​As summer fades and fall approaches, facilities managers must prioritize not only aesthetic maintenance but also health and safety. With the return of students to schools, employees to offices, and patients to hospitals, the risk of illness rises alongside the dropping temperatures. Here are essential steps to ensure your facilities are ready for fall and winter, with a special focus on the importance of a deep clean.

1. Do a Deep CleanWith flu season approaching and the potential for COVID-19 resurgences, maintaining a clean environment becomes critical. A deep clean goes beyond standard cleaning routines, targeting high-touch surfaces and ensuring thorough disinfection throughout your facility. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), maintaining cleanliness and hygiene can significantly reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.
How to Execute an Effective Deep Clean:

• Assess High-Touch Areas: Focus on frequently used surfaces such as door handles, light switches, handrails, elevator buttons, and shared equipment. These areas should be disinfected regularly to minimize the risk of spreading germs.
  
• Utilize Effective Cleaning Agents: Choose EPA-approved disinfectants effective against a wide range of pathogens. Ensure your cleaning staff is trained in their proper use.
  
• Implement a Systematic Cleaning Protocol: Develop a detailed cleaning schedule that includes daily, weekly, and monthly deep-cleaning tasks. Communicate this schedule to all staff to ensure accountability.
  
• Involve Your Team: Encourage staff to participate in maintaining a clean environment by promoting good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing and using hand sanitizer stations.
  
• Consider Professional Services: If your facility requires an extensive deep clean, consider hiring professional cleaning services that specialize in sanitization. These teams can bring expertise and advanced equipment to ensure comprehensive cleaning.
  

2. Review Interior SystemsInspect and clean crucial systems in your facilities, especially as usage increases in the fall:

• Maintenance of HVAC Systems: Ensure safety by inspecting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Clean or change air filters, store removable air conditioning units, and inspect portable heaters.
  
• Review Fire Safety Equipment: Check smoke detectors, sprinklers, emergency lighting, and exit signs to prevent fire safety code violations.
  
• Electrical System Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection to ensure the electrical system can handle increased capacity from space heaters and additional lighting.
  

3. Prepare Facility Exterior AreasAs temperatures drop, take necessary measures to protect your facility’s exterior:

• Pest Prevention: Inspect windows, doors, and foundations for cracks and remove debris to deter pests. Consider implementing an integrated pest management program.
  
• Inspect Roofs: Ensure roofs are in good condition and conduct repairs before snow hits. Trim trees to prevent debris from causing damage.
  
• Clean Gutters: Clean gutters in preparation for fall leaves. Install gutter guards to prevent clogging and make cleaning easier.
  

4. Examine LandscapingConsider both aesthetic and practical matters when preparing your facility's landscaping:

• Plants and Flowers: Remove wilted flowers and weeds. Install fall-blooming plants and consider planting spring bulbs.
  
• Parking Lot Maintenance: Fall is the perfect time to patch potholes, seal cracks, and repaint lines. Check parking lot signage for necessary repairs.
  
• Remove Outdoor Furniture: Store outdoor tables, chairs, and umbrellas to protect them from the elements.
  
• Prepare for Snow: Develop a snow removal plan and designate areas for snow storage.
  

5. Prepare for Power OutagesWith winter weather on the horizon, it’s vital to prepare for potential power outages:

• Create a Power Outage Emergency Kit: Stock essentials like communication tools, a first aid kit, water, non-perishable food, and power banks for extended stays.
  
• Explore Backup Power Options:
  
  • Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS): Provides backup power for short outages.
  • Standby Generators: Ideal for long outages, available in diesel and natural gas options.
  • Microgrid Solutions: Combine solar or wind power with energy storage for a backup source.
  • Portable Generators: A budget-friendly option for minimal backup needs.

 Vacuum Regularly 

It will depend on the foot traffic inside your building, as well as the use of it, for how often your floors should be vacuumed. For instance, a childcare center or a restaurant will likely need to vacuum daily, but a small office may only need to be vacuumed once a week. Decide how often your floors should be cleaned, and then stick to the schedule. This kind of general maintenance will help keep your carpet in better condition over a longer period of time.

Make Use Of Mats

Placing doormats at all of your building's entrances will significantly reduce dirt from being tracked in, as well as the wear and tear that can occur to the carpet. Keep doormats regularly vacuumed and on a deep cleaning routine. Having mats for under chairs and desks is also beneficial. They are meant to prevent leaving heavy furniture marks and ruining the carpets fibers, however they also are great for preventing spills and stains on carpet around desk areas where people are often eating and drinking.  


Spot Clean Stains The Right Way

Businesses are prone to excess dirt and spills, so it's important that cleaning crews are well trained in how to treat spots and prevent them from damaging the carpet. Spills should be cleaned immediately using the blotting method, and then using the appropriate cleaning solution to clean out the rest of the stain. It is important that the cleaning solution is safe and recommended to use on your specific carpet type. 


Have A Regular Deep Cleaning Schedule

Most commercial buildings with carpet that see a lot of foot traffic are more prone to soiling their carpet in a short amount of time. Having your carpet professionally deep cleaned will remove dirt and debris that gets deep within your carpet fibers that are often difficult to remove with just a regular vacuum. Our team of carpet technicians are experienced, efficient, and can manage any cleaning job big or small.

If your carpet could use some TLC give Mark's Cleaning Service a call  (330) 725-5702 

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Having daily or weekly upkeep of your commercial building keeps the work environment healthy and clean. However, deep cleaning a few times a year is also recommended. As we enter a new cooler season it’s a great time to start with a new slate. 
Soon we’ll be shut inside for most of the day, so fall is a great time to prepare by disinfecting and cleaning your entire building. Cold and flu season is also among us, and taking the time to have your building thoroughly cleaned can have many benefits to the health of its occupants. 

Health benefits are not the only reason that a deep cleaning would be beneficial to your commercial building. When carpets, floors, and windows are professionally cleaned on a regular schedule, it could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Maintenance of these assets is much cheaper than replacing them. 

With a thorough deep cleaning this fall season, our team could help remove stains, debris, allergens, and germs. Mark’s Cleaning Service alleviates the task of cleaning and disinfecting your facility. On top of our janitorial services, we offer other cleaning services for commercial buildings that are catered to fit the needs of your building. 

Window Cleaning: Clean windows will allow more sunlight to enter the building, which helps promote a positive and productive workplace. We use a water-fed pole system to clean the exteriors and interiors of windows. Our window cleaning equipment will provide you with streak free windows and save you a ton of time from attempting to clean them yourself.  

Carpet Cleaning: A professional carpet cleaning is essential to your facility. Nothing will turn off customers or visitors more then dirty stained carpet. Carpet also harbor dust, mold, pollutants, and other allergens. Our trained technicians have the knowledge to treat stains with the appropriate products, and use hot water extraction to rid your carpets fibers of allergens. 

Floor Care: Keeping floors beautiful, clean, and well maintained is crucial. We use professional floor scrubbers to clean and strip to your floors. We then apply a fresh coat of wax and seal it to prolong its life. 

Upholstery Cleaning: Just like your carpet, couches and chairs can harbor allergens and dust as well. Stained furniture is not a good look for any business. We offer upholstery cleaning as well, using our hot water extraction method we can leave your chairs or couches smelling fresh and looking brand new. 


With over 37 years of experience, we are a fully equipped team ready to get your fall cleaning done. We make the work environment cleaner and safer by using only the best and most advanced equipment out there. Let us help you prepare for a successful season, and give us a call to set up a free estimate. 

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​Employee safety should be one of the top priorities for companies worldwide. Many essential workplaces are operating with limited crews, and it's more important than ever to keep it a clean and safe environment.  This will promote productivity, and keep your facility operating efficiently. Large factories have numerous employees which can make cleanliness tougher to achieve, but it can be done. 




Employee Hygiene: 

We see dozens of advertisements and signs everywhere we go about washing hands, social distancing, and wearing masks. After two years of the pandemic you would think it would be embedded in our brains by now. Many of us though have gotten lazy with cleanliness and personal hygiene. Continue to send out reminders to employees about washing hands throughout their shifts and personal cleanliness. Signage in bathrooms and break rooms can still be useful as well. Basic cleanliness can go a long way in keeping a facility safe. 

Have the Right Supplies:

You cant achieve proper cleanliness without the right supplies. In large  factories with large surfaces and equipment, certain products are needed to clean certain areas. We do the same thing at home when cleaning. You aren't going to use the same product for your toilet, floors, and windows. So its important for your building to have a variety of products, along with an array of mops, brooms rags, etc. in order for it to be cleaned properly.

Have a Plan: 

Problems will arise if no one is directly responsible for cleaning in a facility. Sometimes it's obvious who should deal with a mess. You spill your drink on the ground, you clean it up. Employees should be responsible for certain cleaning tasks, such as spot cleaning before or after a shift.  But what about the more detailed cleaning that should be getting done on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis? Factories are home to lots of vital equipment, and having a professional janitorial team solves this issue. Cleaning tasks are getting done properly because it's a priority.

Not every company has the resources to properly clean their facility. That's where a professional cleaning service comes in. Keeping a workplace clean and safe is a team effort, and MCS has been leading in janitorial services across NE Ohio for decades. Our company has the knowledge and ability to handle facilities of all sizes. We develop custom cleaning plans and routines for our clients, and make sure that we leave behind a cleaner and safer environment with every service. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to discuss your commercial cleaning needs. 

All of us in NE Ohio have seen winter in full swing this week. With freezing temperatures and intense snowfall we’re sharing some tips on how to take care of your building during these harsh winter days. 

Protect Entry & Walkways 

Employees and visitors are more likely to slip and fall during winter months because of the slush from snow and rain. Be prepared and avoid accidents by placing anti-slip and waterproof mats at every entrance. Have a plan for snow removal and keep sidewalks and pathways cleared and salted. 

Disinfect to Avoid Illness

Your office should be regularly cleaned all year long, but during prime flu and cold season, and with Covid-19 still running rampant,  it’s important to take extra precautions. If you don't already have a professional cleaning service, now is the time to get one. If you do, contact your service to schedule extra cleaning and disinfecting. Keeping your office clean during winter is most important since infectious germs and diseases are easily transferred this time of year.

Keep Floors Clean

During winter floors get a lot of wear and tear with all the snow and salt that gets tracked in. Mats will help so employees and visitors can wipe their shoes when they enter the building. Keep the mats clean with regular cleaning, and keep them dry and vacuumed. Cleaning the floors at the end of the day will prevent damage to your floors. A team of professional cleaners can help maintain your floors with a regular care plan to avoid any costly future repairs.

HVAC Maintenance

HVACs build up dust, dander, and bacteria, so have a yearly HVAC maintenance plan to keep the system working properly throughout the winter. Make sure your HVAC system is cleaned to reduce circulation of germs. Have your air filters changed each winter to avoid getting more dust and bacteria in the air and keep it healthy all winter long. 


MCS has been providing cleaning services to local businesses in Northeast Ohio for over 37 years. Our team is dedicated to keeping your building looking great all winter. Our team will ensure that floors are cleaned and the rest of your building is properly sanitized. Contact us and schedule a free consultation to discuss regular janitorial services for your business. 

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Flu season is usually at its peak between the months of December and February. Health and safety precautions are always essential to prevent flu transmission in the workplace. Extra caution is advised this time of year, not just because it overlaps with COVID-19 again, but also with lockdowns lifted and business back as usual, there are more opportunities to spread illnesses. 

The flu, also known as influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by an influenza A or B virus. Covid-19 is also a highly infectious respiratory illness, caused by a new strain of coronavirus. Both of the illnesses have some pretty  severe symptoms in common, such as fever, cough, chills, fatigue, sore throat, muscle pain, and body aches. Covid-19 may also cause loss of taste and smell. 

Both illnesses are transmitted through respiratory droplets produced while coughing or sneezing. Due to similarity of symptoms it’s difficult to tell the two illnesses apart without testing. Fortunately there are vaccines for both Covid-19 and the flu.

What steps should I take to prevent an outbreak in my workplace? 

The safety measures to prevent Covid-19 and the flu are the same. 

• Social distance
• Handwashing 
• Wearing a mask
• Staying at home when sick 

Following these health and safety protocols will help reduce the risk of outbreak.

Advise your employees to get vaccinated. 

Encourage your staff to get flu vaccines. You could offer employees time off to go get vaccinated or even set up onsite vaccination at your own facility. A flu shot takes 2 weeks to be effective and should be done as soon as possible. Of course, it’s not 100% effective, however, It will help make symptoms less severe if one gets sick.

Have a daily screening procedure in place. 

Employers should have a screening protocol in place to prevent employees with symptoms from being at work. If an employee is showing symptoms then it is best to go home and self isolate. Temperature checks are an easy way to know if an employee isn't feeling well. 

Maintain a clean hygienic workplace.

Your workplace must be cleaned thoroughly and frequently to reduce bacteria build up. Desks, copiers, cubicles, bathrooms, and break rooms are a hot spot for germs. Extra attention must be allotted to cleaning shared surfaces like workstations, desks, door handles, and phones. CBS News reported that if a virus is present on a shared surface such as a desk or door handle it can spread between 40% - 60% of the workforce within 2 to 4 hours. Wipe down shared surfaces with disinfectant wipes and make sure other health and safety protocols are being followed, this will help minimize the risk significantly. 

Hire a professional cleaning service.

Commercial cleaning companies offer vital services to businesses. Hiring a reputable cleaning company can help combat illnesses spreading at work. They will disinfect surfaces, common areas, floors, and sanitize the building. If you already have a professional cleaning service in your building, consider having them come more frequently during flu season. 



Dealing with  flu season in the workplace isn't easy. Add the threat of a Covid-19 outbreak on top of it, and it could cause a lot of harm in the workplace. By being proactive your company can prepare and prevent potential impacts to your business and your employees. If your facility needs extra attention during flu season, we are here to help. Call to schedule a free consultation today. 
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In today's business world productivity is everything. If you want your company to succeed and grow then you NEED to have happy and efficient employees. We’re sharing a few tips on how you can help to increase productivity in the workplace. 

Keep the workplace clean 

If a workplace is dirty and cluttered it most likely will hinder the staff's performance. Keep the workplace clean by having regular cleanings done by a professional team. It could be daily, or weekly, it all depends on what fits the needs of your building. This cleaning should include vacuuming, wiping and dusting hard surfaces, emptying trash, and whatever else your space may need. 

Minimize distractions 

It’s more common for employees to become distracted when desks are messy or when they have to sift through drawers of unorganized files. Encourage employees to stay on top of keeping their desks neat and tidy, as well organizing paperwork away in files and cabinets. Have them spend 10-15 minutes at the end of each work day to clean their areas and put away anything they need too, that way they can come in the next morning without any interruptions.

Reduce the risk of getting sick

Sometimes illnesses spreading throughout the workplace is unavoidable, however there are measures you can take that will reduce the risk of your employees getting ill and reducing productivity due to staff being out sick. First of all, if an employee is sick, send them home. Then make sure that employees are washing their hands often, and have them sanitize their work spaces regularly. Phones, door knobs, and all high touch areas should be properly cleaned and sanitized. By taking precautions you can reduce the risk of illness in your facility. 


These are all important steps that managers can take to increase productivity in the workplace. In today's world, cleanliness is so important when it comes to work environments. If you need help with keeping up with the cleanliness and maintenance of your building contact us for a free janitorial consultation.

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