Attorney General Bonta Announces Nearly $2 Million Settlement with Janitorial Franchising Companies Barring Use of Franchising to Misclassify Workers

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a nearly $2 million settlement with CleanNet USA, Inc. and its four California Area Operators resolving an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, which found that some of CleanNet’s janitorial franchisees were misclassified as independent contractors under CleanNet’s franchising model in violation of state law. CleanNet USA is a nationwide company that provides janitorial franchising and commercial cleaning services under the “CleanNet” brand name and grants franchising rights to its California Area Operators, who sell CleanNet unit franchises to individuals and entities in California and enter into franchise contracts with these unit franchisees. After the payment of an initial franchise fee, CleanNet assigns cleaning services contracts to unit franchisees, who then provide cleaning services for CleanNet’s customers. As a result of CleanNet’s unlawful misclassification of certain individual franchisees who personally performed cleaning work, these workers were denied the protections of California’s employment laws, such as the right to minimum and overtime wages, regular meal and rest periods, reimbursement of business expenses, and accurate and itemized wage statements, and were further subjected to unlawful deductions from their wages. Under the settlement, CleanNet will pay $1,700,000 in restitution and $150,000 in civil penalties and comply with injunctive terms requiring it to cease its misclassification of certain cleaners, notify all former and current workers of the settlement, and undergo monitoring for three years, among other terms. 

“Too often, franchising is used by predatory businesses to misclassify vulnerable workers and avoid paying a fair wage and other employee benefits,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I hope this settlement sends a strong message to others in the janitorial or other sectors who might consider skirting the law to save a quick buck. My office is watching, and we won’t hesitate to enforce our employment laws.”

Misclassification of workers occurs when an employer improperly classifies their employees as independent contractors so that they do not have to pay payroll taxes, minimum wage or overtime, or comply with other wage and hour law requirements such as providing meal periods and rest breaks. “Employees,” unlike “independent contractors,” are entitled to a wide range of rights, benefits, and protections under California law, including workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job, the right to family leave, unemployment insurance, the legal right to organize or join a union, and protection against employer retaliation. As courts across the country have found, the use of a franchising business model does not shield companies who use these models to misclassify their workers from liability.

More at source: State of California Department of Justice

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How to Use Hypochlorous Acid, the Gentle Cleaner That Works on Almost Any SurfacE

• Hypochlorous acid is a gentle cleaning solution that's safe to use in homes with children and pets.
• It can be used to clean kitchen countertops, throw pillows, and much more.
• It's a much safer solution than many traditional cleaners, which often contain harsh chemicals.

Bleach is out, and a gentler alternative is now taking over on TikTok. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), once used mostly in hospitals and dermatology offices, is now having a moment as one of the safest, most effective ways to clean your home. Best of all, it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, and it won't leave behind any lingering odors.

So how can you use this eco-conscious solution in your kitchen or bathroom? Here, we asked professional cleaners for their insight on this miracle worker.

More at source: Martha Stewart

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Cleaning crew finds dead body under mattress in Cleveland garage

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Cleveland police say a cleaning crew found a body Wednesday under a mattress in a garage.

According to police, officers were called out around 2:15 p.m. to the 3200 block of West 48th Street in the Stockyards neighborhood.

This is at the rear of the property at 3287 W. 48th St. in Cleveland

Staff with a bulk disposal company hired to clear out the garage told officers they had discovered a dead body.

More at source: Cleveland 19 

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Global Janitorial Sinks Market Poised for 6.1% CAGR Growth, projected to Reach USD 1,655.46 million by 2035

America has a hygiene problem. Not the hand-sanitizer kind—but the kind hiding in janitor’s closets, hospital corridors, and school maintenance rooms. Janitorial sinks, the unsung sentinels of sanitation, are long overdue for a reckoning. While the rest of the world is investing in cleaner, smarter, and more compliant infrastructure, the U.S. is lagging—badly.

According to Future Market Insights, the global janitorial market sinks is set to nearly double, jumping from USD 915.72 million in 2025 to USD 1,655.46 million by 2035. That’s a 6.1% CAGR. This growth isn’t just about shiny steel and smart plumbing it’s a wake-up call.

More at source: FMI

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Experts say cleaning gym equipment after use can drastically reduce germ spread

BATON ROUGE — If you recently joined a gym for the summer or plan to, make sure you are cleaning any equipment you plan to use.

Some people may not realize that bacterial infections can spread from shared machines.

"The risk is low, although there are good examples of serious infections occurring related to shared gym equipment. And really the things you're most likely going to see here are going to be staph infections, you could see fungal infections, like things that cause ringworm, or like a fungal dermatitis,” Donald Dumford, an infectious disease specialist, said.

To help reduce the risk of transmission, wiping down any equipment you use with disinfectant spray is recommended. Most public gyms have spray and wipes available.

Experts also suggest showering once you get back home.

It is not just bacterial infections that you need to watch out for; there are other germs too.

More at source: 2 ABC

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Cleaning chemicals force evacuation of South Toledo apartment building

An apparent hazardous materials incident at a South Toledo apartment complex sent four firefighters to an area hospital Thursday.

Around 11 a.m., the Toledo Fire & Rescue Department responded to a report of a person being overcome by an unknown odor at the Westland Gardens Apartments, 1752 Westland Gardens Rd.

Upon arriving, firefighters evacuated the entire building and conducted a room-by-room search. More than a dozen pieces of emergency equipment responded to the scene, including the hazmat unit and multiple medic and rescue units. 

Sheldon Collins, TFD public information officer, said the number of resources was routine for fume-related concerns, noting that hazmat suits are requested if the team reports seeing or smelling something. He said the fumes Thursday were odorous, but not visible...

More at source: Toledo Blade

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Clean living: Using non-toxic cleaners to reduce home air pollution

Cleaning your kitchen without harsh chemicals

We talked with Allison Evans, a local clean-living expert, about how to identify toxins in cleaners, and ways to clean your kitchen using non-toxic cleaners.

The Brief

• • Choosing non-toxic cleaners can reduce indoor air pollution and the health effects of some chemical-based cleaners.
  • Clean-living experts say you can choose non-toxic cleaners by selecting soap-based cleaners, or those that don't contain perfumes, dyes, or colorants, among other agents.
  • A non-toxic cleaner can be used for multi-purpose cleaning throughout the home.

  More at source: Fox

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Pudu Robotics Launches its Latest AI-Powered Autonomous Cleaning Robot - PUDU CC1 Pro

SHENZHEN, China, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, the global leader in service robotics, today launched the PUDU CC1 Pro

AI-powered autonomous cleaning robot. The award-winning PUDU CC1 set a new benchmark with its four-in-one cleaning solution combining sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and dust-mopping. Building on this successful model, the PUDU CC1 Pro advances intelligent cleaning automation with powerful AI-driven perception and decision-making integrated into every stage of the cleaning process.

More at source: PR News Wire

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CloroxPro Announces New Agreement with Vizient to Supply Range of Cleaning and Disinfecting Products

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clorox Professional (CloroxPro), the trusted makers of a broad portfolio of healthcare and commercial cleaning solutions, is proud to announce our new contract with Vizient, the nation's largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company. This new agreement reflects CloroxPro's commitment to supporting healthcare and cleaning professionals with expanded solutions to meet evolving needs.

"CloroxPro is eager to bring our 110-year legacy of supporting healthcare professionals to Vizient as we collaborate to deliver exceptional value to their customers," said Dan Kellenberger, General Manager and VP, Clorox Professional. "We are committed to supporting healthcare professionals' dedication to combatting infections by providing cleaning and disinfecting solutions that deliver efficacy and value, as well as education and support for our customers and end-users at every step of their journey."

Under the new Vizient contract, CloroxPro will be providing a broad range of cleaning and disinfecting solutions, including products from trusted brands like Clorox Healthcare, Clorox EcoClean, Pine-Sol and more. The contract is effective as of May 1, 2025, with both companies working closely to ensure a seamless integration of the expanded product offerings.

About Clorox Professional (CloroxPro), The Clorox Company's Professional Business Unit
Building on a century-long legacy in cleaning and disinfecting, CloroxPro offers some of the industry's most recognized and trusted brand names for commercial cleaning, including its Clorox Healthcare products for healthcare facilities. From comprehensive surface disinfection to advanced technologies, CloroxPro is committed to meeting the demands of industry professionals and commercial facilities such as offices, schools, athletic facilities and hospitals. For more information, visit www.CloroxPro.com

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Severe weather just won't quit: Line of storms threaten large swath across US

Severe weather will again unleash on a large stretch of the United States from Texas through the Midwest, Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast on May 1, forecasters said.

The south-central part of the country, including parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri, has endured days on end of dangerous weather, including tornadoes and flooding that killed two in Oklahoma. The National Weather Service said forward motion of the weather system that stalled over the region would spell a brief reprieve for the region during the day before storms redevelop later in the evening through May 2.

Meanwhile, the storm system will refocus on the Mid-Mississippi Valley and the Midwest and reach the Great Lakes by night, the weather service said. States in the Mid-Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, stretching all the way into parts of Pennsylvania and western New York, could see thunderstorms, damaging winds, hail and a possible isolated tornado, the weather service said.

More At Source: USA Today

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