As the popular saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. And with those showers come mud, wind, and warmer weather. Office entrances have high foot traffic which means that mud is likely coming in with employees. Keeping the space clean, however, has a lot to do with preparation, organization, and processes.

Making it easy for people to understand the expectations is a great way to set up organizational systems that work. For example, restaurants that don’t want their trays thrown away can post signs (preparation), offer an easy and clearly marked tray return station (organization), as well as make the trash bin openings too small for the tray to fit (process). They all work together to create the desired result.

Office Cleaning Tips For Spring

Preparation

Keep your office clean with preparation, which is simply being ready to address known issues. Of course, you can’t predict everything, but this is where the rule of 80/20 comes in. Prepare for 80% of what you can expect.

Think about what you normally see in spring. Mud? Trash blowing in? Wet floors?

With these in mind, consider placing extra mats that grab dirt, mud, and water off shoes and boots. Microfiber cloths, mop heads, and rugs are all great for this purpose. You may want to set up a clean station for quick floor wipe-ups that will contribute to safety, as well. 

Have a broom and extra trash can near the front door to prepare for trash and debris blown in by the wind. Have a special space for wet boots and shoes, umbrellas, and jackets so water doesn’t get brought through the office or hallways, creating a hazard.

A wet floor sign posted in the area could also warn office visitors of potentially hazardous conditions and is a great idea on rainy days.

Organization

Organization includes creating a place for everything. Once you have prepared for the known or expected problems, a good organizational system supports the unexpected by making it easy to find what is needed.

Organization comes in a variety of systems that can be adapted to your office space and needs. For example, you may choose to use a diagram showing how supplies should be stored. Organize supplies and use color-coded bins for easy recognition.

Clearly labeled boxes, containers, drawers, and shelves help people know where items belong and reduce the chance of things being haphazardly thrown in the wrong places. 

Use directional signs and diagrams to direct people to emergency supplies that can be accessed if and when they are needed.

Processes

Processes help establish a standard and maintain it. This could be a checklist of activities, signs with instructions, or even a schedule for checking an area.

A checklist of activities that help with spring office cleaning could include:

• Dusting flat surfaces
• Cleaning the floor at the end of the day
• Clearing the foyer of excess dirt, debris, or trash before leaving

Suggestions for signs with instructions:

• Where to hang wet outerwear
• Instructions to wipe up wet or muddy footprints with a mop
• A phone number to call in case the area needs attention
• Details about where to find cleaning supplies

Schedules for cleaning could offer:

• A sign-off sheet indicating the area was addressed at regular intervals
• An action plan for staying on top of messes, such as daily, weekly, or monthly responsibilities
• Rotating schedules of tasks assigned to certain people

Processes not only help communicate what needs to be done but also clarify how to do it. Armed with this instruction, people can then be held accountable for the tasks they are responsible for, which creates more successful outcomes. This is true whether addressing poor work performance or cleaning office space.

Need Help Keeping Your Office Clean Year Round?

A Cleaning Service provides commercial cleaning services throughout the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Using an extensive commercial cleaning checklist, we create a systematic plan and quote for your specific and unique office space. 

Business owners and office managers rely on our skills and expertise to provide healthier workspaces, with extra attention given to sanitation and avoiding cross-contamination, A Cleaning Service supports a broad spectrum of cleaning tasks. Commercial cleaning services are available weekly, more than weekly, or monthly. And for those necessary, less frequent deep cleaning projects, such as post-construction clean-up, we have you covered, too. Our award-winning commercial cleaning company is ready to earn your trust and loyalty, just like thousands of others, through our decades of service. Contact us today for a quote or more information on how our commercial cleaning services can help you.

All commercial spaces are different and often require a certain level of cleanliness to meet health and safety protocols. Specific janitorial services will come in very handy for businesses that want to keep their space clean. 

A professional janitorial company will provide you with a list of services they offer and the cleaning frequency needed to ensure the cleanliness of your commercial space. They will tour your space and determine if there are any special needs or areas of concern. They will also look at all flooring and surfaces to determine if there are any unique cleaning needs, such as for marble, tile, carpets, or vinyl.

These are all checked to ensure the right products are used for the most effective and safest results.

Your Commercial Space Has Unique Cleaning Needs

The janitorial cleaning company you work with should thoroughly walk your space in order to give you a trusted quote for the areas in need of service. While spaces tend to have the same types of areas, such as bathrooms and breakrooms, the amount of space and variety of surfaces should be examined.

Additionally, walking the space with the janitorial company can help you point out areas of importance to you and your goals. There is a wide variety of mixed-use spaces, and the commercial janitorial company needs to know how much time to plan for, what supplies to bring, and what areas to focus on.

Janitorial Checklist

This checklist provides information about what a typical janitorial company will clean. As mentioned, this can vary with your individual space and is, therefore, only meant to be a guide; however, it does help to create an expectation of services.

Foyer & Common Areas

Most commercial spaces have some sort of designated entry, whether directly into a receptionist area, employee prep area, or open space foyer. 

Typically, a cleaning company will remove trash, dust and wipe down surfaces, and clean the floor in the common areas, including the foyer or entrance. Check if they are wiping handrails and doorknobs. Ask how they handle clean-up related to weather, such as salt, mud, snow, leaves, or other debris that might be blown or tracked in.

The floor in this area may be very different than in other areas because it is designed to handle higher traffic. It needs a different cleaning treatment, which should be discussed with your chosen professional commercial cleaning company. 

Offices

Determine if the cleaning company provides office cleaning services like dusting, wipe furniture, take out trash, and perform floor care. Some companies may dust blinds and large furniture but not wipe computers or phones, for example. Others may only handle trash.

If offices have glass surfaces, those may be wiped. Deep cleans may be required to reach higher areas, such as baseboards and trim, and they may be done less frequently.

Breakroom & Kitchen

Generally, commercial spaces have a kitchen or breakroom. These areas must be kept clean to avoid pests and unsanitary conditions. It is also critical that cross-contamination is avoided, which means the janitorial service uses products and equipment in this area that haven’t been used in bathrooms or the other areas of the space, nor should they use the same equipment that will be used in offices.

Bathrooms

Every commercial space has bathrooms, but the number and types will vary. These bathrooms may be on multiple floors, have multiple stalls, or be individual. They all require trash removal and sanitation of surfaces, including stall doors and walls. Toilets and urinals will be cleaned inside and out, and floors will also be disinfected.

Other Spaces

This area of the checklist will be determined by your specific space and modes and methods can be discussed as you walk through the space with the janitorial company. 

It could include areas such as:

• Snack areas
• Conference  and meeting rooms
• Quiet space areas
• Gyms
• Special equipment (machinery, fabrication, repair, workshop, warehouse, etc.)
• Classrooms
• Nursery and childcare rooms
• Stairs and hallways
• Security areas
• Docks and shipping
• Outdoor spaces
• Food prep areas
• Labs, dental, or medical spaces
• And more

Contact A Cleaning Service for Janitorial Commercial Cleaning

Let A Cleaning Service provide an extensive janitorial cleaning checklist and quote for your specific and unique commercial space. 

With over 30 years in janitorial services, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to avoid cross-contamination and provide a healthier work environment. A Cleaning Service helps with the cleaning tasks needed, whether weekly, more than weekly, monthly or less frequent deep cleaning projects that are necessary and silently appreciated by employees. 

Business owners and managers in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas trust our award-winning commercial cleaning company. Learn more about us to see why we’ve earned their confidence, then contact us today for a quote or more information on how our janitorial services can help you. 

What is spring cleaning other than cleaning and organizing at the turn of the season?

It is purging and organizing.

It is beating out dust and deep cleaning.

It is putting away the items from fall and winter and bringing out those for spring and summer.

And breathe easy; there is no right or wrong way to do spring cleaning! In fact, cleaning “correctly” could mean a few things, but here’s what our professional cleaning company has to say about spring cleaning:

No Cross-Contamination

Cross-contamination is when bacteria, viruses, parasites, or even soil is moved from one area to another. An example would be if you used the same rag to clean the bathroom and also the kitchen. 

In professional cleaning, we ensure this doesn’t happen by using cleaning cloths of different colors for specific areas. In your home, you can use one color for dusting areas like bedrooms, living spaces, and your office. Use a different color for cleaning the bathroom. Try yet another color for cleaning the kitchen and dishes.

Microfiber cloths are known to be excellent for avoiding cross-contamination as they grab and hold bacteria rather than spread it like a cotton rag does.

Being Effective

Effective cleaning deals with the methods used to accomplish your spring cleaning goals. Is your goal to get more organized? Being effective would mean using solutions that support that. Bins, baskets, fasteners, ties, labels, and more are ways to organize effectively.

When it comes to cleaning effectively, using the right cleaning products is key. Scratch-free cleaners may be used on surfaces like glass top stoves, where an abrasive cleaner may be required for a bathtub. Mopping makes sense for particular floors but not others. 

Knowing what cleaners to use for the job at hand and using cleaning products that won’t cause damage is what professional cleaning companies are trained to do. You can do this in your own home, too, by understanding the different cleaners, their safety precautions, and how they are designed to be used.

Ultimately, being effective means using the right tools, products, and knowledge to get the job done correctly to achieve your goals.

Being Efficient

Finally, being efficient can define what it means to do spring cleaning correctly. If cleaning takes too much time or effort, it likely won’t get done, making it inefficient.

“Done is better than perfect,” author Sheryl Sandberg

To make spring cleaning easier (and more efficient), consider these tools:

• Hire a professional cleaning company to handle a one-time deep-clean
• Hire a cleaning company to handle ongoing maintenance cleaning
• Ask for help with spring cleaning tasks from friends and family
• Use a checklist (Here’s one we created)
• Chunk up the projects into smaller, manageable parts
• Use music, a game, or a contest to promote a quick burst of cleaning energy (especially if enlisting the help of children) 

Also, remember to keep things in perspective. Focus on what matters and keep it simple. Your sanity is more important than a cleaning marathon!

Work with A Cleaning Service for All Your Spring Cleaning Needs

If cleaning tasks keep you from spending quality time with those you love, consider A Cleaning Service. Get help with the weekly chores, deep cleans, or your spring cleaning checklist.

We serve the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas with over 30 years in the cleaning business. Contact us today to learn why our customers love our award-winning service, and let us help you tackle your cleaning needs. 

February is the month associated with love, romance, and candy, all because of Valentine’s Day. It’s a great time to assess and notice the little things that make you happy, and those around you happy. For many, that involves a clean, welcoming, picked-up home or office. 

In this post, we’re giving some cleaning tips that you’ll love. Feel free to print it out and drop it in the Valentine’s card to your loved ones!

Cleanliness and Organization Are Powerful 

Do you have a favorite fragrance? Maybe burn a candle, light some incense, turn on a diffuser, and freshen up your space with a scent you adore.

Is there a place in your home that gives you joy? Maybe it is a hot bath after a long day, a meditation area, your porch, or your kitchen. Take a few minutes to tidy your favorite space and see if it inspires you to treat yourself. If you don’t have a favorite space, create one.

What is your least favorite chore? Who can you ask for help from? Who might you delegate it to? Kids? Partner? Roommate? Professional cleaners? Make some requests or a few calls today and free up space for more you-time.

What other items bring you joy? Do you have pillows you can replace? Plants to put in the space? Pictures to hang on the wall? Place those into your home (or office) to liven it up and make you happier. 

This month, make it a priority to get rid of clutter and things that don’t bring happiness; you’ll reduce stress and make space for more joy. Here are some cleaning tips on how to make it happen… 

Tips to Bring More Joy into Cleaning

Where do you usually have messes? 

Place a broom and other cleaning items near the door for quick clean-ups that will reduce bigger messes later and reduce messiness from making its way further into your home. Keep it simple by making it so easy to tidy that you have no reason to walk by a mess.

Where do you normally have clutter? 

Place a basket or organizer in that space to help immediately sort items. Maybe a small trash by the table that gets a stack of mail so you can quickly and easily throw away junk mail and a tote for the magazines to carry them to the living room. 

Consider a rack to hang on the wall that holds your keys (a double benefit of keeping the counters free from stuff, plus you’ll always know where your keys are!).

Where do you usually ignore cleaning? 

Build a cleaning routine, add it to your list, and then add it to your schedule. For example, if you want to start cleaning the laundry area once a month, put an appointment in your calendar for the time you want to spend on it. This simple strategy will help you get it done instead of kicking yourself for letting it continue to slide into the future (getting messier along the way).

And don’t forget to ask for the help you need when you need it. Dividing cleaning duties makes it easier for everyone and instills confidence and important values in young and old alike. Consider cleaning services if you need help with cleaning your house, apartment, or condo.

A Cleaning Service in Washington DC for Your Cleaning Needs

Focus on the relationships that matter and the things that bring you joy, and let A Cleaning Service help with the rest. With over 30 years in the cleaning business, our customers have come to rely on our skill and expertise to make their lives easier. 

If you need residential cleaning or commercial cleaning in the Greater Washington DC, Virginia, or Maryland areas, 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 than just spring cleaning.

The new year brings a restored commitment to new habits that hold the promise of living our lives with more intention and gratitude. There is wisdom in believing you can’t change what you don’t track. Organizing is a great way to discover what you have and may need to move toward whatever goals or new habits you want to create.

For example, if one of your goals is to get in shape, but your treadmill or exercise bike is buried under unfolded laundry, it is not creating a supportive environment for that new habit to be formed. In contrast, setting out our gym clothes in one spot to make it easier to get up, get dressed, and out the door will support that habit.

This checklist will help you get and stay organized in 2024. 

A Checklist for Organizing

Identify your goals for organizing.

What is it you want to accomplish? Go in with a plan so that you can maximize your time by knowing the end goal. Do you want the kids’ rooms to be more tidy? Create a space for everything and make it easy to follow. This could be pictures, labels, or even bins that match the size of the items they contain.

Make a list.

Create a list of supplies you may need once you’ve determined your goal and how to set it up. This may include getting a shelving unit, bins for storing items or cleaning supplies. Consider what organizational system will work best. 

An online search for what you are specifically working on can help. For example, a search for shoe organization will bring up different solutions than organizing a garage. Do some research to see what’s out there.

Get support from others.

Support is critical to success: recruit friends or family to help organize, hire a professional organizer or cleaning company, use habit trackers or accountability partners, join a group of people with the same goal, etc. 

These are all ways to get support to help you achieve your goal and keep it working. The best way to create new habits is with repetition and reinforcement. Make it easier and fun to follow your new routine, and it will stick.

Use Lean’s 5 S’s.

Lean is a style of organization used originally by manufacturers, but the concept can be used in various ways. Founded in Japan, the English version is:

1. Sort
2. Set in place
3. Shine
4. Standardize
5. Sustain

The quick overview is first to sort out what you want organized so you know what you have, don’t have, and don’t need. Second is to set things into the place and order you want them; this may necessitate supplies in order to work well. 

The third is to shine or clean. Often, when we sort through things to organize them, we find cleaning tasks to handle, and this is a great time to do it while things are out and easy to get to.

Fourth is to standardize, which means doing daily activities that support the maintenance of the new habit.

Finally, sustain, which means creating processes to keep the new habit in place. This could be as simple as setting a daily timer for five minutes to do a quick tidy. It could be making an agreement with yourself to take supplements right after brushing your teeth. Or it could be making a chore chart for the kids.

A Cleaning Service in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC

Keep this checklist in mind as you work on setting up new habits and organization for the new year. Circling back on your progress and celebrating your progress will help you form a new habit, not just a resolution that fizzles before the spring.

A Cleaning Service is an award-winning cleaning company serving the Greater Washington DC area, including Virginia and Maryland. If you get your home organized and want help keeping it that way, we can help. And, if regular, ongoing cleaning tasks don’t bring you joy, consider letting them go into our professional and competent hands. 

Contact us today for a quote and free up your time so you can build the habits that matter most to you. 

Holiday parties are meant to be fun and festive, not stressful and overwhelming. The key to limiting holiday party stress is keeping it simple. Here are five tips for quick and easy holiday party cleaning.

Holiday Party Cleaning Tip 1: Get Help

Avoid feeling overwhelmed by getting a lot of hands to help you clean and prepare. Sometimes, this means hiring a cleaning company to focus on the tasks that are easy to delegate while you work on the items only you are suited for.

Consider other ways to get more hands involved and work smarter, not harder. 

Examples include:

• Hiring a caterer
• Asking someone to lead games or activities
• Asking for help with tearing down and setting up
• Assigning people to small tasks 

Don’t go it alone if you don’t have to!

Holiday Party Cleaning Tip 2: Think Ahead

Keep things simple with some pre-planning. Put trash cans in highly visible areas along with extra bags. Have a cleaning station available for guests in case of spills. A roll of paper towel, a spray bottle of cleaner, and some small trash bags do the trick.

Make sure there are rubber-backed mats and rugs to prevent dirt and mud from being brought in. Ensure there is space for coats to be placed and there is enough seating for guests. When there is a place for everything and everyone, it reduces crowding and clutter.

Holiday Party Cleaning Tip 3: Store Away Unneeded Items

Whether an office party or hosting at home, storing away unneeded items makes cleaning before and after the event easier. 

At home, put full laundry baskets, the stack of unsorted mail, and even extra children’s toys into a bin and out of sight in a closed bedroom. Now isn’t the time to put a week’s worth of chores into a few-hour stretch of crunch time.

At the office, close off areas, such as a copy room, and fill it with items that are off limits. The less there is to interact with, the less that will need to be cleaned up later.

Holiday Party Cleaning Tip 4: Rearrange for Better Flow

Once you have stored away unneeded items, rearrange furniture for better flow. Arrange seating to accommodate conversation. Set the table for dining ease. Create space for serving food, hosting games, or placing gifts.

By creating pathways for guests, you can reduce cleaning time by limiting access to areas you won’t have to clean later and also controlling the high-touch areas to focus on when you clean.

Holiday Party Cleaning Tip 5: Keep Priorities Straight

Often an aspect of overwhelm comes from forgetting what’s important. Holiday get-togethers are precisely that – an opportunity for friends and family to gather and connect. It’s a time to reflect on the past, present, and future. It’s a time for celebration.

A Cleaning Service for Holiday Cleaning Done Right

Cleanliness is important for safety and comfort, but a scuff on the wall or a basket of dirty clothes hidden in a bedroom doesn’t impact that. When facing the feeling that there isn’t enough time, prioritize your guests’ experience and what they will remember. They aren’t likely to leave the party wondering why you used paper plates instead of fine chinaware. Hopefully, they leave with memories of laughter and connection.

If you need help with preparing for holiday company, or if regular, ongoing cleaning tasks don’t bring you joy, consider letting them go into the professional and competent hands of A Cleaning Service. 

We’re an award-winning cleaning company serving the Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas. Contact us today for a quote and spend your holiday time on the relationships that matter most to you.