Facilities Five and Dime: The Podcast on Church Facility Stewardship
Facilities Five and Dime: The Podcast on Church Facility Stewardship isn’t your typical podcast. Like the old five-and-dime stores—where merchants had to know a little bit about everything—we step into the world of facility stewardship with curiosity, grit, and a touch of storytelling flair. Each episode digs into real stories, lessons learned, and surprising turns behind the buildings we use every day.
From unseen risks hidden in cooling towers to potential poor communication within a maintenance team, we uncover how small details and overlooked systems can have significant consequences. Along the way, we tie in history, best practices, and practical wisdom that will equip facility teams, leaders, and everyday stewards to care well for the spaces entrusted to them.
Think of it as a place where curiosity meets expertise, and where every aisle is stocked with a new story you didn’t expect—but one you’ll never forget.
To jump-start your facility into efficient, intentional stewardship, check out eSPACE at www.smartchurchsolutions.com
Facilities Five and Dime: The Podcast on Church Facility Stewardship
From Scrubbing Harder to Cleaning Smarter: Enzymes at Work
We would love to hear your thoughts and requests for topics, text us here!
For decades, cleaning meant one thing: work harder, scrub longer, and reach for stronger chemicals. But some messes always fought back—returning stains, lingering odors, and irritated hands that told the real story.
In this episode of Facilities Five and Dime, we dig into one of the quiet revolutions in custodial care: enzymatic cleaning.
Enzymes aren’t fragrances or cover-ups. They’re naturally occurring proteins—built into creation itself—that break down organic messes at the molecular level. Instead of masking odors, they eliminate the source. Instead of spreading residue, they dismantle it.
We trace how enzymes moved from biology labs and digestive science into the custodial closet—first appearing in laundry detergents in the 1960s and 70s, then finding their way into carpets, floor care, drains, and even hospitals. Today, they’re trusted in schools, churches, and surgical settings because they clean deeply without the harsh fumes and corrosive side effects of traditional chemicals.
You’ll also learn:
- Why a truly clean surface shouldn’t smell like anything
- How enzymes go dormant when dry—and activate when wet
- Where enzymes shine most (carpets, drains, HVAC pans, and odor control)
- How to use them correctly using the TACT approach: Time, Agitation, Chemical, Technique
Along the way, we step back to clarify the often-confused hierarchy of cleanliness—cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing—and why using the wrong tool at the wrong level can create more problems than it solves.
And finally, a side story from the operating room: how the invention of surgical gloves faced resistance, skepticism, and discomfort—until results proved otherwise. It’s a reminder that healthier practices are often resisted before they’re embraced.
Because good facility stewardship isn’t about harsher chemicals.
It’s about smarter tools, healthier people, and solving problems at the root.
