Cleaning

GUIDE TO KEEPING YOUR HOUSE CLEAN AND ORGANISED

Keeping your house clean and organised makes it a pleasant and hygienic place for your family to live in. However, trying to keep the house spotless and tidy is not an easy task, it takes away valuable time from your busy schedule. Getting professional cleaners to do the house chores can largely reduce your stress. But if you don’t wish to avail the services of a cleaning agency, then this guide will help you make the most of your available time to get the house looking organised and clean.

CLEAN AS YOU GO:

Don’t save up the chores for next time, or the next day. If you go by the ‘Clean as you go’ philosophy then you would save yourself the daunting task of cleaning up piles of dishes, filthy kitchen and piles of unwashed clothes. So try multitasking whilst you are talking over the phone, watching television, talking to your children. Glance around the room, de-clutter the table, toss the clothes in the washing machine, sort out the piles of letters and throw the unnecessary extras into the bin. You will be surprised how you can stop mess from building up by simply multi-tasking on a daily basis.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER:

If you can get rid of the unnecessary items in the living room, table, fridge etc., then you can reduces your house cleaning task to less than half. It is easier to clean a room that is de-cluttered. A quick wipe of the table is only possible if you don’t have to rummage over pencils, pens and papers lying around. Look through your refrigerator, throw away all the expired food rather than wait for them to rot. Anything that is piled up, stacked or heaped needs a good look through to see what needs to go into the bin and what needs to be kept. Discard outdated magazines and throw away any junk mail.

TIDY YOUR KITCHEN:

Kitchen cleaning is not as tough as it seems. Keep wipes and clean napkins handy in a cupboard or drawer in the kitchen. When you notice a spill on your refrigerator shelf, wipe it off immediately. While you are at it, check for any expired products or anything that you will not be reusing and toss them in the bin. Use a wet wipe to quickly clean any finger print or stains on the kitchen cabinet.

DUST AWAY:

If you are too tied up for a complete dusting of the house, then use the vacuum cleaner every weekend to dust the curtains, blinds and carpets. If tea or coffee accidently spills onto the carpet use a wet wipe it off immediately. You can also use diluted detergent and a microfiber to clean off any stains on upholstery or carpets.

 

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO HOUSE CLEANING SERVICES

There are numerous tasks to do on a daily basis such as washing dishes and cleaning clothes, there are tasks to be completed on a regular basis such as vacuum cleaning and dusting and then the bigger tasks that also have to be completed on a regular basis such as window cleaning and clearing gutters.

Keeping a house clean may sound like a simple task, but chores quickly build up leaving you with a mountain of work to do. There are also other areas that can go neglected such as the bathroom and the oven which can suddenly become difficult and time consuming jobs.

Different types of house cleaning services

Trying to keep a house clean inside and out requires constant time and attention. Sometimes the only time people have to complete this is in the evenings after they come back from work when all they want to do is relax. If not done on a weekday, then a lot of people have to use their weekend time maintaining their property

General house cleaning

Some jobs have to be done regularly that can take up a lot of time. Also known as spring cleaning, these are standard jobs that don’t require any expert knowledge or equipment. Vacuuming your house can be a lengthy chore and they can be difficult to manoeuvre, especially upstairs and in corners.

Carpet cleaning

Carpets are a tough and durable material that can last for many years without the need for replacement. Many people replace them, not because of wear and tear, but because they no longer look the way they did when they were first bought.

 

When and how can my housekeeper return?’ Experts explain how to calculate the risk

You’ve been hunkering down at home in isolation for months, and the days are starting to run together. After weeks of around-the-clock cooking, cleaning and parenting, it’s not surprising that when we asked readers to send us their most pressing questions regarding the coronavirus, an overwhelming number of you wanted to know, “When is it safe for my housekeeper to return?”

Everyone is understandably tired of scrubbing their own toilets and the endless dirty dishes. But it’s about more than just cleaning. Many people have maintained a decades-long relationship with their housekeepers. Keeping housekeepers at a distance can feel like turning away a trusted friend or family member.

When stay-at-home orders were put in place in March, many housekeepers were told to stay home, some with pay and others without. Meanwhile, the orders have hit domestic workers, many of whom don’t have access to healthcare and paid sick days, particularly hard. Many are eager to get back to work.

If we’ve learned one thing while sheltering in place, it’s that it’s difficult to do everything alone. But as counties start to reopen — with some health officials concerned by the fast pace of lifting stay-at-home restrictions — how do we know that the people who come into our homes are not symptom-free silent spreaders? Just as important: As states move to reopen, is it safe for them to return to housekeeping?

With the easing of stay-at-home rules, that time may come sooner rather than later. The experts we consulted realize that many homeowners will ask their housekeepers to return before there is a vaccine.

 

Want to Keep Your Home Clean All-Year-Round? Here’s Our Guide

In regards to home cleaning, over time, we all deliberate on whether it’s time to give the house a deep and thorough clean to compensate for all the other months that we spend in it. After quite some time, you’ll probably notice all the dust, dirt, muck, and molds that have accumulated in a year. No matter how much you try to hide the fact that a thorough carpet cleaning is due sometime soon

After quite some time, you’ll probably notice all the dust, dirt, muck, and molds that have accumulated in a year. No matter how much you try to hide the fact that a thorough carpet cleaning is due sometime soon or a proper fridge wipe has to be done, it’s important to undergo home cleaning, and give your home some much-needed TLC

Which Parts Need to be Cleaned and the Frequency?

If you’ve been meaning to give your home a thorough cleaning but don’t exactly know where to start or how often you should do it, let’s go over its frequencies and cleaning areas in further detail

Weekly Home Cleaning

In most American households, there are certain places that need to be cleaned much more often than homeowners expect, such as various places that are interacted with the most every day. Let’s go over each part that you’ll need to clean weekly

The computer: monitor, keyboard, mouse, table: Seeing that it’s used every single day, a computer can harbor a significant amount of bacteria over as little as a week, making it vital to start cleaning it. With the help of disinfecting wipes, cleaning every surface in your work/play setup will make a world of difference in the cleanliness of your home.

The bathtub: What most homeowners need to know about their bathtubs is that they’re a breeding ground for 26 percent of grave infections and are 20 percent more than the garbage bin you have at home. By treating your bathtub with some disinfecting, water, and soap, you can have your soapy sessions in peace without worrying about getting any nasty condition.

 

A House Cleaning Service Guide: When Are the Best Times to Clean the Areas in Your House?

Currently, it’s crucial to keep your living space clean and tidy. To ensure that everything is neat and tidy in your home, you need to set a regular cleaning schedule, and/or consider a recurring house cleaning service. However, to do this, you need to know the areas and the objects that you need to clean on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

Clean the Bathroom Weekly

Your bathroom should always be clean, especially because you use it daily. Schedule a weekly house cleaning service for bathroom cleaning, especially when you don’t have the time to clean your house yourself. That way, you can guarantee that your house and your bathrooms will always remain clean and sanitary.

Clean the Kitchen Weekly

Just like your bathroom, your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your house. A clean kitchen is essential; therefore, you need to spend time cleaning it thoroughly. For most homeowners, it’s impossible to clean a kitchen every day, which is why it is best to clean it every week to ensure that it’s in excellent condition.

Clean the Bedrooms Every One to Two Weeks

If you don’t spend a lot of time in your bedroom because you’re usually away during the day, you can clean your rooms every one to two weeks. This includes your bed linens. Some homeowners tend to think that their bed linens are dirty, and so they frequently change them. However, it’s not as dirty as you think, especially when you only lay in your bed to sleep, so you can change your bed linens every one to two weeks.

What to Clean Every Day

Here are some of the things that you should clean every day inside your house:

Coffeemaker

Dirty dishes

Kitchen counters and table

Beds

Kitchen floors

Bathroom surfaces

Kitchen and bathroom sinks

Shower walls

End of Tenancy Cleaning Guide

If you’re a landlord there’s a lot of worries and concerns you may have, and this is common amongst landlords. One of the main ones is the concern that a tenant is leaving your property in a mess, and not just leaving a few crumbs on the side. There’s deep stains in your carpet that will be difficult to remove, things like this which is a common worry amongst landlords. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this.

Fortunately tenants who are moving out of your property are moving into another one that’s more suited to their current situation, so it’s important to them that they keep your property in good shape. They’ll need a reference in most instances from a previous landlord, so making sure they get a good word from you is something they need and if they’ve left your property in a bad state then they can usually expect an honest letter of recommendation detailing this.

Despite this, when your tenants move out you may find that the property has become used to them being there and there’s areas of the house that need a good scrub before the next guests come and move in. This is where end of tenancy cleaning, or tenant cleaning services come into play. Companies specialise in cleaning may offer this service to help you to rid any hidden dust or dirt to help your new tenants settle into your property as easily as possible.

How Can I Find a Tenancy Cleaning Service?

There’s a few ways of finding companies that will offer this to you, but it’s important to capture what it is that you’d like them to come and do. There’s a few different types of tenancy cleaning that you can expect to find

Pre Tenancy Cleaning – This involves cleaning a property thoroughly before your expected tenants move in so it’s clean and hygienic from day one.

Post Tenancy Cleaning – This is also known as a move out cleaning service. When you’ve had tenants live in a property for a short while, a good spring clean may do the job. If they’ve been there for much longer then a post tenancy cleaning service may help to get rid of naturally congregating dust particles in those hidden places, readying the property for whatever lies ahead next.

 

The house cleaning service

You want to get your deposit back when you move out of an apartment, don’t you? Cleaning of the apartment could just be everything you need to do. Of course, you may not really need to bother about cleaning the stuff if you have already damaged a lot of fixtures in the apartment but if the mess is all surface dirt, you can clean them up and get your deposit back

Clean the Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important parts of your home that need to be cleaned. You need to clean your liners and cabinets, wash the front cabinets, disinfect countertops, clean sink and faucet, clean the refrigerator inside out, clean the oven inside out, clean the dishwasher, exhaust fan and appliances.

Clean Living/Bedrooms and Garage

The empty rooms should be properly cleaned, mopped, dusted and swept. Dust the appliances in the living room and sweep the floor. Remove the cobwebs, clean the ceiling fans, HVAC system and so forth. Sweep the garage and make sure that it is completely empty.

The surroundings

The surroundings should also be properly clean. You will need to cut the grass, remove the weeds, grass strains and ensure that the outside looks clean. You can also check around for some of your stuff hanging in the trees to remove them.

The rest of the home cleaning

The ceiling fixtures, ledges, windows, doors and door knobs should be cleaned and dusted. You should also clean the light switches and outlets, walls and baseboards, and vacuums. Unscrew every screw on the walls and remove every nails. Thoroughly examine the walls to ensure that none is left and when done you can add smoothly add putty on the areas to make them look as if they were not screwed or nailed before.

 

The Comprehensive Apartment Cleaning Checklist

Use this apartment cleaning checklist to deep clean on moving day.

Before moving out of your current rental and into your new apartment, there’s a lot to do: signing the lease, planning, packing and yes, cleaning. While you may be tempted to walk away as soon as the last box is gone, failing to clean your apartment before officially moving out may cause you to lose a portion, or all, of your security deposit.

Make sure to go over your lease agreement and make note of the stipulations of moving out. If there’s nothing mentioned, you may need to check with your landlord to gauge their expectations.

Once you’ve done that, you can come up with a move-out cleaning checklist. If you can manage it, it’s best to clean your apartment after you’ve already moved into your new place, as furniture and boxes won’t be in the way.

For many, the kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in any apartment. For this reason, it’s important to be sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned before moving out.

Remove belongings from your cabinets and drawers

Use a wet paper towel to wipe cabinets out and clean the outside

Use an all-purpose cleaner to disinfect the countertops

Clean the sink basin, faucet and handles

Use an oven cleaner to remove interior grime

Spray the oven’s interior, then use a scraper to remove grease and grime

Clean the stove using an old sponge and/or scouring pad, then rinse and wipe down

Wipe down the refrigerator’s interior, including the drawers and shelves

Move the refrigerator and sweep the floors behind it

Disinfect the dishwasher and wipe down the exterior door

Sweep and mop the floors

If you want to make the bathroom sparkle and shine when moving out, an all-purpose cleaner is your new best friend. Be sure to clean every nook and cranny in your bathroom to guarantee you’ll get your deposit back.

Wipe down the countertops with an all-purpose cleaner

Clean the sink basin, faucet and handles

Wipe down the mirror with a glass cleaner

Clean the toilet bowl, then wipe down the toilet lid, tank and handle

Use a toothbrush to remove mold or stains from any surfaces

Remove grout stains with bleach

Wipe down drawers and cabinets — interior and exterior

Wipe down the shower and bathtub

Vacuum and mop floors

 

A Checklist for Landlords With Tenants Moving Out

A checklist can help ease the stress of tenant move-out. It makes both sides aware of the expectations. Landlords can customize this checklist to meet the specific needs of their property. The items on this list should include the condition the rental property should be left in, as well as any additional move-out procedures and obligations.

Your tenant should provide notice that they intend to move out of your rental unit. Most often this is in the form of a letter but you may specify it be delivered in another format in your lease. Check with your local landlord/tenant laws to see how much notice the tenant should give before they vacate a rental unit.

Move-Out Checklist

A tenant move-out checklist is a form that landlords should attach as a rider to the original lease agreement. This checklist provides instructions for the tenant on the procedures and the tasks they need to complete when they vacate your property.

Why It’s Important

Move-out checklists are especially important when it comes to the security deposit. Security deposit disputes are a big issue between landlords and tenants. If the tenant understands the proper procedures for move-out, including the condition they are supposed to leave the rental property in, it will help minimize these issues.

All of the aforementioned items need to be done PRIOR to your move-out inspection so that you can RECEIVE YOUR FULL SECURITY DEPOSIT BACK (less any withholding from earlier tenancy). Any and all repairs, repainting, trash removal, cleaning, and/or any other expenses that are attributed to restoring your home to its condition prior to your tenancy will be deducted from your Security Deposit.

 

Move Out Reminders

Clean your apartment

All surfaces within your apartment shall be clean and free of debris, stains and damage. Such surfaces include but are not limited to, flooring, walls, doors, windows, shelving, appliances, cabinets, lighting fixtures, and bathroom fixtures.

Pay special attention to the inside, under and behind of the stove, refrigerator, shower & toilets as these often need additional care to clean when moving out. You may find it’s easier to replace the drip pans under the stove burners than taking the time to clean them. Also remember to pull the refrigerator out to clean behind. Make sure all the shelves in the cabinets are free of items and wiped clean. Tile floors shall be swept & mopped. Carpets shall be vacuumed and we recommend renting a carpet-cleaning machine to remove any stains.

If all surfaces are not clean and free of debris, stains or damage, Tenant shall pay for costs of cleaning at a rate of $30 per man-hour and repair at $60 per man-hour plus materials cost. Cleaning the apartment is important, so please make sure your roommates are cleaning their space.

Keys

All keys shall be turned over to landlord. If keys are lost or otherwise not returned, Tenant shall pay for costs of replacing all non-returned keys at $30 per key and $100 per lockset for re-keying apartment entry doors locks. When you move out, please leave your keys (apartment, bedrooms & mail if applicable) on the kitchen counter and lock the door as you leave.

Security Deposit Return

We want to return to you as much of your security deposit as possible, so please follow the above recommendations so we can do that. A good faith effort on your part does make a difference. Security deposits are returned in a one lump sum check payable to the tenant designated on the lease. If you are the designated tenant, let us know where to send your security deposit return by completing the Security Deposit Return Address section of the Tenant Info Update form.

Why is post construction cleaning important?

Post construction dust and dirt can be harmful to the health of the building’s occupants and it is quite often difficult to remove. Post construction cleaning requires specialized equipment, products and expertise to effectively remove the airborne dust particles and residue that settles everywhere after construction and renovation, including on furnishings, carpet, wall hangings, windows and fittings, sanitary fittings, walls, hard surfaces and tile floors.

 

Benefits Of Post-Construction Cleanup

Anyone who’s gone through a major home renovation knows how stressful it can be. You have to spend a lot of time determining what needs to be done and what company is best for the job. But even once the project is all said and done, you’ll be left with a major cleanup job on your hands. Sometimes, you may not even know what to do with all the debris and junk that’s left in your home.

It’s Cost-Effective

Plain and simple, it is more cost-effective to choose us. Why? First of all, many cleaning and janitorial companies understand the need for this service and will charge a pretty penny for it. We keep our prices fair so that you always have someone to rely on. We also work quickly, ensuring that you never miss a beat and your company can get back to what it was doing.

We’re Efficient

Efficiency is key when it comes to construction clean up. We understand that the sooner post-construction junk is removed from your office or home, the sooner you can get back to what you were doing.

Safety

Dealing with a post-construction cleaning project on your own can be seriously risky. Oftentimes, you’ll have to watch out for sharp objects or breathe in sawdust or other airborne allergens. Our expert cleaners know how to get in and get out without taking any unnecessary safety risks. We work with an attention to detail so that you’ll be left with a clean and healthy home or office once we’re gone.

 

What is commercial post-construction cleaning and what does it include?

Commercial post-construction cleaning means putting a commercial property into appropriate condition for occupation and use after a construction, remodeling, or renovation project.

Most often it’s performed by janitorial companies for commercial property owners who are going to start using the building. As advised by PropertyCashin in their guide to selling a commercial property, it’s also an important step in preparing a building to advertising and showings.

Thorough post construction cleaning often times helps property owners to significantly increase their property’s value, which is why post construction cleaning is one of the integral pre-selling activities every real estate professional follows.

 

Debris Removal

The debris that needs to be removed from the site can be:

• Hazardous waste.
• Non-hazardous waste.

Check with the dumpster (roll-off) provider to determine what types of construction debris are not accepted at the landfill. As an example, open paint cans with dried paint are generally acceptable while any undried coatings are treated as hazardous waste.

A backhoe can significantly decrease the amount of time needed for the cleanup of exterior debris. A tilting dump waste cart is a convenient way of getting interior waste outside and into the backhoe bucket.

Disposal of Hazardous Waste

The most important consideration when cleaning up hazardous waste is the current safety of the cleanup personnel and the future safety of the building’s occupants. Make sure that all cleanup personnel use approved safety equipment at all times. Equally important, ensure that no hazardous material is left behind to endanger the health of future occupants.

Each type of hazardous waste can have different means of disposal. For instance, asbestos (properly contained) can be buried in some landfills, whereas hazardous liquids are usually incinerated. Contact your local DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for the right disposal facility.

 

Cleaning up Construction Dust

Construction dust consists of, but is not limited to:

• Sawdust
• Asbestos fibers
• Metal filings
• Drywall dust
• Cement products

While sawdust is not as hazardous as asbestos fibers, protect the cleanup crew from any type of dust.

When dust cleaning, having the wrong filter on vacuum equipment is a commonly overlooked problem. For example, the typical shop vacuum bag will not filter out drywall dust. So instead of removing drywall dust, it recirculates the dirty air throughout the building.

For the health of building occupants, clean the HVAC ducts as a part of the deep clean of the interior. Even if the building had temporary heating during construction, dust still accumulates in the ductwork.

Make sure to clean the dust that has settled on ceiling light panels in suspended ceilings. Otherwise, a layer of dirt can reduce the lumen output of lighting fixtures.

TIPS AND TRICKS TO FINDING THE RIGHT COMMERCIAL CLEANING COMPANY

Talk to business owners you know

Whenever you are looking for decent goods or services, one of the best ways to go about it is to get referrals from people you know and trust. Ask them what kinds of cleaning services they need and where they found the commercial cleaning company they use. You should ask more than just if they like working with the company but find out where and how they found them and what the process to find them was like.

Go with someone who is local to you

Given the number of commercial cleaning companies you have to choose from, you should be able to go with one that is located near you. If the company is headquartered near you, you may be able to get a faster response if you need something done quickly. For example, if you have a problem and need a special clean up done right away, you might be able to get the cleaning company to your location sooner than if they are a franchise with a headquarters states away.

Talk to a few commercial cleaning companies

Before you hire a commercial cleaning services company, it is important to take the time to talk to at least three. While you are doing that, you should make sure you get detailed estimates from all three. It is important to get the quotes in writing so that it is easier to compare and contrast. Another reason is that once you have contracted with a commercial cleaning company if you find they are not doing things as proposed or you have other issues, you can refer back to the paperwork you were given.

Ask them all about the kind of insurance they carry

You need to make sure they have the appropriate amount of workers’ compensation and liability insurance. You should ask them about it but you also need to do what you can to verify everything that they tell you. If they do not carry the right amount of either kind of insurance, you can be on the hook for a lot if something should happen. Any amount of time you spend checking on this will be worth it when you gave greater peace of mind once you have signed on with a commercial cleaning services company

Ask about the cleaning products they use

ou should seek out a company that uses green cleaning products. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor pollution levels can be anywhere between two and five times greater than those outside in a home. This difference can be even greater in businesses. One way to make your workspace healthier is to hire a commercial cleaning company that uses healthier products.

 

Tips to Finding the Best Office Cleaning Services

Proof of Insurance

Let’s start with the basics – proof of insurance is one of the first things to look for prior to moving to other considerations. Liability insurance protects you against costs that may be incurred in the case a cleaner becomes injured at the workplace

Excellent Reputation

Professionals in the field need to have a big number of satisfied clients. The happiness of former customers stands as evidence of effectiveness and quality. Look for online testimonials – they can provide a lot of important information

Flexibility and Customization

Every business has highly specific cleaning needs. Whether your office is a small one or the company employs hundreds of people, you have to make sure that the office cleaning services you’re interested in can be customized.

Variety of Services and Cost Considerations

Some offices have much more specific cleaning needs than others. Cleaning companies that offer an array of services will be much better prepared to address these needs than cleaners who specialize in just a few basic processes.

Ease of Communication

This is a factor that some business owners underestimate. Ease of communication is incredibly important when choosing a service provider. Make sure that the cleaning company you intend to partner up with understands your needs and is ready to communicate thoroughly to maximize benefits for the client.

 

Tips For Finding The Perfect Commercial Cleaner

Find Someone Who Is Qualified And Experienced

The first thing that you should look for when it comes to choosing the perfect cleaning company for your commercial needs is their qualifications and experience. While cleaning isn’t necessarily a job which requires a lot of qualifications, they certainly help, and they can provide proof that the cleaner in question is well equipped to handle your work.

Where possible, you should always work with commercial cleaners who have a well established company and who have been in the business for a decent amount of time. Find someone who has qualifications relating to the type of building you have – commercial, residential or industrial – and who has decent cleaning equipment and materials

Find Out About The Company’s Cleaning Policies

Depending on your views and the type of business you have, the policies of a cleaning company may or may not be important to you. If you are looking for environmentally friendly cleaning service, you should always ask about a company’s green cleaning policy. Find out what sort of chemicals they use, and ask them if they are willing to use non-toxic chemicals and cleaning methods when working in your building.

Read About Their Reputation & Past Reviews

A cleaning company’s reputation can speak volumes about the quality of their work and how they are likely to perform in the future. If a company has a good reputation that has been built through years of hard work, then they will probably do a good job cleaning your building. However, you should be wary of companies who have a weak reputation or who haven’t been in business long.

If you want more information about a company’s past performance, then a quick internet search will usually turn up a range of reviews from past customers. Choose a cleaning contractor with good past reviews and who worked well for past clients.

 

Five Tips To Consider When Choosing A Commercial Cleaning Company

Look for an Experienced, Well-established Commercial Cleaning Company

Well established and has been in the cleaning industry for several years and which possesses the experience, workforce, and skills required to provide a thorough cleaning

Find Out More About the Services the Cleaning Company Provides

Apart from vacuuming and dusting, what other services does the company or companies you are considering provide?

Find Out More About the Company’s Policy on Staff Training Requirements

The cleaning company you are considering should be one that offers its new staff comprehensive training, prepares its workforce to use the latest cleaning equipment and materials, and continually educates them on the latest health and safety protocols and new cleaning techniques.

Examine their Standards and Certifications

It is imperative to ensure that the cleaning company you are considering holds the highest certifications and maintains/adheres to stringent standards of cleaning excellence such as the Sunshine Quality Assurance Program. Also, make sure that the company is fully insured and bonded

Find Out If They Are Committed to Green Cleaning

Green cleaning refers to taking a more holistic approach to cleaning and caring for buildings, those inhabiting them, and the environment at large by using materials and practices that are health-and-eco-conscious

 

tips for hiring a commercial cleaning company

Do they have experience?

If you hire an experienced cleaning company, you can be confident that the job will be done to the highest standard possible. Whist a new company may show potential, it’s just not worth the risk. An established business means that they have built up a good reputation, treat their cleaners with respect and will have a good client base who trust their services

Do they understand your business?

Are you responsible for a Doctor’s surgery, call centre or based in an office? It makes all the difference to how the facility should be cleaned. Tell your prospect cleaning company, so they can understand how to best approach the cleaning regime. The type of building that your business operates will affect the cleaning company you should hire. There are a few things that the cleaning company will need to know. For example, the square footage, types of flooring, number of rooms etc

What should the cleaning schedule look like?

How often do you need your workplace cleaned? And what times would be the most convenient for your business? Schools are often cleaned every afternoon ready for the next morning. Whereas sports centres might be first thing in the morning before opening or in the night after closing. If your business operates 24 hours, then you can pick a quiet time

Can they clean to the right standard?

It’s important to your cleaning company to know what’s important to you about your workplace. Why are immaculate cleaning standards important and what impact will it have if standards were to slip? Hygiene and safety are key in schools and hospitals to keep pupils and patients safe from injury and illness. 710,000 patients a year are infected from dirty wards. Make sure they are ready to clean at the standard you need.

What work environment do you want to create?

What kind of environment do you want to create for your employees and/or customers? It’s so important to create a positive working environment. Reception and client facing areas need to be welcoming and calm, whereas offices need to be clean and organised to help with productivity. Check out the benefits of a clean office here. We love to hear our clients talk with passion about their workplace. If something is important to you – then it’s important to us and our cleaners.

The Necessity of Professional Post Construction Cleaning Services

When you’re planning a construction project of any size, the number of things to consider is mind-boggling. There’s the planning and designing, finding qualified professionals to do the work, obtaining all the necessary permits, monitoring the actual construction services and planning for the inevitable problems that come up. Few people think about cleaning up after all the work is done, and there’s much more to it than just picking up all the tools and lumber.

Here are three reasons why it makes sense to hire a professional company to clean up after a construction project:

• It’s safer for everyone involved. The amount of debris left behind by a construction project is staggering. There’s sawdust, nails, broken glass, wire and more bits of building material leftovers that are just waiting to poke into feet or arms. A professional crew not only has experience in cleaning up a construction site, but they have better equipment than just a broom and dustpan.
• Debris will be disposed of properly. In many municipalities, you can’t just toss leftover drywall or wood in that week’s trash pickup. Construction materials must be separated for special pickup, and paint and other chemicals must be delivered to a special facility for legal disposal. By using a post construction cleanup company, you know the job will be done professionally and legally.
• The job will be completed quickly and efficiently. A professional cleanup company will have all the necessary equipment to do the job fast, like trucks, trailers and manpower.  They can move in and get the job done before you know it, because they’ve done this many, many times. This frees you up to enjoy the results of all your planning and hard work.

 

Why Hiring a Professional Cleaning Company is Important For Post-Construction Cleaning

If your office, commercial or industrial space has recently undergone renovations, you’ll probably need a post-construction cleaning to get the space ready for employees, clients and customers to re-enter. Construction and renovations can create serious dust and debris that can cause health and safety concerns if not properly addressed. Hiring a professional company to manage your post-construction cleanup is the best way to get the thorough and efficient cleaning you need to re-enter your workplace as safely as possible. Here is some more information about the importance of hiring a professional cleaning company for your post-construction clean-up.

Safe, Effective Service

Professional cleaning companies have the skills, experience and equipment necessary to handle any post-construction messes safely and efficiently. Construction and renovation can result in a significant amount of dust and debris, which can make the post-construction cleaning process dangerous. By hiring a professional cleaning service, you can ensure that you work environment is as sparkling and clean as possible without jeopardizing the health and safety in the process. At Empire Capitol, all of our staff are fully trained and certified in safe cleaning procedures, so you can rest assured that your post-construction cleaning will be taken care of in the safest and most comprehensive manner possible.

Fast Service Guaranteed

One of the biggest benefits of hiring a professional service to manage your post-construction cleanup is speed. Professional cleaning technicians can clean post-construction spaces faster than untrained employees. This means that you can reopen your space and continue business as usual faster with a professional cleaning service to take care of your post-construction needs. Construction and renovation projects can shut down your office, commercial, space for months at a time, which can negatively impact business. A professional cleaning company will make your space spotless as quickly as possible to prevent any delays from disrupting the operation of your company.

 

The Final Touches 

After the major debris and cleanup has occurred, the final touches to make your new renovation shine need to be completed. This includes thoroughly cleaning every inch of the remodeled area. Post Construction Cleaning Professionals will:

• Dust walls
• Hand wash all doors
• Hand wash all trim
• Mop all flooring multiple times (if applicable)
• Dust entire house multiple times to pick up residual falling debris
• Vacuum entire house thoroughly to pick up debris and dust
• Hand wash all cabinets and closets inside and out
• Wipe down all reachable lights
• Remove all tape and tape residue

 

Benefits of Hiring Post-Construction Cleaning Services

With the last swing of the hammer, the construction workers begin collecting their tools, loading up the truck, and driving off into the sunset to their next site. Their job is done. You take a step back and imagine a time in the near future when the area will be bustling with your employees, each working hard to grow your business. You become antsy with anticipation and excited to start this new phase.

Here are a few benefits you’ll see when you hire the pros.

Safety

After the construction workers have finished the job, some of the debris and materials left behind can be sharp and pose a serious safety concern for you or your employees if you decide to do it on your own. Our professionals are not only insured for the job but have the knowledge and experience to get it done efficiently and safely. Not only that, but we will also be sure to clean up the site with no damage done to the new workplace.

Proper Disposal

Disposing of waste materials from a construction site isn’t as easy you may think. One is not able to just toss the junk into any given trash can. There are rules and regulations in place to prevent this and without the proper knowledge of local regulations, you’re likely to get in trouble with the law and receive a hefty fine for dumping. Instead of pulling a mission in the dead of night, throwing junk away in separate garbage bins around the city, just let the professionals handle it. We know where the proper areas for disposal are and are happy to do it!

 

You Save Money in the Long Run

When you think about it, being spared from all the trouble of the cleaning is already worth the money you spend on a professional cleaning service. But you may actually spend less money when you don’t do it yourself.

When you DIY, you have to spend money on cleaning supplies. Then you may have to give some bonuses for your workers who do the cleaning, and you have to get them insured first too. And you may lose more money for your company when you do it yourself and waste precious time.

So when you use professionals for your post-construction cleaning, you pay less and you’re spared the trouble. That’s what you call a good deal.

The Ultimate Moving House Cleaning Checklist

If moving house tops the list of stressful experiences people go through in life and cleaning house tops the list of loathsome experiences people face on a daily basis, then cleaning for moving should be a truly nightmarish experience indeed. The mere idea of scrubbing floors and washing windows after the long weeks of laborious moving preparations and exhausting moving tasks may be enough to put you in panic – after all, you have only just finished organizing the myriad details of the relocation process, putting all the required paperwork in order and packing all your earthly possessions, so you are highly unlikely to have any energy left to spare. And yet, you need to clean not one but two properties at the very climax of your relocation endeavor – move-out/move-in day:

1) you will want to leave your old home in top-notch condition in order to be able to get your security deposit back or to make your property more desirable for potential buyers;

2) you will want your new home to be spotless when moving in.

So, no matter how tired and how impatient to close the relocation chapter of your life you may be, you need to take the time and the effort to clean your old property before moving out and your new one before moving in. Luckily, the task may not be as difficult as it seems at first – especially if you follow our simple, yet highly efficient cleaning tips for moving house.

Moving Out Cleaning Tips

To make cleaning easier and more effective, you are recommended to:

• Get hold of appropriate moving cleaning supplies and keep them at hand. There are certain cleaning supplies you can’t do without when preparing your home for moving – disinfecting cleaners, glass cleaners, baking soda, white vinegar, cleaning cloths, dusting cloths, plastic or nylon bristled soft scrubbers, different kinds of brushes, furniture polish, fabric protectors, a mop, a vacuum cleaner, a broom and a dustpan, a bucket, a step stool, rubber gloves, etc. Make sure these items don’t get accidentally loaded on the moving truck with the rest of your possessions – you’re going to need them when the movers depart from your old home and then again, before they arrive in your new property;

• Prepare and clean the items you are going to take with you as early as possible. You will certainly want to give your household items a good cleaning after the move, but this doesn’t make cleaning them before the move redundant – you probably don’t want to take all the accumulated dust and dirt, stains and grime, bacteria and germs to your new home, do you? Besides, wiping your items clean before the move will make your job much easier afterwards, when unpacking and arranging your new place. So, make sure you empty and clean all the furniture pieces and household appliances you intend to relocate several days before moving day and get them properly packed and ready for shipment by the time your movers arrive;

• Wait until your possessions have been loaded onto the moving truck to give your old home a final, thorough cleaning. If you start cleaning while your packed possessions are still scattered all around the place, your task will turn out to be much more difficult and time-consuming than necessary – all those moving boxes and furniture pieces will be in your way and you won’t be able to clean the premises quickly and efficiently enough;

• For best results, always start cleaning from top to bottom and back to front. Otherwise, you may soil an already cleaned surface and have to wipe it again;

• Complete “dry” cleaning tasks first (such as dusting, vacuuming and sweeping). You just can’t efficiently wash, mop, and/or wipe surfaces with a damp cloth when there is still dust or dirt on them;

• Clean task-by-task, not room-by-room. This method is much faster and considerably more efficient – when you have equipped yourself with a furniture polish and a soft cloth, for example, it makes sense to take care of all the furniture pieces in the property, not just the ones in your bedroom, right?

 

What Are the Housecleaning Expectations When a Seller Moves?

Do sellers have to clean the house?

Sellers have a responsibility to clean the home after they move. The question becomes: how clean is clean enough? It can depend on numerous factors, and exactly who is selling the house is usually key among them.

Filth and mold are often the least of your worries when you purchase a bank-owned home. Appliances might be ripped out and maybe the water heater has been stolen. Some banks don’t clean anything. They sell foreclosed properties in “as is” condition.

But homes in a seller’s possession are different. It doesn’t matter if it’s a short sale or a regular sale.

Do Sellers Have to Clean the House?

Real estate purchase contracts often stipulate that the house is to be “broom clean.” This is generally accepted to mean that the seller should at least sweep the floor and leave the walls and ceiling bare. The language in some of these contracts is admittedly ambiguous, however, and some states are vaguer than others.

For example, standard California real estate contracts don’t address the condition of the home at all except for stating that it should be left in essentially the same condition as it was when the offer was accepted. The property is sold in its physical condition as of the date of acceptance, and the seller is to remove all personal property and debris.

Read your purchase contract to determine the extent of any cleaning you’re contractually bound to do upon vacating. Hopefully, it will be concise and not leave the issue open to interpretation.

Customary Ways to Leave a Home

Most sellers take special steps on their own to present the home in acceptable condition if there’s no legal requirement to clean the property before moving out. Yet it’s understandable that sellers might be too tired to spend a lot of time cleaning after moving all day.

Most buyers will clean the home to their own standards before moving in regardless of the sellers’ efforts. There are nonetheless a few things a seller can do to leave the house reasonably clean and to create goodwill.

You’ll want to remove all personal property—including items that you’re just going to throw out—and vacuum and sweep the floors. Clean the kitchen appliances, the insides of the refrigerator and oven, and wipe down the counters. Scour the sinks and tubs. Wipe down interior cabinets and shelves. Wash all tile and vinyl or linoleum flooring.

What About the Garage?

The garage should be clean, too, because you’re selling it as part of your home. Of course, you’ll remove all your personal belongings here, too, and take care to throw trash away as well. Sweep the floor. Above all, properly dispose of any toxic chemicals.

Items pertaining to the property such as paint cans, roofing materials, or extra flooring should be stacked neatly, but check first to make sure the buyer wants your leftover materials. Some won’t.

Start As Early As Possible

This falls into the category of being kind to yourself. Give yourself ample time so you don’t feel frantic and pressured. Moving day is going to be crazy enough, so get as much of a head start on cleaning as possible. You might even want to give the place a good, thorough scrubbing before you list it for sale. It can only help the place show better.

It can be an overwhelming challenge if you have a large home. Consider tackling one room at a time, maybe one each weekend. You’ll get there eventually, and moving day will be a cinch if you can keep up with each room after it’s spotless.

 

How to Clean Kitchen an Apartment Before Moving Out

Moving out of an apartment can be a hard task: finding a new place, arranging transportation, and packing up all your belongings is hard work when all you want to do is get settled in your new home. Making sure your apartment is clean might be one of the most important tasks of all, because a thoroughly-cleaned apartment means you’ll get your security deposit back. Go through your apartment room by room and clean every small space and appliance to ensure a smooth move and a full deposit returned.

Cleaning the Kitchen

1. Clean the oven and stove. Buy one or two cans of oven sprayable cleaner and read the safety directions carefully, as many oven cleaners require protective equipment (gloves & goggles) and strong ventilation. Place newspaper in front of the oven, slightly underneath the door or drawer, to protect your floor from dripping cleaner. Evenly apply both cans to the inside of the oven, the grates, and the broiler sheets.

• If you want to avoid the chemicals in oven cleaners, use a dilution of 100g baking soda in 1 liter (0.3 US gal) of water and spray onto the surfaces. For a dirtier oven, increase the amount of baking soda so that the solution is more of a paste than a liquid. Leave for one hour, then use an ice scraper to remove the burnt carbon and spray any remaining in the oven. Repeat the process until the oven is completely clean.

• Make sure the oven is turned off before starting to clean.

2. Clean up the stove. Use an abrasive cleaner and tough sponge to scrub at any spots on the stovetop. For stubborn spots, spray some oven cleaner and let it sit. Clean the vent above the stove and be certain that the light bulb in the overhead hood is in working condition. Using a sponge and paper towels, wipe down all surfaces. Rinse with clean water.

• Soak drip pans and other removable parts in hot water with dish soap for at least 30 minutes, then scrub them. Repeat as necessary.

• Make sure the gas and stove are turned off before you start to clean.

3. Disinfect the dishwasher. Pull out the bottom rack and clear out the drain area. Empty the dishwasher, then fill a dishwasher-safe cup with vinegar, place it on the top rack and run a cycle with the hottest water setting. This will sanitize and wash away grime in the dishwasher, as well as remove any odors.

• When the cycle finishes, remove the cup and sprinkle baking soda around the bottom of the dishwasher. Run through another short cycle on the hottest water setting. This will remove any remaining stains and odors.

4. Use a rag and cleaning spray to clean drawers and counter surfaces. Unplug and remove all appliances and items left in the drawers. Make sure to get into the corners of drawers and countertops.

5. Wash out the sink. Use a gentle soap, soft cloth and warm water on the faucets, drain and outer rim. Run hot water down the drain. Use a toothbrush to scrub around the edges of the sink.

• For a deeper clean on the surface and drain of a stainless steel sink, mix baking soda and lemon juice together and scrub it onto the surface, then pour the rest down the drain.

• For a porcelain sink, spray the sink with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or up to a few hours. The longer you let it sit, the more stains it will remove. Rinse away with warm water, scrubbing if needed to remove further stains.

• Avoid cleaning the sink until you’re sure you won’t have to use it again.

6. Remove all the food from your refrigerator. Give away food that will go bad, like milk or meat, to a neighbor, and store or throw away the rest. This will allow you to defrost and clean the refrigerator without anything in the way.

7. Unplug the refrigerator and let it defrost. Pad the inside with newspapers or towels and lay some on the floor around the bottom of the refrigerator to catch any water runoff. Let refrigerator and freezer defrost for several hours and dry the interior completely before you start cleaning it to prevent mold from growing.

8. Clean the freezer. Use a rag or sponge with soapy water to clean the interior and the rubber door seal. Wipe it down one last time with a clean rag or paper towel.

9. Clean the refrigerator. Scrub down the exterior, starting on the top and working down. Pull out the refrigerator shelves and wash them with soap and water, leaving them out to air-dry afterwards. As the shelves are drying, clean out the interior of the refrigerator with a clean rag.

 

6 Gross Things That Happen When You Don’t Clean Your Apartment

Unless you’re a total neat freak, you probably put off cleaning around the house until absolutely necessary. Laziness strikes — and so does the dust — and before long you’re living in total filth. When that happens, it’s normal to take pause, look around, and wonder what gross things will happen when you don’t clean your apartment.

You might also wonder how much longer you can put things off. And the answer is — not long. That’s because cleaning isn’t only about keeping up appearances and not having to panic when a surprise guest stops by. It’s about staying on top of household chores — like taking out the trash and emptying the fridge — for the very sake of your health.

Like it or not, gross things do happen. And when they do, your apartment can become a little biohazard of dirt, germs, and allergens. You can only sit around for so long with trash piling up and dust accumulating before things get out of hand.

So if you haven’t cleaned in a minute, or you’re wondering how much longer you can go before scrubbing the toilet, then here are some gross things that just might inspire you to get out the mop.

1. Dust Mites Will Move In & Make Your Allergies Worse

Giphy

If you don’t dust or vacuum, your apartment will turn into an allergen festival. Pollen will gather in the nooks and crannies, pet dander will lie in wait, and dust mites will come out in force. Basically all things that make your eyes water and your nose run will be chilling out on surfaces, and making your allergies worse.

None of it is good, but in my opinion, the worst offender on the list is dust mites. According to an article on ApartmentTherapy.com, “Dust mites (actually, their excrement) are responsible for the majority of year-round allergy problems in the bedroom. They live in soft surfaces, and dust, and come out to eat the skin cells and oils we all shed throughout the day.” Gross.

When To Clean

If you suffer from allergies, then you’ll need to dust at least every week. You’ll also want to kill dust mites by washing all your bedding in hot water and cleaning the floors with a HEPA-filter vacuum, especially in the spring.

2. Your Bathroom Will Become A Biohazard

Giphy

Bathrooms can seem sort of self-cleaning. I mean, the shower is full of soapy water, the toilet flushes, and the sink washes away all those toothpaste stains. So really, the whole room basically takes care of itself, right?

That’d be nice, but sadly it’s not the case. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The wet environment makes your bathroom the perfect place for mildew, as well as gross (and dangerous) molds. According to Chanie Kirschner on MNN.com, “Mold is a form of fungus that is found all around us in the natural environment. However, when there is moisture indoors that isn’t dried immediately — such as when there is leakage or flooding — mold can grow inside, too.” Yikes.

When To Clean

After every shower, turn on your bathroom vent to help dry out the room. And prevent molds from cropping up by washing surfaces and tiles with disinfectant sprays at least once a week. If you already have something growing around your sink and it looks like black mold, then you’ll want to go ahead and call a professional. This stuff is toxic, so you shouldn’t clean it up by yourself.

Try: Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaner with Hydrogen Peroxide, $3.79, Amazon

3. Those Sheets Of Yours Will Rot

Giphy

OK, maybe they won’t rot. But sheets are pretty good at collecting oils, dirts, and other questionable stains. As Kristen Sturt noted HuffingtonPost.com, this is especially the case if you’ve been sick, if you go to bed without showering first, or if you sleep naked. These habits dirty up your sheets way faster, and make frequent washing even more necessary.

Try: Gain Liquid Detergent with Original Scent, $5.99, Amazon

When To Clean

Wash your sheets once every week to two weeks, and more often if you’re sweaty, naked, or sick.

4. The Trash Will Attract Bugs

Giphy

Taking out the trash often feels way harder than other chores because it involves going outside where it’s often cold, and where it’s necessary to wear pants. But don’t let this deter you. An overflowing trash can, and/or one that is dripping with leaks, is bound to attract ants, cockroaches, or worse.

When To Clean

Take out your trash bags as soon as it gets full (or even before if it’s smelly), and clean up any spills or drips that have gathered in the bottom of the bin.

5. Your Fridge Will Grow Creatures

Giphy

I know, we all have the best intentions when it comes to eating leftovers. But more often then not, they get pushed to the back of the fridge to rot. When that happens, mold and bacteria can start to grow, and you really don’t want these things hanging out by your food.

It’s not only about spoiled leftovers, however. You can make your fridge even more germy by simply using it. According to an article on About.com “Removing smelly items reduces odors and cleaning the spills improves the look, but what isn’t readily visible is the bacteria that accumulates in this food storage area between thorough cleanings.” Sigh.

When To Clean

Wipe up spills as soon as they happen, throw out expired food ASAP, and give the whole fridge a thorough weekly cleaning with a disinfecting spray.

Try: Seventh Generation Multi-Surface Disinfecting Cleaner, $10, Amazon

6. Animals Will Live In Your Clutter

Giphy

We all know spilled food and crumbs attract bugs and mice. But did you know animals like to live in clutter, too? Yes, even “well-organized” clutter. Because really, they just want to hide and will look for houses with lots of places to do so.

The worst part though, is that mice can bring disease. In fact, one mouse can carry up to 25 different diseases, such as the deadly Hantavirus. Suddenly all those piles of books and magazines don’t seem worth the risk.

When To Clean
This one may be quite the undertaking, because you really should de-clutter your entire place. That includes your basement, if you have one, as well as your closets. Do a big yearly spring clean, and get rid of junk once and for all.

It may not be fun, but cleaning your apartment is imperative to your health. Doing so will prevent little gross things from moving in and making you sick, so do it often.our place is brand new or freshly vacated, so it should be clean, right? Not necessarily. If the house has just been built a whole home clean is necessary to remove any remaining dust or chemical residue that comes with construction.

 

Tips to wipe out germs in your home

Germs and bacteria are everywhere, including the place you strive to keep the cleanest: your home. To shield against germs, consumers are spending more than $1 billion annually on antimicrobial products, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Because of viruses like H1N1 and other household germs, consumers are taking every precaution necessary to keep themselves and their families healthy, and that starts at home,” said Jackie Cooper, spokeswoman for Eureka, the vacuum manufacturer. “With consumers looking for products that will help keep the germs and bacteria at bay, there are now many options available to create a healthy living space.”

Cooper suggests the following tips to achieve a clean and germ-free home:

Don’t let them in. Many germs and bacteria make their way into your home by tagging along with you. Once in the house, these microorganisms have a nice, safe place to grow and multiply. Cut germs off at the door by keeping antimicrobial wipes or hand sanitizers near the entrances to your home. This way you, and your guests, can fight bacteria on the spot.

Vacuum often. Tackle the germs that have been tracked into your home by using a vacuum with a bacteria-fighting solution to not only suck up dust and dirt but also prevent bacteria from growing in or on the vacuum as well. Be sure to change your vacuum filter and bag regularly to reduce the number of allergens and other particles released back into the air. If these items are not changed regularly, the vacuum’s performance can be compromised and dirty air can be expelled back into your home.

Beware of the kitchen and bathroom. Don’t forget that germs also like to hang out in places like the kitchen sink where pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli can be found. Although well-intentioned, the kitchen sponge you use to clean is only helping to spread those germs throughout your kitchen. To kill germs on the sponge, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends microwaving it on full power for one minute. To protect your hands from germs, keep bacteria-fighting soap near the sink to use when working in the kitchen.

Another popular germ hangout is the bathroom, where they can be found in toilets, showers and sinks. One simple step to cut back on germs in the bathroom is to make good use of the toilet lid. When a toilet is flushed, spray can land up to several feet away from the actual toilet, allowing viruses and bacteria to land on items such as a toothbrush or hand towel. Take a few extra seconds before flushing to close the lid and trap harmful bacteria inside