Archive for March, 2010

San Diego Office Building Cleaning

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Cleaning an entire office building is a large-scale job, and involves many different tasks.  The cleanest and most sanitary (not to mention professional looking) office buildings are cleaned on a regular basis, which is the best way to maintain the cleanliness of any building or area, large or small.  A professional San Diego office cleaning company, specializing in cleaning on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis, is your best option, both in terms of saving time and resources.

What is involved in cleaning an office building? Here are just some of the many tasks that are included:

Carpet Cleaning:

Most office buildings use what is known as short pile carpet, which means that it is thin and durable, but that it also has a tendency to hold dirt and stains longer than other types of carpet.  This is why most professional cleaning services use industrial vacuums to clean them.  In terms of steam cleaning, manufacturers recommend that carpets, especially those in high traffic areas, be steam cleaned every six months.

Workspace Cleaning

It is a good idea for workers to regularly clean their desks, computer screens, and other items on their desks. These items , due to their close and almost constant contact with people, can become breeding grounds for germs Your San Diego office cleaning company will regular disinfect and dust these areas as needed.

Window Cleaning

This can be a large-scale job, depending on the size and amount of windows in an office building. Industrial strength glass cleaner, and special mops and squeegees are essential components for larger windows.

These are just some of the many  tasks involved in cleaning an office building.  If you don’t already have a professional San Diego office cleaning service , there is no time like the present to hire one.

Five Questions To Ask Any San Diego Cleaning Service

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

On this blog, we talk a lot about the importance of hiring a reliable, professional San Diego cleaning service, and the truth is, the importance of this topic can’t be stressed enough. The cleaning service that you hire will be one of the largest, if not the largest contributor in forming that crucial first impression that clients, potential clients, and visitors have of your office, and of your business.

If you have a small business, and particularly  if you are just starting out, you may question the importance of hiring a maintenance and janitorial cleaning service. The truth is, that as your business grows, you will naturally need to devote more of your (and your employees) time, energy, and resources toward business operations. With that being said, here are five questions that anyone thinking of hiring a professional San Diego cleaning service should ask:

  1. Do you have references? Any reputable cleaning service should have references that you can check and follow up on.
  2. Do you have liability insurance? This is extremely important, both for the cleaning service, and for you, in the event that one of their workers becomes injured or breaks something in your office while working.
  3. How do you charge? By the hour? By the day? By the project? What types of cleaning services and cleaning supplies are included in this charge? Be sure that you read the fine print of any service contract carefully before signing.
  4. What kind of guarantees do you offer on your services?
  5. What is your customer service policy? A receptive, responsive customer service staff can make all the difference

Spotting Mold And Stopping It Before It Spreads

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

What is one thing that may be lurking in your home or office, creating health problems and damaging the structure of  the building that even the most careful cleaner may overlook? Mold. There are many different types of mold to be on the lookout for, and any damp, dark place can be a breeding ground.

In most cases, people who frequent a building with a mold infestation become sick before the infestation is discovered.   There are two types of mold to be on the lookout for, common household mold, and toxic mold.  Common household mold, while not toxic, can cause structural damage and health problems.

Toxic mold, in addition to causing structural damage, is considered a serious health hazard. This type of mold is usually black and appears slimy when wet.

If you spot mold in your office or business, it is important to remove it as soon as possible. Ask your San Diego cleaning service about the best procedure and cleaning products for doing so.

San Diego Office Cleaning Tips: Mold Removal

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

If you’ve discovered mold in your home or office, you are probably wondering how to get rid of it and how to prevent it from coming back.  Your first step should be to consult with your San Diego office cleaning service,  since they will likely have many helpful tips and suggestions, and if they are unable to remove the mold, will also have suggestions for finding a reliable mold remediation company.

Once mold has been identified, there are four important steps that must be taken:

  • Containing the mold
  • Killing the mold
  • Removal of the dead mold
  • Protecting against future mold

It is important to locate all possible sources, or breeding grounds for mold.  These can include, but are not limited to:

  • Water leaks
  • Air conditioners
  • Faulty roofing
  • Carpets and furniture that have been exposed to excessive moisture

Mold can cause a wide-variety of health problems, including aggravation of allergies, asthma, and other conditions.  A mold test kit will be able to tell you whether there are additional, hidden sources of mold in your building, in addition to the visible ones.   A mold removal company will also use several methods, including fluorescent lights, to detect all sources and areas of mold infestation.

Depending on the type of mold that you have, there are a variety of different cleaning products designs to remove it. Most experts recommend using a boric acid solution.

Bleach is also an effective way to remove some types of mold. Make sure to always wear gloves and protective clothing when using this or any type of potentially hazardous substance.   Remember, it is important to contain and remove mold as soon as possible in order to avoid more costly, and health hazardous problems down the road.

Glass Door Cleaning Tips

Monday, March 8th, 2010

A glass door, whether it is a sliding glass door or a door with glass panels, can add beauty and depth to any space. When the glass becomes dirty and dingy, however, these doors can make the rest of your office look dirty and dingy as well.

Here are some tips for cleaning glass doors. For more tips, be sure to ask your San Diego janitorial and maintenance company.

The first step is to use either a rag or a very soft-bristled brush to remove any heavy dust and dirt deposits. If you are cleaning a sliding glass door, this is especially important, as is cleaning the door track using a vacuum with a nozzle attachment.

Once you have the surface dirt removed, the net step is to use a cleaning solution and a soft rag or cleaning cloth to further clean the glass and restore its shine.  Using a small spray bottle filled with solution, start at the top of the glass portion of the door, slowly working your way down.

Make sure to spray just enough cleaner to coat, but not thoroughly saturate the surface.  To avoid streaking, turn the cloth constantly, making sure to always wipe the glass with a dry portion of the cloth, and replace it with a new cloth when necessary.

Restaurant Cleaning Tips: Restaurant Recycling

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

If you own a restaurant, then you know that every penny counts.  Hiring a San Diego restaurant cleaning service is one way to keep your restaurant and kitchen maintained and spotless, and prevent the need for costly repairs and damage due to improper cleaning of appliances down the road.  There are many other ways to save money as well, and the good news is that a restaurant recycling plan not only saves your restaurant money, but it helps to save the environment as well.

In the state of California, and in many other states as well, landfills are becoming increasingly more crowded, and because of this, the costs for waste disposal and landfill storage and expansion continue to increase, and these increased costs are passed directly on to restaurants and other businesses.

If you don’t already have a restaurant recycling program in place, this is the percent time to start one. A few small changes can go a long way.

Here are just a few ideas:

  • Purchase paper and other products made from recycled materials
  • Recycle the cardboard boxes that you receive from shippers
  • Serve soda and other carbonated beverages from a dispenser, rather then by the bottle or the can
  • Use refillable condiment bottles, and buy condiments in bulk
  • Use reusable tablecloths, napkins, flatware, and stemware when possible
  • Use multi-purpose cleaners that can be used on a variety of surfaces, and ask your San Diego restaurant cleaning service to do the same.

Restaurant Cleaning Tips: The Manager’s Walk

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Whether you’re a restaurant manager or a restaurant employee, you are likely familiar with the periodic manager’s inspection known as the “Manager’s Walk” that is a routine in most restaurants.  Maintaining a clean, sanitary, environment is important not only for smooth and successful restaurant operations, but also for the health and safety of your employees and your customers.

Here are some things that managers should be looking for, and additionally, some of the things that the Health Department will be looking for as well during their next inspection.

  • Clean and/or new condiment dispensers and tableware on all tables
  • All surfaces clean and sanitized
  • Proper amount of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
  • Dumpster area clean and grime free
  • Refrigeration and storage areas clean and properly maintained
  • Proper labeling of stored food
  • Observance of employee regulations: These vary by state and generally include hygiene, dress code,  etc.

For more manager walk and health department inspection tips and other San Diego restaurant cleaning advice, be sure to ask your San Diego restaurant cleaning service and check or blog frequently as well.

Restaurant Bathroom Cleaning Tips

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

What is one of the most high traffic areas of any restaurant? If you guessed the bathroom, you’d be right. Your San Diego restaurant janitorial and cleaning service will pay close attention to this area for that reason. What can you do to make sure that this important room stays clean in between professional visits?

  • Create an hourly rotation schedule amongst employees. Make sure that someone is responsible for restocking the bathroom with toilet paper, seat covers, and other supplies.
  • Mop and clean on a weekly basis. Even if you have a cleaning service, plan on doing this to make sure that any spills that may occur are promptly cleaned up.
  • Empty trash frequently, on an hourly basis if necessary
  • Sanitize all surfaces on a daily basis, weekly if you have a cleaning servic
  • Make sure that all plumbing and fixtures are working correctly. Check regularly for leaks, cracks, and other potential problems.
  • Ask your restaurant cleaning service for more helpful tips.

The Best Window Washing Tips

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Window washing can be a time consuming task, but it is important to keep the windows in your office space clean, both for aesthetic and visibility purposes.  Your San Diego janitorial and maintenance service will likely include regular window cleaning as part of their routine, but in between cleaning visits, here are some window washing tips from the professionals.

First of all, it is important to start at the top of the window and work your way down. Otherwise, you will be constantly dripping cleaning solution on to the section of the window that you just cleaned.  This will lead to extra work, not to mention streaky windows.

Many professionals recommend using a vinegar-based solution, or simply vinegar mixed with water, for window washing. There are many different types of commercial window cleaning products available that are effective when used correctly, including many eco-friendly products. When in doubt, ask your San Diego cleaning service which types of cleansers they use.

Use a clean, absorbent rag and be sure to have several on hand, since reusing the same wet rag just spreads the dirt and germs to the next window, and using a rag that is too damp can also lead to streaking.  Avoid using paper towels, since these can leave tiny fibers behind once the window dries.

Regardless of the cleaning solution that you use, make sure that you fill a small plastic spray bottle with solution and spray as you go, as opposed to using a bucket filled with cleanser. There are two reasons for this. First, constantly dipping your cleaning rags and cloths into a bucket spreads germs and dirt and second, the cleaning solution will become contaminated by the dirt, water, and germs from the rags.

Follow these tips, and you will have streak-free, beautifully cleaned windows.