The Ongoing Demand for Hand Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Toilet Paper – Oh My!

By: Keith Schneringer  |  May 8, 2020

Part three-of-three series analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the Jan/San industry.

• Part One: Supply Chain Survey and COVID-19 Disruptions
• Part Two: The Effect of COVID-19 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies
• Part Three: The Ongoing Demand for Hand Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Toilet Paper – Oh My

In light of recent events, most of us are aware of how difficult it is to find face masks and gloves. However it's more than just personal protective equipment (PPE) that's being greatly affected by supply chain disruptions.

Products that are used on a daily basis to keep buildings clean and running, such as hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and yes, toilet paper have been hard to find as well. The issue that we are all facing is that all of these items are essential and will be needed as more businesses, stores and other facilities reopen.

Our final article in this series gives an in-depth look at how the supply chains in these specific product categories are being impacted.

Topics: industry news, COVID-19, Supply Chain

The Effect of COVID-19 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies

By: Keith Schneringer  |  May 5, 2020

Part two-of-three series analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the Jan/San industry.

• Part One: Supply Chain Survey and COVID-19 Disruptions
• Part Two: The Effect of COVID-19 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies
• Part Three: The Ongoing Demand for Hand Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Toilet Paper – Oh My!

In the United States, American shoppers and businesses have been stocking up on items such as face masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, disinfectants, and toilet paper (among other items), with the subsequent and ongoing demand consistently managing to successfully outpace available supply.

While countries, businesses, factories and warehouses where the raw materials and supplies are produced and manufactured manage periodic shutdowns until a vaccine is available, the probability of lengthy on and off disruptions to the global supply chain will cause many of these items to be in short supply for quite a while. As mentioned in the previous article "Global Supply Chain Impacts of COVID-19."

Some of the most important equipment needed by frontline workers has been in limited supply from the beginning. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings and masks, shields and gloves, are being used by medical staff and first responders, as well as other essential workers: environmental services (EVS) staff, janitors, grocery store clerks, delivery personnel, garbage workers, food and agricultural workers, warehouse workers, and more. As stay-at-home orders start lifting, there will be an even greater demand for these products.

Topics: industry news, COVID-19, Supply Chain

Global Supply Chain Impacts of COVID-19

By: Keith Schneringer  |  April 30, 2020

Part one-of-three series analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the Jan/San industry.

• Part One: Supply Chain Survey and COVID-19 Disruptions
• Part Two: The Effect of COVID-19 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies
• Part Three: The Ongoing Demand for Hand Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Toilet Paper – Oh My!

The topic of COVID-19 has dominated the news and collective psyche of the world¹ for the last several months – and it may be the height of understatement to say that this intense focus has had a dramatic and oversized impact on many of the facets of our everyday lives which we may have previously taken for granted.

In addition to the implementation of social distancing measures² which have kept us separated and unable to enjoy many of the daily opportunities for interpersonal interactions we are used to being able to have with our friends, families, and neighbors, the COVID-19 pandemic has also shined a very bright light on the global supply chain³ and our collective ability to be able to source and buy the products which are typically viewed as basic staples of our everyday lives, as well as those supplies which we can all agree are needed by those responsible for facilities maintenance in the buildings where we work, learn, heal, and relax in order to combat this new viral threat.

Topics: industry news, COVID-19, Supply Chain

EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens & Hard Surface Disinfectants

What Disinfectant Cleaners Can Be Used Against COVID-19 & Other Viruses

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  April 16, 2020

At present, the virus responsible for COVID-19 is not on any EPA registered product lists, and therefore there is not a disinfectant which can make a specific claim to be effective against this new virus. However respiratory illnesses attributable to COVID-19 are caused by a coronavirus, and WAXIE can provide several broad-spectrum hard surface disinfectants that have been shown to be effective against other similar viruses, such as Human Coronavirus, SARS associated Coronavirus, Porcine Respiratory & Reproductive Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), and/or have been shown to be effective against viruses which are more difficult to inactivate such as Rotavirus, Rhinovirus Type 37, and Norovirus.

When used in accordance with the directions on the label for each associated product, these hard surface disinfectants have been shown to be effective against the virus (or viruses) referenced on the master label for that product. Each disinfectant listed has already successfully gone through, or is in the process of going through, the protocol for the EPA Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides.¹

Topics: workplace wellness, disinfecting, cleaning tips, Infection Prevention, COVID-19

Facility Surface Cleaning and Disinfecting

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  March 19, 2020

In addition to having building occupants and employees practice good hand hygiene, it is also important to maintain a clean and healthy building environment through effective surface cleaning and disinfecting.

It is recommended that your custodial team evaluate and implement measures to minimize the potential transmission of the influenza virus, coronavirus or any other pathogens via hard surfaces through good sound cleaning and disinfecting procedures, with a focus on areas which may have the greatest likelihood of potential environmental contamination such as restrooms, food preparation areas and high touch surfaces.

Topics: workplace wellness, disinfecting, cleaning tips

Forging Their Own Paths: Women Making an Impact at WAXIE

Some of the amazing women who work at WAXIE Sanitary Supply: Clockwise from the top – Lettie Parker-Mendoza, Cherisse Mekeel, Barbara Corral and Alisa Konsulian.

March 4, 2020

International Women's Day is this Sunday, March 8th. In honor of that, we'd like to shine a light on four of our amazing staff members who we often rely on for help & guidance.

The Jan/San industry can be a tough one – especially for front-line cleaning & maintenance staff. With long hours and a physically demanding workload, there are so many woman who are working tirelessly to make a difference! Not just in keeping places clean & healthy, but in promoting professional growth & development. This includes being involved in ISSA's Hygieia Network, which actively provides resources, support & mentorship for the advancement of women throughout all levels of the cleaning industry.

At WAXIE, women play crucial roles in many positions, from Maintenance Staff to Drivers to Account Consultants, and we consider ourselves lucky to have so many amazing women working for us! Let’s celebrate.

Topics: company news

Entrance Matting Care & Maintenance

Image courtesy of M+A Matting

Guest Blog By: M+A Matting  |  February 12, 2020

Entrance matting is an essential component of creating a safe and clean facility. According to the ISSA, 80% of dirt, dust, and moisture brought into a building can be contained within the first 15 to 18 feet with proper matting. But in order for this matting to retain its efficacy – to remove dirt and moisture from shoes and help prevent tracking - it must be regularly cared for and maintained. This entails routine cleanings, checking the condition of your mats, and the eventual replacement when it reaches the end of its service life.

Topics: Hard Floor Care, flooring, floor matting

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Overview

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  January 30, 2020

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),¹ 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-NCoV) is a new virus which has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan City, Huebei Province in China. The earliest reported cases had a link to a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan, suggesting an initial animal-to-person spread, however a growing number of subsequent patients have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating that a person-to-person spread may be occurring.¹

Topics: Health, industry news, Infection Prevention

Carpet Cleaning Basics: Routine Maintenance to Restoration

By: WAXIE Editorial Staff  |  January 17, 2020

Carpeting is probably the most common type of floor covering in commercial buildings. It can add an attractive appearance and a warm, soft feel to a facility while reducing noise. But because dirt is often hidden in the carpet, proper maintenance can be neglected until the carpet "uglys out," and expensive restoration or replacement is needed.

Topics: carpet, flooring, cleaning tips