Posts Tagged ‘office cleaning’
Monday, 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!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: duct cleaning, green cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning service, office duct cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Friday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning business, janitorial services, office cleaning, run your own commercial cleaning business
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Thursday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: choosing a commercial cleaning company, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning company
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: bathroom cleaning, clean bathroom, cleaning company, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, professional cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 5 Comments »
Tuesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
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 »
Monday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaners, commercial cleaning, employee productivity, improving productivity, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Monday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: best professional cleaners, cleaning company, commercial cleaning, expert cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Monday, 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!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
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 »
Monday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
e
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 »
Monday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
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 »
Wednesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
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 »
Tuesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning company, commercial cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, 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!
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: business cleaning, clean green, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, eco cleaning, green and clean, green cleaning, green products, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Saturday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning services, Going Green, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
Saturday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, commercial cleaning services, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning services
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: cleaning service, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, importance of cleaning, janitorial service, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Tuesday, 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.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.maintenance-one.com as the original source).
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: business cleaning, commercial cleaning companies, commercial cleaning company, office cleaners, office cleaning
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Saturday, 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.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: cleaning service, cleaning services, commercial cleaning, green clean, green cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Saturday, 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.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: cleaning business, commercial cleaners, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning services
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Saturday, 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!
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: business cleaning, clean office, clean work place, commercial cleaning, janitorial services, office cleaning
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Saturday, 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.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: cleaning companies, commercial cleaning service, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning companies, should I hire a cleaning company
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
When you pay for an office cleaning service, you want to get what you pay for. Commercial cleaning providers will often supply a checklist of services so you can choose how much or how little they do. If you don’t have a checklist provided by the company, it is a good idea to create one yourself. Here is a list of the most important things to be sure you have done to maintain a sparkling clean workplace. It also helps to keep on top of the efficiency of your cleaning company, as you can check for yourself what has been done.
Entry or Reception
Your reception area represents your customer’s first impression. You want it to always be bright, clean and inviting. Top cleaning tasks for the reception area;
• Door glass crystal clear and wood dust free
• Carpet clean and vacuumed
• Reception counter dust and fingerprint free
• Artwork dusted and glass cleaned
• Phones and computers wiped down
• Tabletops dusted and polished
• Magazines organized
• Garbage bins emptied
Offices/Cubicles
Every individual needs a clean work environment. A well organized and clean workplace helps to make everyone more productive.
• Desks dusted
• Carpets Cleaned and vacuumed
• Filing cabinets wiped down
• Window sills wiped down
• Phones and Computers wiped down
• Door glass cleaned
• Bookcases/book spines dusted
• Light fixtures dusted or wiped down
• Rubbish emptied
Washrooms
A clean and sanitized washroom is a must in any working environment. Make sure yours is in top shape with all of these things done!
• Sink, fixtures and toilets cleaned and sanitized
• Mirrors polished
• Counter tops cleaned and sanitized
• Soap and towel dispensers wiped down
• Floors mopped
• Trash emptied
Kitchen/Break room
If your office has a kitchen or break room where employees eat, it is imperative that this space be clean and sanitary even if no food preparation is done there.
• Sink, fixtures and countertops wiped down and sanitized
• Stove top and refrigerator wiped down
• Microwave wiped down
• Cabinets dusted or wiped
• Wall outlets wiped and sanitized
• Tables, benches and chairs wiped down
• Trash can emptied and disinfected
• All garbage removed
These are just the very basic cleaning procedures that should be completed daily. If you don’t use a cleaning service, it is a good idea to post a checklist within the office for employees in each area so everyone can do their part in keeping up with daily cleaning chores. Keep a tote or container in a cupboard that is easily accessible to everyone and be sure that someone is assigned the task of keeping it organized and well stocked with the necessary cleaning items.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning providers, office cleaning, office cleaning checklist, office cleaning companies, office cleaning company
Posted in Tips and Tricks | 9 Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
No matter how much trust you have in your office cleaning service, there are still some security procedures all staff should follow on a daily basis. Theft and loss can happen from persons other than employees or members of the cleaning staff. A clever thief can organize entrance to the office during cleaning hours when they feel their entry might go unnoticed. An office can be made more secure for everyone just by taking the time to do these few simple things. Not only will these tasks help to keep work and personal items and information safe and secure, they will also make the job of the janitorial services easier.
One of the essential rules of office security that should be implemented is a clean desk policy. Employees should leave their desktop organized and clear of files, folders and papers that contain private information, either work related or personal.
Any items of value that are not taken home at night should be locked in desk drawers or cabinets. If cleaning takes place during the daytime hours, purses and wallets should also be kept under lock and key.
Accidents can happen and things can get broken. Encourage staff to leave decorative items of sentimental or monetary value at home.
Be sure to also put away items that don’t seem obviously private such as postage stamps, cheque books, rolodex files and even company letterhead. These can all be used in a fraudulent manner if someone were to set their mind to it.
Lock any petty cash that may be kept in the office in a secure drawer or cabinet. The location should also be changed from time to time as well.
If laptops are used in the office instead of desk top computers, they should be placed in cabinets that can lock.
Make certain that all computers are password protected and programs closed down before employees leave the premises.
Keep keys to other areas such as storage rooms, file rooms, and even the first aid station in a secure location and set up a sign in and sign out system for their use.
Make certain that all employees are informed of the name of the cleaning service company and the usual time of arrival and departure of cleaning staff, as well as their general procedures. This way, staff that is working late or coming in to the office during evening hours will know what and who to expect.
For the most part, maintaining office security really just means using common sense. If in doubt, lock it away. This way, both employees and cleaning staff will be better able to do their jobs.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning service, office cleaning services, office safety, office security
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
For most office employees, the office is the place they spend most of their day. It is important then, to be in an environment that is clean and healthy and one that is achieved that way through environmentally friendly methods. This means using the best cleaning products and procedures available, such as those provided by a commercial cleaning company.
As individuals, working in an office that is cleaned with environmentally friendly products is one more way to reduce our carbon footprint.
Some of the chemicals that should not be used in a green office are chlorine bleach, phosphates and heavy metals of any kind. By avoiding these chemicals in the cleaning process, no toxins are left behind resulting in a healthier and therefore more productive workplace. Most of the time green office cleaning companies use concentrated cleaners much like the concentrated laundry and dish detergents available for home use. This means the cleaners are mixed in appropriate amounts for the specific job cutting down on waste and over use of cleaners. It also means that there is less packaging involved that needs to be disposed of.
Green cleaning products are biodegradable meaning that they break down in a natural process leaving no residues or vapours that linger on surfaces or in the air. In other words, they have no negative impact on the water and soil systems. Use of green cleaners also contributes to a healthy air inside the office thus reducing effects of the cleaners on those employees who may suffer from asthma or other respiratory weaknesses.
There is a third party organization called Green Seal that monitors the quality of products that are manufactured and sold as green. Products that receive the Green Seal of approval have been thoroughly tested from the very beginning of manufacture right through to their use on site. This means you can use a product with green seal approval with confidence and pride.
For quick green cleanups when you need to do it yourself at the office, you can use a microfiber cloth that will pick up dust from your desk with ease and is reusable. There are also environmentally friendly one time wipes that will keep your desk, computer screen and office utensils clean and germ free to your own personal level.
Choosing a green office cleaning company means that owners, employees and customers can all feel like they are doing just one thing more to make the world we live and work in a better place.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning company, green office, green office cleaning, office cleaning, office cleaning products
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Janitorial and office cleaning services can not only save your company time and money, but will give you a more professional environment in which to do business. Your employees will appreciate it, and more importantly, your customers will appreciate it. It is a well known fact that having a clean, professionally organized work environment can boost productivity sometimes as high as 20 %. Hiring a janitorial services company can save your business time and money, by eliminating the need of your staff to clean bathrooms, take out the trash, and perform those other tedious janitorial services that can take away from employees’ time and energy.
If you are searching for a janitorial service for your company, it might be important to know some of the benefits that an office cleaning service can bring to your organization. One of the most important services that an office cleaning company can provide is proper restroom sanitation. We have all been in businesses before, where the bathrooms were less than desirable, and it made the business look unprofessional and sloppy. Just think if you’re in the restaurant business and your bathrooms are untidy and dirty, what is that going to say about your food? What is that going to say about your business? Having a clean and orderly bathroom show customers that you’re legitimate, and you care about your professionalism, while your employees appreciate it as well.
Another essential to janitorial cleaning is cleaning the carpets. Having proper carpet care can be a very important aspect to office cleaning, because cleaning carpets isn’t cheap, and carpets can get dirty fast. Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service all the time just isn’t practical, let alone affordable. But almost any office cleaning company can offer you this service, shampooing and vacuuming your carpets regularly, and they can do it cheaper much cheaper, and more often, than any professional carpet cleaning service.
Another essential to office cleaning is professional floor cleaning. This can often be enormously overlooked, as many businesses don’t understand how much work it takes to keep their floors clean and finely polished. All the big companies in the world have their floors washed and waxed every night, even on Sunday. Because there is more floor space, than any space in your business, not treating it properly can make your business look less than top-notch.
But probably one of the most important services that an office cleaning company can provide you is proper waste removal. Doing this in an orderly and economical fashion can be a challenge, but having the right services in place can make this a successful and painless process. And also, having a professional janitorial service in place will improve your ability to recycle, as many professional cleaning services offer first grade recycling services as well. Hiring professional janitorial services might not only be good for the environment, but will save your business time and money in the long run. And it makes your business look professional, which is always good for the bottom line.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
DDon’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: bathroom sanitation, carpet cleaning, how to make your business look professional, janitorial services, office cleaning, office cleaning services
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
There are plenty of benefits to having a clean and organized office space, such as better professionalism and increased productivity. But there might be benefits that you have not considered. An office that is spic and span might be more important than you realize. Consider this. Some say that 70 % of business is based mainly of first impressions. A clean and tidy office builds the impression that you are in a trustworthy and professional environment, and that you want to do business there. First impressions can mean everything if you have important clients coming in that will not be impressed by a sloppy office environment. You could be saving your company thousands of dollars, by just having a commercial cleaning company come in regularly, and professionally clean your business 2 or 3 days a week. In this economic climate, any business can’t afford to throw any business down the drain, especially for having a messy workplace.
Depending on the nature of your business, there might be thousands of important files and documents that cannot be neatly stored on a computer. Anybody that has ever worked in an office before knows, that keeping these files organized and together, can be a real chore, and almost a second job in itself. However, if you add up all the time employees spend looking for missing documents, because of a cluttered work environment, you could be talking about thousands of hours of productivity a year, which you’re throwing down the drain. This amount of time could have been better spent doing the work your paying them to do, instead of sifting through document after document, with no prevail. You can even a hire professional organizing staff to keep everything organized correctly, saving your company thousands of dollars in lost time and energy.
Having a clean working environment is not only important to clients and customers, but it is important to your employees as well. Having a clean and organized environment shows them that you have a professional establishment, and your workers will be appreciate that, and become more professional themselves. It is no secret that people work better and more efficiently in a cleaner, more organized office. If you feel professional you will act professional, and having a well organized working environment is a great way to start.
One thing that you may not be considering, when evaluating if your company needs to hire an outside cleaning service, is hygiene. Messy and dirty offices are definitely not hygienic offices, and you could be creating more potential hazards than you realize. The accumulation of dust and other bacteria, common in a messy work environment, can lead to serious concerns for a company, especially if it needs its workers there everyday. One flu outbreak can put your business behind several weeks, and all because your office is a sloppy mess. Professional companies can’t afford to let things like this happen; it’s not good for business, and it’s just not smart. There is no secret that the top businesses all over the world have some of the cleanest and best organized offices all over the world. A clean office leads to a happier more productive office, and if you present your business as classy, then your business will be classy. And you will make more money in the process.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: carpet cleaning, hiring cleaning services for your business, janitorial services, office cleaning, quality cleaning service
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
When you own a large business it is very important to choose the right janitorial services that will best fit the needs of your organization and the needs of your customers. Janitorial services are not just a way of keeping your business and offices clean, it goes into the whole philosophy of the business. If your business is clean and meticulously organized, then clients will see your business as a legitimate and successful organization, and will want to do business with you. However, janitorial services are not always cheap and if your business wants to be competitive you need to be mindful of the costs.
Many small businesses may not have enough work to justify employing a janitor, or an entire team of janitors. The cost of the business, labor, and production might be already too much to afford keeping a permanent janitor or janitors on staff. This is why hiring a janitorial cleaning service can be very cost effective. Janitorial services are excellent for small businesses because you get to hire them on a contract basis. This way you don’t have to worry about paying benefits, and you don’t have to worry about insurance or retirement options, like you would have with a full time janitor on payroll.
We all know that there are thousands of cleaning services out there, but how do you go about choosing the right one? Well first off, you need to choose the service that best fits your company’s needs. How often is your business going to require these services? Once a day, once a week, multiple times throughout the day? How much are you willing to spend for this service to be done? Many janitorial services differ in price and performance, so these are options that you will definitely want to weigh ahead of time. If your company needs specialized services, like carpet shampooing, or doing maintenance work, this will be an integral component in finding the services that best fit your needs.
There are thousands of janitorial services out there so you need to make sure you choose one that can maintain the philosophy and professional image of your business. Your company should also employ background checks on all individuals that are going to be working at your business. Even though you are hiring an outside service, the individuals that work for the service work for you, and while they’re in your property, they should be expected to follow the same procedures as everyone else in your organization. A quality cleaning service should provide floor cleaning, resurfacing, bathroom sanitizing, quality class cleaning, carpet care, garbage removal and other valuable services. When finding a janitorial company for your business, make sure to be thorough in your search and always check for references.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: carpet cleaning, hiring cleaning services for your business, janitorial services, office cleaning, quality cleaning service
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Cleaning a workplace efficiently is one of the most important aspects to a productive business. A clean and tidy workplace is one of the keys to keeping staff motivated and high-spirited. A clean and sanitized office influences workers to do things in a tidy fashion, keep their paperwork properly filed, and everything running in an organized way.
Another fact that must be considered is the overall image of the company. It is important to show a clean office and reception area when customers’ visits are frequent. It all adds up to the general way customers and providers regard the company, and we know for sure this is a factor that helps close many deals.
Office cleaning must be kept on a daily basis. Whether it is more convenient to do a daytime cleaning or at night is something that must be pondered taking into consideration what type of activity the company runs. Some voices are raised to support daytime cleaning, because it is more environmentally friendly, due to the fact that once the lights are out, and the personnel has gone, there is no need to turn the lights on again to clean the place. However, cleaning when regular staff has gone does not interrupt the normal workflow, and does not distract workers. Probably, the company can save electricity in other ways, such as instructing personnel to turn off their computers before going home, or rationalizing air conditioning.
Efficient office cleaning must not be considered a waste, but an investment. It helps reduce employees’ sick days due to colds and other infectious diseases, allergies, and the effects of pollution. That is why it is important not to conduct a cosmetic cleaning, but rather a thorough deep cleaning. We will highlight some points that must not be overlooked.
• Carpets are usually the favorite place for microorganisms to proliferate. They need to be vacuumed on a daily basis and deeply cleaned once a month, with the use of ecological products and avoiding chemicals that may be harmful. In this regard, there are certain steam carpet cleaners that do a wonderful job just by applying water steam. High levels of sanitation are achieved this way because hot steam kills most microorganisms.
• Telephone mouths and headphones, as well as every mouse and keyboard must be cleaned with a cloth embedded in a soft disinfectant.
• Books and folders must be removed from shelves and cleaned one by one. Frames (photos, diplomas, etc) must be also wiped with a damp cloth. This is the only way to catch all dust. Just vacuuming them usually takes the filth back to the air, hence to the floor and other objects.
• Desks must be cleaned also, not just polished, but disinfected as well, especially where clerks usually lay their hands and elbows.
• An important action that is sometimes forgotten is the disinfection of wastebaskets, as this is bacteria’s favorite place to grow, and also a source of odor.
• Bathrooms must also be deeply cleaned every day, as they are one of the sources of infections most commonly present in workplaces. Also, cleaning personnel must make sure that all consumable materials are replaced (liquid soap, toilet paper, etc.)
It is unlikely that employees will exclaim every morning, “Boy, is this office clean!”, but rather will complain when they find something filthy, and the same goes for customers. As professional business people, we must make sure that this never happens.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, office cleaning, office cleaning companies, office cleaning contractor, office cleaning services, office sanitation
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
Commercial cleaning is nowadays one of the services no company can do without. Professional office cleaning has become a matter of providing a service which is indispensable to carry on day to day activities. There is funny thing about cleanliness. When it is properly performed, no one seems to notice it, but when some aspects of cleaning are neglected, and filth becomes obvious, cleanliness, or rather the lack of it, gets under the spotlight.
There are certain aspects about professional office cleaning that cannot be neglected, in order to provide healthy visibility to the matter. Cleaning is also a sensual matter, in the sense that it must appeal to all senses. We can all think about places we have been that, although impeccably clean, they did not strike as a clean place, either because they did not look or smell like a clean, healthy place.
• Cleanliness strikes through the eyes.
Tidying up is a fundamental aspect of cleanliness. Even though cleaning staff is not expected to file clerical papers, they can also help de-clutter offices just by a more efficient arrangement of objects. If books are lying around, they must be put in shelves, the same as newspapers and magazines in reception areas. Chairs must also be correctly placed in meeting rooms, similarly with ashtrays, glasses, or office items –staplers, pencils- which are left lying around. Waste management is also important. Waste must be disposed of properly and in timely fashion. All elements that can be recycled can be donated to organizations that will greatly appreciate them.
A special note must be made about cleaning items. The wardrobe or small office where cleaning supplies are stored must also remain spotless. If a substitute janitor shows up the next day, he must be able to find all supplies with no difficulty.
• The ears are also important.
In the case of offices that are cleaned during the day, while the staff is at work, the cleaning staff must be trained to clean causing the least noise pollution as possible. In fact, it would be ideal for them to go unnoticed. Thus, if areas to be polished are not too big, polishing can be done by hand instead of using a noisy machine that will disturb everyone.
• The smell of health.
Fragrances and deodorants are a double-edged weapon when cleaning offices. They must never be used to mask filth or stale odor. If there is a distinct foul smell when entering an office, the source of such a smell must be sought until discovered. Some clues: wastebaskets not properly sanitized, rotten food in the employees’ fridge, bathrooms.
Scents are a sensitive topic. The room must be left with a soft gentle smell, not too disturbing –remember that fragrances are a very personal matter. While somebody might adore a particular smell, somebody else might loathe it. Nevertheless, scent is an important factor that conveys the idea of a clean place. Thus, a soft deodorant and air perfume must be used.
If you enjoyed this article, please feel free to post it to your site or blog and forward this link to your friends. Have a great day!
Don’t Forget to Subscribe by RSS or Email:
Tags: commercial cleaning, office cleaning, office cleaning companies, office cleaning contractor, office cleaning services, office sanitation
Posted in Tips and Tricks | No Comments »
