Process improvements are required to reduce labor and improve the quality for any bus or transit cleaning operation. Improved organization and training for superior work skills will shorten the cleaning times, allowing more busses to be cleaned daily. New and advanced cleaning supplies will upgrade existing cleaning operations. By streamlining the work-flow, cleaning appearances can also be enhanced. Here are a few creative ideas.
Detailing upholstery - best practices and supplies
- Cleaning technicians or hostlers should consult and memorize the supply list. These items can be placed into a 5-gallon pail and positioned on a cart. This will ensure there is gum remover to treat chewing gum, a gum scraper to remove the gum, upholstery cleaner, pails with solution to wash out dirty rags, a flatmop to clean ceilings, and everything else needed to accomplish an exemplary job.
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Chemicals must be accurately measured. This will require an initial measurement with marking of bottles. Products that are too strong can damage surfaces, and if splashed into the eyes will cause injury. Overuse is expensive and wasteful.
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Brooms should not be left on the floor overnight as it causes distortion, twisting and matting of the individual broom strands (bristles). When finished using a broom, place it on a cart or stand it up with the brushes pointing upward. Worn out brooms must be replaced or they will not pick up the required dust and sand. Residual soil on the floors will counteract the cleaning solutions that are applied.
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A flatmop is required to wash ceilings. A bright and clean ceiling welcomes riders to enjoy a clean environment. A double bucket is required to wring the soiled mop head into the dirty side, and not back into the clean side.
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A gel gum removal process is safe and easy to use. The special gum scraper or saw found on the end of the scarper is safe on the fabric seats, and makes the process much easier. A gel gum remover prevents the solution from running deep into the seat and dissolving adhesive that is keeping the cushion intact. Most water-base cleaners are unable to dissolve gum. It requires a specialized solvent with the correct process.
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If fabric seats are not vacuumed, then crumbs and small debris will begin to accumulate. A microfiber wash mitt is a handy way to brush off debris and grit.
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A properly diluted encapsulation cleaner can be sprayed on an upholstered seat. Then, a microfiber mitt can be used to scrub the fabric, and finally the seat can be hand toweled. The process can be accomplished in about 10 seconds. Buses should not be sent out with dirty seats. Seats should only be cleaned when there is an approximate drying time of two hours prior to usage. An encapsulation formula prevents resoiling of seats. Caution: power washing of fabric seats can permanently damage the fiber.
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A window wash-wand can be lightly sprayed with glass cleaner and then the window washed. This causes less water to be used and curtails water from running down the wall.
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A quality graffiti remover is required to remove ink pen and magic markers. Keeping the bus free of graffiti discourages new artists from adding their mark.
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Microfiber wash cloths absorb, in many cases, twice the soil of a normal rag. The unique fiber design is microscopically aggressive in removing difficult soil.
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A heavy duty scrub brush is very aggressive in removing the gum and tar deposits adhered deep into the ribbed floors. A soft bristle brush is inadequate in removing bonded soil. A heavy duty scrub brush with a built in scraper removes sludge during winter months.
- A foam rubber squeegee used to dry the floor,contours deep into the ribbed rubber floors and removes about 90% of the water.
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The new 4 in 1 scraper on a pole can be removed for hand work. It is unbreakable and yet will not scratch glass. This tool is perfect for detail work, making it easier to keep the bus free of stickers and chewing gum. On the handle is the gum saw for removing gum from upholstery.
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A jet sprayer rinses the bus using a fraction of the amount of water delivered by a garden hose. Reduced water usage and sewer runoff is friendly for the environment. The special spray tip allows a controlled rinsing (little overspray) and keeps seats dry.
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Our new Window-Glidr covers four more times area per pass than a towel used by hand. It can touch up a window in about 5 seconds. The microfiber head is changeable and washable.
