Kleenit Facility Management

Cleaning Granite Countertops Homeowners who are seeking to increase the value of their homes enjoy durability and easy maintenance when upgrading to granite countertops. Granite is the most durable of all stones, second only to diamonds. Granite, being created from molten rock, can withstand the heat from a hot pot without a trivet. The hardness of the surface is excellent for handling dough and confectionery. While durable and low maintenance, however, they are not impervious to damage. Properly installed granite countertops should last a lifetime, one justification for the higher costs associated with the material and installation. The granite supplier should provide personalized instructions for care with each slab since all granite is made up of many different minerals. Even if two stone slabs come from the same part of the world, there will be variances in the granite that require different kinds of attention. Proper care ensures the longevity and beauty expected from this premium product. In addition to the polished finish, it’s possible to get a “honed” or flat finish. Although a honed finish can be beautiful, it is not recommended for kitchen use. Over time, everyday use will tend to lend a polish to some areas, and the additional necessary sealers will distract from the beauty of the surface. A polished finish is easiest to maintain with regular care that includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Care for a polished finish begins with daily attention to what is placed on the surface. Granite countertops are hard and can withstand a falling can of soup, but the polished surface is a bit more delicate. Never use granite as a cutting surface, always use a cutting board. Avoid allowing acidic foods such as lemon juice, vinegar, and soft drinks to be left on the surface for any amount of time, as they can etch the surface. Another thing that removes the polished shine is harsh cleaning products or abrasive cleansers (liquid or powder). To clean the surface without leaving streaks, use only a small amount of warm water with a pH-balanced dishwashing liquid. Although granite is extremely hard, some of the minerals in it may be very soft. The existence of different minerals is what makes the granite easy to scratch, be chipped, or break along the grain. In order to protect the surface, it is recommended to avoid dragging pots, pans or appliances across the stone. Scooting something across the countertop that has even a grain of sugar under it will scratch the polished surface. Scratches allow stains to mar an otherwise beautiful surface. Once a year, a penetrating sealant should be applied.  Regular polishing will keep the finish gleaming. Use a penetrating sealant recommended by the supplier or the home builder. Avoid using a stone sealer that will not penetrate the stone, as it will create a cloudy surface that will have to be removed by stripping the entire countertop, using harsh solvents. Remember, the glossy shine isn’t caused by a coating on the surface, but by expert polishing using diamond polishing tools. If there is minor damage to a granite countertop, it can be resolved by the homeowner. If a pot or pan leaves a grey or black mark on the surface, it can be polished out using fine steel wool. If a glue-like substance is stuck on the countertop, it is possible to scrape it off with a credit card or single-sided razor blade. Small marks made during the removal can be polished out with fine steel wool. If the granite is chipped or cracked, a professional should be called in to perform invisible repairs. In addition to its strength, granite is a gorgeous stone that adds color and warmth to any kitchen. With just a little care to protect their beauty and utility, granite countertops will last a lifetime.

Simple Cleaning Tips to Freshen Up Your Home Now is an excellent time to get rid of dust and grime. While cleaning is never the most glamorous task, it can help to bring freshness into your home as well as create a healthy environment for you and your family. The following tips will help you start off right. Dust and vacuum corners and crevices from high points to low. Dust falls down, so you want to clean from top to bottom of any room. Vacuum everything, from the floor behind and under the bed, to carpets, lampshades, mattresses, and couch cushions. Dirt and dust always seem to accumulate on the kitchen, bathroom, and linen closet shelves. Empty shelves and wipe out dust and crumbs from those hard-to-reach corners. Clean the surface thoroughly and line each shelf before putting away dishes, silverware, and towels. If you already use a no-adhesive shelf liner, wash it in the gentle cycle of your washing machine before putting it back on your shelves. Not only does the shelf liner protect against dirt, but it also prevents nicks and scratches on surfaces. (Try Duck® brand Smooth Top® Easy Liner–www.duckproducts.com–which is machine washable, has no adhesive, and is easy to install.) Take the time to deep clean your tub and shower. It’s easy for mold and mildew to build up in these constantly steamy environments. Remove shampoo and conditioner bottles, as well as soap and any other bath products. Wear gloves and use a good detergent and scrubber to remove all the buildup and grime. While you are in the bathroom, clean your toilet as well. Use a deep-cleaning toilet bowl cleaner and a bowl brush that incorporates a rim brush for cleaning in all the hard-to-reach and hidden places. (Try the brand Double-Scrubber® bowl brush.) After a winter’s worth of dirt and grime, your home’s windows may be due for a good cleaning. Clean like the pros, using a window cleaning solution and some crinkled-up newspaper. Besides being easy to find, the newspaper is also affordable. Defrost the freezer and give it a good cleaning. Get rid of old foods and expired condiments and use a cleaning solution to disinfect the inside of the fridge thoroughly. Don’t forget to clean the outside, too. Many dirty hands have opened the refrigerator. By taking the time to do a thorough cleaning, all the newness can be felt throughout the house. Shelf liner is a simple and effective way to protect against dirt and dust.

Cleaning A Child’s Bedroom – 15 Minutes A Day Here is a simple plan to help your child/teen keep their rooms clean. Don’t worry if the room is a disaster. Just set the timer for 15 minutes each day and get started. Continue clearing clutter each day until you find the tops of the dressers and the floor. By the end of the week, you will be amazed at the progress! When you are ready… start the weekly plan. During the first few weeks, you may want to assist (or at least supervise). Start by making sure that everything in the room has a home. Don’t worry about the entire organization; just get the surfaces cleared off. Supplies Needed; Every Day Make the bed – have your child do this before the daily task Monday Clear all surfaces (dressers, table, nightstands, etc.) Tuesday Dust all surfaces – this should be easy since they are all cleared off. Wednesday Clear the floor (just the visible parts for today) Thursday Sweep or vacuum Friday Pick a spot – you or your child can pick one spot for the day. Make a list of all the problem spots in the room and slowly check them off. Saturday Change sheets and bring all laundry to the laundry room Sunday Free Day – you can also use this as a makeup day Each week, make a mental note of the items that end up scattered about. Use baskets, boxes, shelves, or create your own solution to keep these items together. You may need to try several different solutions before you find one that works. If something seems to be working… leave it alone! Each day, encourage your child to perform the scheduled tasks. Give them a time limit and use a timer (15 minutes should be enough time). Don’t be too picky; just try to guide them. They will soon figure out that if they clear their dresser on Monday and throw everything on the floor, that on Wednesday they will have to pick that stuff up AGAIN when they clear the floor. Remember… it only takes 15 minutes per day to keep your child’s bedroom neat and clean.

Air Purifiers Cleaning the Air The 21st Century has brought us many advances. The progress industry has been through changed everything around it, and the environment is suffering its effects. The air is the means of transportation – and consequently, the means by which microorganisms get spread, more commonly than ever before. It’s pretty easy for an epidemic to get spread through the air, and it’s scary if we take into account what happened with the Ebola virus some years ago. The whole world was afraid, even countries on the other side of the globe were praying for the virus not to get to their territory. Directly opposite to what many people think, it is not only the “outside” that offers danger to our overall health. We are not safe, even inside our homes. Believe it or not, a study developed by environment researchers found that the air inside our homes is dirtier than the air we breathe when we are walking in the street. What are we exposed to? We are exposed to a lot of danger when we breathe. Asthmatic people suffer even more than people who don’t have any respiratory disorders. Little children, especially newborn babies, and old people are the most predisposed to suffer respiratory ailments due to the bad condition of the air we breathe. It’s not that hundreds of years ago, the air was safe. No, it was not. Allergens have always existed. But progress has brought us industries with their high chimneys spreading smoke, a dark and heavy smoke, into the air. We have cars that also spread smoke. These simply create high levels of pollution. Besides the pollution, we also have the allergens in the air. And the majority of these are the ones responsible for the asthma crisis today. The smoke of a cigarette, the pollen from flowers, and the thousands of different smells mixed together may lead a delicate respiratory system into a severe crisis. In addition to that, bacteria and viruses, as well as other types of microorganisms, are constant threats. Due to these invisible creatures, people get pneumonia and tuberculosis, diseases that may lead to death if not treated properly. How do we protect our loved ones? Unfortunately, there aren’t many things we can do in order to protect our family or our environment at work. We can’t prevent pollution, allergens, or microorganisms from existing in the air that we breathe and we cannot stop breathing either. The same hand that pollutes tries to clean. Industries have developed some air purifiers in order to decrease the effects of the polluted air we breathe. Air purifiers simply try to take from the air the allergens and some of the pollution. It’s something we can do to decrease the effects on our bodies. It is undoubtedly necessary if we have new babies at home. Techniques used There are several techniques available for people who want to create a safe – or less dangerous – indoor environment with respect to the air. Some air purifiers use adsorbent techniques and electrostatic charges and ionizers. Some others include a germicidal UV light and the emission of ions into the air in order to react with the agents that may cause health problems and reduce or eliminate them. However, there isn’t an air purifier sold for homes able to create indoor conditions as clean as those found in hospitals. We cannot control what we breathe when we are in the street, but we can do something to avoid such side effects when we are at home.

10 Tips to keep your cleaning staff motivated In any cleaning operation, the cleaning supervisor or company owner is probably the most important person who can motivate cleaning crews to take pride in their work. But how one can motivate, instruct, communicate, and lead the cleaning staff? In every job that I have had from cleaning floors to managing teams across the nation – I have used motivation to drive high performance and results from my teams and myself.  Motivating and leading is what I love to do. Oftentimes time cleaning company owners face problems keeping their supervisors and cleaning crew members motivated. The cleaning crew member starts out doing a great job from the first day, but when the cleaning company owner starts trusting him, his performance goes downhill. This makes the company owner think about how he can motivate, instruct, communicate, and lead the cleaning staff to have the same interest that one has as an owner. Here are some essential tips for the cleaning business owner to motivate their crew members: 1.            Find out the strengths and weaknesses. 2.            Praise them for their “strong” points and reward them publicly. 3.            Identify their weak points and encourage them to improve. 4.            Give them recognition as things happen. 5.            Provide interactive discussions, fast-paced meetings, and up-to-date equipment. 6.            Emphasize the importance of taking breaks. 7.            Bring in temporary help to support your team during peak workloads. 8.            Offer competitive salaries and commissions 9.            Maintain a sense of humor and a friendly relationship with your staff. 10.          Conduct a staff interest survey to see if they are in the most appropriate position. Whether you are looking to energize your cleaning supervisor, manager, or crew members, these 10 tips will work for you. But you need to realize that no one will ever do things just like you. Investing a little or more time in motivating your cleaning staff is the raw material of personal energy that makes every person and every organization successful. De-motivation or poor morale is cancer and can infect a lot of people and yourself in your organization. So, keep motivating your employees.

 1) Ensure that you dry your windows in one direction – leftwards or rightwards. Mixing the direction will leave unpleasant streaks on the glass and make it look untidy. 2) Before you wipe the window glass, remove all dust from the windows so that in applying a wet cloth, you do not leave mud on the window. Water and dust will form mud. 3) If you are cleaning window sills, rub the whole surface with a damp cloth sprayed with alcohol so that all the spots will clear off for a beautiful shine. 4) Windows are susceptible to dirt. You should, therefore, apply only clean water in cleaning windows, and in cases where you use a damp cloth, use only clean cloths. 5) If the glass is greasy or smoky, apply some vinegar to the water before you clean the window. Vinegar removes grease without leaving streaks or stains. 6) When cleaning windows that are beyond the reach of your hand, use a step ladder if the height is medium or use a regular ladder if quite high. Always ensure that the safety clip is on and if possible, get someone to hold the base of the ladder for safety reasons. 7) Sprays are more convenient to use than buckets of water. In cleaning windows of considerable heights, try to use sprays instead of buckets of water as they can spill, and you will have to do everything again. The sheer weight and burden will get you tired quickly. Getting a window to shine is an easy task. All you need is the above window cleaning tips.

6 Tips for Spring Cleaning With warmer months just around the corner, spring cleaning isn’t far away. Whether you want to clear some of the winter clutter or feel like a change in scenery, spring cleaning can make it happen. Now is the perfect time to clean out the garage, basement, and attic. If there are any items that you don’t plan to use, this article will tell you how to get rid of them while making money doing it. As we all know, this can take a lot of work, but a few simple tips can make your spring cleaning experience a breeze.  Tip 1:If you are storing away your winter clothes, consider using large plastic storage containers that feature Snap-On lids. These can be found in the housewares department at most stores and are very inexpensive. Storage containers are essential to keeping your clothes dust and discoloration-free, which may otherwise be a problem if they are left hanging in the closet from one season to the next. Tip 2:When packing your clothes, roll them instead of folding them. This not only eliminates creases and wrinkles but also saves a lot of space. You will be able to pack a lot more clothes with this technique. Tip 3:Label your clothing containers as ‘spring,’ ‘fall,’ and ‘winter.’ This will help you to locate your wardrobe inside the closet quickly. Tip 4:If you have any clothing that you don’t plan to wear or have outgrown, consider donating it to a local goodwill or other nonprofit organization. Rather than tossing them out, your clothes can provide revenue for a worthy cause and help the less fortunate to be able to afford clothing that would otherwise be unattainable. Tip 5:If you are looking to clear out some knick-knacks or perhaps even some Holiday decorations to make room for new ones, consider a trip to the local flea market. Everyone is looking for a bargain, and they just may be looking for something that you no longer wish to own. A setup fee is usually required which, depending on the location, can be $10.00 to 20.00 per day. Otherwise, you can always sell items at internet auction sites, including Yahoo and eBay. Tip 6: With all of the changes that you’re making, it may be time to switch to a lightweight vacuum. This will save you from lugging around a more substantial model and will glide across the floor with ease. There’s no use in completely wearing yourself out during spring cleaning, so try to make it as easy as possible.