Coronavirus causing boost in business for local cleaning industry

Local cleaning companies and suppliers are feeling the effects of the coronavirus.

© Provided by WPTZ Plattsburgh-Burlington

Empire Janitorial Supply Co. in Burlington distributes cleaning products to more than 150 customers. Since the spread of the coronavirus, the company has had a boost in business.

"Anytime anybody wants to buy more, it's good for business, but it's almost too much," said owner Brian Lovejoy.

He says hand sanitizer has been the most challenging to get ahold of from his suppliers.

Although there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Vermont, Lovejoy is concerned about what may happen if more cases of the virus come up closer to home.

"If someone gets diagnosed up here, the panic is going to set in. It's going to be harder to find product," said Lovejoy.

Cleantech Building Maintenance Inc. in South Burlington services businesses like office spaces and banks. The owner, Stephen Henry, says his clients have been specifically requesting antiviral cleaning.

"Any kind of surface people are touching, all our customers are demanding a lot of attention to those areas," Henry said.

It is a similar situation for the owner of Conscious Cleaners, Zak Martin, who says his clients have also requested focusing on heavily touched areas and surfaces where some viruses can live.

Martin also says his company makes its own green cleaning products but concerns of the virus have prompted a change.

"As the demand for more powerful antiviral products is increasing, we have to go to traditional style," said Martin.

READ MORE:Coronavirus causing boost in business for local cleaning industry

CHECK OUT WPTZ:Get the latest Plattsburgh and Burlington news of the day. See the stories making headlines, and get the latest weather report online, anytime.