December 22nd, 2009
Keeping your computer and other electronics clean not only helps to control the spread of the germs that can linger there, it also helps prolong the life and health of your electronic equipment. Computer screens, keyboards, scanners, fax machines and computer towers are all magnets for dust and debris. Even in a workplace that is kept clean by professional janitorial services, the necessity to keep electronics clean may be entirely up to the individual. Here are some handy tips to remember to help keep your electronics in tip top shape.
For cordless phones or cell phones, a cotton swab dipped in a bit of rubbing alcohol is a good natural stand by. Just dip the swab in the alcohol and work it into all the little crannies and crevices. The alcohol kills germs, and dries quickly leaving no residue behind. A very similar product that can be used in the same fashion is alcohol wipes. They work under the same principles as the swab but they are a little harder to get into all the tiny crevices.
Tiny crumbs and dirt particles love to hide away inside your keyboard. Not only can this be unhealthy, it can also cause keys to stop functioning properly. There are cans of pressurized air that can be purchased that essentially blow this dirt right out of your keyboard. If you don’t want to pay for canned air, there are other methods to keep your keyboard clean. A small artists brush can be used to dislodge debris in your keyboard, then simply vacuum with the brush attachment of a regular or small hand held vacuum. There are small vacuums actually sold for this precise purpose and are small and handy to keep in your desk.
Always remember to use a vacuum to remove dust and hair from around tower fans. Dirt forgotten here can easily cause your electronics to overheat and prematurely burn out. Also, wipe down all cables and dust out all plugs and ports. There are a thousand places where dirt and debris can hide and be overlooked.
Monitor screens should never be cleaned with harsh cleaners or water. Use a specialty wipe that has been treated with a safe cleaning chemical intended for monitor and lap top screens.
A soft, dry lint free cloth is the best tool to use to clean computer discs, CDs or DVDs. Just wipe them gently in a circular motion.
It is always best to turn off your equipment before cleaning, and always check the manufacturer’s instructions for any specific maintenance and cleaning suggestions.
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Tags: cleaning electronics, computer care, computer cleaning, electronics cleaning, how to clean electronics, janitorial services
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December 21st, 2009
As winter approaches and we start thinking about keeping the workplace nice and toasty, we must not overlook the benefits of having air ducts cleaned and ready for an efficient heating season. If you have a commercial cleaning contract, you should check with them to see if they offer this service, and if not, ask if they can recommend you to a reputable company. The good health of employees is paramount to a productive workplace and the most important aspect to consider is the air we breathe.
Here are some important facts to consider before you make a final decision on duct cleaning.
Duct cleaning generally refers to more than just the duct work but also includes all the components of heating and cooling systems including registers, vents, coils, drain pans, humidifiers and housing units for all the systems. Many of these parts are not visible so it is hard to see dirt, mould and moisture that might be hiding there.
Contaminants that are not cleaned out of the duct work get blown back through the system and float in the air we breathe. This is not healthy for anyone but people prone to allergies or asthma can suffer a lot from breathing in this polluted air.
If you are uncertain whether a duct cleaning would benefit your office, you can have a pre assessment done to determine the state of your system. Not all ducts need cleaning if the system has been properly installed and maintained and is running efficiently.
An average duct cleaning will most likely run the company anywhere from $500 to $1000, depending on the size of your office space. When searching for a company to perform the cleaning, be certain that they are registered with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association.
There is no EPA certification for duct cleaning as actual health benefits have not been studied and documented. They will not endorse the cleaning of ducts as a benefit to the air quality of a workspace. They do however, recommend against having chemicals of any kind added to the heating and cooling systems as part of a duct cleaning process. These chemicals that are supposed to keep your air clean and fresh can actually be very detrimental to good health so it is recommended you refuse this service if the duct cleaning company recommends it.
Whether you decide to have the job done or not, just be sure you are adequately informed on all the pros and cons. In either case, there are some things you can do to make the air in your workplace healthy. Change any filters as necessary and be sure they are installed properly. Vacuum the office often to remove dust particles. By staying on top of the cleanliness game, and hiring professional janitorial services, you will help maintain a greener more efficient office, and save more money too!
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Tags: duct cleaning, green cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning service, office duct cleaning
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December 18th, 2009
Running your own commercial cleaning company can be a great opportunity for yourself to run your own business, make a nice amount of money, and devote yourself to something you enjoy doing. But as with any business, there are common pitfalls involved, which if properly avoided, will mean a smoother and more profitable business. By just following a few of these easy tips, and being more aware of possible pitfalls in the future, your commercial cleaning company will prosper, as well as make profits year in and year out.
One of the biggest mistakes commercial cleaning services make is that they often don’t know what the right price is for doing a particular job. This can be a common problem when your company is just starting out, and you may be unsure of what the market value might be, or you may want to slash prices to stay ahead of the competition. Knowing the right pricing levels for each particular job may be crucial to your success or failure. If you are charging too much, you might lose much needed contracts, business that your company just can’t afford to lose.
On the other hand, if your company is charging less than the market price, you may be undervaluing your work, and losing much needed capital. The most important thing to figure out when you’re quoting a company is to calculate your expenses, by the market price, and figure out a comfortable medium price that you can live with. Figuring out the right pricing system will be a crucial element to your long term success, or failure.
Another important pitfall to avoid while running your own commercial cleaning company is not knowing your employees well. Many times in commercial cleaning companies, the owner usual hires his employees through contracting firms, or may have assistants do the hiring themselves. This can sometimes cause problems if you are not familiar with who exactly is representing your business. If you want your business run a certain way, and you want your employees to represent your company in a certain manner, then it might not be a bad idea to do all the hiring yourself.
Another common problem that many business owners fall into is hiring the wrong people. This may include people who are not legal citizens, or unqualified family members. Hiring illegal immigrants can be dangerous to your business if you’re not careful. Hiring illegal immigrants is illegal, and although they may save your company expenses in lower wages, they may hurt the reputation of your company, as well as make you incur heavy fines if they are discovered.
You must also be careful when hiring close family members. Oftentimes, owning your own business can be a great opportunity to create good job opportunities for fellow family members who might be looking for work. This can be a great asset to a family; it can help families prosper, as well as bring them closer together. But on the other hand, it can also break families apart. If things don’t work out, and you have to end up firing a close family relative, this could be potentially detrimental to your long term relationship. The smart advice is to hire family members, only if they are qualified for the job, and if you can properly separate your family life from your business life. By following these tips, your commercial cleaning company is sure to have a more successful future, as well as stay ahead of the competition.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning business, janitorial services, office cleaning, run your own commercial cleaning business
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December 17th, 2009
As we all know, personal appearances and first impressions can be crucial when owning and operating a business. If your office or store is sloppy, and poorly organized, your customers, as well as your clients, will see your business the same way. Having an organized and messy office can show your work to be less than quality, and can be detrimental to your business down the line. Much of this can be avoided by simply hiring a professional office cleaning company to clean your office one to two times a week. But when hiring a professional office cleaning company for your business, there are a number of important factors that you must bear in mind.
One of these important factors, that should be investigated, is the company’s reputation. Does the company have a good reputation? Have you ever heard of this company before? Where you referred to this company by a friend or colleague, or did you simply pick them out of a phone book? Although this doesn’t mean they won’t do a good job, it is also important to hire a company that you can rely on, and has an established reputation. When evaluating a cleaning company make sure you see if they have any good recommendations on their website or provide a list of references you can check out prior to entering into a contract with them. By doing your research early, you will be saving your company time and money down the line.
If you have found an office cleaning company that you’re comfortable with, the next step would be to enter into a binding contract with that company. But before you do you must first negotiate what the pricing will be, as well as the services they will provide. It is important before entering into any contract that both parties are as clear as possible on the terms of the contract. Make sure you provide a list of all the services that you will require, and make sure that everything is clearly listed in the contract. This way if either party is not living up to their end of the bargain, you will be legally able to dissolve the contract on account of violation of the terms.
It may also be a good idea to install security cameras in your office to make sure that everything is running according to plan. This can be a good protection for your company, in case anything gets damaged or stolen. Make sure you have security cameras positioned in key areas so as to monitor any suspicious behavior, and make sure you have enough of them to monitor as much as you can. This way the office cleaning company will have no excuses in case of stolen or damaged property, as well as less than desirable work. This is also important in a legal sense, as the video evidence will be more than sufficient if they deny the event, and you’re looking for legal compensation. By taking the proper time to evaluate each company, and protecting yourself with cameras and a strong contract, you will be able to choose the best office cleaning company to fit your company’s needs.
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Tags: choosing a commercial cleaning company, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning company
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December 16th, 2009
Nothing says ‘spotless clean office’ like ‘spotless clean bathrooms’; equally, nothing says your commercial cleaning company provides quality service like the pristine restrooms in your office building. More often than desired, clients go into an office bathroom only to be greeted by nasty smells or very strong scents that clearly state that no care is being put into cleaning it effectively.
There is a process for cleaning an office bathroom effectively and professionally. For example, the cleaning staff has to study the restroom to identify where the odors come from in order to get rid of them.
Odors can come from many sources, for example from dirt, bacteria, and drains, among others. To keep odors under control, cleaners have to thoroughly clean and disinfect every surface in the bathroom; mopping every day will get the surface dirt off, but the cleaner may have to use a more aggressive method to get rid of the dirt that has penetrated the grout. The proper training of the cleaning staff will ensure bathrooms are correctly cleaned. A properly trained employee will get rid of the dirt you can see as well as of the one you can’t, he or she will know what cleaners and disinfectants to use and how to use them, contributing to solving the odor problem, instead of creating it.
The staff must recommend the best products to help keep the restrooms smelling fresh, like commode mats for urinals and toilets to avoid any urine from dripping on the floor and to diminish odors, and air fresheners with soft fragrances that are not offensive to the user.
After odors have been controlled, a bathroom is considered spotless clean if the following are met:
- Dispensers are free of spots and dust, and are correctly filled with the right supplies.
- All the trash is gone and a clean liner has been installed into the trashcan. The trash can’s outside has no stains, fingerprints, and dust.
- Toilets, urinals, and urinal screens have no soil, spots, stains, and urine or other fluids, on the inside and the outside.
- Sinks, fixtures, and drinking fountains have no water spots, stains, soap, and dirt around the base.
- Countertops and ledges have no soil and dust.
- Mirrors have no stains, fingerprints, water spots, streaks, and other residues.
- The bathroom floors have no dirt, hair, paper, gum, soil build-up, urine, and other fluids.
- Floor drain covers have no soil, lint, mop strings, and dirt.
- Ceiling vents have no dust, lint, and build-up.
- Partitions, doors, doorknobs, walls, and ceilings have no soil, stains, fingerprints, water spots, and graffiti.
The best way to ensure your commercial cleaning service is doing a superb job, besides checking their work personally after cleaning, is to be honest and see if you would be willing to use that bathroom yourself every single day. Everyone is extremely picky about the restrooms they use, and if you are certain that you would feel comfortable using your office’s public bathrooms this means they probably are spotless clean.
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Tags: bathroom cleaning, clean bathroom, cleaning company, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, professional cleaning
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December 15th, 2009
Green cleaning stands for cleaning that promotes a healthy environment for people while being eco-friendly. Green cleaning involves a lot of considerations, like reviewing the cleaning procedures and equipment the cleaning company uses, as well as the cleaning products they employ.
It’s easy to assess if a cleaning business is using the right vacuums and dusters for green cleaning, however, it is not so simple to know if the products they are using are truly green.
Here we give you some tips to help you identify if your office cleaning service is truly working green:
1. The products they use should be certified by Green Seal, which provides environmental certification standards for green cleaning products based on scientific examination.
2. The products should not be toxic for humans or animals, and especially marine life.
3. The products should be biodegradable, meaning they may be disintegrated by microbes. The longer it takes to disappear, the more harmful it is. The products should have a label stating that they are biodegradable.
4. Check if the product is concentrated or ready to use. Ready to use products contain 90% water, meaning more energy and packaging were used to produce them, and extra packaging means extra solid waste. Concentrated cleaning products use much less water, less packaging, and weigh less, diminishing the cost of fuel needed to transport the product to the stores.
5. Green cleaning products work perfectly well with cold water. This saves energy, contrary to products needing hot water, which require much more energy to work well.
6. Products shouldn’t contain chlorine bleach. Residue water containing this chemical can cause a toxic reaction when in contact with other chemicals.
7. Green products are not made with petroleum. Petroleum is a non-renewable resource, it is flammable, and can be toxic if it is inhaled. Green cleaning uses products made from pine oil or citrus, which are renewable resources.
8. Green products do not come in aerosol. Aerosol bottles are dangerous if they are perforated, because the spray is out of control and can put people at risk of over exposure.
9. Products should be pH neutral (7.0), which is safer for both the environment and people. Alkaline or acidic products may burn your skin.
10. Green cleaning products come in recycled containers. In many cases, post-consumer materials are used to manufacture the containers and cardboard boxes.
There are many ways to do things, but there is only ONE right way. If you are truly committed to green living, you should go all the way and ensure you are making the right choices, to the last detail. Ensure that the office cleaning company you hire is in line with your life philosophy and doing its part to contribute to the health of the planet and its preservation.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, eco cleaning, eco friendly products, environmentally friendly products, green cleaning, green cleaning products, janitorial services, natural cleaning products, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
November 30th, 2009
The office kitchen and the boardroom are places that everyone uses. Your commercial cleaning service may do a nightly cleaning of these rooms but they don’t look after the small personal types of tidying up that need to be done after each and every person uses the space. There are some simple manners and common courtesies that should be kept in mind by all. Here are a few to consider.
o Be considerate. Everyone is entitled to some space in the fridge and cupboards. Don’t just cram your lunch into the front spot. Take the time to arrange your items carefully among others that might already be in there.
o Identify what belongs to you. This will help to avoid any misunderstandings in the case of misplaced, discarded or wrongfully eaten food. A half eaten sandwich on a shelf may be something you planned to eat later but another well-meaning colleague might assume it is a leftover from some earlier meeting and toss it away. If it’s yours and you want it, label it so others know! Likewise, if you come across something unidentified in the fridge, try to find out who it belongs to before deciding to throw it away.
o Delegate a person in the workplace to be in charge of creating a cleaning schedule for things like dishes etc. that the janitorial services maybe don’t cover or might take care of much later.
o If your day off or the weekend is approaching, be sure to remove items that belong to you that will spoil during that time.
o If you drink the last of the coffee in the pot, it is considered polite to make another pot.
o If you use the microwave to reheat leftovers, be sure to wipe it down if your dish has overflowed or sprayed around the oven. Spills that are left unattended not only dry hard and become more difficult to remove; they also create an odor for the next person who uses the oven.
o Crumbs and spills in the kitchen and the boardroom should be swept up as they happen to leave the room neat and tidy for the next person’s use. Tables and counters should also be wiped down. All empty disposable cups and napkins should be disposed of at the end of meetings.
o Replace bottled water in the fridge if you use the last of the supply, or arrange to have a new water bottle put on the cooler if you use the last of it. Likewise, replace the paper cup holder if you use the last one.
These are just a few of the little things that each person can be aware of and do as needed to help make the office a cleaner, healthier place for everyone.
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Tags: commercial cleaning service, janitorial services, office etiquette, office kitchen manners
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November 30th, 2009
Studies show that a clean and organized work space increases and sustains increased employee productivity. We all feel better in an atmosphere that is relaxed and free of clutter and chaos. If your company has invested in the services of an office cleaning company then they are doing their part to ensure a clean working environment. So what can you, as an employee do to help? Consider taking these actions to help keep your office a place that is conducive to efficient working habits.
o Keep your desk and work station organized and free of clutter. Use trays or filing boxes to take care of loose papers and folders.
o Streamline your processes so you can keep things tidy. Handle notes, papers and correspondence that cross your desk as soon as you can. Handle documents only once, putting them straight away into their proper place. Items that you set aside to look at later seldom get remembered and more often end up being buried under other paperwork.
o By being organized you will also save tons of time by not having to look for things. Nothing is more frustrating than having to stop midway through a task to locate a stapler, paper clip or file folder.
o Invest in the use of a paper shredder to quickly dispose of paperwork you no longer need and also to reduce the volume of paper waste left behind for the cleaning company to dispose of. It is a standard security feature in a lot of companies anyway, so just make it a personal goal to do it as soon as possible instead of letting the paper pile up.
o Keep personal belongings out of the way and in their proper place. It’s hard to move about quickly if you have to be conscious of tripping over a handbag here or a shopping bag there. Keep that extra sweater on a coat hanger up and out of the way instead of on the back of your chair where they can fall on the floor and get in the way. Make it a habit to take home items each night that you don’t use every day. Extra coffee mugs, water bottles and thermos jugs can quickly clutter up a desk and make it difficult to work efficiently.
o Limit personal items that you bring to work and find a convenient place for things such as plants, pictures and radios so they don’t clutter up your work area.
By just keeping these simple techniques in mind you will be doing your part to contribute to a healthy, happy chaos free workplace.
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Tags: commercial cleaners, commercial cleaning, employee productivity, improving productivity, office cleaning
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November 30th, 2009
So you’re certain that you have selected the best office cleaning service available because they charge you something that is within the range of your budget; they offer you flexible schedules to fit yours, they use only natural products that are eco-friendly, and they are very attentive and always happy. You are right, it sounds like you have won the janitorial services’ lottery.
However, have you considered that there could be more they should do for you? If you haven’t, think again, because there is, and here it is:
1. Your cleaning company must be able to grow with you. If you really plan to get your business ahead of the game, you should make sure the cleaning service can adapt to your ever-changing business needs. Is it a small, medium, or large company? Does it work with companies of many sizes? Does it have a history of success in many areas, like office cleaning, shop fitting cleaning, and builders’ cleanup? If you are taking the time to create a trusty relationship, and are investing money on cleaning services, you have to make sure this relationship matures along with your business.
2. Your cleaning service must be timely. Obviously you established a cleaning schedule with them, so make sure they comply with it and that you are getting the best out of your money. The service must understand the importance of your time, since it can directly affect your employees’ health, your image, and the working atmosphere. So, if they cannot get it done, be certain that someone else can.
3. Your cleaning company has to work with a variety of business fields. So, how is this important for you? When a cleaning service works with different size and background companies this shows their top priority is flexibility, professionalism, and to please, no matter what. On the contrary, someone who just provides service for small companies, for example, tells you that their potential is limited.
4. Your cleaning service must be recognized by national organizations. If you’re certain you have hired the best, they surely have to be listed and recognized by national boards and have to have earned awards. These honors represent the hard work the company has put into giving the best cleaning services and in keeping its clients happy and tended to, such good work that it got someone’s attention. You can be certain these companies’ employees are highly trained, even scientifically, to know exactly what products to use in which areas without causing any harm. It sounds amazing, because it is. If your company advertises that they have earned important awards, you truly found the best out there.
Taking the time to thoroughly research the commercial cleaning services offered can really pay off. If you want the best, the four considerations above are key to ensure your cleaning services will not let you down. This is something you shouldn’t be asking for; it is something that should be offered to you from the beginning.
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Tags: best professional cleaners, cleaning company, commercial cleaning, expert cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
November 30th, 2009
Many professionals go to college and earn important degrees in order to be able to create and run a successful company, however, those MBA’s and PhD’s forget to teach them some of the basic and simplest secrets to success.
What follows may seem pretty obvious, but it truly is not.
Every successful company’s trademark is a beautiful office, one decorated by professional interior designers and with the footprint of modernity and class all over it. The rationale behind this powerful investment is that an inviting and interesting ambiance for employees and a professional look for the customers translate into a good image and more sales.
However, there is little or nothing a top-notch office décor can do in the presence of a dirty office. Many owners and managers forget to think about the cleaning and maintenance of their office, an aspect that is a clear and basic management consideration and one of vital importance. Office cleaning can mean the difference between skyrocketing or free falling in business.
A company that shows a great interior décor but is dirty and not cared for shows its clients it doesn’t care for detail. It is clearly just presenting a facade that fools no one, because what this dirt translates into is a lack of concern about long-term results and actions. Additionally, it is obvious that the personnel working there must be desperate, because no outstanding professional will accept working in an environment that could make him or her sick and where clearly there is no interest in providing quality care for the most valuable asset a business has: its employees.
You certainly don’t want your company to be perceived as careless, dirty and unkempt, even less so in times when every little extra care you put into your business can separate you from the hundreds, if not thousands, who are closing their doors.
One of the reasons why office cleaning is so neglected could be because it is a time consuming and very hard effort, and many professionals don’t even know where to start. Come on! They got an MBA in Engineering, not in Office Cleaning, and it’s true. This type of cleaning requires specialization; it calls for an expert.
Your best choice for efficient commercial cleaning is to hire professional janitorial services, otherwise, you will have to sacrifice your time doing what you do best, to keep your office impeccably clean. And we know this won’t happen, right?
In order to select the best cleaning company for your needs, call several services and take them through your office so that they can evaluate what is needed and what they can offer. Ask them for a detailed estimate, including number of janitors, their specialties, schedules, materials needed, and frequency of cleaning needed to maintain the space sparkling. Ask for references, trained personnel, and prefer companies that give you ample details.
Even though it may cost you money, think about your image and consider what it is worth. This could be one of the best or worse decisions of your career, without question!
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Tags: business image, business strategy, business strengths, clean office, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, professional cleaning, professional image
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
November 30th, 2009
Air quality is something everyone needs to be concerned about. You have invested in quality janitorial services to keep your office free of dirt, bacteria and toxins. It is just as important to ensure that the air in the office is clean and toxin free as well. So, how do you know if the air quality in your office is healthy? Consider these points.
The air quality in a building is a constantly changing thing. Any efforts to improve or change it have to be made on an ongoing basis and monitored continuously.
Bacteria do not just exist on surfaces, but travel through the air as well. These bacteria can come from dust mites, animal dander, spilled water or other liquids, as well as poor cleaning habits in general. Inadequate humidity control and poor ventilation can also be contributing factors.
Cleaning products and chemical spills of even the smallest amount can reduce air quality. Furniture, carpets, wall coverings and office equipment can all give off gases that affect air quality.
Minute particles of airborne pollutants can enter the building from outside and be harmful to the health of workers inside. Renovation activities such as sanding wood or drywall, painting, and even cleaning can introduce harmful products into the air.
Printing, faxing and copying equipment can release chemicals into the surrounding area.
Excess humidity can create all kinds of air quality related hazards, with mold being at the top of the list. Even the drain pan in your fridge can be a breeding ground for bacteria if not kept clean and dry. Likewise, low levels of humidity can create air that is too dry, resulting in various related health issues.
Indoor air quality is achieved by the conditioning of outdoor air that is carried inside through the air conditioning or heating systems. If these systems are improperly maintained the quality of indoor air will be reduced significantly.
Placement of office furniture and equipment can also have an effect on indoor air quality. Office partitions and furniture can obstruct air flow as can blocked registers, ultimately resulting in poor indoor air quality.
Cooking odors from inadequate kitchen ventilation can be bothersome and unhealthy.
Maintaining good indoor air quality is not difficult but it does require effort and communication among workers. The services of a good office cleaning company and good equipment maintenance will go a long way to keeping the air quality where it should be.
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Tags: commercial cleaners, how to maintain good air quality, indoor air quality, janitorial services, what is good indoor air quality, workplace air quality
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
November 30th, 2009
If your office is carpeted, chances are you will need the help of a commercial cleaning service to get them cleaned. You may already have this service as part of your cleaning contract, but have you ever questioned how your office carpets are cleaned, and if the methods are safe for you, your colleagues and the environment?
There are basically two types of carpet cleaning: dry cleaning and steam cleaning. Dry cleaning involves the addition of a cleaning powder deep down into the carpet absorbing dirt particles as it is beaten into the carpet. The powder is then vacuumed out and the dirt along with it.
Steam cleaning is basically a water extraction method of cleaning. Cleaners are applied to the carpet via a stream of very hot water and then vacuumed up, extracting dirt at the same time. There are fans of both methods and it’s hard to say which will be right for you. Here are a few of the pros and cons of each to consider.
Vacuuming the powder out of a carpet completely can be difficult. Particles of the powder may remain in the carpet and move into the air as people walk on the carpet releasing chemicals and toxins that everyone then breathes in. However, this is a generally a much more cost-effective method of carpet cleaning as the equipment used is much less expensive, but many people question that all of the cleaning compounds can ever be removed by a vacuuming process.
Steam cleaning or hot water extraction seems to be the method most used and preferred by cleaning companies and consumers alike. Part of the reason for this is that large trucks with exterior motors and pumps can be brought on site to extract the dirty water. The motors on these machines are much more powerful that those of portable units that can be brought right inside a building, with the end result being less residue left in the carpets. This means fewer toxins remaining behind that can move into the air, and less residue in the carpet that can attract soil and stains, and also less drying time for your busy workplace.
The high temperatures of the hot water used can also be better for destroying bacteria that can lurk in your carpet, providing further support to the theory that steam cleaning, or hot water extraction is the best carpet cleaning method.
Regardless of which method is ultimately used in your office or building, keeping carpets clean is of the utmost importance. In addition to regular cleanings, daily vacuuming and immediate spot removal are the two best ways to keep office carpet in tip top shape.
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Tags: carpet cleaning, carpet dry cleaning, carpet steam cleaning, commercial cleaners, commercial cleaning service, office carpet cleaning, professional carpet cleaners
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
November 30th, 2009
It only takes a cough from the colleague sitting next to us to turn us all into hypochondriacs. We immediately think we are being infected with swine flu and run to the nearest pharmacy only to find out that all the facemasks are gone.
It’s true that we have to be cautious in regards to swine flu; it is very contagious since it expands through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. An infected individual can infect others even one day after symptoms start and up to seven days after being sick, however all extremes are dangerous. Not everyone with a cold is infected with swine flu; remember that the symptoms are very similar to those associated with a common cold: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue, and only a doctor can confirm if someone is indeed infected with swine flu. What we all can and should do is work on prevention. Prevention is the key to stop this dreaded virus for good.
We have to be especially careful around crowded places, and this is why keeping a clean environment in the office is vital to ensure your safety while at work. A clean office will not allow the virus to spread, because it will not survive for too long.
Every office, be it small, medium, or large, must be cleaned daily. If yours was cleaned three times a week until now, request a change. Your commercial cleaning service will work with you to define a daily schedule that is right for you.
Encourage visitors, clients, associates, and suppliers that come to the office to sanitize their hands by placing respectful requests and signs in the appropriate places.
And personally, what can you do to stay healthy and avoid being the cause of others getting sick? As much as possible, avoid commuting with the crowd, so ask for a flexible schedule at work. Wash your hands frequently, and as soon as you arrive to the office or home no matter where you have been; always have a hand sanitizer with you in case there is no way to wash your hands. Cover you mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Clip your nails regularly and keep them clean because they are where viruses love to reside. Exercise regularly, learn to manage stress, and get a good night’s sleep. Drink lots of liquids and eat healthy foods, and most importantly, do not go to work if you feel even a little sick.
Professional commercial cleaning services are trained to use the most efficient cleaning methods to ensure your office is 100% free of viruses. They make sure employees have a good supply of tissues on their desks, keep a close eye on the stock of soap and hand drying supplies to make sure these are always available, and clean those difficult areas that are normally forgotten but touched continuously, for example, light switches, corners, door knobs, keyboards, and phones.
Do your part and let the professionals deal with the rest, so that you can work and live in peace and health.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, janitorial services, of swine flu, office cleaning, prevent swine flu, swine flu information, swine flu prevention, swine flu protection
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 4 Comments »
November 30th, 2009
Keeping carpets clean is the hardest thing to achieve when dealing with office cleaning. If don’t believe it, just ask your commercial cleaning company.
Every carpet needs regular cleaning to keep bacteria, dust, and dirt under control. These are guilty for the deterioration of carpets and can really shorten their use. However, the worse problem commercial cleaning staff encounters is stains. These really make the carpet look ugly and convey an unprofessional image.
Here we present several tips to help you keep your carpets clean when an emergency occurs and the professionals are not around:
1. Coffee stains
This is probably the most common type of stain that you will find in office carpets. When dealing with a coffee spill, soak up the excess with a towel, clean with soda water, dry with a cloth, and repeat until the stain disappears.
2. Wine stains
We’ve all been there. You’re having a sweet glass of red wine to celebrate a colleague’s birthday or an office achievement when suddenly, tragedy strikes! Red wine is spilled over the white carpet. Luckily, this is a very easy problem to solve: just pour some white wine or soda water over the fresh red wine spill. If you spill white wine instead, spray with soda water.
3. Beer stains
These are not very common in the office, but if you happen to spill some, you should soak up the liquid with a paper towel and clean with warm water or soda water.
4. Chewing gum
This is a true nightmare! If you don’t get it right, you will lose your carpet. We recommend putting ice in a bag and rubbing it on the gum so that it solidifies, and then scrape as much as possible with a blunt knife. After this is done, use carpet shampoo to clean the spot, wait until it dries, and finally vacuum it.
5. Ink stains
These are also very common in the office. The treatment will depend on the type of ink:
- Ballpoint ink stains have to be dried up ASAP. Wipe with menthylated spirits or apply a stain remover.
- Fountain pen ink stains have to be diluted with soda water and washed out as much as you can. Make a hot mixture of soap flakes, leave it on the stain for fifteen minutes, and clean. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone.
6. Grease, oil, fat, and candle stains
Put blotting or brown paper on the stain, put a cloth over the paper and iron the spot at medium heat so that the grease adheres to the paper. Later, apply carpet shampoo. If the stain shows up again after a few weeks, it means the grease was sucked inside the carpet, and you will have to look for professional treatment to clean it.
7. Tar stains
These also give cleaning staff the biggest headache. If you don’t remove them right, you will have to simply change the carpet. Start by scraping the excess tar off, combine equal parts of glycerin and water, apply and leave for one hour; finally rinse with water. Do this until the stain is no longer visible.
Yep! Stains can cause you physical pain! You and your personnel should be extra careful when handling beverages or materials that could cause serious stains. Prevention is the best practice; however, accidents happen. Stay calm, follow the instructions above, and call your office cleaning service immediately for professional support.
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Tags: carpet stain, carpet stain removal, carpet stains, clean carpet, cleaning carpet, commercial cleaning, how to clean carpet, janitorial services, office cleaning, stain removal, wine stains
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 8 Comments »
October 28th, 2009
People today, and the generations to come, have to live with the sad and threatening reality of Global Warming over their heads. Global warming is the result of glaciers melting, sea levels rising and rain forests and wildlife dying, and we, human beings, are to blame. Yes, read it again: It is our fault, we have been reckless!
It’s been ages of releasing harmful gases and toxic chemicals into the atmosphere while performing our daily life activities what has taken the planet to the sad point where it is today, worse then ever before in history.
The problem with global warming resides on the changes it causes on the Earth’s climate patterns. As the globe spins, new heat goes along, collecting moisture from all over the oceans, rising somewhere and settling somewhere else. Global warming is changing the weather configuration that is vital for living organisms of all kinds, and only we, as its cause, can work on the solution.
An important change we should make is in the way we clean big and small spaces. The average person uses around 40 pounds of toxic cleaning products per year! These products contain neurotoxins, carcinogens, allergens, central nervous system depressants and heavy metals, among other substances, that can produce cancer, respiratory problems, reproductive abnormalities, allergies, behavior problems, and many other serious illnesses. Toxic products reach the environment when flushed down the toilet, when poured down sinks, when sprayed in the air, when thrown in the garbage and when dumped on the ground. When we think about this, one can’t but wonder: What on earth are we thinking???
So, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional commercial cleaning service, change the cleaning products you use to natural ones, green products. By selecting products that are made out of natural substances and that are environment-friendly, you are saving people, animals and the planet. The best office cleaning companies are the ones that use natural products to perform their service, showing care and respect for their industry, profession, clients, and the world. One thing is clear and crucial for survival at this critical point, everyone must start taking responsibility and doing his or her share.
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Tags: clean green, commercial cleaning, eco cleaning, green cleaning, green cleaning services, janitorial services, natural cleaning, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
October 27th, 2009
For any company seeking to take there business to the next level, there is no doubt that hiring a well established, and professional commercial cleaning service, will be an essential part to your business’s success. As you already know, the first impression of your business made to clients, as well as customers, dictates a lot of further action down the line. If your clients see your business as unorganized, poorly managed and chaotic, then what will that say about the person that is running the business? First impressions are extremely important to any business looking to compete in this modern world, and you only have one chance at it. Be sure to make it a good one.
And the best way to do that is to ensure the cleanliness of your office to a professional staff of Janitorial Services, to promote the highest quality work. Why waste your employees’ limited time with cleaning duties, that they will only perform begrudgingly, and at 50% quality, at the most? Why not save the money you’re losing on lost productivity, and hire a professional cleaning company who can do the job right, and leave your business looking professional at the same time?
A clean and well organized place of business is absolutely necessary when competing over the long term. Remembering that you only have a small window to make a long lasting impression, you’ll want everything to be as perfect as you can make it. And that involves bringing in a professional cleaning crew at least once, to twice a week. Having a cleaner and better organized office not only goes along way with your clients and customers, but also helps a great deal with your employees as well. When professional cleaning crews are being used effectively, your employees will no longer have to worry about performing those cleaning duties on their own, and they can focus on more important work at the office. Having a cleaner office also help productivity as a whole, because your employees will find it far easier to do their jobs, when the office is at its utmost cleanliness.
When looking for a professional cleaning crew for your business you will want to check out several companies before making your final decision. You will want to check references of previous clients they have had to ensure the utmost quality work. You will also need to compare their prices with prices of their competitors by calling around different cleaning companies in your area, looking for the average price. After conducting a thorough search, and finding the best cleaning company to fit your needs, then you will want to complete the next step, which is to sign a contract. The contract that you enter with the office cleaning company should be clearly spelling out your needs as a business, and exactly what the service is intended to provide. By being as clear and precise as possible, it will be easier to get out of a contract, later down the line, if you feel they’re not living up to their agreement.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning company, commercial cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
October 27th, 2009
Who doesn’t believe that every past time was better? We hear that all the time and there is a reason for it. In the past, when our grandparents were growing up, no one wasted money, every penny was sacred. And this was also true when cleaning. Grandmas cleaned the old-fashioned way, and their houses were always shiny and smelling fresh. They learned the secret from their parents: to use natural cleaning products that were superb at getting the job done.
Back then people were smart. They did not let others fool them to spend a fortune on toxic products that could only bring harm. In contrast, today, we are so busy taking care of our families and earning money that we have no time to learn what is actually good for us and our kids. The wisest thing we can do in this case is to put ourselves in the hands of professionals who do know how to clean well and safely.
A professional office cleaning service will teach you and your staff about green cleaning and how to keep your office and the environment safe. Is your business suffering from constant leaves due to asthma, respiratory conditions, allergies, and maybe even some other life threatening illnesses in employees? Sure it is! And toxic cleaning products are probably to blame. It is that serious and these are that dangerous, but the companies that produce these products will never tell you what you and everyone else are exposed to, they just care about the money they make. It is up to you to check the ingredients they contain and their long-term effects on the body, and if you don’t have the time, which most certainly you don’t, hire a commercial cleaning service that does and cares.
Office cleaning services that choose natural products containing ingredients like baking soda, borax, cornstarch, lemon juice, mineral oil and vinegar, just like what grandma used and even made herself, know about the healthy way to clean and care for their clients enough to use products that will not harm them. These companies go beyond cleaning, as they have a more important mission, to teach you and most importantly, show you, how much better it is to clean green.
So, go back in time, and hire a cleaning company with the principles your grandma lived by, you will never regret it and will surely live longer to enjoy a healthy planet!
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Tags: business cleaning, clean green, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, eco cleaning, green and clean, green cleaning, green products, janitorial services, office cleaning
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October 24th, 2009
Going Green has quickly become one of the latest trends in a society who is becoming more and more aware of the toll they are taking on the environment. However, many businesses are picking up on this opportunity, and are seeing what they can do to become more environmentally sensitive. As a result, many businesses are going green, and this can’t be any truer for the Commercial Cleaning industry.
The Commercial Cleaning industry has started to take great strides to ensure that their cleaning products are not only safe for the people at the offices they clean, but safe for the environment as well. But is it really that important to have an environmentally friendly cleaning service at your place of business? The answer is a very emphatic yes. Having your office cleaned with environmentally safe products helps to eliminate the excess amount of chemicals used in the office cleaning process, and can actually work to improve air toxicity.
Your workers will benefit from the environmentally safer products, by improving their health and taking fewer sick days, while the environment is benefited as well. Using environmentally friendly products also benefits the office cleaning staff as well. Using environmentally safer products reduces the risk of illness or injury from overly toxic products that may cause injury over time. Natural products can reduce the risk from injury and illness which translates to days off work or at work risk liability. By using natural products, office cleaning companies can cut down the amount of liability they need to own, passing their savings down to their customers.
Using environmentally friendly cleaning products reduces the effects that harsh chemicals have on the environment. By not using harsh cleaning products, harsh chemicals do not pass into the plumbing and drainage systems, which could damage the environment, as well as your water supplies. Also by not using aerosols, you are working to help against the breaking down of our O-Zone layer. Green janitorial services are most of the time available, if you just ask your Commercial Cleaning service.
Businesses doing their part for the environment contribute a great deal because they help lead the way for the rest of society. Also because many businesses are most of the leading polluters in the planet, it is their responsibility to provide a safer working environment for the rest of society. While you may think that having your office cleaning going green is a good idea, you may still see it as insignificant. However, many insignificant occurrences working together can have a huge impact on society as we know it.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning services, Going Green, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
October 24th, 2009
Do you have experience in the commercial cleaning field, and may be tired of your low paying job? Or are you a person with little, or no commercial cleaning experience, but is looking for a low-cost way to start a business? If this is you, or even if you are somewhere in between, you may want to start considering opening a commercial cleaning service of your own. An office cleaning business is a low-risk, and high reward business model, with low costs starting out. If opening your own commercial cleaning service has been something you may have been considering, here are a few simple tips that can help you get started.
The first thing you will want to do is to ensure you have the proper funding to take on this business project. You may have money already saved up, or you may need to borrow start-up capital from friends and relatives. If this is not an option for you, you may want to consider going to a bank for a low-interest business loan. To successfully receive a small business loan for yourself, you will need to be able to meet certain criteria. You must have proof of prior work experience, and also have an above average credit standing. They will want to have a more thorough look at your finances, and also will want to see a list of references that they can check, in regards of your character. You will also need to show them a sophisticated business plan to ensure that your business has a plan for success.
The next thing you will need to do is to secure a business license. To apply for a business license you will need to contact your county’s local recorder’s office, to get more information on what is needed for the application. You could go on their website beforehand, to get more information on exactly what they’re looking for, or just go in and make an appointment. After following the correct procedural process, it will only be a matter of days until you have your brand new business license.
The next step for your business will be to purchase some bonded insurance. Bonding insurance is a specific type of insurance, purchased by your business to protect themselves from clients and customers. This will come in handy if an employee of yours happens to break or ruin something at your client’s office. With bonded insurance, the insurance company will pay for any damages incurred against your client, which can happen frequently. Only make sure, when purchasing bonded insurance, that you do your research first. Make sure you check out several companies very thoroughly, before finding the deal that best suits your business.
The final step you need to make is to purchase all the necessary supplies. You can shop at wholesale commercial cleaning warehouses and large discount stores to find the best prices for your equipment. Getting affordable, yet good and durable equipment is very important to the long term and short term expenses of your business. Complete these steps in the proper order and your commercial cleaning service will be on its way to success and prosperity in no time.
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Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning services
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
October 20th, 2009
Many small, and not so small, businesses find themselves in the need to move one or several times due to growth, cost savings, and other important reasons. Once your business moves, you are looking at completely new needs and requirements for cleaning, however, before you start thinking about that, you must ensure your old premises look exactly as they did when you moved in, if not better.
Cleaning the office once the lease is over is as important as any other consideration of moving, but only a few companies care for it. It is a vital aspect of the move, no matter how big or small your office is.
But, why exactly is that so?
First of all, because it is required. Some businesses decide to do it themselves, but moving day is already hectic without having to take care of the cleaning part. You must focus on packing and making sure valuable equipment and important papers are secured, so, hiring a cleaning company may be the smart way to go. In this way, you will leave a freshly clean open space that is ready for someone else. In addition, if the office is cleaned thoroughly, you can make sure nothing is left behind, and that everything will be taken care of, as it should.
One vital aspect of success in business is leaving a good impression, and if you leave a dirty and messy office behind, everyone will eventually know about it. Make sure your company does not have a tail to be stepped on, ensure you make the right decision in regards to every detail, including cleaning. Protect your company’s reputation and leave the doors open for the future.
Moving is a challenge in regards to organization, and when you’re responsible for it, you must think about cleaning once everything and everyone is out. If you want it done right, just put it in the hands of a professional office cleaning service; they will know how to comply with your lease’s demands and will ensure that your image remains impeccable, just like the space.
It is all about karma, when something is done right and in virtue of integrity and professionalism, it will come back to you many times multiplied, bringing amazing success to your door and glorious pride to your life.
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Tags: cleaning service, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, importance of cleaning, janitorial service, janitorial services, office cleaning
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October 20th, 2009
Spring cleaning isn’t just something that homeowners need to do. Oftentimes businesses have cleaning jobs that need only be done once or twice a year as well. If you have a commercial cleaning company taking care of your place of business, consider asking them if they will also do this type of maintenance. Deep cleaning jobs might include such things as steam cleaning of carpets, washing down of walls, thorough dusting of ceilings and rafters as well as complete window cleanings. Here are a few things to consider depending on the type of business you have.
A retail business should consider a deep cleaning of the premises prior to their main busy season. This could mean at the beginning of summer, or perhaps just prior to Christmas. You want your customers to really be able to focus on your merchandise, not cobwebs in the rafters or smears on the windows.
Similarly, a business that is fairly quiet during the winter months will want to get things spruced up before the busy summer season. Anything that attracts tourists or the public in general should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before your customers or clients begin to arrive. Some examples might be farmer’s markets, boarding kennels, tourist’s attractions and outdoor party facilities. A thorough cleaning of some of these places might be too large for an individual and by outsourcing the job to a commercial cleaning company, you will be better able to focus on plans for the busy season ahead.
Even some offices such as medical buildings have different volumes of traffic through the doors at different times of the year and a deep cleaning of the carpets, furniture, doors and windows should be considered accordingly. Although your staff and cleaning company can often handle a day to day cleaning of kitchen and bathrooms, they still require a more thorough job at least once a year. This should include taking all appliances apart and cleaning shelves, drawers, stove elements and components, as well as a thoroughly cleaning of cupboards and pantries where any food is stored.
A larger job that should also be considered for a healthy work environment is a thorough cleaning of heating and air conditioning ducts. There are specific companies that provide this service and if your cleaning company doesn’t, they should be able to direct you to a reputable company. Breathing healthy air is important to everyone and the reduction of work related health issues is of the utmost importance to business owners, staff, clients and customers alike.
If you own a business of any kind be sure to consider a commercial cleaning company for some of these large jobs that should not be neglected.
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Tags: business cleaning, business cleaning services, cleaning services, commercial cleaning services, office cleaning companies, office cleaning company
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 3 Comments »
October 20th, 2009
Creating a healthy workplace environment is no easy task and the regular use of a commercial cleaning service helps to ensure that the job gets done right. With the threat of disease in everyone’s mind these days, keeping our offices, desks and work stations free of germs is paramount to providing a healthy productive workplace. There are more than just computer viruses at work in our offices every day and both types must be eradicated.
A commercial cleaning service will generally do a great job at keeping common areas sanitized but it is more up to the individual to keep their own desks, phones, cabinets and equipment as clean as possible. Studies have shown that a typical desk can sometimes contain more bacteria than a toilet seat. Viruses can survive for quite a length of time even on a hard surface so communal equipment is another area to watch out for. Things like fax machines, copiers, water coolers, etc. where everyone spends some time should always be wiped down.
Remember, some people come to work when they’re not really well and that’s when the germs are most dangerous. Your cleaning service will most likely clean these items as part of their regular tasks, but a little extra care can go a long way in between those cleanings. Fortunately, it’s an easy dilemma to solve. A quick wipe down with anti bacterial cloths will go a long way and when done on a daily basis, it is all they really need.
These days many people are working longer hours which can extend work hours into eating times, contributing even more to the chances of food particle bacteria being present.
One of the biggest reasons for the increase in some types of bacteria on a desk or in a work area is the accumulation of crumbs and food particles in and around the keyboard that sits on everyone’s desk just acting as a perfect little catch-all. Mould and bacteria can grow quickly in those little cracks not to mention inside the drawers where you stash your snacks. Even a simple coffee spill left unattended can develop into a little ecosystem of bacteria all on its own.
It’s quite easy to control this type of bacteria from getting a grip inside your workspace. Use a napkin to catch crumbs from snacks, don’t keep opened packages of food in your desk, and wipe down your area when you’re finished eating with an anti bacterial cloth. The cleaner you keep your own personal space, the cleaner the whole office will be in the end.
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Tags: business cleaning, commercial cleaning companies, commercial cleaning company, office cleaners, office cleaning
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
September 26th, 2009
Maintaining a clean office can be a tough job if not performed by expert personnel. Until recently, cleaning companies would use common house cleaning products to wipe tables, chairs, equipment, desks, windows, and for mopping the floors.
Almost every office is in need of daily cleaning due to the level of activity that happens there, and this is a good and healthy practice, however, there is a drawback. The most common cleaning products are made from non-recyclable resources, which although very effective, are highly toxic and capable of not only removing difficult dirt but also of affecting and altering our air and environment in a very negative way.
It is easy for offices to neglect cleaning in some level, and since most spaces are fully air-conditioned and closed, when toxic substances are applied, these remain there for hours and even days. And guess where these substances end up… in our bodies.
Luckily, the importance of caring for our environment is being recognized worldwide today, and every day, more people are aware of the products they use and consume, including the ones used for cleaning. This is especially important when talking about offices, because these utilize much bigger amounts of cleaning products and on a more regular basis, increasing their participation, be it negative or positive, in our environment’s current condition.
There are two serious consequences when using non-green products:
1. Petroleum based products help consume this natural resource
2. The toxic substances that are released into the air cause health problems, and the toxic cans are very hard to dispose of. Most people just throw away these cans, which are not biodegradable, along with common trash; thus, toxic substances go into drains and landfills
Due to the above, more and more environmentally-minded people are turning to green cleaning options. Going green stands for making choices to help protect our environment, and one of these choices is to use cleaning products made of renewable substances to enhance air quality and to clean in a natural way.
In support, the major cleaning brands have created non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-petroleum green products that work great for household and office cleaning.
A professional commercial cleaning service is aware of this situation and works to be prepared to support this common wellness initiative. They learn about green products and the environment’s needs, in addition to making it a rule to use only eco-friendly products to provide their services.
Going green brings many long term and necessary benefits. We present ourselves as conscious individuals that respect and love our planet, and we ensure our bodies are not poisoned with toxic substances that may cause serious health problems, and even death.
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Tags: cleaning service, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, green clean, green cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning
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September 26th, 2009
Given the amount of activity that happens daily in an office, it is necessary to clean it regularly to ensure your clients, regular visitors and of course, your employees, enjoy the space and perceive you as a winner.
A dirty and messy office not only scares clients away, but will directly and drastically affect productivity, while it can even cause disease to proliferate. On the other hand, a clean office welcomes people and makes them feel good, while your people will be able to work more efficiently and happily.
As you can see, cleaning an office is a serious activity and one that demands a professional, to ensure it is done correctly and fast, without disturbing your business activities. Hiring an office cleaning service is a necessity, and you must take the time to make sure you are hiring the best one for the job.
Office cleaning services should be provided by professionals who really understand how buildings operate and who know the guidelines in regards to chemicals and cleaners in order to avoid allergies. These services should free business owners from the hassle of inspecting and investing time in controlling the office’s cleaning, they must be very strict in regards to chemicals, and they have to respect the office’s established schedule to perform their job.
A good office cleaning service will not touch the employees’ things; it will only clean the spaces without invading the area. Most companies offer these services: restroom cleaning, disinfecting, trash collection and removal, sweeping, mopping and vacuuming, dusting, vent cleaning, window washing and cleaning of light fixtures, among others.
A serious office cleaning company will have impeccable references to back up its performance. It must offer these references to the clients so that they can confirm how satisfied other users are.
Big companies require regular cleaning services, while smaller ones may need it sporadically. In any case, you can easily identify its necessity based on the amount of activity at the office.
Make sure you trust the service, check that certain things are not disappearing from your office after the cleaners have been there and have clarity on what supplies they will be bringing with them and what you need to provide.
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Tags: cleaning business, commercial cleaners, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning services
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September 26th, 2009
A build-up of dust at your office desk isn’t good for your health as it can irritate your respiratory system and also trigger allergies. Worktop electronics such as a PCs or laptops, keyboards, phones and desktop fans are especially notorious for accumulating dust. Here are some easy steps you can take to keep your desk space clean and dust-free.
First get your office desk organized. Having uncluttered and clear spaces on your work desk makes cleaning easier and helps reduce dust build-up. Use a dry duster to wipe your work surface, or if necessary spray a cleaning solution onto a cloth and wipe down. Do this once a week or more if necessary.
With electronics, you’ll have to be careful when dusting as using water or cleaning solutions can cause damage to them. Here are the best ways to clean the following items
PC Monitor: Switch your monitor off. Use a dusting brush or dry cloth to gently wipe your monitor’s surface and screen. If this fails to shift the dirt and dust, use a cleaning fluid specially formulated for use on your type of monitor. You can purchase anti-static solutions and cloths for the purpose of cleaning your screen too.
Keyboard: Turn your computer off and disconnect the keyboard. Gently shake the keyboard while upside down to allow dust and debris to fall between the keys. Use a can of compressed air to blow air between the keys and dislodge further dirt. Then give it another gentle shake. Clean the keys and keyboard with a very small amount of cleaning fluid on a cloth or an alcohol-based wipe – make sure the cloth isn’t wet enough to drip liquid between the keys. Allow the keyboard to dry before connecting it back again.
Desk Fan: It is very important that you unplug your fan or remove batteries before cleaning. Remove the front grille from the back grille (a screwdriver might be needed), and remove the fan blade too if possible. Wash the parts with soap and warm water, or if simpler, wipe clean with a wet cloth and solution. Once completely dry, reassemble.
Phone: First disconnect the phone. Then use an alcohol-based wipe or dry cloth with a little cleaning solution to remove dust. Once again, it is important to make sure you don’t drip any liquid into the phone’s body. You may need a dusting brush to free dirt from the spaces between keys, too.
To keep dust and dirt at bay and increase cleanliness and hygiene in the workplace, hire a good commercial cleaning business to regularly clean your office. By eliminating dust in surrounding areas, your desk will accumulate less dust too. Some good firms even offer services that take particular care of facilities that use computers – cleaning exterior components while protecting equipment at the same time.
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Tags: cleaning office desk, dust-free desk, dust-free environment, dusting office desk, how to dust your desk, how to eliminate dust
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September 26th, 2009
A recent study found the average office desk contains 20,961 germs per square inch! The worst hot spots for germs? Phones, computer keyboards, and computer mice. If not cleaned regularly, they are a great breeding place for viruses that cause colds and flu. If you want to discover where other germ ‘hot spots’ are, and how to avoid them in your office, read on…
1. The bathroom
Some people do not wash their hands after using the bathroom or dispose of tissues properly. Avoid these germs by having communal bathrooms cleaned hourly – the best way to prevent germs that like to build up (especially on hard-surface areas like sinks).
2. Door handles
A large number of people have direct hand contact with door handles. This gives them a huge contamination potential. Make sure these aren’t left out during your office cleaning-process.
3. Carpeting
Carpets are bombarded with dirt carried in from the outside on our shoes. They should be steam cleaned regularly with an industrial vacuum.
4. Communal coffeepot
This is another hidden way that germs are spread. The unwashed hands of a person carrying a virus can leave bacteria on the coffeepot. The next person who uses it is then likely to contract these germs. Post signs in your kitchen asking colleagues to wash hands regularly and have anti-bacterial soap available.
5. Microwave oven
The buttons on the office microwave are sure to have a lot of people pressing them. If you’re about to eat your food after heating up your lunch, wash your hands immediately after using this machine.
6. Water coolers
The spout and internal mechanisms of these coolers are breeding grounds for germs and bacteria. The mouths of plastic bottles being filled are sure to come in contact with the spout too. Have these items cleaned daily.
7. Shared phones and keyboards
It makes sense that these are hot spots for germs since they are constantly being touched. It never hurts to disinfect your keyboard or phone before using them – perhaps with an anti-bacterial wipe.
8. Pens and pencils
A lot of people find it hard not to put pens and pencils in their mouth or chew them. If you’re concerned about this, simply carry your own pens and pencils and don’t leave them lying around to be shared.
The best way to prevent the spread of office germs and viruses is to hire a respectable cleaning firm that has experience with janitorial services. A professional firm provides thorough cubical and workstation cleaning, carpet care, restroom sanitation and janitorial services – allowing your employees to enjoy a clean and healthy work environment and leading to less absenteeism through illness too.
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Tags: avoiding germs in the office, germs in the office, top hiding places for office germs, top places for office germs, what are the top areas for office germs, which areas hide the most germs in the office, worst places for germs in the office
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September 26th, 2009
When we think about an office, we think about desks, computers and lots of papers. Depending on the type of business, we can think about other types of equipment also, but, no matter what your business is about, the truth is that there are many documents that cannot be kept just electronically; we need a printed copy for our files. The paper-less culture is still at large, and we still need to handle lots of papers around the office.
It is very common to see office desks swamped with to do lists, papers to file and much other stuff. Of course, some employees are better than others at handling their workload, however, when there is too much to do, even the tidy ones can find it difficult to deal with everything in a neat way.
The benefits of a clean working space are endless. There is no question about it, when clients, visitors and even employees, come into a dirty office, it immediately gives a sense of unprofessionalism. On the contrary, a clean office will clearly say expertise, and will even improve productivity.
We all have had the experience of having to spend time looking for a missing file or vital piece of information that we remember writing down somewhere. That was valuable time that could have been used for something more productive. Tidy employees work more efficiently as they do not have to get organized every day prior to starting their work. They also are much happier while working, since they know exactly where everything is and what they have to do.
Messy offices are less hygienic than clean ones. It is easier to spot a possible hazard when the office is uncluttered than when it is completely disorganized. A clean office will diminish greatly the risk of allergies, flu and other diseases, because the space is free from dust and contamination. This is why professional office cleaning is so important to make your working place enjoyable and efficient.
It has been confirmed that an untidy desk creates a lot of unnecessary stress that adds up to the pressure of the normal heavy workloads, creating the possibility of a potential breakdown.
It takes a lot of work to train employees to be tidy, but with the help of a professional cleaning service, they will soon understand all the benefits that come along with being clean and organized.
Time and resources are maximized when people work under organized, clean and less stressful conditions, so, devote the necessary time to ensure your office is a clean environment, and get ready to work in the right way!
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Tags: business cleaning, clean office, clean work place, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning
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September 26th, 2009
It’s common to be worried about the outside environment, but have you ever considered how your indoor environment could affect you and the outside world too? In your office, one factor that can have a major impact on both is the cleaning methods that are used. If you want to ensure your cleaning is green, follow these four essential tips:
1. Cleaning agents
The biggest potential health hazard from cleaning practices lies in the type of cleaning products that are used. Check which ones your office cleaning service uses. They should be products with no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), no chlorine, a pH level close to 7.0 and preferably an EcoLogo certification. This means they will be products that aren’t toxic to humans if touched or inhaled or harmful to the environment when washed down the drain.
2. Lighting
Office buildings are notorious for consuming high amounts of energy. If your cleaning service works overnight, you might need to think about reducing the energy waste during this time. Ask your service to only light one area of your office building at a time while cleaning or to use partial switching that allows less lights to be turned on. Also, consider asking your cleaning service to clean light fixtures where possible – dust and dirt that accumulates on them can reduce light output by 30%. Not only will these actions conserve energy and benefit the environment but they will help decrease utility bills too!
3. Recycling
Include recycling as part of your office-clean up routine. Place recycling bins near printing and copying machines so that paper can be recycled and have containers to collect glass bottles and aluminum cans in break or kitchen areas. If you are looking for a commercial cleaning service, ask if they provide recycling services which will help your recycling scheme run more efficiently.
4. Reduce waste
Stock cloths that can be washed and reused in your office kitchen or cleaning cupboard instead of wipes or tissues that are used once and then thrown away. If paper towels have to be used, consider purchasing ones that are already made from recycled materials.
Ensuring you use green cleaning practices in your office can have a major impact on employee’s morale, knowing they are contributing to a better world environment. It is sure to benefit their health too, leading to better productivity. If you’ve made a commitment to keep your cleaning green, find a commercial cleaning company that is able to offer quality cleaning while providing environmentally-friendly standards such as recycling services and the use of green cleaning products.
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Tags: help the environment at work, how to keep office cleaning environmentally-friendly, how to keep office cleaning green, protect employees' health at work, use environmentally-friendly cleaning practices at work, use green cleaning practices at work, use green cleaning products at work
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September 26th, 2009
Dirty and untidy businesses are noticeable to customers, as well as important clients How your business presents itself can speak volumes about who the company is, and a lot about the people in charge. Although it might be time consuming, taking the time to find the right commercial cleaning company for your business will not only save you time and money, but will lead to far fewer headaches down the line.
If you are looking into hiring a commercial cleaning service for your company there might be some factors you want to consider. Whether you are looking on a bulletin board, the phonebook, the internet, or the newspaper, finding a qualified, professional cleaning service may prove difficult. But if you know what to look for, and put the time into the search, as you would any important decision, you will end up with the right qualified cleaning company that will help take your business to new levels of professionalism.
There are two types of companies offering janitorial services: large chains, and smaller, privately-owned companies. Each type of company has its pros and cons. Large cleaning companies may offer better equipment and usually more efficient services, but sometimes they can be quite expensive. Smaller commercial cleaning companies, on the other hand, can often be less expensive, may or may not do the same quality work, and sometimes offer more custom services. To make the best decision for your company, you first need to understand your cleaning needs before contacting any company to find out the best fit.
Another important step in finding a commercial cleaning service is checking references. This can be a sure-fire way to hear first hand what kind of company this is, and what kind of services they offer. Make sure when in the evaluation process that you ask for references, and check them out thoroughly. Another step you can take to protect yourself would be to ask the cleaning company if they offer insurance. Many commercial cleaning companies offer certified bond insurance, which is insurance money set aside to be used in case of broken, damaged, or lost property of their clients. Make sure when you’re in the evaluation process that they verify proof of their certified bond insurance.
The final step of the evaluation is finalizing a contract together. Make sure that everything that you had discussed and agreed upon is in the contract, including how often, and to what extent, they will be rendering their services. Most importantly, make sure that you make provisions in the contract, to be able to drop the service, if you do not find they have lived up to their end of the bargain. All in all, this may seem like a complicated process, but after you have found the right company, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you did everything necessary to hire the right professional cleaning service for your business.
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Tags: cleaning companies, commercial cleaning service, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning companies, should I hire a cleaning company
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September 26th, 2009
The appearance of your company’s office space is one of the very first impressions you make on your clients. A clean and well put together office will show that the company means business, and that you are well organized down to the tiniest detail. On the other hand, a cluttered and messy office space shows that your company is sloppy and has no class, and probably isn’t being run efficiently. This is not what you want your best client thinking when he’s debating on whether to do business with you or your competitor, whose office is not even nearly as sloppy as yours. If this sounds like your business, you might want to consider hiring a commercial cleaning service for your own company. But what do they charge?
Well, prices in commercial cleaning service vary just like in any other business. You have companies priced well out of reach, while you have others that are more economical, but which shouldn’t be trusted. The key is to find a balance between what excellent service is, and how much you’re willing to pay for it. Just like in any business, you have the most expensive services, which have the best equipment, best selection, or may or may not do the best job, but they have the highest price. But you don’t want to always hire the cheapest company either, who may end up doing a poor job, and wasting your money. You’ll want to find a balance between what is reasonable, and a job well done.
You will also have to work out the payment plan with each service you decide to hire, and the amount of days their going to work. You may only need the service two days a week, or you may need the service two times a day. Some cleaning companies only work during the day, while others may only work at night. You will need to have a clear agreement on when the cleaning crew is going to work, exactly what they’re going to be cleaning, and how much you’ll be paying them.
Make sure to get everything worked out, and agreed upon, then make sure you get it in writing. Once you have a contract, they are legally bound to their word and if they break it, you can find someone else. This is also important if there is a stipulation in the payment; you can just turn back to your contract, and it will solve any dispute. When finding a commercial cleaning crew for your business, make sure that you do not take this decision lightly, and find the best cleaning service to fit your business needs.
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