Nilfisk-Advance Comes Together to Adopt a Family

Nilfisk-Advance employees are joining together this holiday season to do their part in supporting the surrounding community. Working together with Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP), we found a well-deserving family—with seven kids under the age of 14—who just needed a little extra help to make their holiday wishes come true. Each child requested a specific gift that Nilfisk-Advance employees then had the opportunity to purchase or contribute towards. The gifts poured in quickly—but one gift request in particular led to an even bigger opportunity.

One child had requested a bicycle, and Nilfisk-Advance employee Dave Wood had an idea. As founder and member of the Board of Directors of Free Bikes for Kids (FB4K)—a non-profit organization that refurbishes bikes and donates them to other non-profits in Minneapolis—Dave was able to lead a group of volunteers to spend time cleaning and repairing some bikes to donate to the adopted family.

Dave was quoted as saying, “How cool is it that a bike from an organization that I helped start will be going to IOPC, which in turn will be given to the family that the company I work for is adopting.” And one previous FB4K volunteer reported, “There was this little 4 year old sweetheart who got her first bike and looked up at me with big brown eyes and asked, ‘Are you an angel?’ (…) And that's why I love being a FB4K volunteer.”

The initiative was a fun and exciting time for Nilfisk-Advance employees and is shaping up to be a wonderful blessing for a family who very much deserved something special this holiday season.

Happy holidays to everyone in the Nilfisk-Advance network, and may you have a happy new year!

 

Nilfisk-Advance Charity Book Drive Was a Major Success

In the spirit of holiday generosity and inspired by National Family Literacy Month, Nilfisk-Advance has partnered with Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) to donate gently used books to underprivileged families in the Hennepin County community. This simple yet fun “challenge” has been underway for a month and our employees have really stepped up to the plate. With three book-collecting stations located around our Plymouth, MN headquarters, donated books have been pouring in left and right.

From well-loved best-selling novels to children’s classics, the book drive amassed hundreds of books in the month leading up to the holidays. Upon completion of the book drive, the donated materials will be given to IOCP for distribution to families in need. Nilfisk-Advance is proud to participate in this wonderful initiative to share the gift of reading with our local community this holiday season.

Happy holidays to everyone in the Nilfisk-Advance network, and may you have a happy new year!

Cork Flooring Care and Maintenance

As many facilities turn to sustainable materials, cleaning professionals are starting to see something new on their customers’ floors. Cork has become an increasingly popular flooring choice due to its durability, green properties and unique health characteristics.

A naturally renewable material, cork is made from the bark of the cork oak tree, which grows back after being harvested. Cork flooring remains at a stable temperature year-round and is naturally repellent to bugs, mold and mildew.
Click to learn more about the benefits of cork flooring.

Extremely durable, cork flooring can last for decades when properly maintained. Keep cork floors clean and beautiful with these simple tips:

Vacuum Frequently
Regular vacuuming is one of the most important factors to maintaining the integrity of a cork floor. Consider using a backpack vaccum to remove dirt, dust and debris that can scratch the floor surface. Not only are backpack vacuums highly effective and easy to maneuver, but they are also shown to increase productivity.

Wash Gently
Every one to two weeks, or as needed, wash cork floors using a damp mop or autoscrubber. Avoid leaving standing water on the floor and choose a machine with soft brushes to gently clean floors without damaging the finish.

Strategically Place Floor Mats
Placing floor mats at store entrances helps to significantly reduce damage to the floor by soaking up moisture and trapping debris from shoes. Opt for breathable mats. Rubber and other non-porous backing can trap moisture and mar the finish. Keep mats clean with frequent vacuuming and use a carpet extractor to remove excess moisture as needed. 

Wipe Spills Immediately
Heavy moisture can damage floor finish. Do not allow liquid to sit on cork floors. 

Opt for Green Cleaning Products
Avoid cleaning products with abrasive ingredients, since they can destroy your floor’s finish. Green-certified cleaning solutions effectively clean floors, protect the finish and have less impact on indoor air quality.