Keeping Clean
Texas startup adds new services to help apartment-dwellers combat COVID-19
A Texas startup that provides concierge services — like cleaning and dog walking — to apartment renters has expanded its services outside the apartment units to help multifamily properties sanitize and disinfect against COVID-19.
Spruce, which provides services to many apartment communities throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, has a new suite of services for disinfecting common areas — like leasing offices, hallways, and mail rooms — using EPA-compliant chemicals.
"Now, more than ever, it is critical for apartment communities to make sure their common areas are regularly decontaminated and disinfected to help slow the spread of the coronavirus and to prevent as many infections as possible," says Ben Johnson, founder and CEO of Austin-based Spruce, in a statement.
The services include a weekly disinfectant of high-touch spots — like door handles and elevator buttons — as well as a weekly comprehensive cleaning that involves mopping, surface cleaning, and vacuuming. The startup also offers a bimonthly fogging service that can completely cover both indoor and outdoor areas with disinfectant. This solution can protect surfaces for months, according to the release.
"This is an unprecedented public health crisis, and we worked closely with our clients to determine the biggest need and hope these services will give apartment communities one more weapon to use in the fight against COVID-19 and will help give both operators and their residents peace of mind," Johnson continues in the release.
Spruce still offers its usual suite of services for individual apartment units, such as daily chores and housekeeping and pet care, but extra precautions have been added since the coronavirus outbreak. Service providers are required to go through temperature checks before entering the properties. They also wear gloves, changing them out between units, and are incorporating paper products when able.
Since its founding, Spruce, formerly known as Apartment Butler, has expanded throughout the state and into South Florida, Denver, and Salt Lake City. Spruce has raised over $6 million in venture capital, per Crunchbase data, and that includes funds from Austin-based Capital Factory, as well as Houston institutions like Mercury Fund, the Houston Angel Network, and Fitz Gate Ventures.
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This story originally appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.com.
