Archive for January, 2010

Interviewing A San Diego Commercial Cleaning Service

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

When you decide to hire a San Diego office cleaning service, you will want to identify your cleaning and janitorial service needs and make sure that you are choosing a company that can provide the services that you need.  Once you think that you have found the right company, the next step is to ask the right questions, before you agree to hire them.

  1. Are their workers fully bonded and insured? What if something breaks or someone is injured? A non-bonded and non-insured worker is a liability.  Going along with this, you should ask the company about their employee screening process.  Are their employees required to pass background checks?
  2. Is the company a member of the Better Business Bureau?  If so, check online to see whether or not any complaints have been filed against them in the past year.  If so, were those complaints effectively resolved?
  3. Does the company use green cleaning methods and products? Besides being environmentally friendly, green cleaning products are also a better choice because they do not contain the harsh chemicals and dyes found in other products.
  4. Have a 24/7 hotline to answer questions and take cleaning requests?  If you have a question about your service or want to change your service options, can you speak to someone anytime?
  5. How long has the company been in business? Keep in mind that although the number of years in business does not necessarily equate to more experience and better service, it is often easier to gauge the quality of service from a company that has been in business longer.

San Diego Office Cleaning Tips: Trash Management

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

When it comes to office cleaning, there are a lot of things to consider. One of the most important, trash management is often overlooked.  Whether you have two employees or fifty, the fact is that everyone in the office contributes to the amount of trash that builds up daily.   Unfortunately, it is also a fact that the busier people are, the less likely they are to take time out of their busy day to properly dispose of their trash, let alone recyclables, particularly if the trash cans and recycling containers aren’t located near their desks.  Even if you have an office cleaning service to regularly empty trash cans and recycling containers, it is still a good idea to have everyone in your office follow some basic trash management guidelines.

  • Place small trash cans near everyone’s desk.  This may sound simple, but you’d be surprised at how much of a difference this little step can make.
  • Place recycling containers in every room.  Again, proximity to workers is key.
  • Remind workers of the old adage “a clean  office is a happy office.”  It is also a healthier and more productive office as well.
  • Ask your San Diego cleaning service about the recycling programs that they offer.

These are just some of the quick an easy ways that you can effectively manage the trash in your office and create a cleaner and more sanitary workplace.

Indoor Pest Control And Prevention

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Preventing Indoor Pests

With a San Diego office cleaning service keeping your office clean and sanitary, you shouldn’t have to worry about preventing indoor pests, right? Wrong.  Some indoor pests, once they decide to make your office their home, are very difficult to get rid of, but easy to prevent.

What Can You Do?

First, don’t let trash pile up in your office.  Make sure that all of your employees properly dispose of trash.  For tips on trash management, be sure to read our Trash Management blog post this month.

Schedule regular maintenance inspections so that a trained professional can evaluate the structure of your office building for water damage and mold.  In addition to weakening the structure of the building and leading to health problems, water damaged structures can also be a breeding ground for pests and can also allow rodents and other small animals to enter the building.

Building maintenance inspections are also a great way to identify problem areas, i.e. holes that need to be filled in, pipes that need to be sealed, and vegetation growing close to the building.   Ask your San Diego janitorial service company whether or not they offer pest control services and if not, which pest control companies they recommend.

If the idea of using harsh chemicals to exterminate pests or traps to catch and prevent the spread of pests bothers you, there are several “organic” ways to help eliminate pests.

For Gnats: As soon as you see even one gnat, place small dishes of apple cider vinegar mixed with dish soap on the countertops of your office kitchen and/or near trashcans.  Gnats will be attracted to the sweet smell of the vinegar but will be unable to escape from the dish because of the viscosity of the dish soap.

For Ants: Draw chalk lines around areas where you see ants entering and exiting. Ants will not cross chalk lines.

For Larger Pests: There are many humane rodent traps on the market that are a good alternative to the spring-loaded and glue traps that are often used.

Follow these tips, and your workplace will be pest free and stay pest free in no time.

Restaurant Cleaning Tips: Restaurant Booth Cleaning

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Nothing says “cozy” in a restaurant quite like a restaurant booth.  Comfortable and more secluded than table sitting, booths are great for families, couples on dates, and large groups of people.   Of course, if you own, manage, or work in a restaurant, you know that the list of things to clean can sometimes seem never ending, which is just one of the reasons why hiring the right San Diego restaurant cleaning service is such an important thing to do.

When it comes to restaurant booths, the vast majority are made of vinyl, since this material is easy to clean. Regardless of the type of material the booths in your restaurant are made of, you should always check the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations before using any cleaning products on the tables or seats of your booths.

  • Use a clean, damp cloth to remove food particles and debris from the surface of the table and the seats.
  • Spray the table with the appropriate cleaning solution (glass cleaner for glass, wood cleaner for wood, etc.) and use an absorbent, clean, dry cloth to clean and disinfect.
  • Use the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning product and another absorbent, clean, dry cloth to clean the seat and backrest of the booth. If you aren’t sure which products to use, ask your San Diego commercial cleaning service which products they use.
  • Some newer types of booths have removable backs, which can save you a lot of time. Instead of having to worry about cleaning between the crevices of the backrest and the seat, not to mention the backside of the booth, you can simply snap the pieces apart. If this is not an option for you, however, be sure to use a small portable vacuum cleaner to clean between these sections, and a damp sponge as well, since this is where most of the debris and food particles collect.

For more restaurant cleaning tips, be sure to visit us again soon.

Restaurant Cleaning Tips: Care And Maintenance Of Outdoor Furniture

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Next to booth seating, outdoor seating is quite possibly the most popular type of restaurant seating. Of course, no one will want to sit in your outdoor seating area unless your furniture is kept clean and well maintained.  Here are some expert tips to help you achieve this, courtesy of your friendly, neighborhood San Diego restaurant cleaning service.

Wooden Furniture: Besides regular removal of dust, pollen, food, and other debris, your outdoor wood furniture should be treated with a stain or water sealant to help prevent water damage and protect the natural beauty of the wood.

Wrought Iron Furniture: This type of outdoor furniture lends a look of elegance to any outdoor restaurant seating area.  It is important to protect wrought iron from rust by periodically coating it with silicone spray.  Even in climates where there is not a lot of humidity or rainfall, it is still important to do this, since wrought iron furniture can rust quickly even after exposure to a minimal amount of water.

Wicker Furniture: It is important to clean furniture made from wicker thoroughly and on a regular basis, since it is easy for small particles of food to become imbedded in the wicker fibers.  Remove fabric cushions and rinse the furniture thoroughly with a hose and then place it in the sun to dry.

Plastic Furniture: Plastic furniture is the most low-maintenance type of all.  Just make sure to clean it thoroughly with a hose and try to keep your furniture out of direct sunlight, as UV rays can fade the color of the plastic, giving it a worn, “run-down” appearance.

Follow these tips and your outdoor furniture will be an asset to your restaurant for years to come.

Choosing Restaurant Furniture

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

When it comes to restaurant furniture, it is important to put a lot of thought into the type that you choose.  Of course, if you don’t have much experience with interior decorating, this can seem like an intimidating process. This is particularly true when you consider the significant impact that the types and styles of restaurant furniture you choose will have on the theme of your restaurant, as well as visitor’s first impressions.

Consider The Following:

Your Theme: Is your restaurant a chic French bistro? A casual, family eatery? An upscale Italian restaurant with a dress code where reservations are required?  Don’t assume that any old furniture will work.  Even if you don’t have the budget for high-end furniture, browsing through any online catalogue will reveal that furniture manufacturers usually group their products by type and theme, making it easier to find the furniture that you need is inline with your budget.

Space Available: Sure, those giant, 8-person booths look cozy, but can you fit even one of them in your dining area and still have room for the servers (and not to mention the customers) to walk?  Measure your available space before you start shopping.

The Material: Restaurant furniture needs to be durable and able to withstand spills, stains, and heavy traffic. Solid wood, durable aluminum and wrought iron, and plastic are all good choices.

For the best ways to clean and maintain your new furniture, be sure to ask your San Diego Restaurant cleaning service.

How A San Diego Restaurant Cleaning Company Can Help Your Business

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

Even though we mention the importance of hiring a San Diego restaurant cleaning service on a regular basis, the sheer volume of work and responsibility that restaurant owners are responsible on a weekly and monthly, not to mention a daily basis, we feel like that it is worth mentioning again.

The right service will do the following:

  • Daily vacuuming and mopping of floors
  • Trash removal
  • Bathroom sanitization
  • Cleaning of ducts and exhaust fans
  • Sanitization of food preparation areas
  • Dusting
  • Complete cleaning of all equipment
  • Window washing
  • Daily cleaning of chairs and tables

Special Services Including:

  • Power Washing
  • Floor stripping/waxing
  • Marble floor care
  • And More

Visit Our Special Services And Restaurant Cleaning Services pages to learn more.

Tips For Choosing Industrial Appliances

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Sometimes it is necessary to purchase industrial appliances to keep your restaurant up and running.  When considering your options, keep the following in mind:

  • Price: Knowing what your budget is for new appliances is the first step.  If the cost of brand new equipment seems out of your range, consider used or reconditioned products. Just make sure that you receive all repair records for the appliance.
  • Features: New appliances have features that older appliances do not. Don’t let these sway you towards an unnecessary purchase, however.  Research the different features of the appliances that you are considering, and make sure that you actually need and will use any expensive features that you decide to pay for.
  • The Retailer: Where you buy your industrial appliances makes a big difference.  If you are buying directly from the manufacturer, check into your warranty options and familiarize yourself with their return policy.  If you are buying a used appliance from a store, you may still be able to obtain a warranty and should ask.  Of course, if you buy your appliances from a person, you will not be able to obtain a warranty unless the appliance is already covered by one. Of course, this last option is usually the most cost effective, which again is why it is so important to determine what your exact budget is before you begin shopping.

Benefits Of Pressure Washing

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Pressure washing, or power washing, is a service provided by many businesses.  If your San Diego commercial cleaning company offers it as a specialty cleaning service, there are many reasons to consider it.

Pressure Washing:

  • Involves high-pressure streams of water, one hundred times more powerful than the force of a common garden hose.
  • Uses a tightly controlled water stream
  • Does not cause water damage and is safe for a variety of surfaces.
  • Can  improve not only the appearance of the surface, but also the air quality around it, by eliminating mold and mildew.
  • Is used on concrete, linoleum, and other types of floors to remove dirt and debris
  • Is used on houses and buildings with vinyl or aluminum siding to remove pollen, mold, debris, and dirt and to restore their appearance.
  • Used on wooden decks and patios to improve the appearance and condition of the wood.
  • Is a quick, safe, process that yields dramatic results.

Over time, even the most well maintained flooring and siding will collect dirt and debris.  Ask your San Diego cleaning service whether or not they offer this service, either as part of their normal cleaning routine or as a specialty, or both, depending on the type of surface.