One of the most important maintenance tasks of any cleaning program is vacuuming. Besides making a building look cleaner, proper vacuuming keeps a building "healthy". Floors, whether they are carpeted or hard floors, are the largest horizontal surface in any building. As floors are the low point, this is where everything that gets tracked in or falls out of the air will collect.

A normal adult will breathe in about 70 pounds of air each day and the air we breathe contains billions of dirt particles. As most people spend 90 percent of their day indoors it is important that the air is as contaminant free as possible. The airborne dirt found in commercial buildings comes from various sources: tracked-in dirt, people, vegetation, cars, smoke, manufacturing processes, and even inefficient ventilation systems. Two of the most common irritants, dust mites and pollen, are so small they are invisible to the human eye.

Dirt and dust particles float around in the air and are whipped up by improper cleaning. Then these particles either gently drift around until they once again settle on surfaces, or they are breathed in by your employees and visitors. The average dirt particle is 0.06 microns in size. Compared to the average human hair, which is 50 to 100 microns across, these dirt and dust particles are extremely small. However, if the concentrations of these particles are high they can irritate the lung tissue and cause problems with allergies, asthma, and bronchitis.

Realistically speaking, dirt and dust will always be a part of any building that we clean. However, a study done by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1995, "The Total Building Cleaning Effectiveness Study" found conclusively that proper cleaning can reduce commercial building airborne dust. There is no better way to stop dirt from collecting and fouling indoor air than by vacuuming.

To stop dirt from fouling indoor air, your cleaning company should choose a vacuum that has strong suction, and an airtight, sealed design. It should also have a filter that stops dirt and dust from escaping and leaking back into the area that has just been cleaned. Hard to reach areas should also be cleaned regularly. Cleaning staff should pay attention to corners, baseboards, door frames, ceiling fans, louvered doors, and mini-blinds, which are all places that dust is prone to collect.

Rooms that are damp, such as kitchen areas and restrooms, are not just places where dirt and dust collect, but are also places that can have harmful affects on our health. In dry areas microorganisms die quickly, but they thrive where it is damp. When vacuuming in moist conditions it is important to do a thorough job and change the vacuum bag often. The bag provides an ideal environment for bacteria and mold to grow and multiply.

Thorough vacuuming of the entryway and high traffic and open areas is essential. Sand, dirt and grit builds up in large quantities right inside the entryway of a building. Use a crevice tool to remove this build-up. In high traffic areas, double vacuum to remove as much dust and dirt as possible. Periodically remove furniture and vacuum underneath. Edges are prime areas for dust to collect. Use a backpack vacuum or crevice tool to remove the dust and dirt that collects along edges and baseboards.

Remember that not all vacuums are created equal. Invest in a high quality, sealed vacuum for best results. Vacuums that come with HEPA filtration (HEPA stands for high-energy efficiency particulate arrestor) are made to remove 97% of particulates that are 0.3 microns in size or larger. HEPA filters should be changed according to manufacturer's directions to guarantee the best filtration.

Proper vacuuming leads to a cleaner building and a healthier building. Spending a little extra time vacuuming will boost your company's reputation for delivering professional and quality services.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!