Spring Cleaning: Who does it and How?

Who is most likely to do spring cleaning?

Generation Y is taking the lead as the group most likely to initiate a spring cleaning session this year. Eighty-two percent of Generation Y (our nation’s group of people ages 18-29) has done or plans to do spring cleaning in 2011. There’s a discrepancy between why men and women choose to clean, and what they will do for spring cleaning as well.

According to the Housekeeping Channel, “While the priorities rank in the same order for men and women, a greater number of women prioritize the importance of each job. Seventy-seven percent of women (versus 66 percent of men) say that even just the change in the weather makes them want to clean up.”

Women focus more on organizing space, removing clutter and items not in use, disinfecting surfaces, cleaning windows, and cleaning under furniture. Men are more interested in cleaning of electronics like cell phones and computers, with the interest to clean sparked by the residence appearing dirty or someone commenting on the lack of cleanliness of their home. Women are, generally, more motivated to clean and do so routinely. They are motivated by visitors arriving, free time, a feeling of disorganization or just being fed up with the dirt.

“When it comes to doing the “dirty work,” 30 percent of Generation Y men agree that if it wasn’t for spring cleaning, they probably would never clean. In fact, when it comes to most day-to-day cleaning chores, men are taken to task by Gen Y women.” (HC)

So what should be included on our to-do list for spring cleaning?

The American Cleaning Institute shares the ABCs of Spring Cleaning:

A is for Asthma and Allergy Triggers

During this challenging winter, many of us were snowed in with our pets whose dander is one of the most common triggers. Compound that with a few months of everyday dust and the tiniest unwelcome guests who seek shelter in our homes during cold weather, and it’s time to do away with the "A."

Have an allergen control plan. Clean one room at a time, starting with where an asthma or allergy sufferer sleeps. Wash their bedding and curtains. Dust surfaces and vacuum the carpet clean the window sills and frames. Wet mop floors.

B is for Bacteria

From the front door knob to kitchen counters, the telephone and remote control, ACI recommends giving every surface in your home the thorough cleaning it needs with the goal of reducing the likelihood that bacteria stick around for spring.

Prevent mold and mildew from accumulating in the bathroom by using a daily shower cleaner. Mold and mildew remover products are effective if you have to use them. Use a disinfectant to kill the mold and mildew.

If you’re in the kitchen, give the surfaces a good cleaning and disinfecting. Make sure you allow enough time for the germ kill, per the product label instructions.

C is for Clutter

Sort it out: Take everything out of the closet, dressers, shelves, under the bed and off the furniture. Put stuff in separate piles. Separate out what you don’t need anymore and donate if you can.

Keep similar items together so that children know where to find things. Put items inside drawers, closets, covered boxes or plastic containers so dust can’t collect on them.

While the furniture surface is clear, use an electrostatic dust sheet or furniture polish or wipes to take care of a winter’s worth of dust.



Below are our 5 Benefits of Spring Cleaning that we distributed this year.

1. Healthy home, healthy body. Clean out the allergens and bacteria that have been lurking in mischievous locations this winter.

2. Organized space leads to an organized life.

3. Start anew. Spring is bout new beginnings, so even if 2011 has been a messy year so far, take this opportunity to clean up!

4. Do a good deed. While you are sorting through your clutter, place aside items you no longer need then donate to a local charity.

5. A clean fridge will keep those healthy veggies and fruit fresh longer – encouraging you and your family to eat them everyday!

So, when do you plan to start spring cleaning?

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Sparkle Professional Cleaning offers residential and commercial cleaning. Deep cleans are available for your spring cleaning needs. Call us today to set up your site visit and price estimate! 215.757.4014

ReACT: 10 Things Your Cleaning Lady Doesn’t Want You to Know (TLC)

When we see something that makes us stop and say, “Is that right?” I think that’s good enough cause to make it clear to the web readers of the world that you have a reaction worth noting. That’s the reasoning behind our ReACT blog entries, for your future reference. It will give us a chance to comment on the words being shared in our industry and take part in the controversy or argument. Today’s topic is less of an argument than it is just plain feedback from individuals who have used a cleaning service in the past. It’s good to hear the truth about your experiences with people who you hire, but in this case, the act of generalization is hindering the truth.

TLC online released a “10 Things…” last week which claimed to be a collection of things your cleaning lady (or service of any kind) doesn’t want you to know. Let’s review what this article had to say:

10. She Doesn't Know Much More about Cleaning Than You Do

Claim: Average cleaning professionals never receive formal training.

Reaction: This may be true, but usually if you go with a professional cleaning company they will claim out right that their staff has been trained on correct products to use and other cleaning techniques that have made the company successful for its lifespan. Also, in the original quote, you can state what products you want used in your home or office, so the technicians are directed to use exactly what you request and nothing else.

9. She Brought Other People's Dirt and Germs into Your House

Claim: Cleaning professionals go to site to site and get dirtier as they go.

Reaction: Not going to lie to you here- cleaning is dirty work! But if your cleaning service is not using fresh towels and dusters for each location, it’s probably an aim to cut corners and is certainly not professional.

8. She's Working Faster but Not Necessarily Better

Claim: Your maid service is cutting corners to go home early.

Reaction: This is how cleaning companies make their money. It’s the honest truth – if your service quotes your cleaning job for 4 hours and it takes the staff 3 hours and 45 minutes, they’re ahead of the game and have made the company some money. But the issue is not that your cleaners are cutting corners; they are more likely just learning the best way to work the job location and be more efficient. If you see that things aren’t shining like they used to when your service comes to clean, tell your company right away!

7. She May Pull a Bait and Switch

Claim: Your cleaning service underestimated the work and now you’re paying up charges because it’s taking them longer to clean.

Reaction: Any professional cleaning company should handle this the right way – if your technician goes over the allotted amount of time on a job, it gets deducted from their pay for the week.

6. The Service May Send Someone Else

Claim: If your usual cleaning technician is not available, the company will send someone else in her place.

Reaction: This may happen at some point. But that doesn’t mean you can’t trust them to do just as super of a job as your regular cleaner. They should follow the same checklist and have the same training and most importantly – go through the same background check and random drug testing.

5. You Got a Cheap Rate Because She's Not Insured or Bonded

Reaction: This is so important in this industry. General rule of thumb to follow – always hire a cleaning service that is bonded and insured. This will protect you from loss or injury in the home or office. If you rely on your homeowner’s insurance policy you’ll most likely be paying a much higher premium.

4. She Has a Spotless Record but Her Boyfriend Doesn't, and She Tells Him Everything

Claim: You can trust your cleaning technician but you can’t trust who she knows who knows someone else. Once the word gets out about your valuables and schedule, you can’t control how far that will go.

Reaction: True, you cannot trust everyone. But again, with a professional cleaning service, they should require their employees to sign a waiver saying they will not discuss client information outside of the work environment.

3. She Filled Out Her Checklist Before She Arrived

Reaction: Cleaning services should terminate those employees who deliberately do this with their checklists. I can’t tell you how many signs we have up around here that reminds employees to complete their checklists at the job site. I personally cannot imagine doing a job that big and not needing every task written out on that checklist!

2. She May Have Light Fingers

Claim: Your cleaning technician is swiping things from your home when you’re not looking.

Reaction: The cleaning people get blamed for everything. It’s unfortunate but true. We are the first source for people to blame when something goes missing or damaged. That is why employees are screened and randomly drug tested to make sure we are hiring people that are trustworthy and responsible individuals. Any act of theft is a deadly influence on the company, so any smart hiring manager will ensure their employees will reflect properly on the company’s name.

                                   1. The Tax Man May Think She's Your Employee
Claim: “Paying an independent worker $1,400 or more a year in wages can get you into trouble with the IRS.”

Reaction: Easiest solution… Hire a professional cleaning company that is bonded, insured and pays taxes for their business!

If you have any questions about these topics of interest please feel free to comment or give us a call! 215-757-4014. We’d love to talk to you about what you should be expecting from a cleaning service, and what you can expect from Sparkle Professional Cleaning!