Are you ready for winter? Do you know what important cleaning and maintenance tasks are needed to prepare your home and office for winter weather? If not, we are here to help with the best cleaning tips for the cold months. 

Read on to learn how to winterize your home and office this winter!

Cleaning Tasks for Home to Prepare for Winter

Organize and Swap Out Clothes

To prepare for colder months, consider what needs to be accessible and what can be stored. For most people, this is a time to swap out warm-weather clothes for cold-weather clothes.

Bring out the sweaters, winter hats, coats, and gloves. Wash them, if needed, and have them ready for those first frosty days ahead.

Out with the Old Decor and Toys, and In with the New

Consider what decor and toys should be unstored and which can be put away. Think about pool noodles and yard games being swapped for snow sleds. What is needed, and what can be stored or donated? 

If it feels like clutter, is no longer used, or doesn’t bring you joy, now’s a great time to give it away. 

Proactive Cleaning

Being proactive about what needs care is a big part of staying on top of cleaning tasks this season. Is it time to get a shoe mat? Do you need to put down rubber-backed runners to protect your entryway? What other items can help prevent winter messes?

Winter Deep Cleaning

We hear of spring cleaning when windows are open, but the closed winter windows are exactly why cleaning now is essential. Consider what deep cleaning you need accomplished and who can help you accomplish that deep house clean. 

Dust vents and high surfaces so that the heat blows, it isn’t circulating dust with no open window to escape. It’s a good idea to deep clean your furniture and window coverings now, too. 

Once windows are sealed and closed, you want fresh furniture and curtains, not stale, dusty pieces, especially if you’re entertaining during the holiday season.

Maintenance Checklist to Prepare Your Home for Winter

There are many maintenance checklists available, and they will vary depending on your home’s size and location. The best strategy is to take inventory of what you have and what you want to get done so you can prioritize and set aside the right amount of time to accomplish your cleaning goals.

Professional cleaning companies look at how many rooms, bathrooms, and windows there are and consider the different types of flooring and how much work they think it will be to get your home to the cleanliness you desire. You should do the same. Here are some suggestions:

Outdoors

Your outdoor maintenance will be unique to your needs. This could include:

• Rake leaves
• Clean gutters
• Store yard tools
• Cover plants
• Seal off a patio
• Prepare sand or salt for the walkways
• Check the plow or snowblower for function

Indoors

Cold weather maintenance tasks often include: 

• Cleaning a chimney or heating stove (Keep safe!)
• Deep-cleaning appliances like the fridge, freezer, and oven
• Clearing out the pantry, such as throwing out expired food
• Check emergency supplies like batteries, flashlights, matches, wood, and bottled water
• Check your smoke alarms and change the batteries
• Vacuum or dust window sills and seal the windows if needed
• Shake out rugs and put out winter rugs to capture the excess dirt and moisture present in winter months

Cleaning Tasks at the Office to Prepare for Winter

Cleaning tasks at the office to prepare for winter are often simpler than those for your home. As you prepare for the tracking in mud and dirt, plan to prevent slips and falls, and if desired, prepare decor for the holiday season.

Entryway or Foyer

Anticipate visitors’ and staff’s needs when they first enter. Rugs, coat racks, umbrella stands, and ice melt may need to be placed close to the doors.

Consider signage or a cleaning station to help with leaves, dirt, and debris that could blow in. Prepare by checking the area more often in order to clean up mud, snow, or ice that could create a slipping hazard.

Holiday Decor

Be mindful of holiday decor to ensure it doesn’t create a hazard. Cords on the floor should be covered to prevent tripping, and they should not hang overhead so someone could get caught up in them.

Dust

Dust is often more problematic in the winter when the circulating air is dry. Consider a professional office deep cleaning service that dusts high and low, including window coverings, cleans air ducts, and replaces filters.

A Cleaning Service for All Your Cleaning Needs

When it’s time to slow down into the cold winter months or prepare for the busy holiday season, A Cleaning Service is here to help. With one-time or semi-annual deep cleaning or ongoing maintenance cleaning, our award-winning company seeks to earn your trust and business in the Greater Washington, DC area. 

Contact us today to learn more.

Eco-friendly cleaning has come a long way in terms of quality, product availability, and increased customer demand. Demand has increased for a number of reasons, and demand leads to improved product availability. 

This is great news for homeowners who want to minimize their environmental impact and maintain a healthy cleaning routine. 

Why Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

The manufacturing and disposal of many cleaning products can harm the environment, animals, and people. This is especially true for those at higher risk due to allergies, age (very young or elderly), or those with immune system weaknesses.

Some of the reasons people stated for choosing eco-friendly products are:

• Reduce allergies bothered by toxic chemical exposure
• Improve air quality
• Lessen negative impact on the environment
• Safer for children and pets
• Not tested on animals
• More pleasant smell

Reactions to toxic chemicals include allergies, cancers, and digestive or reproductive issues. 

When looking for eco-friendly cleaning products, here’s what to look for:

• Natural fragrance
• Dye, hypochlorite, and chlorine-free
• Non-toxic
• Biodegradable
• Recycled or reusable packaging or containers
• Bulk packaging
• Phosphate free

Examples of Eco-friendly Cleaning Practices

Using more eco-friendly products is only one part of choosing a greener cleaning practice. Here are a few more ideas for reducing your footprint:

Use Refillable Containers

Skip one-time-use containers and opt for refillable glass jars. Refill soap dispensers rather than tossing them to use less packaging.

Choose Reusable Products

Using washcloths rather than paper towels for cleaning can help reduce waste. Microfiber cloths are excellent for dusting and wiping down areas. A small amount of cleaner goes a long way, so consider a spray bottle and a cloth to use less product.

Consider Homemade or Eco-friendly Cleaners

Vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils are the go-to for natural, homemade cleaners. Commercially produced eco-friendly cleaners tend to have recyclable containers and packaging. They also focus on using less harsh chemicals and stick to ingredients that can be pronounced and easily recognizable.

Tips for a Greener Home

• Swap toxic toilet bowl cleaners with vinegar to reduce build-up and baking soda to freshen. 
• Bon Ami all-purpose cleaner can be used safely in bathrooms, kitchens, and even scuff marks.
• Use lavender or cedar instead of mothballs to freshen clothes and closets.
• Make your own glass cleaner with equal parts water and vinegar.
• Sponges that state they are not safe for aquarium use shouldn’t be used on dishes or food counters. Instead, use a non-antibacterial sponge and microwave it for thirty seconds to refresh it.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Services

What are your reasons for choosing eco-friendly cleaning products? Have you felt you couldn’t hire a professional cleaning company because you require greener products?

Not all professional cleaning companies offer green, eco-friendly cleaning. If this is important to you, choose to work with a company that aligns with your environmentally conscious values.

With over 30 years in the cleaning business, A Cleaning Service in Washington, DC, can make your life easier and help you honor your commitment to a more green environment in your home and beyond. Our customers rely on our skill and expertise for home cleaning, home office cleaning, and commercial cleaning of their spaces.

We service the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas, and our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. 

Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you meet your eco-friendly cleaning needs.

As kids return to school from a long summer, a bittersweet transition is back into a regular routine and schedule. Rules during the summer tend to be looser. When school is back in session, some peace comes with routine. However, in the transition, it can feel chaotic to reestablish the organization and structure, which is likely lacking in the lazy days of summer.

How do you get back on track with home organization and cleaning amidst the back-to-school chaos? Our professional cleaning service has some heavy-hitting tips to help you get and stay organized during back-to-school season. 

Make a Chore Schedule

A schedule helps show what time is available for chores. Even a 15-minute window can work for a quick chore to keep space organized. The schedule should include all family members responsible for cleaning, organizing, or other tasks (such as pet care).

As always, a calendar or schedule visual will help make adjustments without forgetting anything when things come up.

Plan Ahead

If you have a schedule, planning is possible. Consider the steps needed to support the organization over chaos. Add these steps to the calendar as well. For example, if meal prep needs to happen on Sunday afternoons for easy lunches or dinners, block the time on the calendar.

Planning ahead also includes having the supplies and tools needed to accomplish the scheduled tasks. This means having cleaning supplies on hand, making a grocery list, and shopping to be ready with fresh food in time for meal prep.

Make it a Habit

In the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, he suggests, pairing new habits with existing ones,  among other things. This leads to greater success in building a new habit. For example, if someone wakes up and brushes their teeth consistently, they can attach a small chore to this routine.

When it comes to back-to-school habits, consider when a student comes home, they hang up their backpack and sit down for a snack. Right after the snack, they do a quick chore before starting homework. Or, after dinner, if they clear the table, add a chore such as taking out the trash.

Think about which habits are already in place and how to maximize them by adding a relevant new chore.

Take It in Manageable Chunks

During the week, when the schedule is busiest, keep chores short and sweet—block time on weekends for bigger projects. Consider how larger chores could be broken down, such as doing one load of laundry per day rather than everything on the weekend.

Keep in mind your students’ ages, and give them age-appropriate tasks. Too many tasks or those that are too complicated will lessen the chance of completing them successfully and may cause stress and drama. 

Keep it Fun

Whenever possible, make chores fun. Music, prizes, races, or contests are good ways to bring fun into organizing and cleaning.

Chore charts are commonly used to outline tasks, offer a simple way to track progress, and reward positive behavior. If it makes sense for your family, ask your kiddos what reward they’d like to work towards. Keep small rewards in play as they build to the larger ones so they don’t lose interest.

For example, a dollar a week can help them build up, with the big reward being that you double the money when they hit a certain amount. This allows them to buy something bigger they’ve had their eye on.

Recruit Cleaning Help

Many hands make light work. Small chunks mean more hands might be needed, but it also means things will get handled. For big projects, asking for help from friends or family is a great idea. Sometimes, the “all hands on deck” approach can help set things up to make maintenance easier.

An example would be using a residential cleaning company for regular weekly cleaning, making it easier during the week to do a quick tidy and a load of laundry. Another example could be organizing a bedroom so toys have a place or creating a clean, clear desk and shelf for homework.

Remember Downtime

Keeping chores light and fun is important for mental and physical health. The ultimate goal is to plan for downtime and focus on relationships that matter. Busy schedules can create full experiences of extracurricular activities. But they can also rob us of life, keeping us too busy to appreciate each other.

Remember to keep time available to restore and connect with yourself and others.

Contact A Cleaning Service for Cleaning with Care

If getting through household chores is a struggle, let A Cleaning Service give you an extra hand. This will free up time to spend on the relationships that matter: those with your kids, family, and friends. 

A Cleaning Service has over 30 years of experience in the cleaning business. Our customers trust our expertise to handle the weekly chores that often fall through the cracks during busy back-to-school schedules.Homeowners in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas can learn why we are award-winning and gain the trust and confidence of residents year after year. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning services can assist with your residence, home office, or commercial cleaning needs.

Since the COVID pandemic, many home offices and remote workspaces have become the new normal. At one time, remote workers were few and far between, and the opportunities to work from home were sparse or scams. 

As today’s remote workers have found their groove, they’ve had to make several adjustments, like stronger internet and a better office chair. However, one area that may have been overlooked or taken for granted is janitorial services.

Those who have worked in a commercial office space likely left at the end of the day, and when they returned the next day, they were pleasantly surprised to discover that the trash was emptied and the bathrooms were clean.

In a home office, we don’t get that luxury. It is our responsibility to wipe down our desks, and empty the trash, in addition to all the other home chores. While some may have learned that hiring a cleaning service could give them that same office clean, most people handled it on their own.

For those tackling cleaning their own remote workspace or home office, here is a cleaning guide to help you achieve the results of a professional cleaning company.

Remote Workspace Cleaning Guide

Trashcans

Most professional commercial cleaning companies start by emptying all the trash cans. You likely have one or two, one for trash and one for recycling. Take that trash and recycling out to the bins and plan how often this should be done.

Keeping an extra bag at the bottom of the trash will help you keep track of supplies before you run out. That extra stashed bag will give you a week’s notice to replace them, and you’ll never find yourself without one.

Wipe Flat Surfaces

Next, cleaning services will wipe down flat surfaces, including desks, cabinets, and shelves. Microfiber cloths are great for this as they don’t require cleaning products unless you prefer them. 

Wipe screens, phones, headsets, keyboards, and other electronic devices. If you have glass surfaces, also wipe those down.

Remember to wipe knobs and handles, including those on the door, drawers and cabinets. Look high for vents that might need dusting, and don’t forget switchplates.

Floor Care

Finally, floor care. Depending on the flooring material, this can involve vacuuming or sweeping and mopping. A simple mopping system like a Swiffer can also be used on hard surfaces.

Sanitation

In commercial office spaces, janitorial companies will clean break rooms and restrooms. This would be the kitchen and bathroom in your home office, and your cleaning company will generally handle these when cleaning your home office, as it is all part of the residential space.

Having your kitchen and bathroom cleaned by professionals means you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination. Professional cleaners have specific training on using the right products and not using the same cleaning cloths in bathrooms, kitchens, and offices or living spaces.

Of course, there is a higher chance of spreading germs between co-workers and visitors in a commercial space with many people. However, while you aren’t exposed to multiple people wandering around in your home, you still don’t want to spread germs from one room to another.

A Cleaning Service in Washington DC for Your Cleaning Needs

Is it time to hire a cleaning company to help with your home office or remote workspace? 

If you are doing the cleaning, is it worth your time and energy? Or is that time better spent taking a break from your home office and focusing on you and the relationships that matter? Only you can answer that, but if A Cleaning Service can help, we are happy to take the chores, including cleaning your remote workspace, off your plate.

With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their lives easier. We can clean your home, your home office, and your commercial office together or separately. 

We service the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas, and our award-winning cleaning company seeks to earn your trust and confidence. 
Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our cleaning service can help you tackle more this year.

Open office workspaces are often found in co-working or collaborative workplaces. Keeping these areas clean when there is less definition of who is responsible for what can be challenging. These spaces generally need more frequent cleaning because they host more traffic than a private office.

Additionally, open spaces function more like public areas than private offices in terms of supply usage, frequently touched surfaces, and diverse user expectations. Some users feel responsible for keeping the area clean, while others may believe a commercial cleaning service or co-working staff handles those tasks. This is why creating expectations for users is the best way to keep open workspaces clean.

What is the Definition of Open Workspaces

An open workspace or open-plan office has become popular due to co-working models and collaborative business methodologies. The concept is that employees can network and collaborate by limiting the physical barriers of walls or cubicles. Studies reveal both benefits and drawbacks of this workplace style. If your office features an open layout, there are important considerations for maintaining cleanliness.

Effective Cleaning of Open Workspaces

If open workspaces encourage collaboration, it shouldn’t end with discussions and whiteboard drawings. Cleaning, organizing, and tidying should also be collaborative in nature. Here are a few tips to support those outcomes:

1. Use cleaning stations.

Setting up cleaning stations is a great way to encourage more regular cleaning. At a gym, areas often have disinfectant spray, paper towels, and a trash can. After someone uses a machine, they are expected to wipe it down. The same principle can be used in an open workspace to help users wipe down a desk or table and clean up spills.

In areas where messes are more likely, such as at a coffee bar, breakroom, or even next to a copy machine, put extra supplies in clear view and reach to encourage their use.

2. Make it easy.

By making it easy for users to find supplies and know what actions to take, they are more likely to do them.

Cleaning stations make cleaning up easy because all the needed supplies are in one area. No one needs to hunt for a paper towel to clean up a small spill. Think of casual restaurants that provide shelves and bins for dirty dishes, encouraging guests to bus their own tables. Some organizations physically outline supplies and tools to help people know what belongs in the empty space so it can be returned there.

3. Give clear direction.

Signage is one way to give instructions and communicate expectations. If you have ever stayed in a rental (like Airbnb), you can take a cue from them. Labels on shelves help guests know where to find and return items like kitchen and bathroom supplies. They can also list procedures such as how to use the coffee machine or connect to WiFi.

Clean, easy, and convenient directions and expectations support the desired outcome of a clean, open workspace.

Using a Cleaning Service for Open-Plan Offices

Because open-plan workspaces invite higher worker traffic in a single area, bacteria and germs can spread more easily. Encouraging employees to keep the areas tidy can help reduce this risk; however, employees should not be responsible for providing a truly professional clean.

Professional office cleaning services are trained in effectively applying cleaning products and techniques to reduce cross-contamination and kill germs. This is important not only in shared spaces but also in bathrooms, as these areas are unlikely to be adequately maintained by employees or office mates.

Commercial cleaning companies identify high-touch areas that require more cleaning (such as switches, handles, and door knobs), but they also handle what most coworkers won’t, namely:

• Trash removal
• Dusting
• Floor care
• Glass care
• Breakroom cleaning
• Bathroom sanitation

True Collaboration for Cleanliness

Cleaning companies maintain a cadence appropriate for the business’s traffic and a consistent schedule. Tasks can also be customized to the space and unique needs of the business. Collaboration between office personnel and a professional cleaning company will ultimately best serve the open workspace.

About A Cleaning Service

Put your trust in A Cleaning Service, an award-winning cleaning company serving the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Contact us today for a quote regarding commercial cleaning solutions and janitorial services or for more information about how it looks to work with a cleaning service. 

Those of us who have chosen to be pet parents enjoy the laughter, connection, and joy those furry family members bring us. However, we also deal with fur, pet messes, and potty mistakes. Maintaining a clean, fresh home with pets requires careful planning and action.

Need some help? Here are some cleaning tips for people with pets (and how to get your kids to help).

Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents

Think “Washable”

Washable rugs, blankets, and furniture covers are key to easy swap-and-replace cleaning. Thin or small rugs placed at entryways, near kennels, or in pet sleeping areas are easy to grab and throw into the wash. While they are washing, sweep or mop up any hair and dirt.

Blankets and furniture covers can protect the fabric on couches, chairs, and beds to prevent dirty paws and shedding. Waterproof covers are ideal for pets prone to potty mishaps. 

These protect your items and are easy to toss into the laundry, so replace them with a fresh, clean one before guests arrive. Or, simply cover furniture when pets are on it, remove it when you are ready to sit or sleep, then replace it again.

Tip to get your kids to help: Assign them a specific responsibility and age-appropriate chore list. For example, have your child be responsible for picking up the rugs by all the entry doors every Sunday, shaking them out, and then putting them in the wash. 

Be Proactive

When a pet gets sick, it is stressful enough to run around looking for supplies and hoping your pet doesn’t make the mess worse. Having a ready-to-go pet clean-up kit, such as a box, bucket, or bag, can help make quick work of messes. Be sure to include paper towels and rags, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, and trash bags.

A quick tidy can be done with a simple lint roller that can be used on clothes or furniture. Having one handy near the front door to roll yourself free of pet hair is a great strategy.

Tip to get your kids to help: Give each kid a lint roller and see who can come back with the most hair on the pad in the shortest time. Making a contest or game out of chores makes them fun, fast, and gets them done!

Use a Schedule

Set a reminder or recurring schedule daily, weekly, monthly, or less often, depending on the need for cleaning. For example, if the dogs eat every day at 5 PM, make a schedule to clean their bowls and refill their water just after. Or, set a reminder to clean the litter box every Thursday, or fish bowl every 15th of the month.

Schedules create routines, which build good habits and helps get things done.

Tip to get your kids to help: Games have rewards and consequences (think Chutes & Ladders). Use the concept of gamification by rewarding completion of the requested tasks or penalizing non-achievement. For example, if your child puts away his dishes, brushes his teeth, and lets the dog out before 6 PM, he gets an extra 15 minutes of screentime.

Outsource

Let’s face it—those with pets and children have their hands full. Asking for help can be a lifesaver! 

Chores are always great for building character in children, so let’s keep those in place! But if everyday chores like cleaning the bathroom, dusting, vacuuming, and taking out the trash are keeping you from parenting the way you’d like, building relationships with those you love, or even playing with your pets, hiring a cleaning service is a great self-care activity.

About A Cleaning Service, Washington DC

A Cleaning Service provides residential cleaning services throughout the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Parents have come to rely on our award-winning service that gives them back the time they desire to focus on the relationships that matter.

Get your home cleaner with weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or deep cleaning services. Contact us today to learn how we have earned our customer’s trust and loyalty over the years. 

Get a quote, ask questions, or get on our schedule. We look forward to helping you achieve your cleaning goals as a pet parent.