March 2020
Meet the Owner: Gripes, Hopes, and Healthy Cleaning Standards
Who am I? My name is Geoffrey Collins. I am a father, husband, and child of God. I started this company after my wife-to-be told me that, though she loved me, she did not want to be married to a bartender. I ran the company and did all of the cleaning myself for the first two years — my parents, in their 70's, even covered the cleaning while I was on vacation!
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with God, being with my wife and kids, and playing soccer, guitar, and golf.
April 2020
Disinfection Techniques
The guidelines for proper disinfection of work site surfaces are always evolving as new data and research become available. If you feel there's a need to disinfect your personal workspace or your entire office, GR Collins Commercial Cleaning is glad to offer a free quote for your workspace disinfection.
If you choose to handle disinfection yourself, we suggest following these four steps for your personal workspace:
- Use a spray disinfectant approved by the CDC to sanitize and disinfect surfaces.
- Use a separate rag for each surface being disinfected.
- Wipe surfaces in one direction — don't go back over the same area.
- Sanitize all high-contact surfaces before using the work site — door handles, chair frames, and similar touch points.
May 2020
Pumice and Porcelain: Removing Hard Water Stains
Hard water stain removal is possible with the right approach — no fancy technical terms or scientific processes required. A pumice stone, gloves, and a bit of effort is all it takes.
"Hard water" stains are mainly calcium and magnesium deposits absorbed by water as it passes through rock in the earth. Lime and silica, also common causes of surface staining, come from copper and brass pipes leaching — the resulting oxidation leaves a greenish stain. When water high in calcium and magnesium evaporates, it leaves those deposits behind in sinks and toilets.
It's estimated that up to 85% of businesses and residences in the United States deal with hard water. San Antonio's water is some of the hardest in the country — at an average of 197 ppm, it ranks among the top 10 hardest in the nation (usgs.gov). Addressing hard water stains directly is really the only alternative to ignoring them — and never letting your clients see the restroom again.
Removing the stains: Start at the point of origin — usually where water enters the toilet or sink, or around faucets and fixtures. With gloved hands, apply a palm-sized piece of pumice to the stain and scrub with solid, steady force until the stain shrinks. Each 3-inch stain typically takes 3 to 5 minutes depending on depth — take breaks as needed (scrubbing bent over a toilet is a great way to get winded).
Once the origin points are clear, move on to the less stubborn stains that streamed down from them, using the same method. Once everything is removed and the pumice residue wiped away, your surface is ready for regular preventive maintenance.
Note: this process removes the top layer of painted surfaces but will not damage porcelain.