Category: Cleaning

Housecleaners’ Guide to COVID-19

GET CERTIFIED BY THE AHCA!

Certifications are now being rolled out for FREE for all AHCA members in good standing! Join today and get the Education you need to grow and provide the best services during this time while having the Credentials to brag about!

CDC Cleaning Recommendations and General COVID-19 Safety Precautions

Clean and Disinfect

Approved Disinfectants for COVID-19

General Public Safety Protocols

Stay up to date with CDC Guidance for Employers and Businesses during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Know if Residential & Commercial Cleaning are Deemed Officially “Essential Services” in Your State!

**If your State or County has a “Shelter in Place” but does not address any home service trades – Refer to the CISA at the Top of List**

 

A Comprehensive Guide To Tipping Your House Cleaner

Hiring a professional maid service can be a great way to keep your home looking its best while saving yourself the time and hassle of cleaning on your own. As with many services, however, one of the most common questions people have is in regards to tipping. Should you tip a house cleaner? If so, how much? While there are no cut-and-dry answers to these questions, there are some general etiquette tips and considerations that can be kept in mind when making the decision of whether or not to tip a house cleaner.

Should You Tip Your House Cleaner?

It’s rare to see a house cleaning service that requires tips, though some may build tipping into their standard rates. If this is the case, this should be clearly outlined to you in your service contract so that you don’t feel the need to tip any additional money. These days, more and more cleaning services have also begun to simply pay their cleaners a higher wage in order to forego the pressure for their clients to tip altogether. Again, this is where knowing the policies of your cleaning company can be informative.

Another thing to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to tip a house cleaner is whether they’re the owner of the cleaning company or not. Generally, company owners do not expect tips because they’re able to more-or-less set their own rates and wages. An employee of a cleaning company, on the other hand, may rely on tips (much like servers at restaurants or stylists at hair salons) to make a living wage.

Cash Tip or Something Else?

Cash is king! However, If you want to show your house cleaner some appreciation but don’t feel comfortable tipping in cash, keep in mind that there are other options as well. Instead of tipping cash, you might consider gifting your house cleaner with a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant that you know he or she frequents. You can also consider gifts like a nice bottle of wine or even something handmade to show your appreciation.

Maid Service Tipping Etiquette: When To Tip and How Much

Some other common questions people tend to have about tipping house cleaners is how frequently they should tip and how much. This will really depend on your specific circumstances and the frequency of services provided. If you hire a professional cleaner for a one-time service, for example, you can either forego tipping altogether or offer a one-time tip.

Things can get a little more complicated, however, when you have a recurring cleaning service. Your cleaner probably won’t expect to receive a tip every single week that he or she comes to clean your place. Instead of tipping a small amount at each cleaning, you might consider providing your cleaner with a slightly larger tip once every month or even once every few months

 

Can I let cleaners into my house? Your COVID-19 questions answered

We’re breaking down what you need to know about the pandemic by answering your questions. You can send us your questions via email, and we’ll answer as many as we can. We’ll publish a selection of answers every weekday on our website, and we’re also putting some of your questions to the experts on the air during The National and on News Network. So far we’ve received more than 40,000 emails from all corners of the country.

Is it safe for cleaners to come into my home?

So while cleaning people may be allowed in your home, there are some precautions that clients and cleaning staff can take to make sure everyone stays safe, including maintaining physical distance.

“Especially if you can be out of the house when [they] come in and you don’t spend time in the same area, it seems reasonable to me to have that happen.”

“It really is a partnership for protection,” he said. People who work in household services are often going into multiple houses in a day — especially in the case of cleaning services. it’s important that all the tools used, like mops and sponges, be disinfected or replaced after each use and between each residence.

“If the weather permits, keep open ventilation,” which can reduce the buildup of contamination, he said. They also say using personal protective equipment (PPE) should be “a last resort” because PPE is only effective if people wear it correctly.

 

COVID-19: Cleaners are working safely. See our guidelines

On this page, we outline relevant government policy and safety guidelines for the domestic cleaning sector and we answer FAQ. We are operating as normal and have implemented extra measures to provide safe services.

New National Restrictions from 5 November

From Thursday 5th November 2020 until Wednesday 2 December, new Government restrictions apply:

Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes

Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes

Closing certain businesses and venues

Cleaners can continue working in people’s homes

Cleaners are permitted to work in customer homes during the “lockdown” period subject to safety and social distancing rules. Under the new rules, you must not leave or be outside of your home except for specific purposes

“for work purposes, where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home (including if your job involves working in other people’s homes)”. You can find the latest Government guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people’s homes

We have incorporated government safety guidelines into our operations. We have also recommended additional safety and cleaning measures to keep cleaners and customers safe. To help get your home back in order, we have a 1 Hour Free Cleaning offer for new customers. You can book the cleaning service using code TCDIR. We have vetted housekeepers and cleaners

 

A Comprehensive Guide To Tipping Your House Cleaner

Hiring a cleaning or maid service is great for busy professionals, pet owners, and parents because it can help you maintain a clean house while saving time. Usually, these services are great at their jobs, which raises the question of how much to tip house cleaners and when? Is it really okay to tip them? These are only some of the questions that homeowners think about when hiring a cleaning service. If you’re one of them, stay tuned to find out more.

Yes or No to Tipping?

Modern housekeeping and maid services usually don’t require tips, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Some services include tips in their standard rates, so you should inform yourself about this by reading the contract carefully or by talking with the company owner. If this is the case with your maid service, you don’t have to include additional tips if you don’t want to.

Another thing you want to have in mind when deciding whether to tip your house cleaner or not is the quality of their work. If they’ve done an exceptional job and you’re extremely satisfied with how your house looks, why not surprise them with a few extra bucks? They’ll appreciate it immensely and will be motivated to always do their best.

Decide on the Type of Tips

Housekeeping tips usually come in the form of cash, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. Cash is a really great way to show how satisfied you are, but there are other things that can reflect your gratitude. Some people opt for various gift cards — a coffee shop, restaurant, or beauty salon gift cards are a great way to tip your cleaner and still maintain a great relationship.

When to Tip?

If you decided to tip the cleaning service person, you have to know when is the best time to do it. There are a few ways to do this. You can choose to tip your housekeeper on a daily, weekly, monthly, or annual basis — it really is completely up to you.

Move-Out Cleaning Guide

Moving out of rental properties can be a stressful situation for both landlords and tenants. The Move-Out Cleaning Guide can help alleviate the stress for all parties involved. Upon move out the rental property should appear to be professionally or broom clean. It should be in the same or better condition when the tenant moved in. This guide clearly outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Tenant(s) upon move out, insuring that the rental unit is in proper condition

Every landlord wishes to refund the security deposit in its entirety. He or she needs the tenant’s full cooperation in leaving the property in clean condition. This Move-Out Cleaning Guide clearly outlines the duties of the Tenant(s) upon move out, insuring the rental unit is in proper condition.

The Move-Out Cleaning Guide also states that any clean up expenses or damages incurred during the rental period, or while moving out of the rental property, will be deducted from the security deposit. This form lists the areas that must be cleaned including, the kitchen, bedrooms, living and dining rooms, major appliances, floors and bathrooms. The Move-out Cleaning Guide is also fully editable, so it can be customized to suit the landlords specific needs. The form allows access to add more details to the areas that need to be cleaned or eliminate unnecessary verbiage.

The Move-Out Cleaning Guide should be given to tenants when signing the lease, and again when the tenant vacates the rental unit. The Move-Out Cleaning Guide goes great with our Move-In/Move-Out Walk Through Checklist. It is a good idea to walk through the rental unit with tenants prior to them handing in their keys. Copies of this guide should be made available to tenants prior to actual move out. Since this form is not state specific, it is a great idea to consult state and local tenant/landlord laws to protect the interest of all parties involved.

 

Your Easy Move Out Cleaning Checklist

Planning to move out soon? Whether you’re ending a lease or selling a house, it’s important that you leave your former home in tip-top (or at least, acceptable) condition. This means compiling a move out cleaning checklist for yourself or a cleaner.

Renters will likely need to conduct a deep clean in order to get their security deposit back. In fact, many landlords require that tenants return the home to its original condition before moving out. Those selling a home will likely need to give it a good cleaning before handing over the keys to the new owners as well. While a deep clean isn’t necessarily a legal requirement, it’s often customary for sellers to do it anyway when moving out.

What’s on the move out cleaning checklist?

Your move out cleaning checklist will depend on the size of the property and how clean it is already. To help you, we’ve compiled a comprehensive move out cleaning checklist that you can use as a starting point.

Remove any remaining personal property

First and foremost, remove all personal property from the home. This means everything from furniture and closet items to shelving and wall art.

Vacuum floors

Give the home a once-over with the vacuum. Don’t forget to vacuum closets, stairs, nooks and other hard-to-reach areas.

Dust and wipe down surfaces

Using an all-purpose surface cleaner and a roll of paper towels or clean cloth, wipe down kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, bookshelves, windowpanes, fireplace mantles and other hard surfaces.

Clean inside cabinets

Don’t forget to clean inside all cabinets. Kitchen cabinets, in particular, tend to accumulate food crumbs and other residue from food and cooking products.

Wipe down appliances

Over time, stainless steel appliances become covered in fingerprints and markings. Make sure to wipe down your fridge with either an all-purpose spray or a vinegar and water mixture. Don’t forget to wipe down and clean out the microwave as well.

Scrub and clean toilets, sinks, showers and bathtubs

Once you’ve finished vacuuming and dusting, roll up those sleeves and start on the bathrooms. All toilets, showers, bathtubs and sinks should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned. Any mold, rust or mildew should also be eliminated from the bathrooms before moving out.

Clean out closets

After you’ve cleared out your clothing and accessories, make sure to wipe down closet shelves and hanging rods. You should also vacuum the closet floors and double-check that all personal items have been removed.

Remove nails and wall anchors screwed into the wall

Unless the landlord or buyer has asked that you leave nails, hooks and wall anchors in the walls, it’s best to remove this hardware prior to moving out.

Fill holes and repair drywall

Once you’ve removed any nails, hooks and dry wall anchors, make sure to patch up unsightly holes in the wall. If any drywall needs to be repaired, consider hiring a professional handyman to do the job.

Touch up scratches and markings with paint

Before moving out, head to your local paint store and grab a small sample size of paint that matches your wall. Use this paint to touch up any scratches or markings left on the walls. Be sure to pay special attention to baseboards and other areas with high-gloss paint, as these tend to scratch more easily than walls painted with a matte finish.

Clean and sanitize the fridge and freezer

Empty the fridge and freezer of any remaining contents and start cleaning. All surfaces should be wiped down with an disinfectant spray. Make sure to eliminate any and all remaining food crumbs as well.

Wipe down oven and stovetop

One of the places where food residue tends to hide is the stovetop. If you have a gas range, be sure to remove the top part of the range and clean underneath all burners. Your oven can also be cleaned with a simple water and baking soda mixture. Combine the water and baking soda to make a paste and apply it throughout the oven. Vinegar can be added as well.

Mop floors

Once all surfaces have been wiped down and vacuumed, end your move out cleaning by giving the floors a good mop. A vinegar and warm water solution is a simple and safe floor cleaning mixture. You can also use a Swiffer sweeper with a wet cloth to clean floors.

 

Moving Out Cleaning Checklist for Renters

When you move out of a rental home or apartment, one of the biggest priorities is getting back your deposit. Landlords usually require a deposit before you move in that will either be subtracted from for any necessary repairs after you leave or will be fully reimbursed to you if everything is in the same shape as when you moved in.

To get back your deposit, it’s important to take good care of the home while you’re living there, but when you move out, it’s just as important to give it a good, deep cleaning, even if you have maintained it well over the course of your stay. We recommend having it professionally cleaned. If that’s not in the budget, though, take a few hours to go about the house or apartment and clean every nook and cranny.

Moving Out Cleaning Checklist

Whole House + Misc. Areas

Clean and vacuum all flooring, including stairs

Wipe down the walls and baseboards

Remove nails and screws; repair the walls

Dust ceiling fans

Clean air vents

Clean the windows and dust the blinds

Get rid of cobwebs

Clean fireplace

Clean the washing machine and dryer inside and out; pull them out to clean underneath and behind them

Kitchen

Clean the cabinets and drawers inside and out

Wipe down the microwave inside and out

Wipe down the entire refrigerator; pull it out to clean underneath and behind it

Wipe down the countertops

Scrub the sink and faucet

Clean the oven and stove; pull it out to clean underneath and behind it

Bathrooms

Scrub the shower and bleach the grout

Clean out the bathroom drawers and vanity

Wipe down the countertop

Polish the mirror

Dust and clean the exhaust fan

 

Move Out Cleaning Checklist

General:

Wash all windows inside and out in all rooms. Clean out window tracks.

Wash window sills and curtain rods.

Wash inside and outside of front and back doors.

Clean out the fireplace if applicable.

Mow lawn and weed flower beds if applicable.

All marks must be washed off the walls. Remove all nails.

Wash all vinyl and tile floors. If the fireplace is gas, make sure you clean off the inside of the glass.

All carpeting is to be vacuumed and professionally shampooed. Save receipts and turn in to the manager; or request that the manager arrange to have this done and the cost will be deducted from your security deposit.

All trash must be removed from the premises.

Clean all blinds and wash or dry clean all drapes and valances.

Clean all light fixtures throughout the unit and replace any burnt out bulbs.

Clean all vents and replace furnace filters.

Kitchen:

Clean the inside and out of the dishwasher and range hood.

Scrub kitchen floor, including under the movable appliances.

Refrigerator:

Wash the inside of the refrigerator with warm water.

Take out vegetable drawers and wash in warm water, dry and replace.

Wash and dry outside of the refrigerator.

Move the refrigerator out from the wall and clean underneath. DO NOT TURN OFF!

Freezer must be defrosted and cleaned.

Stove:

Remove racks and broiler pan, soak in hot water to clean, dry well.

Clean the inside of the oven, top of stove, under elements, pan drawer, exhaust fan, hood.

Remove the lower drawer and clean under the stove.

Wash and dry outside of the stove.

Cabinets and Drawers:

Wash cupboards inside and out. Remove any shelf paper.

Wipe out drawers with a damp rag.

Clean sink and counter tops.

 

Move Out Process

Every resident expects a full refund of their deposit. The reality is that this is rarely the case. In our many years of experience, we have found that most tenants underestimate the time needed to professionally clean their apartment and prepare it for move-out. Cleaning is usually the largest deduction from our resident’s deposits. Even when cleaning is performed well, there are still many things that are easily missed. PLEASE REMEMBER, even when units are returned EMPTY and in good condition, it may still take our office 2 to 5 days to turn the unit over due to minor maintenance, carpet cleaning, painting and cleaning that still may be needed in your unit. So you should expect to spend a couple of days in an  empty  unit cleaning it to get it back to its condition as well. In addition, when units aren’t returned to us in their original condition, effectively you are now hiring us to do the work for you and as such you agree to the contractors we use and their prices

Approximately 1 month before move out:

Schedule all moving help well in advance of the move-out date. In order to vacate the unit on time and leave the unit clean, schedule to have all items removed from the unit at least 2 days prior to your lease end date

Approximately 2 days before the move out :

Remove all personal belongings at least 2 days BEFORE your lease expires to allow enough time for cleaning.

Clean your unit. Start this well in advance. Since keys are due by noon, do not wait until the day the lease expires. Review our Cleaning Check List for a cleaning guideline to maximize your deposit refund.

The carpets will be professionally cleaned at move out as per your Lease. Do not do this yourself. However, you must vacuum to remove any / all debris or additional charges may apply.

Do not leave any furniture at the dumpster. You must schedule to dispose of these at a proper location.

Make sure these items are replaced or cleaned well before you leave to avoid these simple charges:

➢ Burned out light bulbs – if ceilings are too high to replace, leave new bulbs on the kitchen counter

➢ Non-conforming (not similar) light bulbs (all bulbs must be of similar type and 65 watts or less)

➢ Missing or dead smoke detector batteries – if ceilings are too high to replace, leave new batteries on the kitchen counter – this also goes for light bulbs

➢ Drip pans (make sure they are the proper size)

Complete the UNIT MOVE OUT FORM. We will send you this form as your Lease approaches expiration. Return this form when you return your keys

The Day of Move Out:

By 12 NOON on the day your lease expires, return keys, parking permits, mailbox keys, storage keys, garage door openers, etc. to our office at 2020 Pacific Street. To avoid long lines at our office on move out day, do not wait until 12 noon. Be there earlier in the morning. If you plan to mail the keys, make sure they are SECURE in the envelope and it is mailed well in advance to be received by our office by 12 noon of the expiration date. Keys not received by 12 NOON on your lease expiration day may be charged a $100 late fee in addition to the cost of any delay in rescheduling vendors or delay in the future tenants move-in time. Our turnover times are quick and we often have vendors scheduled to enter the unit that afternoon.

An Apex employee will pull your file and compare all the items you are returning to the original check out sheet. Any discrepancies could result in a charge. For example, we take photo copies of all keys given. If we do not get those same keys back, you will be charged for a lock change to the unit. If you do not have all the keys with you, we cannot guarantee locks will not be changed before we receive them in our office. Often times we have tight turn overs (in some cases 24 hours) so it is important you make sure you have everything with you the first time so we can log everything in properly.

You will be asked for a forwarding address and phone number. We use the forwarding address you give us to mail the deposit refund check. In the case of multiple tenants, deposits will be mailed to the forwarding address of any 1 tenant.

Deposit refunds will be mailed to the rental address in absence of any forwarding address.

If the office is closed, please place all the items listed in step 9 above in an envelope and write your unit address on the sealed envelope. Make sure you leave a forwarding address and phone number with the keys you drop off. Do not place unlabeled, loose keys in our dropbox.

Once keys are received in our office, the move out inspection will be performed with 4 business hours.

How to Run a Small Commercial Cleaning Company

Commercial cleaning companies are the reason everything is clean and tidy at your doctor’s office, apartment building, office building or store. Whereas residential cleaning companies serve individual families and homes, commercial cleaning companies provide cleaning services to shared, more public spaces.

As long as these buildings exist, there will be a need for cleaning services, so it’s no wonder that some people choose to start cleaning companies. Starting any small businesses can be scary, but as long as you go about it strategically, you can enjoy a stable and profitable business when you start a small commercial cleaning company.

How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Company

Starting a new business of any kind can feel overwhelming. The great idea for a business is just the start. Then you have to take care of all the necessary logistics. Fortunately, when starting a cleaning company, there aren’t too many things you need to do or money you need to spend to get started. This is one of the major advantages of this business. Let’s look at what you do need to do to make things official and get your new business off the ground.

CONSIDER BUYING INTO A FRANCHISE

The first decision you need to make is whether you want to operate independently or as a part of a franchise. Buying into a franchise has a cost associated with it. Typically, you have to pay an initial down payment, and then pay ongoing fees, which may be a percentage of the revenue you make. These fees aren’t for nothing. You get the advantage of being a part of a brand that has already been established and has some recognition.

SELECT A LEGAL ENTITY

The next step is to decide what legal entity your business will fall into. There are three main options to consider for how to legally classify your business

 

If cleaning is so simple, why is it so hard?

Cleaning makes us giddy.

Right about now you’re thinking, “These people ain’t right.” So be it. But wouldn’t you rather work with a professional cleaning service that totally digs what they do? Having said that, here’s more than you ever wanted to know about janitorial commercial cleaning.

A White Glove Tutorial

It may not sound fun to you, but we have a grand ol’ time picking out the best of the best. It’s part of why we pass so many white glove tests. Better equipment means a more thorough office deep cleaning in less time. Which, of course, means a lower cost to you. Pretty sweet, huh?

neat freaks.

start by keeping a tidy janitor’s closet. It sets the tone and keeps us organized so we can pay attention to the details. That’s what professional cleaning services should be all about.

Team cleaning for a cleaner kind of clean.

Another thing that makes us different is Team Cleaning. We break your space into quadrants where various daily, weekly and monthly cleaning tasks are performed by our team of specialists each time we’re there

do green cleaning.

Green Cleaning is cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. It goes beyond chemical and equipment choices to include policies, procedures and training to ensure we responsibly minimize the impact of what we do on your staff and the world around us.

 

A Top-Notch Professional Cleaning Company

cleaning services company stands out from the rest in many regards. First of all, our brand is largely run by local owners/operators who have a personal interest in the businesses in their communities

not content to offer the same average service day in and day out. Rather, we develop customized plans that suit the needs of every client while working within their budgets. Whether you’re looking for a commercial cleaning services company to mop and buff your floors, empty wastebaskets, wash windows, or provide a deep clean,

understand that first impressions are essential to any business, and we always work hard to make sure that your property is saying the right thing about you.While other commercial cleaning companies often work by providing one-off services as they’re needed. Image One, on the other hand,

get to know their properties and their needs well, so we always have a good understanding of their expectations and values. When you partner with Image One, you can look forward to working with a team that understands your needs without you having to spell out and repeat the details time and time again,

For instance:

By keeping your workspaces clean and neat, we make it easier for your employees to get their job done.

Thorough sanitation is also a great way to destroy germs, which could bolster your productivity even during cold and flu season.

Best of all, we offer in-demand green cleaning services when possible

 

Commercial Cleaner Job Description

Think of everything involved in keeping your home tidy. Now imagine performing those same tasks on a larger scale at a facility such as an office building or a shopping mall. That’s what commercial cleaners do. You may encounter these workers as you go about your own business, or you may never run into them. Shifts vary and many commercial cleaners work when operations are closed in order to more thoroughly clean the establishment and not bother others with their actions and noise. Because of the physical nature of the job and the tools and products involved, commercial cleaners have a higher rate of injury and illness than the national average.

Commercial Cleaner Duties and Responsibilities

A commercial cleaner’s exact responsibilities will differ depending on a facility’s size and structure, but some core tasks are almost always associated with the job. Based on listings we analyzed,

commercial cleaners should expect to do the following:

Clean

As you might expect, cleaning-related tasks are at the heart of this position. Sweeping, buffing, mopping, dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash cans, polishing woodwork, wiping down tables, scrubbing toilets, and washing windows are some of the basic jobs commercial cleaners perform regularly.

Sanitize

Keeping places as sanitary as possible is another concern. To this end, commercial cleaners often use disinfectants and similar chemicals to prevent the spread of germs. This type of cleaning is common when buildings are relatively empty so as not to subject others to bothersome smells.

Restock Supplies

Ensuring that areas such as bathrooms and kitchens contain a sufficient supply of paper products is a common part of upkeep. Commercial cleaners also need to watch the inventory of supplies they need to perform their job and reorder as necessary.

Follow a Checklist

Team leaders receive instructions from employers or clients and create checklists for their staff. Schedules of what needs to be done and when maximizes efficiency and job performance. For example, the bathrooms at a shopping center may require attendance every hour, whereas the entrance lobby may only require upkeep every two hours.

Note Problems

As they perform their routine, commercial cleaners are in a good position to spot things their clients may want to look into, such as a fraying carpet, a wobbly table, or a running toilet. Commercial cleaners note these potential problems either verbally or by writing them down on their turned-in checklist.

Handle Unexpected Problems

Situations sometimes arise that require extra effort or skill. For instance, clients may call in commercial cleaners to get a stain out of a carpet before it sets, clean up a facility after a large event, or get a bathroom back into shape after a pipe leaks.

Commercial Cleaner Skills and Qualifications

Successful commercial cleaners take pride in their work. They see their efforts as important to the clients they serve. It helps to have a strong stomach – being around trash, bathrooms, and the like is often unpleasant. Other important skills for aspiring commercial cleaners to possess include:

Trustworthiness – with access to many rooms, stores, desks, and the like (and often at times when others aren’t around), commercial cleaners must be honest

Attention to detail – fully examining what you’re doing ensures spots aren’t missed and every area receives proper treatment

Teamwork – tasks are sometimes performed with others, so good collaboration builds morale and boosts productivity

Time management – commercial cleaners must maintain an awareness of what needs to be done and when

Ability to take direction – listening to instructions from a manager or client and following them to a tee is important to meet expectations

Physical stamina – cleaning involves bending, lifting, and spending long periods of time on one’s feet; stamina, fitness, and a good pair of shoes aid in job performance

Industry knowledge – commercial cleaners need to know how to use mops, brooms, floor buffers, and other tools; they also must choose the appropriate cleaning product for the situation and take safety into account, such as wearing gloves around chemicals or cracking a window for ventilation

 

A FLEXIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO REGULAR CLEANING

Office cleanliness doesn’t just impact on your employees’ satisfaction and productivity – it affects your ability to win business as well.

But it can be hard finding a commercial cleaning company you can depend on to deliver results consistent with your reputation.

is pleased to provide a high-quality, more reliable cleaning service to businesses in Cardiff and the surrounding area

What types of premises do you clean?

We can cater for a wide range of business premises from open plan offices to schools, clubs to retail stores. Please get in touch to discuss your specific needs.

Which cleaning services do you offer?

We offer regular office cleaning along with one off deep cleans, as well as add-on partner services such as window cleaning, floor or carpet cleaning, waste management cleaning – even odd jobs

What to Clean Before You Move In

Your dream home sure looked spotless during the open house. But gird yourself: No matter how clean the place seemed, it’s likely there are some dirty surprises in store for move-in day

Sanitizing the bathtub’s a good place to start (you bought someone else’s house, not their bath grime!), but don’t stop there. Before you unpack, buy some rubber gloves, stock up on your favorite cleaners, replace your vacuum’s HEPA filter and hunt down these not-always-obvious dirt hotspots that old homeowners often leave behind.

Heads up!

Step into the dining room and inspect the chandelier. If you find spider webs or dust, use a cleaning system that includes a soft microfiber cloth on an extendable, bendable handle to wipe that mess into submission.

Hmm, what have we here?

Scan the main living areas of the house for unexpected cleaning projects. Did the former residents keep a sofa strategically placed over a huge scuff on the hardwood? Work your magic with cleaners designed to restore specific surfaces

Appliances (sadly) don’t clean themselves.

You didn’t peek inside the furnace during the inspection, did you? Clean or replace the filter, and if you feel comfortable doing so, clean the fan and blower assembly — or call in a pro: The expense may be offset by your energy savings

 

How to Clean Your Apartment Like a Pro

Make your apartment sparkle

Does the idea of deep cleaning make you feel like Cinderella — scrubbing on your hands and knees, wishing some helpful animals would lend a hand? It doesn’t have to be like that. Whether you’re moving into a new apartment and want to start without the dirt and grime left behind by previous tenants, or you’re already in a place that needs of some serious TLC, a deep cleaning is absolutely doable on your own — without spending money on a cleaning crew. With the right supplies and a plan in place, you can efficiently clean your apartment from top to bottom. Take a look at these easy steps to get a truly deep clean, and don’t forget to whistle while you work!

Apartment Cleaning Checklist

With a thorough clean, you’ll be covering the entire place from top to bottom, and since you don’t want to make messes in areas you just cleaned, you’ll find it best to follow a specific order (we’ll get into that below)

Get everything in order

If it’s a new apartment, take advantage of the empty space and deep clean before everything is unloaded and unpacked. If you’re already in, you’ll find it easier to get everything picked up, put away and organized before you get started

Work room to room

This allows you to devote your full attention to each space, getting it totally spotless before moving on to the next area. And, there’s definitely a feeling of accomplishment that comes from seeing a finished, sparkling room. Just save the floors for the very end, so you only have to get the mop and vacuum out once.

Start at the top

Since dust will fall as you go, and you don’t want to clean it up twice, it’s best to work each room from top to bottom. Wipe down dusty surfaces with a dry microfiber cloth or a vacuum (and attachment), and for stubborn, greasy dirt, use a dusting spray or a mix of vinegar and water

 

How to Choose Reliable Cleaners When Moving Out of Your Rental?

Moving out is a stressful experience – all the organising and packing, all the documents and the stress from the final inspection with the landlords. Because – let’s face it – nobody wants to lose their deposit. One of the main reasons for deposit deductions is the state of the rental, and particularly – the cleanliness of the property. Many people hire professional cleaners in order to make sure they will leave the place in an impeccable condition. However, not all the companies can meet the expectations.

do the Cleaners Have a Detailed Checklist?

End of tenancy cleaning is a deep, thorough cleaning; a service oriented particularly to bringing rental homes in a pristine condition when tenants relocate. Many businesses claim that they provide this but fail to meet some essential criteria and to provide the expected results. This is why before you hire the end of tenancy service check if they offer a detailed cleaning checklist of their procedures. Normally, reliable professionals would provide you with a very thorough cleaning checklist, describing items and areas of the property that you haven’t even thought of. The more things are listed in their offer, the more certain you will pass the landlord’s inspection and get your deposit money back

Do the Cleaners Offer Guarantee for the End of Tenancy Cleaning?

Getting a guarantee for the service from the cleaners is very import so you can be sure you will get your deposit back. True professionals are not afraid to provide compensation or re-cleaning of the property if the customer finds the results insufficient. Cleaners should offer at least a 24-hour guarantee for their End of Tenancy Service. Clients can take advantage of this timeframe and pass their final inspection from the landlord before the property starts accumulating dust and dirt.

What Are the Criteria For The Company’s Pricing?

The quality of the cleaning is of great importance when you want to hire a professional company. The best EOT cleaners offer service prices based on the contents or the size of the property, not on time spent cleaning. The results of the cleaning must help the customer to pass the final inspection with their landlord, so the cleaners must leave the property in a pristine condition. Hiring End of Tenancy cleaning team for a certain amount of time doesn’t give you a guarantee that all areas in your rental property will be in impeccably cleaned.

Does the Cleaning Price Include the Tools and Supplies?

When looking for a professional company for your end of tenancy cleaning, ask if the products and tools are included in the price. The team must bring all the necessary supplies to do their job. You shouldn’t pay extra for common consumables or for machines, essential for the job. You should also ask if taxes such as VAT are included in the final bill. Most services can give you an estimate in advance and you don’t have to pay more than this pre-arranged price.

 

Cleaning Tips for Moving into a New House

A thorough clean is advised when moving home and you should make sure you have a checklist for the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen in particular.

This is why its often necessary to plan for a thorough clean on your new home before you fully settle in. You should make time to clean your house before you get all of your belongings moved in as this will make it much easier. It can be an idea to move belongings into self-storage while you are waiting to move, as this gives you time to clean and settle in properly. We have put together an ultimate guide with some top cleaning tips for moving into a new house.

Where do I start cleaning a new home?

It can often be confusing knowing where to start cleaning, but before you do you will need to do some prep to make sure your home is in order. This involves making sure that you check for any surface damage to walls of fixtures in your new home. Repairing these before you move out will make it much easier to move things in and clean your home. We have put together a list of things you should do before you start cleaning

Cleaning the Bathroom

This is one of the areas that will likely need a good clean before you move in but you might not know where to start with the clean. You should make sure that everything gets a good clean and prepare for some touch-up work so you don’t have to do it at a later date. We have put together a checklist for cleaning the bathroom that should help you get the job done

Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Another area of the house that might’ve been neglected is the Kitchen, so you should make sure you have time for kitchen cleaning. There are plenty of things in the kitchen that are likely to have not been cleaned in a while and will need some attention. Our kitchen cleaning checklist includes everything you should consider when cleaning

 

How To Deep Clean Your New House Before You Move In

House cleaning in a new-to-you home will seem like a breeze next to your everyday chores to keep a lived-in house clean and organized. There’s no bric-a-brac to dust around and no furniture to move. Just go room by room, and scrub everything down

How to Clean Your New House

Some cleaning experts say they spend the most time cleaning their kitchen. Between refrigerators and stoves and cabinets, it’s no wonder! The following cleaning tips will make it easy

Oven: Remove oven racks and place them in the sink filled with soapy water. If you’re using an oven cleaner, spray it first and let it sit while you clean the rest of the kitchen (except the floor, which should be last in every room). When you’re ready to proceed, scrub the oven down well. It’s safe to clean the racks with steel wool. You can also use a paste of baking soda and vinegar to get your oven clean without using chemicals.

Sink: It’s safe to use steel wool on stubborn stains in a stainless steel sink, or use a paste of baking soda and vinegar. After you’ve removed stains, a solution of water and lemon juice will really make the sink shine.

Cabinets: Dust and wipe down cabinets with a soft cloth all surfaces, inside and out. Don’t forget the tops of cabinet doors.

How to Clean Windows

Wash your windows the fastest way with crystal clear, streak-free results. Try washing windows with a squeegee and you’ll never go back to a spray bottle and paper towels. Squeegees get your glass clear and streak free in a fraction of the time it takes with paper towels. Check out the basic window washing equipment you need and the simple steps to follow for fast, clear results when cleaning windows.

Basic window washing equipment is all you need

When cleaning windows, the same high-quality window washing tools the pros use are readily available at home centers and full-service hardware stores that you can use in this how to clean windows project that will make your windows look like the pros. The whole setup is inexpensive and will last many years. In addition to a 10- or 12-in. squeegee basic window washing equipment includes a scrubber, a bucket (a 5-gallon plastic bucket will work), hand dishwashing liquid and a few lint-free rags or small towels. Keep your squeegee fitted with a sharp, new rubber blade. Purchase two or three to have on hand. The pros we talked to change their squeegee blades as often as once a day. That’s because you just can’t do a good job if the edge of the blade becomes nicked, sliced or rounded over with use. If your squeegee leaves streaks or just isn’t performing like new, don’t hesitate to replace the blade. You can get a little more mileage out of blades that aren’t nicked or sliced by simply reversing them to expose a fresh edge. When you store the squeegee, make sure nothing touches the blade.

Our squeegee method is easy to master

The best homemade window cleaning solution is to just add a couple of gallons of water and about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in your bucket, and you’re ready to go for window washing. Some people also opt to use vinegar and water to clean windows. In warm weather, you’ll get a little more working time by using cool water. If you’ve procrastinated so long that you’re washing windows in below-freezing temps, add wind shield washing solution until the water doesn’t freeze on the glass. Scrubber or sponge? It’s up to you. A scrubber works great and is worth buying if you have a lot of medium to large panes of glass. But a good-quality sponge is all you really need, especially if most of your windowpanes are small. Step one for cleaning windows: Dip the scrubber in the bucket and squeeze excess water from the scrubber. Will you need to use a ladder when you wash your windows? If so, consider using a ladder stabilizer.

Scrub the glass

The first step in the exterior window cleaning process is to scrub the glass, working at all angles to clean the edges. Make sure to cover every square inch of the glass. This technique allows you to get great results immediately. We’re moving the squeegee horizontally across the glass, but vertical strokes will work too. If you work vertically, angle the squeegee to direct excess water toward the uncleaned area.

Clean a starting strip

Tip the squeegee so that only the corner contacts the glass. Then, starting at the top corner of the glass, clean a narrow strip of glass from top to bottom on one side. This clean strip makes it easier to start the horizontal stokes

 

The best way to clean windows

Clean windows can brighten up your home like nothing else and the internet is inundated with tips and tricks for getting the shiniest results possible.

Newspapers

When your daily read through The Telegraph is done, put your paper to good use by using it to clean your windows. Experts say when scrunched into a ball shape, newspaper is more effective than using a paper towel to clean – especially when paired with an environmentally friendly window cleaner.

Vinegar

It’s an age old trick passed down from generation to generation; apparently, using vinegar to clean your windows is actually not as complete a solution as it might seem

Soap and water

If you do insist on making a homemade solution, experts recommend ditching the vinegar and using soap and water instead

Jeweller’s rouge

Scratches on your windows and mirrors don’t necessarily mean they’re doomed – they can be removed with the use of jeweller’s rouge and some good old elbow grease.

 

THE BEST WINDOW CLEANER EVER

For years and years, we battled trying to get the exterior of our windows clean. They just never looked crystal clear. A filmy residue and often chalky streaks would remain once the windows dried. We tried a variety of window cleaners from homemade to store bought concoctions, as well as using newspaper instead of paper towels with not much success.

We had been working on updating a bathroom and ordered some new mirrors. While the glass guys were here installing the mirror, my husband, Randy, got to chatting with them, as he usually does, about how their business was going. During their conversation he happened to ask them what they use for cleaning glass. Did they have any professional tips or tricks? Yes, they did!

They shared a simple recipe for what they have found to work. They swore by it. We had already tried just using a simple combination of vinegar and water, but they learned a trick from a commercial window cleaner: add a little dish detergent to the vinegar/water mixture. Really? That simple? It was new to us, and it sounded much too easy.

So we tried it (or should I say Randy tried it) right away. Randy set out just to test a few windows and the next thing I knew he had worked all the way around the house, and was already working on some of the upstairs windows as well. There was an immediate difference, and so much easier than what we had tried in the past.

The mixture below, is super simple and used with a soft bristle brush and hose. That’s it. No more piles of used paper towels, no ladders, just clarity. I’m planning on trying the same mixture on all kinds of things outside that need de-grungifying.

 

How to Choose a Window Cleaner

Find out how long they have been in business.  Make sure that they have an established business, not one that was started last month.  It doesn’t take much to start a window cleaning business, but it takes hard work and satisfied customers to stay in business for a long time

Make sure they wash windows all year long (when temperatures are above freezing) and are not washing windows just as a summer job or second job.

Before we leave, we check to make sure that everything is to your satisfaction.  In the rare chance that you find something later, we will return at our expense to correct the problem.  We care about you and want your home or business to look great, so we take the time to do a quality job the first time.

PROTECTION

Before you let any window washer on your property make sure that they are insured.  In the unlikely chance of them damaging something or of someone getting injured, for example, from a falling ladder or a  moving motor vehicle, you should have the peace of mind that they have the insurance to cover any damages. They should have liability insurance, not just auto insurance.  Any professional window cleaning business will have insurance, if they don’t you should find someone else

Wilson Window Cleaning offers free estimates and has fair prices for the quality service we provide. We will work with you to meet your specific needs and budget. Our quotations are close to the actual cost, if there is any difference we will let you know before we start.

 

Window cleaning hacks to save time and do a better job

Do you love that feeling of looking out of freshly cleaned windows? Windows so clean it looks like they almost aren’t there? Most homeowners would agree there is something very satisfying, almost therapeutic, about having crystal clear windows. Having sparkling clean windows can make your rooms feel fresher and look lighter too.

However, window cleaning isn’t the easiest chore. As professional window cleaners, we speak to many clients who have called us to help them because they find it too difficult and time-consuming to clean their windows. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some easy and practical window cleaning hacks to save you time and to help you get better results.

Do yourself a favour and use a squeegee

Many homeowners or tenants find that spray-on window cleaning products often smear dirt and grease around rather than eliminating it. Others who wash their windows with a hose and tap water have found that over time the minerals in the water etch into the glass, damaging the window like an old shower screen

There’s a reason why professional window cleaners swear by squeegees – they do the best job. Rather than just moving the dirt and residue around, a good scrub and a squeegee eliminates the dirt and grime from the glass. Using a squeegee is faster than cleaning windows with a spray and wipe product. It takes a little bit to find your rhythm with the technique but play around and have some fun with it.

The ultimate window washing solution – dishwashing detergent

You may find this one of the most surprising tips in this article. The secret ingredient to making an effective window cleaning solution is a typical household dishwashing liquid. I think that Morning Fresh makes the best solution due to its highly concentrated formula.

Why is Carpet Cleaning So Important?

Just take a moment to think about all the things that hide deep down in the fiber of your carpet: dust, dirt, allergens, bacteria, pet and human hair, grime, and whatever else makes its way via the occupants of your home. So why is it important to regularly clean your carpet? Read below to find the benefits of regularly cleaning your carpets.

Save Money

Carpets are expensive! Regularly cleaning your carpet helps to keep it in good condition, protecting the money you spent on it. This is especially important if your carpet is brand new or if you’re planning to sell your home soon. Its much easier to spend some money on a carpet cleaning service rather than replacing the entire area.

Maintain the Look

A home and/or office simply cannot look clean if the carpets in it are not actually clean. Vacuuming regularly is a great way to remove dirt and debris that ends up in the carpet. However, a regular deep clean is also needed to get some tougher stains out. You’ll appreciate the look and feel of the carpets much more and you will be happy to show off your place to guests/visitors.

Improve The Smell Of Your Carpet

Another obvious reason to clean your carpet is to improve (or maintain) its smell. This is especially true for homes with pets, and children who often produce vomit and/or urine which may leave an unfortunate smell. Routine cleanings are important, and an occasional steam clean is a great option if you want a fresh smelling carpet.

Prevent the Spread of Allergens/Bacteria

Regular carpet cleaning can prevent your carpets from harming your health. They are a perfect breeding ground for allergens and bacteria, and they can expose you and your family to dangerous pollutants. Especially if you have young children or pets, or if someone in the home has allergies, regular carpet cleaning is essential.

 

Should You Vacuum Your Carpets After Getting Them Cleaned

​We often get asked if it is wise to vacuum your carpets after getting them cleaned. This question is usually based around when to vacuum the carpets, and not if they should every be vacuumed again.

So the simple answer is YES! You should vacuum your carpets after getting them cleaned, but only if the carpet is 100% dry. And we mean DRY.

​What Are The Benefits Of Vacuuming Your Carpets After Cleaning?

​To be quite honest the benefits of vacuuming your carpets after you clean them (a bad idea for YOU to clean them) or after a professional cleans them are pretty small.

But after having said that, there are a couple of benefits that to vacuuming after carpet cleaning.

1. You will get out some additional cleaning residue. If your carpets were cleaned the right way there should be very little cleaning residue left in your carpet to begin with. But in many cases poor carpet cleaning (especially when you do it yourself) leads to too much cleaning residue being left in your carpet and this is not a good thing.

​When this cleaning residue dries, in many cases, there is a powdery flaky substance in your carpet; and by vacuuming your carpets after they have been cleaned you can get a lot of this residue out of your carpet. And getting out carpet cleaning chemical residue is always a good thing.

There is a carpet cleaning method called Encapsulation Cleaning that basically leaves EVERYTHING in your carpet, dirt and cleaning agent. This method relies on soil “extraction” to come during the vacuuming process. This is the only time when leaving cleaning agent in your carpet is accepted and even then this type of cleaning is NOT recommended for residential environments.

2. Gives The Carpet a More Uniform Appearance. While the vacuum itself can lead to “vacuum patterns” in your carpet (depending on the type of carpet) the cleaning patterns many carpet cleaning machines leave (including those of professionals) in your carpet are NOT wanted.

By vacuuming your carpet after it has been cleaned you will get rid of most, if not all, of these carpet cleaning marks a carpet machine or wand make.

On a side note: Many carpet cleaners purposely leave patterns in your carpet from their cleaning. And this is NOT good. Many professional carpet cleaners leave these patterns because they cover up dirty traffic areas and spots or stains they did not get out or clean properly. The pattern is put there to trick the eye into not seeing these problems. This is a very poor practice by many carpet cleaners and you should not allow this. Make sure you have your carpet cleaner brush or rake the carpet after they have cleaned it. It allows you to REALLY see how the carpet looks and the carpet will also dry faster.

​In the end run vacuuming your carpets after they have been cleaned is a good idea but ONLY IF THE CARPET IS 100% DRY!

​If you vacuum your carpets before they are dry there is a very good chance you are going to transfer soil from the vacuum cleaner, especially the brushes, onto the carpet you just had cleaned. Obviously this not good.

​At Linton’s Carpet Cleaning we usually get very fast dry times so you can usually vacuum your carpets the same day, or early the next morning.

And speaking of dry carpet. In our next article the subject will be CARPET CLEANING DRY TIMES.

 

5 Tips For Using A Shampooer To Clean Your Carpet

Using a carpet shampooer keeps your carpet fresh and clean. These cleaners resemble a vacuum cleaner but with a hot water extractor that produces warm, sudsy water to clean the carpet. The shampooing machine has a solution tank and cleaning attachment with a nylon brush. The brush spins and releases the cleaning solution into the carpeting, which creates foam. Moving in a circular fashion, the brush scrubs the carpeting. It uses suction to remove the water and then sends the water to a dirty water reservoir. They’re really not that hard to use, and they can save you an absolute fortune in professional carpet cleaning!

Here are 5 steps to shampoo your carpet to get it clean:

1. Prepare your carpet and areas to be shampooed

• If available, review the directions that go with your carpet to ensure that the cleaning solution and shampooer you use are appropriate for the carpet you own.
• Begin by removing furniture from the room and then thoroughly vacuum the carpet preferably with a powerhead vacuum cleaner, before shampooing to remove loose dirt, pet hair and other particles. This should also expose the carpet stains, if there are any.
• Pay attention to high-traffic areas, as well as corners and spaces where the carpet meets the wall. Use an attachment, if necessary, to get suction into spots the vacuum can’t adequately cover.
• When using a carpet shampooer it is wise to perform a spot test on an out of the way portion of the carpet to make sure that no discoloration occurs and the settings are correct before applying it liberally.
• Treat tough areas with a stain remover spray. Spray the cleaner directly on the stain and follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning it up. Some sprays are left on the stain until you vacuum it up while others will be dabbed with a clean cloth. The stain remover works by using chemicals to break the electrical charge between the dirt particles and carpet fibers. This allows the dirt to break free and the solution draws it to the surface of the carpet for removal.
• Removing as many of the allergens, dirt and dust mites as possible with a powerhead vacuum before shampooing will significantly increase the quality of the result.
• Clear the room you will be cleaning. Work in one room at a time and remove as much furniture as you can. If necessary, shift all the furniture to one side of the room so you can clean the other side. This may cause issues however when you have to set the furniture on the damp carpet. This may not allow the carpet to dry properly.

Note: Silk carpet should not be treated with a carpet shampooer.

2. Prepare the carpet shampooing machine

• Fill the clean water tank with water and carpet shampoo as directed by manufacturer instructions. Do not use more shampoo than required. Excess shampoo will leave greater residue on the carpet, allowing dirt to cling to the dried residue and making carpets look dirty again.
• It’s important to read the list of ingredients on the shampoo bottle before cleaning. Mix carpet shampoo according to the instructions and add to carpet shampooer.
• When looking for carpet shampooer, be sure that the shampooer is an extractor with a clean water rinse cycle.

3. Now you are ready to shampoo your carpet

• Rushing the cleaning job may give poor results so plan to take your time.
• To thoroughly clean the carpet, maneuver the machine across the surface several times. This may include stopping periodically to empty the dirty water from the reservoir and refill it with clean water.
• Use consistent forward and reverse strokes over the carpet surface.
• Clean the entire room by moving in an up and down motion, working from one wall to the other and then back until the waste water being sucked up is clear. Empty the waste water tank and refill the clean water tank with solution, as needed. For harder stains, you may wish to move back and forth over the stain several times until the water is clear.
• Don’t ‘overdose’ the shampoo solution, it is better to go over a dirty spot twice than put excess shampoo in the carpet
• Removing the soap from your carpet is very important. The amount of water extracted is also very important. If you leave water in the carpet, you’re leaving dirt and the moisture will possibly lead to mold and mildew.
• If too much detergent is used, or if all the detergent is not removed, the carpet will get dirtier sooner. Detergent left in a carpet, serves as a magnet for new dirt.
• When finished shampooing, run a tank of clear water over the heavy cleaned areas (e.g. entrances and walkways). This will help remove excess shampoo and keep those areas cleaner for longer. It also helps to rinse out the shampoo from inside in the machine!

4. After shampooing

• Press your hand on the carpet. If your fingers have residual moisture, it’s important to extract the remnants of water/shampoo from the fibers by suctioning the carpet further.  Do this until the process of pressing your hand to the rug no longer produces much residue. Carpet care needs patience, and it is not a minor task.
• Wipe cleaning solution from woodwork and wood furniture immediately to prevent damage to the wood or upholstery.
• Allow ample time for the area to dry before putting furniture back on it. This could take overnight. For smaller areas, it can be dry in as little as 2 hours. Larger rooms may take 1 day for everything to be completely dry. Opening windows and turning on fans can help it to dry quicker.
• If furniture must be placed back in the room before the carpet is dry, use aluminum foil or plastic under the furniture legs to prevent staining the carpet.
• Use towels or white cloths to step on if you must walk on the area before it is dry. Try to keep children and pets off the carpet until it is completely dry.
• When your carpet is dry, vacuum again to remove any loose particles suspended on top of the carpet before anyone walks on it.

5. Cleaning Frequency

• How frequently you should shampoo carpet depends largely on the amount of traffic a carpet receives. A carpet that is walked on daily should be cleaned at least once or twice per year, but carpet in an infrequently used room may need to be shampooed only every 18 months.

Light colored carpeting will show dirt more easily and may need to be cleaned more often.

 

How to Clean Brown Stains After Carpet Cleaning

You may notice brown stains on your carpet after a thorough carpet cleaning. These stains occur if there is too much cleaning solution and water used during the cleaning process. Another reason these brown stains occur is that dirt that is usually deep down in the carpet resurfaces as the carpet dries. This is called wicking. If these problems occur, clean the areas again with as little water as necessary.

Step 1

Purchase a low pH acid cleaner from a janitorial supply store. You need a low pH acid cleaner of about 2.0 to safely remove the brown discoloration from your carpet.

Step 2

Use a wet vacuum to suck up the water and cleaning solution left behind from the previous carpet cleaning. If the spots are dry, skip this step and move on to Step 3.

Step 3

Spray the low pH acid cleaner on the brown spots. Do not over-spray; you do not want to over-wet the affected area again.

Step 4

Scrub the area with a cleaning brush to get the cleaning solution deep down into the carpet fibers.

Step 5

Blot the stain with paper towels to absorb excess cleaning solution on the carpet surface. Repeat this process until you can no longer see the brown stain.

Step 6

Remove any excess moisture using a wet vacuum.

Step 7

Use a box fan to expedite the drying process. Point the fan toward the affected area. The brown stain was due to over-wetting, so thoroughly drying the area is important.

 

Vacuum Features and Settings for the Best Cleaning Results

Establishing the needs of the facilities you manage is crucial for delivering exceptional cleaning results. Follow these steps to help you determine which vacuum settings you need and how to properly set up the vacuum for your specific job:

Step No. 1: Determine Your Priorities

Tailor your needs based on the industry in which you service and your responsibilities. For example, schools require cleaning each day before the bell rings, so high-performance and power are important. Hotels and restaurants require cleaning several times a day to meet high expectations, so quiet cleaning is necessary. Cleaning large areas is important in offices, so look for reliable machines that cover a lot of ground quickly.

Step No. 2: Choose Key Features

Once you narrow down your industry’s priorities, it’s important to select a vacuum model equipped to meet them. Look for professional-grade features, components, and specifications based on your needs.

• Corded: Vacuums featuring quick-disconnect power cords can help reduce downtime if you damage a cord. An extension cord replacement eliminates time required to replace a permanent cord.
• Cordless: Speed up productivity by eliminating cord changes and the need to search for outlets. For on-the-spot cleaning needs, use models with quick recharge times and long-lasting power.
• Quiet cleaning: If it’s important to clean quietly, consider vacuums with 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) or less. These vacuums help meet LEED requirements for sound and keep energy costs down.
• Lightweight: Models weighing 16 pounds or less allow for easier maneuverability and comfort.
• Allergen reduction: For allergen reduction and improved air quality, look for vacuums that feature a sealed HEPA system and a HEPA filter on the exhaust.
• Motor life: Models with extended motor life provide years of reliable performance, reducing cost of ownership over time.
• Multisurface cleaning tools: Extension wands are useful for extended-reach cleaning. Crevice tools allow for easy cleaning in tight spots like corners and baseboards. Upholstery tools are ideal for vacuuming stairs and furniture.

Step No. 3: Get Prepped

Once you have a vacuum armed with the features you need, it’s important to adjust a few settings and check some key parts to make sure you’re ready to get the job done:

• Bag: Check that the bag is either new or has enough room for extended cleaning.
• Height settings: Get quick adjustments for multiple floor surface types using the height adjustment knob. Remember: The brushroll must reach the carpet to be effective.
• Filters: Inspect filters for blockage and clean them if necessary.
• Brushroll and belt: Look for damage or tangled debris (such as hair) before each use.
• Tools: Make sure hoses and wands are properly secured, and attachment tools are in the storage position so you can easily access them.

It’s helpful to choose equipment that can be assembled and maintained easily. In addition, don’t forget to take time for daily inspection and maintenance, and follow manufacturer instructions for proper cleaning and safety.

By selecting the right vacuum features and settings for your industry and job, you can efficiently clean every surface, crevice, and corner to deliver exceptional results day in and day out.