Sanitaire® & OpenWorks: Enhancing Productivity, Comfort, and Client Satisfaction in Commercial Cleaning

Johnathan Adams and the Quest for Innovation in the BSC Industry 

Johnathan Adams, originally from Hilo, Hawaii, is a seasoned professional in the commercial cleaning industry with over 12 years of experience. As an OpenWorks franchise owner for since 2018, Johnathan has built his business on a foundation of passion for cleaning and creating job opportunities within his local community in Charlotte, North Carolina. His company serves both local and national clients, and he maintains a strong commitment to collaborating with nonprofit organizations in the Carolinas to give back to the community. 

In addition to running a successful franchise, Johnathan serves on the OpenWorks Franchisee Advisory Board, where he rigorously tests new cleaning products for quality, durability, and team comfort. His recommendations influence purchasing decisions across the entire network of OpenWorks franchisees nationwide. Always on the lookout for tools that meet the specific needs of Building Services Contractors (BSCs), Johnathan recently tested two Sanitaire^® products: the Sanitaire^® TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum and the Sanitaire^® HydroClean^® Hard Floor Washer. Both products exceeded his expectations, offering significant benefits for his business, employees, and clients. 

The Challenges Facing BSCs Today 

BSCs face several key challenges in their day-to-day operations, especially in terms of efficiency, staff comfort, and cost management. With competitive labor markets and rising operational costs, BSCs are under constant pressure to improve productivity while ensuring that cleaning staff remain comfortable and safe during long shifts. Additionally, clients expect high standards of cleaning without disruptive noise or equipment that poses safety risks. 

In many cases, cleaning companies rely on the historical industry standard products that can be bulky, corded equipment that can slow down work, create tripping hazards, and cause discomfort for staff. As a result, BSCs like Johnathan’s OpenWorks franchise are constantly searching for products that increase efficiency, reduce physical strain, and improve safety while maintaining a high level of cleaning performance. 

Sanitaire’s Role in Transforming Commercial Cleaning 

Sanitaire’s TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum and HydroClean^® Hard Floor Washer were designed to address the very challenges that BSCs face. Johnathan's firsthand experience testing these products revealed how they directly solved problems within his cleaning operations while delivering enhanced performance and comfort for his team. 

Sanitaire^® TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum: Productivity, Comfort, and Safety  

Johnathan initially had reservations about cordless backpack vacuums, citing their traditionally heavy weight and the discomfort they can cause for smaller framed cleaning staff. However, the Sanitaire^® TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum completely changed his perspective. 

• Comfortable Fit and Maneuverability: The backpack vacuum’s lightweight 14.6lb  design and adjustable harness were standout features. Johnathan’s team, particularly the smaller-framed staff members, found the backpack to be much lighter and easier to wear than expected. This made it easier to move around, especially in tight spaces like between office desks and up and down long stairwells. The ergonomic design also reduced fatigue, allowing staff to work longer without discomfort, significantly improving both comfort and productivity. 

• Extended Battery Life and Productivity: Johnathan appreciated the two 24V batteries and dual port battery charger that were included in the product box, which combined provide an impressive 70 minutes of runtime. The long-lasting battery life meant that his team could clean larger areas without frequent interruptions to recharge. The TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum saved 1.5 hours of labor on a four-hour job, simply because staff didn’t have to constantly plug and unplug the unit as they moved from floor to floor among long stairwells across multiple levels. This efficiency gain directly impacted labor allocation, making the team more productive. 

• Enhanced Safety: The cordless design of the TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum eliminated tripping hazards, a significant safety concern in environments where staff and clients are present during cleaning. By removing cords, the vacuum helps create a safer cleaning environment, reducing the risk of accidents for both cleaning teams and building occupants. 

• Quiet Operation: Operating at only 64dBA, the backpack vacuum was quiet enough to allow cleaning in sensitive environments, such as a call center, without disturbing employees. This quiet feature is especially valuable in office settings, where minimizing disruptions contributes to a more seamless and professional cleaning experience for clients. 

Johnathan and his team were thoroughly impressed with the Sanitaire^® TRANSPORT^® Cordless Backpack Vacuum. From the moment they tested it, the lightweight design, superior comfort, and ease of use stood out to his cleaning crew, who immediately noticed the difference compared to their previous equipment. The team found the adjustable harness particularly helpful, making it easy to switch between users, and the vacuum’s maneuverability was a game-changer across the different sizes and frames across the team.  After experiencing increased productivity and the overall comfort of using the TRANSPORT^® Vacuum, Johnathan’s team expressed a strong preference for the Sanitaire^® product over their current equipment. 

Sanitaire^® HydroClean^® Hard Floor Washer: Streamlining Multi-Step Cleaning into One 

The Sanitaire^® HydroClean^® Hard Floor Washer made a strong impression on Johnathan’s team, particularly in early childcare centers where spills and messes are frequent. 

• Time-Saving Efficiency: The HydroClean^® was a game-changer in terms of reducing the number of steps involved in cleaning hard floors and can even cut cleaning time in half*. Previously, cleaning up spills required multiple steps: removing solids, wiping up liquids, and then using a mop and cleaning solution to finish the job. With the HydroClean^®, this multi-step process was reduced to one. The machine was able to vacuum up solid debris, clean liquid spills, and wash the floor—all in a single pass. This significantly cuts down the time required to clean, boosting productivity. 

• Improved Safety and Performance: In environments like childcare centers and schools, where wet floors can pose slipping hazards and need immediate attention, the HydroClean^® was particularly effective. The vacuum and wash function allowed for removing spills quickly and efficiently, helping to reduce the risk of slips and falls. This was a huge advantage for both the cleaning staff and the client, offering peace of mind in a high-traffic area. 

• Self-Cleaning: One of the most appreciated features was the self-cleaning mode. At the end of each shift, the machine could clean itself with a simple push of a button, saving valuable time that would otherwise be spent maintaining the equipment. This not only improved efficiency but also ensured the machine remained in top condition and immediately ready for future use. 

The Sanitaire^® HydroClean^® performed exceptionally well across a variety of surfaces, including hardwood, LVP, and linoleum. Its versatility and ability to handle tough cleaning jobs quickly and effectively made it a favorite among Johnathan’s staff, and it improved overall productivity. 

Sanitaire^® Commercial Grade Durability as a Game-Changer for BSCs 

Johnathan Adams and his team at OpenWorks were not only impressed by the comfort and efficiency of the Sanitaire^® brand portfolio of products but also by its exceptional durability—an absolute must for Building Service Contractors. The harsh environments that BSCs operate in, from daily use in commercial settings to moving equipment between vehicles and across multiple locations, require cleaning tools that can withstand constant wear and tear. Sanitaire^® delivered on this critical need with products built to last. 

Johnathan’s team was so impressed with these products that they’ve made it clear they prefer switching to Sanitaire^® for their daily operations. The combination of enhanced staff comfort, safety, and increased productivity made the decision easy. For Johnathan, having durable products that could stand the test of time—and daily use—was the final piece of the puzzle that solidified Sanitaire^® as the superior choice for his cleaning sites. 

As a member of the Franchisee Advisory Board, Johnathan is now confidently recommending these products to other OpenWorks franchisees nationwide. He believes that Sanitaire’s solutions will not only meet but exceed the high standards required in commercial cleaning operations. These products are more than just cleaning tools, they’re investments that improve the long-term success and efficiency of BSCs. 

Has Sanitaire^® helped your business save time and clean better, or you just love our products?  Email us at Sanitairesales@bissell.com and let us know. We would love to feature you and your business experience! 

Check out how much easier integrated facilities management can be with OpenWorks! They cover everything from commercial cleaning to landscaping, supply replenishment, and more. 

* Based on an AICS Time & Motion Study as compared to a typical three-step manual cleaning process.  SC