the machine)
• Spray product for dissolving stains and protecting floors, applies a protective wax for shine

Spray Method Application

• Spray a fine mist, work backwards, collect dirt and wipe using the fiber
• Coatings protect and add gloss using emulsions of waxes and polymers, also applying a sealant
• Let coating dry for 1 hour and then apply a second and third coating
• Polish with mop or cloth/machine
• Remove residue before applying product

Cleaning Hard Floors

• Differentiate between polished and non-polished
• Polished resistant to damage, and unpolished made of porous material

Common Polished Floors Materials

• Terrazzo
• Artificial stone
• Polished natural stone
• Glazed clay

Cleaning Polished Hard Floors

• Clean using mops, buckets, or machine
• Extend/soak, and then aspirate with water
• Maintenance in dry or wet is key and to regularly mop and then mop or shine

Hard Floor Precautions

• Never use acids, solvents, or slippery materials

Cleaning Soft Floors

• Two categories are textile (carpet) and non-textile floors
• Plastic floors resist the continuous movement or people/humidity
• Use the same method as you would for a hard floor
• Test colorfastness of soaps on linoleum and similar surfaces
• Maintenance to clean and add shine, wet if not soiled or detergents with machine in sprays if the surface is damaged

Soft Floor Precautions

• Never use harsh chemicals
• Clean grease or shoe polish (oil) quickly because the surface will change color
• Seal seams

Carpet Cleaning

• Use powerful vacuums regularly
• Deep clean with extraction, foam, or absorbent powders
• Vacuum before and locate stains and then remove
• Act quickly on stains or it will become difficult to remove

Carpet Cleaning Precautions

• Drying will prevent damages
• Test product
• Remove stains fast
• Check temperature
• Rub softly or it will produce damage

Behavioral Standards

• If in doubt about how to do something - ask a superior
• Access cards are non-transferable
• Wear uniform
• Do not let anyone in unless they are authorized
• Order any material needed in advance
• Research new products
• Ask if you're unsure

Sanitation Regulations - Regulations 770/1999 (May 7)

• Detergents contain essential components (surfactants), complementary components (additives) for washing
• Cleaners are for maintenance such as solvents

Definitions

• Soap is an alkali + salt
• Biodegradability is the tensioactive factor

Safety

• Employees should follow protocols
• Report any action that damages you
• Employers should communicate risks or steps to follow

Employer Obligations

• Provide safety equipment when harm is not avoidable without it

Employee responsibilities

• Follow precautions
• Use tools correctly
• Use safety equipment correctly
• Maintain equipment
• Do not disturb safety mechanism