Straight Talk: Maintaining Clean Equipment [Video]

NORTHBROOK, Ill.—May 1, 2020—In this edition of Straight Talk with Jeff Cross, Mark Saiger, owner of Saiger’s Steam Clean in Minnesota, discusses the importance of maintaining clean equipment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Saiger has always been a stickler for keeping a clean, presentable van, but customers are paying attention to cleanliness now more than ever, so it has never been more important to properly clean and care for your equipment.

As Saiger moves from job to job, he continually cleans his equipment and also keeps a second set of hoses in his truck so that he can change the equipment if needed, which is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic when cross-contamination between jobsites is a concern. If he moves to a sensitive jobsite, like an elder care facility, he also changes his clothes and dons PPE, including a mask, to protect both himself and his customers.

To help other cleaners understand how important clean equipment is, Saiger isn’t shy about leading by example. So, what does he do when working with another cleaner whose equipment needs attention? “I start cleaning it,” said Saiger with a chuckle. “I’m friendly enough to do it. I don’t even say anything, I’ll just start doing it, rinsing it off, you know cleaning it and hand it back to them and say, ‘Hey, that looks pretty good, don’t you think?’”

Saiger says the response from other cleaners is generally positive and that when he notices the state of their equipment, it raises their awareness that the customers are probably noticing too. “I think people are really watching, and I feel better when I bring equipment in that I know I’ve been rinsing off very thoroughly with soap and water,” said Saiger.

Watch the complete episode of Straight Talk with Jeff Cross below, and find more Straight Talk episodes on cleanfax.com. Take part in the engaging online conversations on industry topics by joining the Straight Talk Facebook group today.