Post Holiday Turbo Power Washing for Trash Chutes is a Must

Every year, the holiday season brings families, friends, and communities together. From
Thanksgiving turkeys and stuffing to Christmas cookies, holiday roasts, and New Year’s
celebrations, food is at the heart of these gatherings. But with all that delicious food comes
something else: a massive increase in waste.
For multi-unit properties across Washington, apartments, condos, hotels, and senior living
communities, trash chutes bear the brunt of this seasonal surge. Between late November and
early January, trash chutes fill up with leftover turkey bones, greasy pans, pie tins, and
disposable party ware.

Here’s the problem: when food waste builds up inside chutes, pressure washing alone isn’t
enough to keep them clean, odor-free, and safe.
That’s why property managers across WA are turning to Fikes’ Turbo Power Washing for trash
chutes, especially during and after the holiday season.

The Holiday Waste Problem

During Thanksgiving week alone, Americans throw away over 200 million pounds of turkey.
Add in casseroles, stuffing, gravy, pies, and drinks, and trash systems in multi-unit buildings
quickly become overwhelmed.
Now multiply that by December holiday parties, Christmas feasts, and New Year’s Eve
celebrations. The results:
 Grease buildup from roasts, gravies, and buttery dishes sticking to chute walls.
 Sugary residue from pies, candies, and drinks feeding bacteria and pests.
 Food containers and packaging clogging systems and creating surface film.
 Odors traveling through hallways, lobbies, and even resident units.
What starts as festive celebration can quickly turn into tenant complaints, pest activity, and
health risks if chutes aren’t cleaned properly.

Why Pressure Washing Falls Short

Many property managers schedule extra pressure washing during the holidays, but the truth is,
it’s not enough.
Traditional pressure washing only blasts away surface grime. After a few days of food waste
piling up, odors return, pests find their way back, and bacteria remain.
Pressure washing often leaves behind:
 Grease films that cling to chute walls.
 Biofilm layers where bacteria thrive.
 Odor-causing molecules that water alone can’t neutralize.
 Hidden food residue in corners and joints that pests detect.
So while the chute might look clean right after washing, it doesn’t stay that way for long,
especially in the holiday season.

The Fikes Turbo Power Washing Advantage

This is where Fikes’ Turbo Power Washing makes the difference.
Instead of just blasting with water, our process is designed to deep clean, sanitize, and
deodorize trash chutes to handle the unique challenges of food-heavy holidays.
Here’s how we do it:
 High-Pressure Hot Water – Breaks down grease and fatty buildup from holiday
cooking.
 Enzyme-Based Cleaners – Target organic waste at the molecular level, digesting food
residue that pressure washing misses.
 Safe Degreasers – Cut through stubborn buildup from gravies, oils, and butter.
 Full Deodorization – Neutralizes odors from turkey bones, seafood scraps, and sweet
holiday leftovers.
This isn’t just cleaning; it’s total sanitation that makes your property healthier, safer, and more
pleasant for residents.

Why Property Managers Can’t Ignore Holiday Chute Cleaning

If you manage a multi-unit property, you already know the holidays are complaint season.Without proper cleaning, you’ll hear about:
 Unpleasant Odors: Turkey bones and gravy create a smell that travels up and down
entire buildings.
 Pests: Rodents, flies, and cockroaches flock to leftover food in chutes.
 Health Concerns: Mold, bacteria, and allergens thrive in warm, greasy environments.
 Tenant Dissatisfaction: Residents expect clean, well-maintained facilities, especially
during the holidays when guests visit.
A clean trash chute system is more than convenience, it’s about protecting tenant health,
satisfaction, and your property’s reputation.

Real-World Holiday Example

A Bellevue condo community contacted Fikes in December after residents complained of
overwhelming odors during a holiday weekend. Despite having pressure washed just two weeks
earlier, the chute smelled strongly of rotting food, and several tenants spotted cockroaches near
the trash room.
Our team performed Turbo Power Washing using hot water, enzymes, and deodorization.
Within hours, the odor was gone. Pest activity dropped immediately, and by January, tenant
complaints had stopped completely.
The property manager later said:
“We’ll never go back to pressure washing alone. Turbo Power Washing saved us during the
holidays.”

Benefits That Last Beyond the Season

While holiday cleaning is essential, regular Turbo Power Washing delivers benefits all year long:
 Happier Tenants: Residents notice the difference in air quality and cleanliness.
 Reduced Complaints: No more foul smells during high-traffic times.
 Lower Pest Pressure: Eliminate one of the biggest pest attractants.
 Cost Savings: Regular deep cleaning extends chute lifespan and prevents costly repairs.
Think of it as an investment in tenant satisfaction and property value.

Why Choose Fikes

For decades, Fikes has been Washington’s trusted partner for pest control, sanitation, and
facility services. We don’t just clean, we protect your property with science-backed solutions
designed for real-world challenges like holiday food waste.
When you choose Fikes, you get:
 Local expertise with WA multi-unit buildings.
 Advanced cleaning systems have proven to outperform standard methods.
 Reliable scheduling, even during the busiest holiday season.
 A single trusted partner for pest control, cleaning, supplies, and more.

The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and plenty of food, but it also brings a serious challenge
for property managers: how to keep trash chutes clean, safe, and odor-free.
Pressure washing alone can’t handle the grease, food waste, and bacteria that pile up from
Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
With Fikes’ Turbo Power Washing, you get a deep-cleaning solution that removes grease,
destroys odors, prevents pests, and keeps tenants happy all season long.
This holiday season, give your property the gift of clean, fresh trash chutes—powered by
Fikes.