As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to evolve, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and those around you. Buckeye takes COVID-19 seriously and continues to take a proactive approach in our effort to prevent the spread of germs. Buckeye programs strive to educate the public on the importance of best cleaning, disinfecting, and hand hygiene practices.

CDC Recommendations

Because there is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the CDC has presented several guidelines to help slow the spread. The CDC recommends:

Cleaning Your Hands OftenAvoid Close ContactCovering Your Mouth and Nose with a Cloth in PublicCovering Coughs and SneezesCleaning and Disinfecting

Cleaning and Disinfecting

According to the CDC, everyone should clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. As always, if surfaces are dirty, clean them. Then disinfect with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant.

Several Buckeye products have been pre-approved by the EPA for use against emerging enveloped viral pathogens and can be used during the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak. This list includes:

Buckeye Sanicare Mint Quat^®  Buckeye Eco Neutral Disinfectant E23  Buckeye Eco One-Step Disinfectant-Deodorizer-Cleaner E22  Buckeye Sanicare Lemon Quat^®  Buckeye Sanicare Pine Quat^®  Buckeye Sanicare Quat 128^®  Buckeye Sanicare Quat 256^®  Buckeye Sani-Q2™  Buckeye Terminator^®    

24/7 Antimicrobial Product Protection 

A recent study confirmed that bacteria and fungi can live on soles of shoes for up to five days, making it important to remember to disinfect floors and shoes. In Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and a COVID-19 General Ward (GW) at Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan China, another study showed SARS-CoV-2 positive tests for surfaces samples of floors, shoe soles of medical staff, computer mice, trash cans, sickbed handrails, and doorknobs.

Buckeye’s Clarion^® 25 Antimicrobial Floor Finish can proactively and continuously fight microbes on floors. With 24/7 protection, Microban^® technology disrupts the cells microorganisms making them unable to grow and reproduce. While not a substitute for normal cleaning practices, Microban protection continuously fights the growth of microbes, and makes floors easier to clean - keeping them cleaner, longer.

Hand HygieneCleaning your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential to slowing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC suggests using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap is not readily available. The Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program offers hand soaps and hand sanitizers that will help keep your hands clean after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

To find the most up-to-date information about CVOID-19 and how you can help slow the spread, visit the CDC and WHO websites.

Did you know that 90% of a floor maintenance budget is spent on labor?

Reducing the amount of labor it takes to strip and refinish floors provides the biggest opportunity for total program cost savings. Buckeye has developed its Hard Floor Care Program with superior products and training in proper techniques to maximize labor savings. With Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program, facilities can save 20-40% of their floor maintenance budget.

Superior Products

Buckeye products are developed with patented Liquescent^® technology. This water-based technology strengthens the cleaning power of Buckeye products and replaces hazardous chemical ingredients including butyl, ammonia, solvents, and alcohol bases. Products like Buckeye’s RipSaw^® Floor Stripper use this technology to remove floor finish in one application.

Buckeye’s floor finishes use Renaissance^® Performance Polymers, specifically designed for Buckeye. Competitors buy polymers from companies who do not specialize in making floor finishes. Renaissance replicates exact polymer specifications for Buckeye floor finishes, which guarantees consistent results for customers. Because of this, Renaissance helps Buckeye floor finishes achieve maximum durability and water-clear clarity.

Clarion 25^® Microban Antimicrobial Floor Finish 

In addition to providing clarity and durability, Clarion 25 with Microban Technology provides 24/7 antimicrobial product protection. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban technology penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce.

Customized Training

Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program is tailored to your facility. Buckeye representatives provide in-person training to ensure staff members have a solid understanding of proper procedures. One Jacksonville, FL school’s head custodian notes Buckeye’s attention to training, saying, “The reps stand out, always coming by to check on me, offer help, or provide training.”

For schools and universities, Buckeye also provides the Honors^® Custodial Training Program. Available 24/7, this online program is complete with videos and tests to improve staff knowledge. Supervisors can view reports on test scores and conduct facility surveys to see how maintenance has improved over time.

To see how Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program can be customized to fit your facility, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Founded in 1984, Microban® International is a global leader in surface modification technology. Microban antimicrobial product protection provides added protection that inhibits the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria, mold, and mildew. Microban’s goal is to provide live-on protection for products that prevents problems before they begin. Their goal is to give consumers peace of mind with their antimicrobial technologies.

Buckeye’s Clarion 25 floor finish is the first floor finish with built-in Microban technology. Clarion 25 uses Microban antimicrobial product protection to protect finished floors from the reproduction of microorganisms. Once Microban is infused into a product, it begins working as soon as a microorganism comes into contact with the product. It continuously works to prevent bacteria growth for the useful lifetime of the product.

Floors and the soles of shoes are sources of contamination in any facility. Whether you work in a healthcare facility, school, or retail space, the spread of germs can impact the health of visitors. Microban technology in Clarion 25 provides 24/7 antimicrobial product protection. This means your floors stay cleaner, longer because Microban prevents bacteria from multiplying between cleanings. Built-in protection can give you peace of mind while visitors walk the halls of your facility.

For more information on Clarion 25 with Microban technology, contact your local Buckeye representative. 

According to a study done by Infection Control Today, floors and soles of shoes are real sources of pathogen contamination and transmission. The American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) states that hospital rooms are frequently contaminated with pathogens, and high-touch objects are frequently in contact with the floor. Contact with objects on floors frequently results in transfer of pathogens to hands.

The cleanliness of hospital floors can make a huge impact on the spread of HAIs (Healthcare-Associated Infections) in healthcare facilities. Disinfecting floors is vital to the health of patients, staff members, and visitors, but there’s more you can do for your floors between cleanings. To counteract bacteria growth on floors, Buckeye has developed Clarion^® 25 floor finish with Microban^® technology.

Microban technology is built-in antimicrobial product protection that gives products an added level of protection against damaging microbes such as bacteria, mold, and, mildew. In Clarion 25, Microban helps prevent bacteria from multiplying on your floor, keeping floors cleaner, longer.

Clarion 25 is one of several Buckeye floor finishes formulated with Renaissance^® Performance Polymers. Renaissance makes polymers specifically for Buckeye floor finishes, guaranteeing consistent durability and clarity. The shine of Buckeye floor finishes can help create a welcoming environment for hospital visitors and guests.

Built on standardized cleaning procedures, the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program has all of the tools you need to keep visitors comfortable. The floor care procedures make floor maintenance a quick and easy task for staff members. Buckeye’s top scrub and recoat program helps reduce the amount of labor that goes into floor care by extending strip outs. This means you can devote more time to other hospital maintenance needs.

For healthcare facilities, reducing HAIs and providing a comfortable environment for patients and visitors are top priorities. Keeping facilities welcoming starts with cleaner, clearer floors. To find out more about how the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program can impact your facility floors, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Maintaining a clean school is about more than appearance. Studies have shown that student achievement can be negatively or positively impacted by the surrounding school environment. Creating a positive environment that promotes the health and safety of students, staff, and visitors is a key component of the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program.

Cleaner schools begin from the floor up. The newest addition to Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program, Clarion^® 25 with Microban^® technology, is one of the easiest ways to improve school floor cleanliness. Clarion 25 is the first floor finish to utilize Microban surface modification technology. Microban embeds an EPA registered antimicrobial into the floor finish, preventing bacteria from colonizing and multiplying and adding an extra layer of protection on top of standard cleaning and disinfecting. Using Clarion 25 with Microban, you can have peace of mind while students study in a cleaner environment.

Like all of Buckeye’s floor finishes, Clarion 25 is formulated with Renaissance^® Performance Polymers. The research, design, and development done by Renaissance at the molecular level gives Buckeye International the upper hand. With Renaissance, Buckeye can control the characteristics of their floor finishes, making them more durable, clear, and repairable. With floor finishes that do not powder or yellow, Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program can help your school create a welcoming environment for all.

Additionally, because of the quality of their floor finishes, Buckeye is the only company in the industry that can provide the customer with a true top scrub and recoat program that reduces product and labor costs. Buckeye’s products require less labor so school staff members can spend time on other important maintenance projects.

The Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program comes with training materials including in-person training and online training for schools and universities. The Buckeye Honors^® Program allows staff members to access training materials 24/7 so you can get the most out of the Hard Floor Care Program. With Honors, staff members can watch videos and test themselves to see how much knowledge they gained. Supervisors can assign videos and view test results of each staff member. For more information on how the Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program and the Honors Program can help keep your school cleaner, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Floors in any facility can accumulate dirt fast. Foot traffic drags in mud, bacteria, and all kinds of debris. Keeping dirt from getting embedded in your floors can make a huge difference in your facility’s appearance.

At Buckeye, our floor finishes are designed to provide maximum clarity, durability and cleanliness so your facility can look its best. We combine the innovation of Renaissance^® Performance Polymers and Microban^® technology to keep your floors clean and beautiful.

Renaissance Performance Polymers

Traditionally, floor finish manufacturers purchase polymers from companies who don’t specialize in making floor finishes. In order to maximize the durability and clarity of a floor finish, Buckeye uses Renaissance Performance Polymers. Renaissance designs polymers specifically for Buckeye floor finishes, replicating exact specifications to create consistent results and provide the best value for our customers.

Clarion^® 25 with Microban Technology

The latest addition to our Hard Floor Care Program is Clarion 25 with Microban technology. Microban provides continuous antimicrobial product protection for the useful lifetime of the product. When microbes come in contact with the product surface, Microban protection penetrates the cell wall of the microorganism and disrupts the cell, making the microorganism unable to grow and reproduce. In Clarion 25, Microban helps keep floors cleaner, longer at no additional cost.

Clarity and Durability

Many floor finishes powder and yellow over time, giving your floors a dirty appearance no matter how often you clean them. Renaissance Performance Polymers make it possible for Buckeye to provide a floor finish with unmatched clarity and durability. One school Maintenance Director spoke about Clarion 25 floor finish, saying, “You could tell the difference in clarity right away. The floors look much better. We no longer have that yellow buildup everywhere. We have received several compliments on how much better the floors look.”

Buckeye floor finishes dry clear and stay clear to promote a true top scrub and recoat program. Their durability helps extend strip cycles. These features help reduce both product and labor costs. Buckeye’s complete Hard Floor Care Program is designed to provide savings to any facility.

To find out about floor finish options for your facility or learn more about Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Creating a welcoming environment for visitors of your community or recreational center can be a difference-maker for your facility. The best way to do this is by keeping your facility clean. Cleaning and disinfecting properly and regularly also keeps unwanted bacteria away, helping to keep your members and guests healthy.

An effective cleaning program can keep your facility looking its best. For community and recreational centers, Buckeye incorporates multi-purpose products that reduce labor, easy-to-follow procedures, and the resources you need to make your recreational center stand out.

Each of Buckeye’s programs comes with the products and training to keep all aspects of your facility clean. From general cleaning and disinfecting to restroom, locker room, and shower cleaning, Buckeye provides all the tools you’ll need. Additionally, Buckeye provides information on product safety with SDS and literature sheets, as well as proper procedures.

Buckeye’s programs include the Eco^® Proportioning Program for cleaning, the Hard Floor Care Program, and the Reflections^® Wood Floor Program. Buckeye also provides the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program to help guests stay clean and healthy during their time at your recreational or community center.

With routine, interim, and restorative cleaning procedures, your staff will be prepared for any maintenance issue that arises. The comprehensive training that this program provides includes in-service training, ongoing technical assistance, and customer support. If a problem arises, Buckeye can provide all the tools you’ll need to solve it.

Comprehensive training, standardized procedures, and superior products make Buckeye the perfect fit for any facility. To find out more about how Buckeye programs can be customized to fit the needs of your facility, contact your local Buckeye representative.

Microban technology in Clarion 25 will provide 24/7 antimicrobial protection. Microban protection can help make floors easier to clean and keep them cleaner, longer.

How does Microban antimicrobial protection work in Clarion 25 floor finish?

Clarion 25 has been tested using the JIS Z 2801 standard laboratory method and test protocol for antimicrobial activity. This method tests the ability of hard surfaces to inhibit the growth of microorganisms over a 24-hour period of contact.

Microban protection is built-in to Clarion 25 during the manufacturing process, but does not impact the durability and clarity of the floor finish. Like all finishes in Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program, Clarion 25 is formulated using Renaissance Performance Polymers. Renaissance designs polymers specifically for Buckeye floor finishes. Because Buckeye manufacturers their own polymers, they control the quality and formulation of each floor finish. This guarantees consistent durability and clarity and also provides cost savings to customers.

The addition of Microban to Clarion 25’s top-of-the-line formulation will provide an additional layer of protection for the useful lifetime of the floor finish without impacting the effectiveness of the product.
Schools, hospitals, and retail facilities that are hoping to reduce the presence of microorganisms on their floors should contact their local Buckeye representative for more information.

*Clarion 25 with Microban antimicrobial technology has been tested for the presence of specific pathogens using JIS Z 2801 methodology and test protocols with a positive result. Normal cleaning practices should be maintained.

Buckeye’s commitment to sustainability encompasses products, packaging, technology and entire maintenance programs. In its hard surface cleaners, Buckeye has proactively eliminated ingredients like butyl, solvents, and alcohol bases. For some products, Buckeye has gone even further. For facilities looking to minimize their impact on the environment, Buckeye offers many Green Seal certified products.

Green Seal develops Environmental Leadership Standards to help manufacturers, purchasers, and consumers make environmentally responsible decisions. Their mission: To transform the economy for a healthier, greener world.

Several products from the Symmetry^® Hand Hygiene Program, Buckeye Hard Floor Care Program, and Eco^® Proportioning Program are Green Seal certified. They include hand hygiene products, floor finishes, and various cleaners. Click here to see a complete list of Buckeye’s Green Seal certified products.

Each product conforms to the strict standards set by Green Seal, meeting the requirements based on effective performance and protective limits on VOCs and human and environmental toxicity. Most of the Eco product line meets additional standards for minimized/recycled packaging.

Buckeye’s commitment to sustainability does not compromise product performance. To achieve Green Seal certification, products must meet rigid performance requirements, the same performance standards met by non-green products. Buckeye’s Green Seal certified products not only outperform other green products, they also outperform non-green, conventional chemistries.

Contact your local Buckeye representative to find out more about Buckeye’s products, programs, and commitment to sustainability.

The proper floor finish and floor care program can give your facility a clean, welcoming foundation. Having streaky floors will not leave the best first impression. Selecting the right floor finish for your floors is the best way to prevent that streaking.

Buckeye floor finishes are durable and clear. Buckeye’s floor finishes achieve this clarity through Renaissance Performance Polymers. Our competitors buy polymers from outside companies. Buckeye makes their own. Renaissance manufactures polymers specifically for Buckeye’s floor finishes. These polymers can replicate exact specifications for Buckeye floor finishes. The result is consistency and added value for you.

The quality of Buckeye’s floor finishes is unmatched. But, if floor finishes are not applied correctly or properly maintained, streaking can still occur. Here are some simple ways to prevent floor finish streaking:

1. Do not recoat too soon. Let 20-30 minutes pass between coats, and make sure the finish is dry by touching it with the back of your hand.
2. Ensure that all contamination sources like furniture polish and mop treatments are cleared from the area. Mop, strip, and rinse the area before recoating.
3. Use only clean mops and buckets for floor finish application. During the coating process, line your mop buckets with can liners to prevent contamination.
4. Allow a finish to adjust to room temperature before applying. Do not apply a finish that’s been frozen.
5. Apply medium to full coats of finish. Avoid thin coats.
6. Do not use fans or increase direct air flow on a wet finish or it will cause it to flash dry prior to leveling. Allow a minimum of 15 minutes for leveling.

Using the right products is just the start. Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program comes with high quality products along with the training you’ll need to strip, coat, and maintain your floors. Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program takes into account your floor care goals, with products and training that will allow you to be successful while reducing labor. Allow us to show you how.

Contact your local Buckeye representative to discover how Buckeye’s Hard Floor Care Program can impact your facility.