Lysol Fights Allergies

Lysol disinfecting products kill 99.9 percent of cold and flu germs on hard nonporous surfaces. Learn how Lysol disinfectant spray can help eliminate mold and mildew growth on surfaces in your restaurant that can cause allergic reactions. Go to lysol.com for more information.

Budget Conscious Wine Glasses

Worried about your stemware budget? Then look into purchasing an all-purpose wine glass. Many companies are now creating all-purpose designs for the restauranteurs conscious of budget, cabinet space and simplicity. They can limit your wine glass and stemware collection to a single size. Most all-purpose wine glass designs are attractive and relatively inexpensive.

Avoiding the "Top Five"

Keeping public restrooms clean means paying attention to what's known in the cleaning industry as the "Top Five." These are the five most typical restroom complaints and the most common cleaning challenges. They are:

1) Cross-contamination hazards
2) Soap and towel dispensers that don't work
3) Unsightly garbage
4) Soiled or stained surfaces
5) Persistent odors

The International Sanitary Supply Association's (ISSA) Web site offers a 12-step set of general guidelines entitled "How to Properly Clean a Restroom." It will give guidelines for solutions to the "Top Five" that include cleaning countertops by starting at the backsplash and working toward the drain and ensuring paper towels are always restocked.

Choosing Cloth Over Paper Napkins

Research has found that restaurant patrons prefer cloth over paper napkins.
According to studies done by the National Restaurant Association and market research reports, the average restaurant customer uses 2.5 paper napkins per meal at an average of 2¢ per napkin. Per year, 461,600 tons of paper napkins are disposed. That's 2.6 million cubic yards or 50 football fields 30 feet deep. If cloth replaced paper, landfill consumption would be reduced by 2.5 million cubic yards.

Latex Allergies and Public Soap Dispensers

Latex sensitization has become a great concern for consumers in restaurants. An increasing number of people are experiencing reactions, some severe, to natural proteins in latex that are dispensed from soap and hand-sanitizer dispensing machines in bathrooms.
One area of concern to this latex allergy are the bag-in-box soaps, which contain a latex nozzle. For restaurant managers it's important to note the latex quantity in soap boxes and bags before purchasing. Some latex nozzles offer synthetic latex (polyisoprene), it is not natural rubber latex or dry natural rubber, so it's not a high risk to consumers with a latex allergy.

Cleaning "Green"

If you are a "green," or environmentally conscious, restaurant and worry about cleaning chemicals, think about purchasing a
chemical-free steam/vapor cleaner when you consider your janitorial supplies.

These cleaners are able to melt away dirt, soil and residue. They have safety features and can produce a vapor that is finer than steam. They require no chemicals and kill bacteria as they clean.