COMMERCIAL CLEANING TIPS - Kansas City Commercial Cleaning - Elite Clean Co.

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Include Windows In Your Office Cleaning Routine

Interior and exterior window care is often overlooked but should be an important part of your office cleaning program. Smudges, streaks, fingerprints, dirt and salt can make a clean office look dirty. Regular window and glass cleaning will not only brighten the appearance of your office and boost your company’s image, but less window grime allows more natural light in.

Thorough top-to-bottom cleaning of your interior windows and glass can really add that extra sparkle to your office. No matter what size or shape windows you have, Elite Clean Co can make them shine! Even those hard to reach windows are no problem.

Because they are exposed to the outdoor elements, exterior windows need extra attention on a regular basis. Don’t think the rain will clean your windows! Rain water, snow, road salt, water runoff and sprinklers can cause major streaks and spottiness. Hard water can leave mineral deposits and stains on windows that look like a whitish, spotty haze. If left alone, the sun can make these spots very difficult to remove, and over time your windows will develop a deeper cloudiness. Regular cleaning will keep buildup at bay and your windows clear.

Landscaping and trees can also contribute to filthy windows. If your office is on the ground floor, chances are grass, dirt and mud can get splattered on windows after landscapers cut grass or trim bushes near your offices. Higher floors are just as susceptible. Wind and rain can cause dirt and leaves to get stuck on upper windows and sills resulting in a grungy look to your building.

Elite Clean Co.

Keeping the Office Kitchen Clean

Working with others in an office environment can be productive and enjoyable, and you can build lasting relationships with the people with whom you work. Sharing a common area such as a break room or kitchen can pose some problems, however, if the area is not kept clean. Many times, germs and sicknesses can spread through the workplace kitchen because of the lack of cleanliness. People are often in a hurry at work and do not stop to take the time to clean up after they’ve eaten lunch or a snack. This is why it is very important that all employees pitch in and work together to ensure that everyone has a safe, clean place to eat and take a break. Often, employees become sick because of germs that have spread from person to person at work.

In most cases, people bring items for lunch into work and leave them in the refrigerator, only to forget about them, and they sit for weeks and even months without being thrown away. If you bring in food and do not eat it within the work week, either throw it out or bring it back home. This not only makes sure the refrigerator does not get overloaded, but it helps prevent the food from rotting and smelling up the refrigerator. If you bring in dry goods like crackers or chips, be sure to store them in cabinets or under the sink and not on countertops. Keeping the kitchen counters clutter-free is not only cleaner, but it is much more polite than crowding them with your personal food items. If you use plates, forks, spoons, or cups from the workplace kitchen, wash all dishes immediately after you use them with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly. Make sure to put all dishes and cups away to avoid excess clutter.

Many people enjoy warming up a hot lunch in the company’s kitchen microwave. Food can splatter if a lid is not left on while heating it, so make sure the microwave is wiped down and cleaned thoroughly after each use. Leaving behind a dirty microwave for the next user is not only rude but also very unsanitary. Wipe down countertops as well with a clean paper towel or pre-moistened antibacterial wipes if you’ve placed food on them or spilled something on them. Never leave food out on the table if it is not being eaten, and make sure to also throw out discarded fast-food cups and containers. If you spill something on the floor, clean it up immediately and make sure the floor is dry to avoid slipping hazards. Always wash your hands with soap and hot water before and after eating to help avoid spreading germs.

Communicating about keeping the kitchen clean with your coworkers is very important, and it helps to keep everyone accountable. If you see someone who is making a mess or not cleaning up after themselves properly, ask them politely to try and clean up after they are done eating in the company break room or kitchen. If you see the behavior continue, talk to your supervisor about the problem. Signs posted in the break room, in hallways, or on company bulletin boards can be helpful reminders to everyone about the kitchen rules. Once a standard set of rules for cleanliness is put in place, it should help keep things running smoothly and help to ensure that the eating areas are sanitary for all to use. Pitch in if you see others who need help with cleaning, and offer to do things like empty trash cans or clean up coffee makers. By working together, everyone can ensure that the kitchen at work is a safe, clean place to eat. This will also help to minimize people getting sick and makes for a much happier place of employment for all.

Elite Clean Co.

Recycling In Your Office Programs

Mankind has escaped the perilous claws of doomsday yet again. But for how long? As society continues its search for reasons that the world will end whether it is being the rapture or aliens coming to rule earth. There is one culprit that must be examined in the midst of this chaos: ourselves. Global warming remains a constant problem but there is a simple solution to help the cause. Recycling waste in the office workspace can contribute to a healthier environment. Cutting down carbon-absorbing trees contributes to global warming and other environmental problems. A professional office maintenance company can provide the necessary recycling bins for a greener work space.

A simple way to reduce your carbon footprint is by recycling aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and paper that would normally end up in the trash bin. Recycling can easily be integrated into companies’ normal business operations. The most important factor to make a recycling program work in the office space is employee co-operation. In order to encourage recycling, proper office maintenance recycling bins should be conveniently placed next to the trash bin. Paper recycle bins should also be placed in areas where there is maximum paper waste such as: the printer and copy room.

Recycling waste doesn’t have to be boring. To make things fun in the office, a professional office maintenance company can supply recycle bins of assorted colors to match the décor of the work space. You may be currently working late in the office missing the big game but it’s alright because you’ve turned your recycling bins into a mini basketball hoop. Have some fresh ideas to encourage recycling in the work space and to maintain a greener environment.

Further general steps to setting up an office recycling system for office maintenance are:

Label bins with clear information on what items can be disposed of in which recycling containers. Having visuals on the bins will remind employees to separate trash and recyclables properly.
Keep track of the paper, aluminum, and plastics that are being recycled and purchased. This will help see how far your company has progressed in its recycling efforts.
Just like any successful business, there is always room for improvement. Your companies’ recycling program may need some new ideas and/or periodic overhauling.

Recycling is clear-cut and fairly easy to execute. It can provide results in lowering cost and in setting an example to employees your company’s devotion to environmental responsible practices.

Elite Clean Co.

4 Common Challenges That Arise From Office Cleaning

Customer complaints are inevitable in any business. Most often, the overlooking of the smallest, but important detail is enough to damage or end a business relationship with a customer. This is especially true when referring to the janitorial industry. Attention to detail is a must. The best Kansas City commercial cleaning companies know the importance of always being two steps ahead. Those that excel, tackle problems even before a customer has the chance to notice something was wrong to begin with.

However, because office cleaning is not an exact science, hiccups and complaints are bound to present themselves along the way. On occasion, you as a customer may ask yourself, why did the cleaner miss such an obvious task?

Here is some insight as to what the most common complaints are and how to deal with them.

1. TRASH CANS AND RECYCLING

Who knew such a simple object could become such a headache? More often than some, trash is thrown away in the incorrect container, or in the wrong place altogether. Make sure your cleaning schedule specifically mentions where trash should be thrown away and if recycling need be considered. Also, if applicable, don’t forget to give cleaners access to dumpsters or trash sites to avoid excuses.

2. SPIDER WEBS AND DUST BUNNIES

Often overlooked, the presence of spider webs and dust bunnies is a nuance that can easily be prevented by your commercial cleaning company. If you begin to notice them in corners or behind plants, voice your concern immediately. Even though it need not be specified in your cleaning agreement, spider webs and dust bunnies should not pop up and, unfortunately in most cases, are the result of poor sweeping and dusting.

3. DUST ON COMPUTER

Dust on computers and surfaces is another of the most frequent customer complaints. An unknown fact hover is that many cleaners will not dust a desk unless it is cleared off by the customer, as any moved objects may cause a complaint. Advise employees to clear their desks before they leave if they wish to have their surfaces thoroughly dusted.

4. MOVED OBJECTS

Objects being moved and not being placed back in its proper position is by far the most common cause for concern amongst customers when it comes to office cleaning. Instruct your janitorial company that under no circumstance should a cleaner move an object.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Your office cleaning schedule is your most powerful weapon, it clearly outlines your needs and the company’s responsibilities. Remember, what may seem basic to you, as with moved objects, may need be clearly stated in your cleaning schedule. If there are specific tasks you require, make sure it is included.

Most important of all communication is key, never hold back on a concern. All complaints, whether they simple or urgent, must always be handled immediately and efficiently by your janitorial company. If you notice a lack of communication, or are constantly finding yourself having to remind cleaners that trash was dumped in the incorrect bin, it may be time to move on and find yourself a new janitorial company.

Elite Clean Co.

How Office Odors Affect Your Bottom Line

Office odors are unpleasant, but did you realize they can have a negative affect on your company’s profits? The Sense of Smell Institute conducts research to help business owners and facilities managers better understand the powerful effects that the human sense of smell has on consumer purchasing decisions. If customers are confronted at the front door with a blast of malodor, they may forever remember your business as “that place that smelled like leftover fish,” choosing instead to patronize one of your less odiferous competitors.

Interesting Facts about the Human Sense of Smell

The sense of smell, more than any other of the senses, is directly linked to the memory and emotion centers of the brain. Smells affect people on a profound, often subconscious level. Think about how much the automotive industry relies on “new car” scent. Real estate professionals know that vanilla and cinnamon are effective for persuading home buyers to choose the homes they are selling. The powerful influence that smell exerts on purchasing decisions has created an entire industry based around “scent marketing.”

The Office Odors You May Not Notice

Prolonged exposure to a certain smell, especially an unpleasant one, causes the human smell receptors to shut down, making you unable to smell the odor. This is bad news for the business owner, because your clients have not had the opportunity to become immune to the smell. In the office setting, the most commonly reported odors are moldy or musty smells, strongly scented chemicals (including cleaning products), stale or spoiled foods and human body odor. Although you may have become immune to the accountant’s garlicky leftovers, your customers aren’t so fortunate. While the clerk with poor hygiene practices may be a sore spot for your HR department, you may not realize that your customers take issue as well.

Sniffing Out Off-Putting Odors

Believe it or not, you can hire expert odor sniffers — consultants with extremely sensitive abilities — to detect malodorous conditions. If that strikes you as overkill, experts recommend asking trusted friends or family members to drop by later in the day and give your office the “sniff test.” (The human sense of smell becomes more sensitive as the day wears on.) Request their first impressions as they walk through the office. You may disagree with their perceptions, but it’s likely your potential customers detect similar odors. Another excellent resource for rooting out and eradicating unpleasant odors in your facility is your cleaning company. Invite your account manager to drop by and evaluate the office air quality, then recommend strategies for mitigating any bad odors. Consider also adding a professional air freshener system in your office or facility to ensure a consistently pleasant customer experience.

Don’t put your company’s profitability at risk over office odors. Elite Clean Co understands the importance of offering your customers a sanitary and pleasant environment. Contact us today for help in tackling your unpleasant office odors.