Cleaning Information & News
Members of the CLEANpHIRST™ team are dedicated to helping you create the cleanest environment in which you live. Our goal is for our products and cleaning information to minimize the health risks posed by unwelcome allergens, bacteria, germs and viruses in your home, school, workplace or other location by equipping you with first-in-category cleaning solutions.
Watch how Decon 3D improves the health of a local day care that was already cleaning several times a day with a bleach solution in accordance with state government standards in this Toy StoryCLEANpHIRST's Decon 3D kills up to 99.99999% of illness causing germs like staph, e-coli, MRSA, norovirus, and H1N1 Swine Flu. Decon 3D is the worlds most advanced antimicrobial / decontaminant. It eradicates bacteria, viruses, spores, molds and fungus and neutralizes toxic chemicals and odors immediately, while being totally biodegradable and safe enough for household use. Click here to buy CLEANpHIRST Decon 3D online now! Labels: child care cleaning, cleaning sports equipment, cleaning tips, cleanphirst, hospital cleaning, janitorial cleaning
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 Seven-fold Increase in Potentially Lethal Superbug MRSAThe community-associated strain of the deadly superbug MRSA — an infection-causing bacteria resistant to most common antibiotics—poses a far greater health threat than previously known and is making its way into hospitals, according to a study in the December issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. The new threat is easily picked up in fitness centers, schools, and other public places and has increased the overall burden of MRSA within hospitals, the report found.
The study, which analyzed data from more than 300 microbiology labs serving hospitals all over the United States, found a seven-fold increase in newer “community-associated” strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in outpatient hospital units between 1999 and 2006. According to study authors, this increase threatens hospital safety because many hospitals share their resources, such as surgical sites, or have doctors or patients that move back and forth between the different areas of the hospital.
“This emerging epidemic of community-associated MRSA strains simply adds to the already high MRSA burden in hospitals,” said Ramanan Laxminarayan, Principle Investigator for Extending the Cure, a project examining antibiotic resistance at the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Resources for the Future. Extending the Cure is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Pioneer Portfolio, which funds innovative ideas that may lead to breakthroughs in the future of health and health care.
Over the length of the study period, researchers found that MRSA increased more than 90 percent among outpatients and now accounts for more than 50 percent of all Staphylococcus aureus infections. The findings suggest that this was due almost entirely to an increase in community-associated strains, which jumped from 3.6 percent of all MRSA infections to 28.2 percent—a seven-fold jump from 1999 to 2006. Similar increases in inpatients suggest that these strains are spreading rapidly into hospitals as well.
MRSA kills an estimated 20,000 people in the United States each year. The superbug, which is resistant to most common antibiotics, can attack wounds and trigger potentially lethal blood stream infections. Community-associated strains, while generally less virulent and susceptible to more antibiotics, can still cause significant morbidity and mortality.
“MRSA has generally been a significant problem only in hospitals,” said Eili Klein, the report’s lead author and Resources for the Future researcher. “But the findings from this study suggest that there is a significant reservoir in the community as well.” This community reservoir leads to a dangerous spread of community-associated strains from outpatient units into hospitals, according to Klein.
To curtail this spread, hospitals will need to step up infection control procedures, including those practiced in outpatient units. This study and others suggest that the most effective way of containing MRSA and other superbugs is by employing surveillance and infection control on a regional basis.
“The movement of community-associated strains into the hospital also points to the urgent need for rapid tests that can identify the strain of MRSA,” Klein said. Some MRSA strains, particularly those coming into the outpatient departments, are vulnerable to a wider range of cheap antibiotics. With a rapid test, a hospital doctor could prescribe a cheaper, but still effective drug to combat an infection— a strategy that might reduce health care costs and help preserve the nation’s supply of antibiotics, according to authors. If you are reading this wondering what you can do about MRSA, check out our simple 3-Step Cleaning Process that will kill up to 99.99999% of Staphylococcus Aureus on surfaces with our Germ Killing CLEANpHIRST Cleaning Products.Labels: cleaning tips, hospital cleaning, mrsa staph infection, Prevent Flu Infection
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Do hand sanitizers kill the viruses that cause the flu and colds? My husband says no, they just kill bacteria, not viruses, and hand washing with soap is better. So why all the sanitizers everywhere?Can hand sanitizers really kill the flu? - Proposed by Matt Heilman at the Daily Kansan.  ANSWER: The infectious agent for Swine flu (H1N1, Mexican flu) is an Influenza A virus (H1N1). The allowed FDA OTC claim for both benzalkonium chloride-based and Alcohol-based hand sanitizers is “reduces bacteria on the skin”.However, it is known that benzalkonium chloride is effective at inactivating Influenza A virus, based on hard surface disinfectant data, at concentrations of 0.03 – 0.05% benzalkonium chloride. By comparison, CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer contains 0.1% benzalkonium chloride: 2 to 3 times higher than what is required for disinfectant activity against Influenza virus.
Typically, enveloped viruses such as Influenza A are easily inactivated by benzalkonium chloride. Note that for the same FDA claim of “reduces bacteria on the skin”, alcohol-based products require a minimum of 62% alcohol, where benzalkonium-based sanitizers require only 0.1%.
FDA does not allow for virucidal claims under the Topical Antimicrobials monograph for either benzalkonium or alcohol-based hand sanitizer products and for compliance we do not make these label claims.
While the virus claims can’t be made on the product label, we believe that CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride is effective at inactivating the Influenza A virus. Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizers:Benzalkonium chloride-based leave-on hand sanitizer has demonstrated efficacy in real-world environments. When evaluated in elementary school environments where the importance of proper hygiene practices including hand washing is taught and emphasized, the use of non-alcohol benzalkonium chloride-based leave-on hand sanitizer reduced illness absenteeism 30-40% in double-blind, placebo-controlled studies versus hand washing alone. Alcohol-free instant hand sanitizer reduces illness Absenteeism. Family Medicine, 32(9), 633-638; CG White, FS Shinder & DL Dyer (2001) Residual Value Of Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizers:Alcohol-based hand sanitizers stop working the INSTANT they dry. The leading manufacturer of alcohol-based hand sanitizers claims that their product kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause disease in as little as 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers dry in 8 to 10 seconds, and fall below the efficacious concentration of alcohol in seconds. It has been reported that alcohol-based hand sanitizers offer no residual protection, and that if your hands feel dry after rubbing them together for 15 seconds, an insufficient volume of alcohol gel was likely applied.(1) Benzalkonium chloride-based hand sanitizer dries fast, but in 10-15 seconds slower than alcohol-based hand sanitizers, allowing more than the minimum contact time for complete efficacious coverage, including under the fingernails. Additionally, benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer delivers 2 to 4 hours of residual protection from its proprietary formulation. (1) Marples, RR, & Towers, AG (1979). A laboratory model for the investigation of contact transfer of microorganisms. The Journal of Hygiene, 82(2) 237-248. In Summary: Some Hand Sanitzers Are More Effective Than Others.- Benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Foam Hand Sanitizer had greater sustained antibacterial activity than alcohol based hand sanitizers.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers became less effective with repeated use and irritate the hands of subjects.
- Benzalkonium chloride-based CLEANpHIRST Alcohol-Free Foam Hand Sanitizer becomes more effective without irritation after repeated use.
Labels: cleaning tips, cleanphirst, H1N1 Swine Flu, Hand Sanitizer, Prevent Flu Infection
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 It's all about the cleaning products...EWG tested over 20 cleaners used in schools in California, and detected hundreds of air contaminants not listed as ingredients by manufacturers. Further testing shows that cleaning a model classroom using 3 widely used, certified green products produces far less air pollution than cleaning the same classroom with 3 common conventional cleaners. View the results. EWG’s findings come at a time when childhood asthma and many childhood cancers are on the rise. Lax labeling requirements mean that schools often don't know what they're purchasing. Many would be alarmed to learn that when used as directed, Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser, a product commonly used in both schools and private homes, released more than 100 air contaminants, including chloroform, benzene, and formaldehyde. In response to these concerns, many schools have turned to safer cleaning supplies that have been independently certified to meet protective health and safety standards. Eight states have passed legislation requiring or encouraging use of these green cleaning products in schools. Many other forward-thinking school districts have adopted green cleaning policies, replacing toxic products with safer, more effective alternatives with no increase in costs.
Below is a sample letter you can send to your school:Dear School,
As a concerned citizen, I am writing to learn more about the cleaning supplies used to maintain school facilities. Because cleaning supplies can contain toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to children's health, and can pollute the air with harmful contaminants, I would like to become involved in efforts to assure use of the safest possible products and cleaning methods in my child's school. As you may know, asthma is a serious issue nationwide. At present, nearly 1 in 10 children in the U.S. suffer from this terrible health condition. Asthma is the leading cause of hospitalization for children under 15, and the primary cause of missed school days due to chronic illness. As you know, it is difficult for students to learn if they are not in school. As more research accumulates, there is growing concern that chemicals in cleaners can contribute to asthma. Cleaning ingredients have also been linked to cancer and other serious health and there are ecological concerns as well.
Fortunately, growing awareness of the health and environmental impacts of cleaning products has led to the development of many effective, cost-competitive, third-party certified green cleaning products. These green cleaners meet strict criteria concerning ingredient safety, resulting in safer products with reduced toxicity to children, teachers, custodians, and school staff. School districts all over the country have made the switch to green cleaners, for the benefit of both students and staff. Many districts have even saved money in the process. Eight states have now passed laws requiring or encouraging use of green cleaners in schools.
Recent research compares the air pollution released by cleaning a model classroom with conventional versus green cleaners. The results are clear -- total levels of air pollution are six times higher in the classroom cleaned with conventional products. Green cleaning products create markedly safe and cleaner indoor air in the classroom -- while achieving the same level of cleanliness. (Learn more at www.ewg.org/schoolcleaningsupplies/)
I would like to learn what cleaners are used in our school, how often they are used, and for what purpose. If these products include certified green cleaners, then I commend you for safeguarding the health of the children under your care. If not, then I urge you to make the switch to certified green cleaners. Use of safer green cleaning products and practices results in cleaning performance equal to or better than that of conventional products and practices, and should not increase overall spending on school maintenance.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to working with you to to ensure that our schools are clean, safe, and healthy for students and staff alike.
Sincerely, Labels: child care cleaning, cleaning tips, janitorial cleaning, school cleaning
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 A carpet cleaning solution that kills odors and removes stains is something that we have all searched for...We have heard all of the suggestions from all of the sources: Infomercials, friends, and retailers. The truth is there is no perfect or best carpet cleaning solution for every situation. We have developed the best carpet cleaning solution for killing germs and eliminating odors. The reason we can't tackle stains in the same solution is that stains vary in their chemical make up.  DepHyze™ Carpet Cleaner provides 100 percent biological and chemical odor negation (i.e., true chemical neutralization instead of simply masking odors). A two-part liquid, it is extremely effective at neutralizing tough odors in carpet caused by mold, mildew and pets as well as smoke from fire, cigarettes and other tobacco products. Rather than simply masking fire, cigarette, and other tobacco smoke odors for short periods of time, DepHyze™ Carpet Cleaner neutralizes odors immediately and permanently and can be used along with DepHyze™ Decon 3D aerosol (airborne odor removal) to leave your car and entire home (carpets, furniture, drapes, etc.) free of both unpleasant odors and harmful pollutants found in second-hand smoke. Even long-standing, embedded odors don’t stand a chance! In a typical upright carpet cleaning machine, 12 ounces of DepHyze carpet cleaning mixture will clean approximately 1,000 sq. ft. of carpet. Actual coverage will vary depending on the soil load, type of carpet and the type of machine being used. Best Carpet Cleaning Solutions For Stain Removal Here are some tips for stain removal. The best method may be to try experimenting for a while. Do not try more radical methods first though. Your carpet is a big investment and to ruin it in an attempt to save a couple bucks would be a real shame. AmmoniaAmmonia is the all purpose cleaner. You will probably find that no matter what you are cleaning someone somewhere will suggest ammonia. This isn’t bad advice really. Ammonia can be a great cleaner, as long as you use it sparingly and you take precautions. For instance, be sure to open all of the windows when you are cleaning. Also, be sure that your pets aren’t exposed to the solution. It could disrupt their…housetraining. Baking SodaBaking soda is probably your best bet. If you want to save money, save the environment and get rid of odors and stains, use baking soda when carpet cleaning. Sprinkle the baking soda on the carpet and mist the area with hot water. If it's a really tough stain or odor, apply a lot of baking soda and scrub with a stiff brush. Leave the baking soda on to soak and work it's magic, then vacuum it. Rinse the area with water and use the wet vacuum to drink up the water. Elbow GreaseThe problem that most people encounter when they have a carpet is that they only clean it once a year so they have no choice but to rent a carpet cleaner. However, a mixture of ammonia and water, with a little vinegar can make all the difference if you clean it once a month. Most of us have better things to do with out time, even doing this once a season will go a long way to keeping your carpet looking new. Club Soda and Salt for Stain RemovalThis is the tried and true, old wives tale carpet cleaning solution that has rendered the best result over the years. It is cheap and safe and it works. All you have to so crush some salt into the stain and add club soda. Come back in an hour and vacuum, then rinse and your stain will be gone! Bonnet (Dry Cleaning)Again, this is not dry cleaning in its most strict sense. Often this is a cleaning product that is mixed in with carbonated water (club soda does it again). This mixture is then deposited onto the carpet in the form of a light spray of a mist. After this a round buffer is then used to scrub the carpet in a rotating fashion. The cleaning mixture and the carbonation work in tandem to lift of particles. The only real drawback to this method is that it often takes a long time to clean and that it usually only cleans the top one third of the carpet. This is perfect if the carpet has no sentimental value, and you are just looking for a quick cleaning solution. However, if you want to get down to those smells and deep down grime you are going to need to find another solution. Clothing DetergentOne carpet cleaning solution, and this one is my favorite, is using simple laundry detergent. When you think about it, if it can get wine and bile out of a tuxedo, it can get spaghetti sauce out of your carpet. It also smells nice. Just watch out for static cling! WaterYeah sometimes water is all you need. Do not be surprised if all it takes to remove a stain is water. This of course depends on the stain. For instance you will never get grease or oil out of a carpet with water. If the offending stain is organic in nature, like say grass, water will get right to the satin and remove it. Labels: apartment cleaning, carpet cleaning, cleaning tips, cleanphirst, house cleaning
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