Editor’s Note – March/April 2025

It’s spring! At least that is what the calendar shows. Unfortunately, here is central Illinois, it seems that for every warm day we experience there are three cold, windy and/or rainy days to follow. Usually, true spring weather lasts about two weeks here and is soon followed by summer-like heat and humidity. Such is life in the Midwest.

Nonetheless, when it comes to cleaning, spring has traditionally been known as a time to open the windows, get rid of the dust, dirt and grime, and “tidy up the place.” This, of course, is not only true for homes and apartments but also various types of away-from-home (AFH) facilities.

Recently, the annual International Cleaning Week was hosted by ISSA. It’s a weeklong global celebration honoring frontline cleaning professionals and advocates for the industry. ISSA had previously hosted National Cleaning Week at the end of March. Based on the event’s success in the United States, ISSA since expanded the week’s reach — now focusing on the industry’s positive impact on the entire global economy while also helping to improve worldwide public health.

Of course, proper cleaning is a full-time endeavor; and as the worldwide COVID pandemic taught, cleaning in much more than just making a facility look nice. It must also be properly maintained to protect occupants from harmful pathogens.

The beauty of International Cleaning Week is that it serves as a good reminder of all the hard work that is regularly accomplished by jan/san manufacturers, distributors and the people doing the cleaning — helping this world become a much better and safer place. Thank you to everyone!

The cover article for the March/April 2025 issue of MSN focuses on Ridley’s Vacuum & Janitorial Supply, located in Houston, TX. With a history that dates to 1961, Ridley’s remains an independent and family owned/operated distributorship, selling a variety of cleaning equipment and supplies, and servicing such clients as schools, governments, healthcare facilities, building service contractors, churches, industrial plants, and commercial buildings.

“Our focus within such segments involves everything that has to do with janitorial supplies, equipment, and repair services,” Ridley’s Vice President Guy Cordell Jr. said, during a recent interview. “Our main focus, however, is centered on customer service — being able to answer when customers call and providing them with access to our retail store and showroom.”

There are also some great Thought Leadership articles in this issue as well as our annual “Special Section: Floorcare & Carpet Care Equipment & Supplies.” Proper selection of flooring, along with making sure floors are well cared for to ensure longevity and occupant safety, remain crucial parts to the overall success of any facility. It’s an area that manufacturers, distributors, and facility-care professionals can work together on for best results. This effort involves both hard floors and carpeted surfaces. Several AFH flooring and floorcare equipment professionals were recently interviewed by Maintenance Sales News Magazine for this special section to discuss trends and share good advice.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of Maintenance Sales News. Please send news items and story ideas to: harrellk@rdgmedia.net.

Harrell Kerkhoff

Editor, Maintenance Sales News Magazine