Tag: carpet cleaning tips

The Importance of a Vacuum Cleaner

One definite requirement to cleaning the house is and always has been the vacuum cleaner.

Believe it or not, there is a more effective cleaning system than the same vacuum which has been around for so many years. It is the central vacuum cleaner and they are becoming common in a lot of homes. It has a stronger suction that provides a greater cleaning ability.

With the central vacuum, dust and debris is sucked into the unit because it is located in the central position of the house. The bag isn’t being carried around with the unit like the portable vacuum so this means there is no chance that dust will be re-circulated around the house.

You can buy a central vacuum with a Hepa filter so that the tiniest dust particles can be picked up and trapped. With the central vacuum all dust can be removed from the house. It is a fact that dust can be attached to the exterior of the house as well, this can also be removed as part of the process.

There is another system available which with the rotation of air inside the machine separates the dust and dirt and propels it into the bag. This system is called the cyclonic system.

Although this method is not as efficient as the Hepa filter because there is a small percentage of dust will not be picked up. An additional filter on the central vacuum system can help to remove dust that was left over.

Here are a few big differences in the portal vacuum and the central unit: the central unit has the convenience of not needing to be pulled around the house as you clean and it also has the power in which the great suction operates.

For those who may be suffering from an allergic reaction to dust mites, this central vacuum system is the best investment for your household.

Curtain Cleaning – Essential To Keep Your House Clean

Apart from furniture, what else can beautify and complete a house? Curtains of course! Though some uses blinds for their windows, looking at it can be so boring. Whether it is made from plastic or metal, even if it comes in different colors, it still has the same dull look. With curtains, it comes in a wide variety of textures, designs, and colors. It is impossible not to find exactly what a person wants. However, big houses with super high ceilings and big windows do not buy readymade curtains because of the size difference. It is custom design to fit the length of the window. Curtains can relatively hard to clean because of the size and the design. However if you reside at Edinburgh, Curtain cleaning Edinburgh will be a big help.

Curtain cleaning makes sure that it retains the natural color of the fabric, would not damage the design, won’t tear the material, and will surely make it clean. Washing companies accepts curtain cleaning in Edinburgh no matter how hard it is to clean. They are professional cleaners and use the right detergent and proper cleaning methods per fabric and design.

Curtains can be hard to wash because some have dangling designs that would get caught and tear inside the washing machine. Others have metal rings and buttons, these types of curtains when washed using a machine, the rings and buttons might get detached from the fabric causing damage to the fabric. Washing it improperly will not just damage the fabric but it might also harm the machine.

Since curtains are left hanging on windows and some patio doors, it accumulates so much dust. Odors from cooking and other stuff can also be retained on the fabric. Like carpets, curtains can also be a cause of allergies and other disease. That is why it is best to change the curtains twice a month to ensure health of your family.

Just to make sure that the fabric is clean and not damaged, make it appoint to bring it to a professional curtain cleaning in Edinburgh. They are expert in cleaning any kind of material and they know what kind of technique to use in washing delicate and designed curtains. Yes, you can wash your regular curtain, but are you sure you got all the dirt out? I bet not. Leave the cleaning to the professionals, you can be certain that it’s all clean and damage free.

What Are the Characteristics of a Vacuum Cleaner?

Before embarking on the comparisons of vacuum cleaners on the market, let’s make a point of the characteristics and most importantly, what they represent. Then, you will have a smarter choice of the best vacuum cleaner.

Technical information

· The power consumption (in watts) is the energy consumption. A vacuum energy is not necessarily efficient; however, power is related to the intrinsic characteristics of the vacuum cleaner;

· The suction flow rate is expressed in L / min (liters per minute) – the volume of air will absorb your vacuum cleaner;

· Depression whose unit is kPa (kilo Pascal) is your suction force, the higher it is, the better it sucks;

· The capacity of the tank is indicated by L (liter), it depends on your frequency and nature of your applications;

· Weight in kilograms (kg) is important if you need to move frequently your device;

· The noise level in dB (decibels) brings you an auditory comfort if your use is frequent; the most sensitive opt for ear protection;

· The lengths of hose and power cord determine your range, fortunately, extensions exist!

· The battery, and in particular voltage and amperage, determines its power and autonomy;

· The accessories allow different uses; you can find them depending on your equipment:

· A brush – rectangular variable or triangular shape;

· A nozzle slot – for accurate aspiration;

· A nozzle for water and dust;

· A squeegee to smooth surfaces;

· A variable shaped nozzle brush;

· The aspirator tubes in coupling;

· A bent suction tube;

· Flexible variable-length suction;

Bag or without bag?

In short, a vacuum bag is uneconomical but hygienic and vice versa a vacuum cleaner bag without is economic and practical. The presence of a bag improves the filtration of dust, it may be a synthetic material (filter and resistant) or paper (cheap but at the lowest quality). The interest of the bag is to contain residues which are important if you are allergic to dust and dust mites.

For vacuum bag without sides except especially designed for housing models, emptying the tank of the vacuum cleaner can be a big annoying problem! And allergy can affect you again! As you can imagine, in contrast to models with bag, tanks without bag vacuum cleaners are subject to regular cleaning.

There are new features?

Some yes! Depending on the model, some options facilitate the task of cleaning or reduce hours of doing this with some specific and new features.

· The filter cleaning can be manual or automatic; manual, you remove the filter and you type; automatic, no need to disassemble for cleaning;

· Sync, compulsory taking to a vacuum shop: allow you to connect your power vacuuming, no more dust in the air;

· Blower, as the name suggests, transforms the vacuum blower: useful for dust in unreachable places or to group leaves;

· The two-stage engine for better weight distribution;

· Pre-filter, to better preserve the clogging of the filter;

I understood everything but I need a referral, you make me a proposal?

To make the right choice, estimate your needs. The technical characteristics of your vacuum cleaner are related to the nature of your work. The frequency of being used determines the quality of it; itself is determined by the strength of materials and brand awareness.

One last tip?

Choosing your vacuum cleaner should be based on a mix of specifications and features. The choice of materials and electronic components is also essential. Some vacuum cleaners are designed for industrial use and for other environments where hygiene is essential. Notice: a chip extractor is not a rubble vacuum cleaner, wet and dry vacuum cleaner is not an ash vacuum -the ashes are particles which can be heated easily, they can damage the engine in case of suction.

Cleaning of GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete)

The best solution to have a clean finish project at the end of construction is to prevent staining during the construction project. It is important to protect the GFRC during storage, setting and after it is installed. GFRC should be stored off the ground on non-staining planks or pallets. The GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) storage site should be out of the way of heavy construction traffic. If the GFRC is going to be stored for an extended period of time, it should be kept on pallets and covered with nonstaining tarps or plastic. Once it is installed, GFRC pilasters, columns, windowsills, panels etc. should be protected with plastic nonstaining material during the remaining construction.

After construction, final wash down may be needed. Use of acids or brick cleaners is not recommended. The most common stain from construction is dirt. Dirt can be removed from GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) by scrubbing with a mild detergent and water. When other stains are encountered, the most important step is to identify the stain and its cause. Any treatment used to clean GFRC should be tested in a small inconspicuous area prior to cleaning the main units.

Power washing and sandblasting or not recommended procedures for cleaning GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete). Metal fiber brushes should not be used for scrubbing GFRC (glass fiber reinforced concrete) they may scar the surface, and small bits of metal residue from the brush, left on the GFRC may later rust or corrode and cause staining.

Domestic Cleaning Or Commercial Cleaning, What Is the Difference?

Is there really a difference between domestic and commercial cleaning? In short the answer is yes; but there are various factors that make it so.

With commercial cleaning the work is considered a necessity for running the business so becomes a business expense. Business expenses are part of a budget therefore the cost of having the premises cleaned needs to fit into the allocated amount. This is not the case with domestic cleaning as it is purely a decision of the homeowner to clean their property themselves or pay to have it done.

domestic cleaning company in kenya

Domestic Cleaning

There are certain expectations of cleaning by property owners, but the kind carried out with commercial property does depend on the business. Any business handling food is meticulous about keeping the place hygienically clean. Health requirements are such that if they do not keep the properties as clean as the set Health Standards they could lose their licence to sell food. This is a great incentive for people to work hard at keeping up the standards. Usually the cleaning is done by the employed staff. It is part of the closing down ritual so they know when they arrive the following day there will be no contamination.

Should a building contain offices for professional consultants or financial institutions the requirements are not so strict. A thorough vacuum and the hygienic cleaning of all the bathrooms are usually sufficient. Because offices house many desks with computers most cleaners are not required to dust. They are expected to empty the rubbish bins, but vacuuming the floor is the main prerequisite.

Many commercial buildings, especially large city skyscrapers leased by various organisations, tender out their cleaning. This helps them cope with the annual cost and it is budgeted into their expenses. Sometimes the cheapest tender is chosen but this does not guarantee a thorough job.

For a commercial cleaning company to make a profit they must ensure that the number of worked hours they pay for are less than the money they receive for the work. Should they have underquoted to get the job, less time is spent cleaning on each floor making the quality of the clean not as diligent as it probably should be.

office cleaning in Kenya

Commercial Cleaning

There are thousands of commercial buildings and many areas that need to be cleaned and kept in pristine condition. Floors and bathrooms inside the buildings are a must for daily cleaning but the windows of the buildings also need a regular removal of dust both inside and out, especially if it is a shop front used for promotion of sales. Wooden or vinyl floors must be regularly polished to keep up the shine. All these jobs need to be carried out by professionals in those fields.

Because commercial cleaning is usually done by Cleaning Organisations the owners of the building will not meet the cleaners. If the job is not done well the lessees of the space will complain to the owner. This is unless the lessee has arranged the cleaning themselves. As cleaning in commercial property is usually done outside of business hours the cleaner is very rarely seen and in some cases it is not the same person doing the job each day.

To ensure the cleaning is kept up to standard, owners of commercial properties take out Contracts with Cleaning Companies. This is where the tendering becomes an advantage. The Contract is signed for a certain period of time, and at the end of that Contract the owners of the buildings can renegotiate their cleaning costs and requirements. If they are not happy with the kind of cleaning they are receiving they look elsewhere.

Commercial cleaning can be a lucrative business, but matching the quality with the charge is the difficult part and many commercial cleaners charge less than they should just to obtain the jobs. Once they have the Contract they sometimes ‘on sell’ these Contracts and make money from the new arrangement. Depending on how much the contract is worth, determines the amount of time that can be spent cleaning. Each cleaner is allocated a specific number of minutes to clean an area or floor and the work has to be finished in that time. Speed does not always combine with efficiency and quality is not always received.

The reduction of spending for cleaning, and the small profits to be made can cause many commercial cleaning jobs to be rushed and poorly administered.

Cleaning a home is different. To the homeowner their property is their castle. They will be much more fastidious about the results. They are paying for the cleaning out of their own pocket and they want to see some value in return for that expenditure. The work is more demanding than cleaning a commercial property.

The requirements of most homeowners are such that a reasonable cleaning job is not good enough. Expectations are high and on top of that they have all their personal things throughout the dwelling and allowing someone into their home to clean has security implications. The home owner needs to feel comfortable with the person doing the work and be sure the place will look as neat, clean and tidy as they expect after each clean.

Where do home owners go to find a cleaner? They don’t put out tenders as in the commercial world so who do they get to clean? Many people advertise for cleaners in their local papers, or they hire people who promote themselves as cleaners, also there are Cleaning Agencies who will charge a fee for finding the cleaner for them.

Homes are very rarely cleaned on a daily basis. If the home owner has a regular cleaner the dwelling is usually cleaned either weekly or fortnightly. Some home owners require their cleaner to do housework as well, so the time spent on the property can be quite long.

Just vacuuming the floors and cleaning the bathrooms is usually not enough when cleaning a home; especially as bathrooms are more than the toilets, urinals and basins. There is the shower and bath as well as the toilet and sink. Kitchens are larger with many cupboards and a stove top and probably a range hood, whereas in a commercial situation the kitchen is usually a small set of cupboards with a sink and microwave. Because the home is not cleaned daily there is also a build up of dust and dirt, and all horizontal surfaces need to be wiped.

In both cases Time is what the commercial property owner and the homeowner are paying for. With the Commercial situation a certain amount of money is allocated indicating the time allowed for the clean. In the Domestic world this situation is reversed. The homeowner pays for the Time it takes to clean their property. The size of the property and the area to be cleaned governs the Time it takes. The larger the building the more Time required. The smaller the property the Time will be less. Less Time spent, costs less, but if the property is large and the correct Time is not allocated the poorer the job.

For most commercial property owners as long as the basics are done they are happy, but with a home owner, the less work carried out means more cleaning for them to do themselves. This somewhat negates the whole idea of having a cleaner. They want their home to be pristine and clean when they return home after a long days work. To see areas that have been missed or not cleaned properly can make an expensive exercise.

So the biggest difference between commercial and domestic cleaning is the payment. The commercial world pays for their cleaning because it is a necessity. Whether the cleaning is done well or not is not really the issue, it is a cost that has to be paid and therefore an expense for the business. With the domestic situation the cost is a discretionary outlay. If people have the spare money they can afford it, if not they clean themselves and that is why they expect perfection.

Yes there is a difference between cleaning commercial property and domestic dwellings, but the kind of cleaning received is dependent on how much each is willing to pay.

House Cleaning Services – Advantages and Disadvantages

House cleaning services can cover a wide range of options, from basic tasks like dusting to the scrubbing down of every nook and cranny in your dwelling.

It can be difficult to decide whether you should actually hire someone to help you with your chore or do these things yourself. Many people might feel that it can be a waste of money having someone else clean their home. There are many pros and cons to hiring someone to help you.

One stressful time in your life might be when you have sold your residence and are moving out. Usually following a sale, you are required to clean up for the incoming owners. After you’ve just moved into a new one, the last thing on your mind is to clean the one you just left. Instead of wasting more time in a residence that is no longer yours, you can have the house cleaning company do it for you. And if the place you are moving into seems to need a little extra dusting up, you can have the same service help you here as well.

When it comes to house cleaning providers, not all of the companies out there offer the same type of services. Some only do certain tidying and others offer the rest. You should make a list of exactly what chores you need help with. You can then do some research in your local area to find the companies that can best meet your needs. This can be extremely beneficial for those with little time to spare.

As you can see there are many benefits to hiring someone to help you with your day-to-day chores. However, if you are worried that they are not going to do it the exact way you want, provide the company coming in with a list of the things that they may forget to do. Do interviews with the companies and ask as many questions as possible. You must understand that they are going to be taking care of your personal belongings and living spaces and if they are unable to live up to your expectations then it’s just going to be a waste of time for everyone.

Don’t find yourself wasting money on the companies who seem to be unable to do what you want. Find the right house cleaning company the first time so that you will be happy with the results and not end up redoing things yourself.

You can get professional cleaning services from Mop & Shine. Email us today for a free quote: info@mopnshine.com  or call us through: 0733 675 801

Keep Your Workplace Clean and Organized

Ever wondered why companies insist that their employees keep their workplaces clean? Not only is a dirty workplace a terrible place to work in, but it also lowers productivity and efficiency. Cleaning up after a day of work is just as important as what you do for a living.

Japanese companies innovated a productivity philosophy called “5S,” which stands for five Japanese words that refer to a methodology not only for cleaning, but for business. The 5S methodology is all about eliminating waste, speeding up daily tasks, and improving the quality of the workplace. We can use the 5S methodology in Kenya to help us organize your tasks at the end of every working day.

Seiri (Sorting)

Go through everything in your workplace. Check your shelves, desks, and even the file structures in your office computer. Keep only the items you need at work, and discard or store everything else. Sorting and storing reduces the time you spend looking for a particular pencil, a notepad, or a certain file on your computer, which means that you can devote more time to work.

Professional Cleaning Services Nairobi

Seiton (Set in Order)

“Set in order” means that there’s a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. After a day of work, take the time to see if your writing materials, tools, notes, and files are in their correct and proper order. It also means that you can improve the work flow for the next working day.

Seiso (Sweeping)

At the end of each working day, take the time to clean up after your office space. Clean up after any mess you make. Not only should you do this out of courtesy, but “seiso” also means that you know the exact place of everything you need for work. It also means that when you enter a clean office, you should work and leave in a clean office.

Seiketsu (Standardizing)

Almost every company has a standardized manual on company behavior and workplace cleanliness. If your company assigns cleaning tasks, you should know exactly what you should do and stick with that role for the particular task.

Shitsuke (Sustaining)

A systematic and productive workplace is not a one-day-affair just because the boss or some prospective clients are around. Sustaining your cleaning tasks is important to improve productivity and increase employee satisfaction. Remember that if you cannot sustain 5S, you have to start over.

The 5S system may sound simple, but it demands dedication and commitment. With 5S, you can be sure to complete your office cleaning tasks in no time.

How Your Business Can Benefit From Professional Office Cleaning in Kenya

A lot of organizations give importance to cleanliness. Have you thought about yours?

A living space that looks clean could actually be hiding layers of dust, dirt and grime. You believe that an occasional spring clean will do the job for you. But it is not enough; every company needs a deep clean and here are reasons why you need to do it. These reasons could act as an incentive for you. So, take heed.

1. It prolongs the life of office supplies

An office environment is made up of multiple valuable items; there’s electronics, furniture, carpets to name a few. The more regularly they are maintained, longer they will last. Dust buildup can cause computers and printers to malfunction. Stains can ruin the look of carpets. Professional office cleaners can give you a thorough and timely cleanup that will prolong the life of your office supplies.

2. Preserve the health of your employees

Working in a dirty office environment can pose a serious health risk to your employees. In an office, there are a dozens of people sharing equipment and utilities. These surfaces become magnets for dirt and germs, making it very easy to spread infections. Poor indoor air quality can trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

A cleaner workplace will promote better health. To add, a clutter-free (where everything is organized properly) office will prevent the chances of injury caused due to trips, slips and falls.

3. Increase employee productivity

Lower absenteeism is directly linked to increasing employee productivity. The state of the office also affects the morale of the employees. A clean environment, where everything is at hand, motivates them to work and keeps them focused. It is annoying if you have to keep dropping your work and go looking for things you need. The clutter and dirt can become a major distraction. A healthy physical space will reduce the losses caused by sick days and ill employees. If you care for your employees, they will care for you too.

4. A business image

Imagine walking through a door to see papers lying in an untidy pile, a few stains decorating the walls and floors that have collected scum? If you are a client, you will hesitate to do business with this one! A clean and tidy office projects a positive business image;

Yes, it’s important to have a clean office, but there’s not always the time to do it personally. This is where an office cleaning service can step in.

• By outsourcing cleaning and maintenance tasks to an office cleaning company, you will be able to focus on other core jobs increasing productivity.

• You can be assured that the cleaning routines will be performed on a regular basis.

• Also, when you hire an office cleaning service, you are calling in a team of trained and skilled professionals who know the right techniques and cleaning materials to use to create a hygienic environment.

• You will save time and money.

So, hire an office cleaning company today, and ensure that your business premises are spotless, organized and hygienic.

Tips for Cleaning Rexine Made Products

Rexine is a trademarked name for an imitation leather which is made by covering a woven surface with cellulose nitrate along with other things such as camphor oil or alcohol. This is also used as a material for the purpose of bookbinding as well as upholstery covering. Rexine is also used widely used for the purpose of upholstering and trimming all the interiors of motor vehicles that have continuously been produced by the British car manufacturers. Apart from motor vehicles, they are also used for railway carriages.

Artificial leather

Rexine is described as a brand of an artificial leather. It is particularly very durable which means that it is also a high- end product. This durability has ended up satisfying millions of users around the globe. You can also be one of these customers. There is a need of materials made with Rexine because of the high level of sophistication and comfort that they offer. Below are a few tips that you can follow while cleaning Rexine.

1. Don’t overdo it

This is the secret to cleaning cloth materials. You never have to overdo the cleaning because it can seriously damage the product. A minimum amount of cleaning can also go a long way.

2. Use appropriate agents and tools

Not every tool or agent will be good enough to clean the material appropriately. You need to make sure that the tools you use are appropriate enough. There should be no room for error as far as these tools are concerned.

3. Don’t clean often

Yes, Rexine materials do not require cleaning regularly. If you do it seldom, it is more than enough. This is the best thing that Rexine products and materials possess. They are easy to manage and use which means that are low- maintenance.

4. Don’t damage the leather

As you know that the leather is artificial. This means that you must take adequate care of this leather. Even a slight damage can cause problems in the long run.

If the above tips are followed without fail, you will be able to safeguard Rexine for a long period of time. This is exactly we require as users or customers and this is exactly what you will be able to get in the long run. It is one of the important things to remember.

Improve Air Quality With Upholstery Cleaning

Carpet steam cleaning is essential. Yet many people have little knowledge about this crucial aspect of cleaning. There are a number of reasons which necessitate the proper cleaning of upholstery. For many people it may come as a shock as to how vital it is to have your upholstery cleaned.

The most important factor that necessitates that you have your upholstery cleaned is the effect that filthy upholstery has on the air quality in your home. Of course your furniture will look good and have an extended life once you avail professional upholstery cleaning but the main reason is to rid the air of allergens. But naturally the quality of air in your home is very important and it can drastically be improved by cleaning your upholstery. With time dust and bacteria get embedded deep within your upholstery such as the couches, chairs and other furniture. As a result people living in your home can develop health problems such as allergies and breathing problems. When you have your upholstery cleaned you will notice a drastic improvement in the air quality and consequently you will be able to get rid of the root cause of the spread of various health problems.

Sad but true, most people never avail professional upholstery cleaning services, primarily because they are unaware of the implications of dirty upholstery. Health experts suggest that upholstery cleaning should be conducted once every two years. This is the bear minimum standard although a yearly cleaning would do much better. By getting your upholstery cleaned at the hands of the professionals at regular intervals you will benefit by good air quality and great looking furniture. Furthermore you can have the same cleaning company give your upholstery a fabric protection application that will make it immune to developing permanent stains.

When you consider the seriousness of the health risks that arise due to negligence of upholstery cleaning then you well definitely consider it to be well worth investing in. Eczema, asthma and a host of other breathing and allergy problems can arise due to unclean upholstery. If you are thinking not spending on upholstery cleaning will save you money then you are wrong because you will most likely be spending that money, probably even more, on providing your family with medical treatment. The same goes for offices and other professional institutions which will have to compensate their employees for medical care if they fall sick due to the poor air quality that arises because of dirty upholstery.

Carpet cleaning is not rocket science and you can conduct it your self. However you need to be very careful in selecting the right products which will clean your upholstery effectively without causing any damage. This can be quite a time consuming job which is why it is much better to render professional services. Furthermore if you have upholstery of different fabrics then you will need to by various different products which will definitely not be cost effective. Add to that the time and effort you will have to put in and you will realize that you are much better off getting the professionals to do the job.