Subscribe Here!

Why Vaporization Is Better Than Other Odor Control Methods

Guest Blog By: Fresh Wave IAQ  |  October 30, 2019

The Safer Alternative to Ozone, Hydroxyl, and Fragrances

There are many techniques and technologies for removing commercial odors – each with its pros and cons. The range of methods span from:

• inexpensive but less effective (masking fragrances)
  to
• potent but dangerous (ozone machines)
  to
• powerful but time consuming (hydroxyl machines)

When it comes to the best of all factors, nothing compares to vaporization of plant-based products for safe, fast, effective, and efficient odor elimination.

Read More

Topics: Indoor Air Quality, healthcare, odor control, Hospitality

Business Downtime Due to Odors

Guest Blog By: Fresh Wave IAQ  |  October 16, 2019

Calculating the Cost (And Solving the Problem) of Smelly Rooms

Whether it’s a hospital or hotel, resort or senior living community, no one wants to stay in a smelly room. Tobacco smoke, food, even bodily fluids (vomit or urine) can leave behind traces of the previous visitor and create a reputation for uncleanliness at an establishment.

Hospitality and healthcare facilities can’t afford to offer a room with lingering odors. In hotel rooms, specifically, two-thirds of travelers have complained, asked for a different room, requested a discount or refund, or cancelled their reservations if confronted with room odors, according to a Hampton Hotels survey. After a visit, one bad review can mean a loss of untold future customers.

In addition to discounts, refunds, or lost business, the odor removal process can make a big impact to the bottom line. Some odor-eliminating techniques (like masking fragrances) do not completely remove odors, risking future complaints or “one star” reviews. Others (like ozone generators) are expensive and unsafe—requiring a room to be closed off while being treated—meaning it cannot generate revenue.

Read More

Topics: Indoor Air Quality, healthcare, odor control, Hospitality

Keeping Up with the Year-Around Cold & Flu Season

By: Briana Smith  |  May 1, 2014

Spring Fever, Summer Colds, Autumn Sniffles & Winter Chill

It always seems as if there’s something going around…colds, flu, allergies…regardless of the time of year. So shouldn’t everyone practice good hand hygiene year-around, and not just during the winter? After all, norovirus doesn’t go on a summer holiday.

The spread of germs happens daily as people consistently touch one surface or another. The rate at which germs are transmitted from one person to another may depend (airborne vs. direct contact) it’s important to protect yourself and others by doing the simplest of tasks: washing your hands.

Read More

Topics: Hand Hygiene, workplace wellness, healthcare, Education

No Sweat! WAXIE NorCal Installs 2,950+ Recycling & Trash Receptacles at Kaiser Permanente in 4 Days

Read More

Topics: Recycling, healthcare, WAXIE Northern California, Kaiser Permanente

WAXIE's Top 10 Blog Articles of 2013

Read More

Topics: Green Cleaning, workplace wellness, healthcare, Top 10

Cleaning Frequencies: Who Cleans This and How Often?

By: J. Darrel Hicks, BA, REH, CHESP  |  July 25, 2013

Originally published & reprinted with permission in Housekeeping Solutions on Clean Link Online

The cleaning (removing soil) and disinfection (killing bacteria and viruses) of furniture, floors and touch points is vitally important in any facility. Germs live in a moist, warm environment and making sure all surfaces are cleaned properly and frequently will minimize their spread and improve health.

In some facilities, there is confusion over who cleans what and how often. For instance, too often in hospitals, housekeeping thinks the nurses clean a surface, and nurses think those surfaces are cleaned by housekeeping. In reality, it doesn't get done. The question we need to answer is, "Who cleans this and how often is it cleaned?"

Read More

Topics: disinfecting, healthcare, Hospitality, cleaning tips