Spring marks not only the blooming of flowers and nice sunny weather, but it is also known as a time when people take inventory of their belongings and do a little "spring cleaning." Cleaning our "other" home, the Clinical Center, is no exception. Here are some helpful tips on cleaning, provided by the Housekeeping & Fabric Care Department (HFCD):

  Cleaning offices and labs

  • Try to keep your office free of old papers and files that could be mistaken for trash.
  • Make sure that trash that does not fit into the trash receptacle is labeled "trash."
  • If your office is locked at night, leave the trash receptacle right outside the door (Housekeeping doesn't have office keys.)
  • Remember to return all food trays to the cafeteria.
  • Use trash cans-and not the carpet- to collect clippings from hole punchers (Housekeeping urges staff, "If you drop paper, pick it up; if you spill something, call us.")
  • Certain areas require special cleaning techniques, which often means that the area needs to be vacated. If this is the case, make sure that staff in your department, or area, communicate with one another to find the best time for these services.

 

 Bathrooms

  • If you use paper towels to open the door after washing your hands, throw the paper in the trash, not on the floor.
  • Use tact when disposing of feminine products.
  • Toilet seat covers are flushable. Please use them.
  • If housekeeping staff is cleaning the bathroom, don't enter. Either visit a nearby facility or try back in a few minutes.

 Hallways

  • Always heed wet-floor signs. "These signs are put up expressly for the safety of staff and visitors," said Hank Primas, chief of the HFCD.
  • Chemicals used for waxing the floors are "extremely" slippery. Always wait for the wet floor signs to be removed before walking on the floor in these areas.
  • In case of an emergency (e.g., a flood), onlookers should stay out of the way to ensure that housekeeping staff can access the area.
  • When in the hallways, keep your feet off the walls. Scuff marks are permanent and the walls will need to be repainted.

Need Help?

  • If services are not being provided in a timely fashion, let Housekeeping know by calling 6-2417.
  • If you have a spill or need Housekeeping services, call CLEAN, or 2-5326.

REMEMBER! Housekeeping aides:

  • Play a critical role in the upkeep of this building.
  • Have specialized training designed to help them safely and effectively do their jobs.
  • Deserve respect.

Do your part by not making their jobs harder. If you have any questions or for more information on the Housekeeping & Fabric Care Department, call 6-2417.

 Brought to you by the CC Quality of Worklife Initiative Council and the Office of Clinical Center Communications.
Special thanks to Housekeeping & Fabric Care staff: Chauncey Buford, Brenda Cotton, Marshall Logan, and Henry Primas, for their input.

 

Information that you can use is brought to you by the CC Quality of Worklife Initiative Council and the Office of Clinical Center Communications. For more information about the Clinical Center, contact CC Communications: (OCCC@nih.gov) or call (301) 496-2563.

National Institutes of Health, Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20892. 5/99

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