FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Agaia, Inc., makers of Evolve, announced that its line of Green Seal approved commercial cleaning products is expanding internationally as pressure mounts in the global janitorial services market for the use of environmentally and human-safe cleaning products and practices.“Since we announced that five Evolve products were awarded Green Seal certifications in July 2014, interest in Agaia’s patented cleaning and laundry technology has increased exponentially and our global distribution network has grown dramatically,” said Agaia, Inc. CEO Mike Linn. “In the last few months alone we’ve added new distributors in North and South America, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and...

When anyone in the hospitality industry considers ways to cut operational costs to save money, chances are the public restroom may not be the first area that comes to mind. However, a few simple changes in restroom fixtures can help to eliminate waste and reduce maintenance costs—all while keeping the restroom clean and sanitary for both customers and employees. Sanitation in the restroom is a major concern, especially during flu season, but cost is a top concern no matter what the season. Paper of every kind has become increasingly expensive over the past decade and typically people use more than...

CHICAGO—A dirty packaged terminal air conditioner (PTAC) often has to work twice as hard and consumes twice the electricity to reach cooler room temperatures. To help hoteliers select the best A/C coil cleaning process as they plan their 2015 budgets, Cintas Corp. released a complimentary white paper covering the results of two independent A/C coil cleaning studies while providing tips for improving unit life.“Dirty A/C units have to work a lot harder and longer to cool the room, causing both increased noise and annoyance to guests,” said Todd McKeown, Vice President of Direct Sale Strategic Markets, Cintas. “This guide...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services, has committed $2 million through the Ecolab Foundation to The Nature Conservancy, a leading conservation organization working to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. The funds will support The Nature Conservancy’s initiative: “Securing and Restoring Water Sources Around the Globe.” The support is part of Ecolab’s newly launched Solutions for Life program, which enhances the company’s work to conserve water and improve hygiene around the world through new partnerships, global philanthropy and employee volunteerism.The world’s water challenges require collaboration by...

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Agaia, Inc., makers of Evolve, an eco-preferred, natural green cleaning technology capable of matching or exceeding the performance of petroleum-based laundry detergents and jan-san cleaners, announced that the company’s premier industrial laundry detergent, Evolve Laundry Complete 203L, has been certified by Green Seal as the first detergent to meet its recently published GS-51 guidelines for Laundry Care Products for Industrial & Institutional Use.“We are proud to announce that Evolve Laundry 203L has been awarded the first GS-51 certification by Green Seal for Laundry Care Products for Industrial & Institutional Use,” said Mike Linn, Agaia, Inc. CEO. “Many...

CINCINNATI—P&G Professional, the away-from-home division of Procter & Gamble, announced the launch of the Tide Professional Coldwater System, an on-premise laundry program that enables facilities to save as much as $8,700 per year based on water, energy and linen replacement cost savings.The new Tide Professional Coldwater System includes four products—a near-neutral pH detergent, fabric softener, bleach and whiteness enhancer—that are formulated to work together to deliver clean, soft linens and towels to guests while using significantly less water at colder temperatures than traditional on-premise laundry systems. The advanced formula in the Tide Professional Coldwater System also uses unique enzymes...

HAMILTON, OHIO—Many cleaning professionals are unaware of studies that indicate how the very tools we use to clean surfaces—specifically, cleaning cloths and mops—are sometimes the very ones that cause cross-contamination. This point was illustrated rather dramatically in a study published in 2004. That study found that, in situations where the cleaning procedure fails to thoroughly eliminate contamination from one surface and then the same cloth is used to wipe another surface, “the contamination is transferred to that surface.” Another study investigated microbial contamination of cleaning cloths and their potential to spread contamination. Once again, this study reported that wiping surfaces...

BREA, CALIF.—The Embassy Suites Brea (Calif.), North Orange County’s only full-service, all-suite hotel, has added 10 new allergy-friendly guestrooms. The hypoallergenic rooms will be provided by PURE Rooms, an allergy travel company with nearly 300 affiliated hotels nationwide.PURE Rooms are treated according to a patented seven-step process that eliminates and protects against 98 to 100 percent of viruses, bacteria and other irritants that are harmful to people with asthma and allergies. This allergy travel technology creates an environment that is more comfortable for allergy-sufferers and provides a more restful and rejuvenating night’s sleep for all hotel guests.General Manager of...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is redesigning its Design for the Environment Safer Product Label to better convey to consumers that products bearing the label meet the program’s rigorous standard to be safer for people and the environment. “We want consumers to be able to easily find safer products that work well,” said Jim Jones, Assistant Administrator for Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The agency wants to hear from the American people on which designs will help people identify household cleaning and other products that are safer for families and the environment.” The redesigned label is intended to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—Florida-based Liberty Building Forensics Group, a leading building forensics firm that has solved complex building moisture and mold problems, has a warning for hotel design and construction teams. Rigid adherence to brand standards in new hotel construction without factoring in specific regional and climatic conditions can result in significant mold and moisture issues.Design standards are developed on a global basis, not taking into consideration specific limitations of regional climates. Regional violations in design standards have been shown repeatedly to result in extensive and costly mold and moisture problems in hotels.Brands claim their standards are only guidelines, and that...