Help Your Community Sparkle

The indoor spring cleaning ritual may have come to an end, but it's finally getting warm enough to depend on a great, sunny day for outdoor fixes. Painting, roofing, mildew removal, lanscaping, you name it.. everything needs some fine tuning. But there are some places that can't fix everything themselves.

The Morrisville YMCA (home to preschool programs and other recreational community services) is having a Spring Clean-Up Day this Saturday, May 14, 2011. "The YMCA is looking for individuals, groups, agencies and scouts to pitch in and help out on Clean Up Day. Boy and Girl scout troops are welcome. High school students with community service project hours to put in are also welcome."

We at Sparkle Professional Cleaning are trying to get a team together to help clean up the facilities but I wanted to extend the invitation to anyone else who cares for their community and has just an hour to spare on Saturday. The YMCA provides a FREE preschool program and childcare for other age groups. Give back to this great non-profit, helping our children learn and grow!

More information can be found here.

Wow Mom this Year with a Wow-Worthy House Clean

Mother's Day is quickly approaching, less than 3 weeks away! When thinking of a Mother's Day gift, you should always consider everything that our moms do for us. Whether it's cooking, teaching, guiding, doing our laundry (and the list can go on and on...), mothers have their hands full. Which is why the best Mother's Day gifts are ones that take some of the stress away at least for a little while. Popular gifts that I've found to win Mom's heart include a day at the spa, flowers for the garden, and those adorable IOU's that the itty bitties bring home to help with dishes, car washing, laundry, etc. I still have a booklet of ones I took my time giving out to Mom and Dad over the years. But this year, I'm noticing a particular responsibility of Mom's that is getting bigger and bigger is the house cleaning! Between the usual dust collection and cobwebs that form irritatingly fast throughout the winter, it's a job for more than one gal.

You see where I'm going with this.... We are offering Mother's Day Gift Certificates this year so you can give Mom the gift of a clean and healthy home! So consider a different gift for your most beloved family member this year (as beautiful as the garden flowers are). You're sure to win her heart.

It works like this: You call us and tell us you'd like to purchase a certain amount of money towards a clean for Mom. If you have a specific amount in mind, that's fine; but you can also choose from $20, $25, $40, $50, $100. Pick one of the designs you see below. Once we receive your check or cash payment, we'll mail you a certificate personalized with both of your names. You can also stop into the office during regular office hours (7:30am to 4:30pm) to purchase a certificate. Give me 5 minutes and I print it out for you then and there! You'll have Mom call to schedule her clean (and we'll give her an idea of pricing as well) and the rest is pie. Can't get any easier than that!

Here's a few of the designs we are offering for Mother's Day Gift Certificates.





If you are interested or would like more information about this promotion, please give us a call at 215-757-4014. We look forward to hearing from you! Wishing all our Moms out there a Happy Mother's Day!

 

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!



How to Clean Your Computer without a Short Circuit

As I sit here in front of my well-loved computer, I start to notice some dust collection here, snack crumbles there, spots on my screen and all sorts of fun little “who-knows” within my keyboard. We know how dirty they must be, but the concept of cleaning such an expensive and necessary piece of equipment can be frightening. So I did my research, and here’s what I found:

Cleaning the Computer Screen

According to How To Clean Anything…

What you may need: soft cloth, anti-static cloth, water, screen cleaner (such as Falcon screen cleaner)

How to tackle the task:

1. Check your computer manual. It may advise you to only clean your screen with a damp cloth, as many computer screens have an anti-glare coating that you risk damaging if you use a harsh household cleaner. (HTCA) Avoid traditional window cleaners – they can easily damage a sensitive computer screen. 

2. If you are using just a damp cloth to wipe the computer screen, be sure to dry the screen off afterwards to prevent streaking.

3. If advised by the manual to use a soft or anti-static cloth with cleaner, be sure to spray onto the cloth and not the equipment!

Cleaning the CPU

 (Aka the big box aka the “brain” of the computer)

What you need: Soft cloth, compressed air, pre-treated computer wipes, vacuum cleaner, and special cleaning attachments, soft bristle brush.

How to tackle the task:

• General Rule of Thumb for CPU cleaning is to use a compressed air can first and blow the dust free, then use your vacuum with attachments to clean it up.
• These guys explain it best: E-How
• Great tip for using the compressed air: use short bursts so your air does not get too cold and harm the “insides” of your CPU.

Cleaning the Keyboard

What you need: compressed air, clean microfiber cloth or towel, pre-treated computer wipes, vacuum and special attachments.

How to Tackle the Task:

• Unplug keyboard from computer.
• Shake out any loose dust, crumbs and “who-knows,” as I call them.
• Spray in between keys with compressed air, using short bursts and keeping can upright.
• Using your vacuum and special attachment(s), get any remaining dirt loosened with the compressed air can.
• Wipe down the keyboard with a soft cloth dampened with plain water. Use your pre-treated computer wipes and wipe down the keyboard. Then, dry with clean towel or cloth.
• Use a Q-tip or cotton ball to clean between and around the keys.
• Should you spill coffee or soda in your keyboard, unplug immediately, turn upside down and allow to dry on a towel.  HTCA has a good suggestion for severely injured keyboards due to drink spills.

Remember to keep your office space clean and free of dust and other allergens. You’ll feel more awake and clear-headed while at work if you take some time each week to clean your work station. And if your company doesn’t have a cleaner or cleaning service yet, Sparkle is always here to help!

Reduce the Risk of Illness… With Education!

We all know that washing our hands keeps us from getting sick. I’m not here to present a lecture on hand-washing, rather, note that communication between cleaner and occupants is vital to keeping your work space a germ-free environment. A clear and distinct plan for cleaning is, of course, paramount to completing an effective clean. But before that can even happen, the business owner or manager must understand that the cleaning company will do their part in providing a sanitized bathroom, kitchen, and any other community areas. Yet it is also in part the occupant’s responsibility to take care of their personal health and hygiene to prevent the spread of illness.

According to an article in Contracting Profits magazine, “Studies have shown that most people don’t correctly wash their hands, and that – moreso than inadequate cleaning – is responsible for spreading bacteria and infections in school, offices and any building that is accessible to the general public.”

This is why education is so important when it comes to personal health. Cleaning companies like ours should communicate clearly to management of the property the right products and messages will help resolve ineffective hand-washing techniques and other hygienic issues. Products include “antibacterial soaps, which come in a variety of dispensation options, including foam and liquid, as well as touch-free dispensers. By cutting down or eliminating restroom touch points, the risk of contracting and spreading illness is greatly reduced.”

“Travis Ryan, general manager of Enviro-Tech Building Services in St. Cloud, Minn., has seen many clients making the transition to touch-free fixtures. ‘It just makes sense from a health, environmental, and economic standpoint,’ he says.”

If you’re a business owner and you are considering replacing soap dispensers with touch-free dispensers in the work place, think about the amount of sick days that will diminish by providing these illness-prevention tools. A cleaner facility means healthier employees, which leads to lesser sick days and of course, higher productivity. As Ryan mentioned, it makes sense economically for this reason.

Here are a few tips to keeping your work space a germ-free zone:

• Post reminders to wash hands in the bathrooms (on stall doors, by the mirrors, on the exit door)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists good points to post anywhere in the office: Stopping the Spread of Germs at Work Or email this article to employees for their information.
• Provide antibacterial dispensers in each work space – 1 per desk and possibly a few more in common areas.
• Consider purchasing phone wipes. Telephones have over 50 times more germs than restroom surfaces.
• Replace manual paper towel and soap dispensers with automatic ones. Since these technologies provide a pre-measured amount of product, it’s actually a money-saver!
• Simply remind employees to sneeze or cough in a tissue or into their arm. And wash their hands after each use of a tissue. Your employees will appreciate that you are looking out for them and taking the time to make sure they are practicing healthy habits.

Lastly, remember to communicate with your cleaning service. “A business relationship that fosters clear communication and a willingness by both parties to effectively fight infection is very important. This includes creating infection control programs to fit the needs of individual customers, buildings and occupants." (CP, Sept. 2010)

Removing Valentine's Day Stains

Some may claim that Valentine’s Day is just a stain on their week. But it is, nonetheless, an excuse to celebrate with chocolate, champagne or wine, strawberries and flowers. At a hotel in Melbourne, hotel workers are complaining that Valentine’s Day is the messiest day of the year.

"For us, Valentine's Day means flower petals scattered all over the floors, spilt champagne everywhere and some very questionable stains all over the beds, but no extra time to clean," said one Hilton Hotel room attendant. "We see exotic fruits and chocolates ground into the carpets, bubble bath all over the bathroom and massage oils all over the bed. And don't even ask me about the whipped cream," she said.

Now, I'm not willing to address the whipped cream and questionable bed stains, but you may run into a similar chocolate, wine or fruit stain during your Valentine’s Day celebration. So I gathered a selection of How To’s from my usual websites of interest:

How to Remove Chocolate from Carpets

How to Remove Oil Stains from Fabric

How to Remove Fruit Juice Stains from Fabric

How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Carpets

How to Remove Flower Pollen Stains from Clothes

Enjoy your V-Day celebration and if you do stay in a hotel this evening, be sure to tidy up after yourself and spare the hotel staff another love-day-induced headache!