News

HURRICANE FLORENCE CLOSING

Croaker, Inc is located in Wilmington, NC, right in the path of Hurricane Florence.

Our current plan is to be closed Thursday and Friday.  We hope to reopen Monday, September 17th if conditions permit.  We should be able to resume local deliveries Tuesday.

Between our closing and any issues with UPS shipping, online order delivery may be delayed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all who may be impacted by Hurricane Florence.

CleanMax Vacuums...Quality, Rugged Performance Meets Affordability!

What sets CleanMax Vacuums apart from the rest? Some commercial vacuums are just beefed-up residential vacuums. Add a longer commercial cord, and voila! It’s a commercial vacuum, according to some companies. At CleanMax, they know how to build a vacuum with the durability, functions and features needed for commercial use, but still affordable for facilities on a budget or homeowners who want superior performance.

Starting at just $219.00, CleanMax Pro Series vacuums are built to withstand heavy use. With metal components used throughout the high-wear areas of the vacuum and a Clean Air System designed to protect the motor, CleanMax Pro-Series vacuums are as easy to own as they are to use.They increase your efficiency by giving you easy, one-pass cleaning and automatic carpet height adjustment. The Clean Max Pro Quick Draw features a 12 foot reach and on-board tools.

CleanMax Zoom Series vacuums are lightweight, maneuverable, and able to quickly pick up crumbs, bits of paper and dirt from carpet or bare floors. The Zoom series vacuum is a great value that won’t break your back or your bank! It’s eager to please with aggressive agitation and powerful suction.  The Zoom 200 is a great value at $199.89, while the Zoom 400 features two speeds for cleaning carpet and bare floors for only $249.00.

The newest addition to the CleanMax line-up is the Nitro - The Nitro provides powerful one-pass cleaning on bare floor and carpets, and features a HEPA media bag and filter. It's affordable but durable, packed with features like a metal brushroll with replaceable brush strips, a metal handle tube, a metal cord hook and metal telescopic wand. Its 40-foot 3-wire cord with pigtail provides for quick and easy cord replacement. Croaker recommends the Nitro Quick Draw for just $219.00.

Croaker is a sales and service dealer for CleanMax.  We have vacuums in stock and ready for delivery.  We also stock CleanMax Vacuum Bags and Belts.

"At CleanMax, we know vacuums. In fact, it’s all we do. We obsess over motor performance, machine durability and how to make vacuums someone actually wants to use. Having the right tool makes all the difference and we have it in the CleanMax lineup." 

Ready to shop?  Click here!

Want more details?  Here's a link to the entire CleanMax line-up!

http://www.cleanmaxvacuums.com/images/LKCB-CM_Brochure_CC_0917.pdf

Summer...Sand...Sun....Fun.....ODORS!!!

Summer's heat and humidity oftentimes cause unpleasant odors to intensify.  

There are two approaches to odor control:  odor masking and odor neutralizing.

What is Odor Masking and How Does it Work?
One approach to odor control has been odor masking. Masking an odor simply involves setting up a competition between a malodorous molecule and one with a pleasant odor.  This is the approach common in most "air fresheners."

The two types of molecules compete for their particular odor receptors in the nose. By using an overwhelming amount of masking agent, the masking agent receptors in the nose become highly stimulated and the malodors are not able to compete to produce a detectable odor.

This approach, substituting one odor for another, will only be effective against persistent malodors, if the masking agent remains present and in sufficient concentration, to continue winning the competition. However, when employing odor masking, the malodor is not modified and remains in the air.

NILodor Products are Odor Neutralizers
In order to neutralize an odor, a product must do at least one of two things:

Remove a malodorous molecule from the air so that it never reaches nasal receptors,
OR
Change the shape (molecular geometry) of a malodorous molecule so that it won’t fit properly into its nasal receptors.

If the malodorous molecule is either removed totally or unable to fit in its receptors, no odor will be detected.

NILodor products contain a unique chemical formulation which does both. The product not only removes malodors from the air but also chemically modifies many malodorous molecules so that they can’t fit into their nasal receptors.

Thus, NILodor products are true odor neutralizers. As an added bonus, the products also leave a mild, pleasant fragrance which accents any environment.

Croaker, Inc stock several NILodor products in liquid, aerosol, and solid form.  We are happy to suggest the right product for your needs.  Start shopping here or contact us today!

For more information on NILodor's unique Malodor Control, click here

Areas To Focus On When Spring Cleaning In Facilities

Spring is a time when flowers bloom and leaves grow on trees. It symbolizes a fresh start and often inspires a ritual of cleaning. In fact, American Cleaning Institute (ACI) reports that 76 percent of households will take part in spring cleaning this year.

According to ACI's 2018 National Cleaning Survey, Millennials embrace cleaning more than Boomers, but Gen-Xers fall somewhere in the middle. When it comes to cleaning their homes, 38 percent of Millennials regularly deep clean, compared to 28 percent of Gen-Xers and 13 percent of Boomers.

Brian Sansoni, vice president of communications at ACI, commented that despite the younger generation's push for frequent cleaning, respondents of all ages agree on what needs to be cleaned. According to the research, Americans of every age most frequently target restrooms, dining areas and living spaces. Their collective primary reasons for cleaning are, among others, to remove asthma or allergy triggers and prevent the spread of illness.

It is important for facility managers and building service contractors responsible for maintaining facilities to make note of these results. Restrooms, dining areas and living spaces are big impression points in facilities, too. Spring is a great time to get a fresh start and make proactive moves to protect the facility.

Here are some steps cleaning professionals should consider:

1. Conduct a walk-through at the facility, identifying small problems that need to be addressed before they get bigger. Look closely at doors, sticking locks, tile and grout, cabinets and hinges, as well as fire extinguishers, to name a few.

2. Inspect floors and carpets closely as winter can be harsh on these surfaces. Deep cleanings, stripping and waxing might be necessary.

3. Freshen up restrooms by adding deep cleaning duties to existing daily schedules. Look for areas that require new caulk, fixture replacements or repairs. Restrooms typically receive the most traffic of the facility, are one of the most difficult spaces to keep clean and come under the most scrutiny from building occupants. It's important to keep these spaces clean and organized.

4. Think how green and sustainability can take the cleaning program to the next level. Take a close look at chemicals, consumables and machines that can be easily converted to be better for the building, it's occupants and the overall environment.

5. Freshen up first impression points within the facility. Take a minute to stand at the facility entrance and look around. Are windows clean? Are floor mats straight? Is furniture organized and welcoming? Are surfaces and signage clear?

Hand Sanitation Vital During Flu Season

Handwashing is like a "do-it-yourself" vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

You should wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

 A hand hygiene program is complete only when you have all of the necessary components. Croaker, Inc is Southeastern North Carolina’s exclusive distributor of Symmetry Hand Hygiene. This system of “common sense hand hygiene" offers a complete line of hand hygiene products, awareness and education tools, and training for your specific needs. Symmetry’s line of innovative hand washes, hand sanitizers, lotions, body washes, and dispensers are ideal for any market including healthcare, retail, schools and government, food service, manufacturing, automotive, and more. Handwashing is the single, most important procedure to stop the spread of germs. Handwashing keeps you from transferring germs to other areas of your body, other people, and the environment. Wash your hands with Symmetry hand wash and eliminate germs.

Here’s a link to the Symmetry Website and also to Croaker’s Best Selling Symmetry Product:

http://www.symmetryhandhygiene.com/     

https://croakeronline.com/products/soap-foaming-symmetry-green-seal-certified-foaming-hand-wash-1250-ml

 

Unleash Your Productivity.....Go Cordless!!

Preventing Unpleasant Summer Smells

Encapsulation Cleaning is the way to go for Carpets

May's edition of the Lily Pad is all about Carpet Care, especially maintaining commercial carpet and carpet tiles.  Effective entrance matting, regular vacuuming and routine cleaning of carpets not only keep your facility looking its best but also extends the life of your carpet. Encapsulation cleaning with Spin-Vac and a Carpet Pad is a low-cost, time-saving way to clean your carpet.  Read all about it in the newest edition of The Lily Pad, here, or read all issues of Croaker's Lily Pad Newsletter on The Lily Pad Page.

December Issue of the Lily Pad now posted

Our December Issue features Hand Hygiene information and lists the equipment we have available for rental.  Each issue is filled with useful information.

The Lily Pad, Volume 1, Issue 3

All past editions are posted on The Lily Pad page under Helpful Links.

Good Hand Hygiene Controls Spread of Germs

Each year, it is estimated that 32 million school days are missed due to flu while up to 180 million school days are lost due to the common cold. School administrators are well aware that increasing proper hand washing is effective in decreasing illness.

Absenteeism from illness results in a significant loss in productivity in all work environments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) state that hand hygiene is one of the most important steps in preventing illness and stopping the spread of germs to others. The CDC reports that appropriate handwashing practices can reduce the risk of foodborne  illness and other infections; handwashing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections by 16 percent.

When choosing hand hygiene products, people want high quality products that are gentle on hands, and priced competitively. Hand hygiene product dispensers should provide the highest level of durability and precision.

Understanding why proper hand hygiene is important will help maximize hand hygiene    practices in your facility.In order to accomplish this, people must be supplied with the proper    products, education, awareness, and training to make hand hygiene a part of their everyday routines.

 Ask us to recommend the right hand hygiene system for your facility.  In most cases, converting to a foam soap system like “Symmetry” from Buckeye will not only upgrade your facility but save you on  your hand washing costs.