eric

Fall is a tricky time for allergies. Seasonal pollen combined with dirty, dusty leaves can make for a hazardous environment for anyone who’s sensitive to these irritants. Keeping your home clean will give you a safe, comfortable haven to retreat to during peak allergy season. We’ve rounded up some handy tips to help you maintain a healthy, sparkling home.

Use the Right Vacuum

Vacuuming is a great way to remove irritants from the home provided that you’re using the right vacuum. Allergy sufferers should always use a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. HEPA filters capture at least 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. A true HEPA filter will have a serial number printed on it proving its authenticity. 

It’s important to use the right filter because a lesser product may not capture all of the allergens in your home. If your vacuum isn’t properly equipped, it could do more harm than good by simply stirring up irritants and sending them into the air. Vacuum your home twice a week to keep dust, dander, mold, mildew, and other allergens to a minimum.

Capture Dust Effectively

Dusting is another activity that can stir up allergens more than it captures them. To make sure that your efforts are effective, you should dust with a damp cloth and not a feather duster or other dry product. You can then remove large clumps of dust from the cloth by hand and take care of the rest by laundering your dusting cloths as soon as you’re finished. In the fall months, plan to dust the home at least once a week to help combat seasonal allergies.

Launder Everything You Can

Regularly laundering household items is a great way to get rid of the pollen, dander, and microbial growths that may cling to them. There are a number of potentially hazardous items around the house that can harbor these troublesome irritants. If you suffer from serious allergies, you may want to clean these as often as once a week. Some household fabrics that you need to routinely wash include:

Dry these items in the dryer when you’re finished. Don’t put them outside on a clothesline as this will simply allow them to pick up more allergens. Remember to regularly launder coats, hats, scarves, and other outerwear throughout the autumn months as well. These items will pick up plenty of allergens while you’re out and about and bring them back into the home.

Banish Fallen Leaves Promptly

Autumn leaves are one of the most troublesome culprits when it comes to fall allergies. Fallen leaves provide the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. Children who jump in the leaves outside will come in covered in these tiny invaders that will likely cause your allergy symptoms to flare up. As soon as leaves fall, you should rake them up and remove them from your landscaping. Bagging the leaves for removal is the best option for allergy sufferers, as leaving them to compost will invite more potential allergens to your landscape.

Make sure you’re cleaning the gutters regularly in the fall as well. Gutters provide a great place for leaves to hide and grow mold or mildew that can rain down around the home when the wind blows. Routine gutter cleanings will keep leaves at bay and ensure proper drainage through autumn storms and into melting winter snowfall.

Be Careful With Your Cleaning Attire

While you’re cleaning, you should wear a face mask to protect yourself from some of the allergens that you will inevitably stir up. When you finish the job, either dispose of your face mask or wash it if you’re using a reusable product. Take off and launder your clothing when you’re finished cleaning as well. This way, you can remove any accumulated irritants from the home as soon as possible and avoid scattering them through the home as you walk about.

If your allergies make it difficult to do these tasks yourself, consider hiring help. For professional assistance with your fall cleaning, contact our team at Kingdom Keepers. We can assist with your seasonal cleaning or come to your home on a recurring schedule to help you maintain the fresh, comfortable home that you want. 

When young children spend time together in a daycare center, they often share toys and snacks and play closely with each other. Little kids love exploring their world with their hands and enjoy putting items in their mouths. They also haven’t mastered the art of continuous hand-washing and often sneeze or cough openly. This combination can cause the spread of germs, with the potential to make the children and staff sick.

Parents trust that their child’s daycare center has the proper cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection processes to keep everyone healthy. Cleaning a daycare center requires more than just a quick wipe-down of the tables the kids eat at and taking out the trash. A professional cleaning company will also deep clean areas that may get forgotten by busy staff members. We’ve put together a list of areas that need extra cleaning in a daycare center.

Floor Mats

Kids attending a daycare center spend a lot of time playing on the floor, and mats can easily harbor germs and bacteria. Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming can help pull up dirt, dust, and spilled food. However, you want to sanitize and disinfect them regularly to eradicate harmful germs and bacteria. For deep-cleaning of floor mats, use a commercial sanitizing solution that’s safe for daycare centers. Follow the mixing instructions and use a high-quality mop or microfiber cloth to scrub the mats thoroughly. Rinse with clean water, and let the mats dry before using them next.

Bonus tip: You can make your own floor mat cleaner to help remove dirt and grime. What you’ll need:

• A 16-ounce spray bottle.
• 1 cup of distilled water.
• 1/2 cup of witch hazel.
• 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• 3 drops of essential oil like tea tree or eucalyptus.
• 3 drops of fragrant essential oil such as lavender, rose, or lemongrass.

Spray the solution on the mats, then take a mop and wash them or use a scrub brush to get the solution into every section. Rinse with fresh water and let mats dry. Please keep in mind that the Environmental Protection Agency does not recognize these types of household solutions as a disinfectant, only a cleaner. For deep cleaning and sanitizing, hire a professional cleaning company that uses eco-friendly products.

Shared Toys

One of the joys of children spending time in a daycare center is being able to share toys with their peers. However, with dirty little hands and possible saliva touching the toys, germs can spread rapidly. While you can wipe the toys off at the end of the day or put them in a bucket of water to rinse them off, sanitizing or disinfecting them properly is far more effective in eliminating germs.

For rubber or plastic toys, you can soak them in a disinfecting solution based on the manufacturer’s recommendations or run them through the dishwasher. Then, rinse them with clean water, air-dry them, and store the toys properly.

Bonus tip: Many types of toys aren’t suitable for soaking in a solution and need an alternative method for cleaning. For fabric toys, run them through the washing machine with hot water and dry them in a hot clothes dryer.

For porous toys like wooden blocks, make the solution, dip a cloth into it, and wipe the toys down. For deep cleaning of these types of toys, soak a small scrub brush or used toothbrush in the disinfecting solution and scrub the hidden areas. Then, wipe them with a damp cloth dipped in fresh water. Use this method for electronic or battery-operated toys as well. Allow the toys to dry and store them until the next use.

Restrooms

Both kids and adults use the restrooms throughout the day, touching multiple surfaces. While we understand the importance of washing hands thoroughly, in reality, if we don’t do it properly, we can still pass germs to other surfaces. While a cleaning company will wipe down toilets, urinals, sinks, and mirrors, they may miss hidden areas that can harbor germs, including:

• Light switches.
• Door handles.
• Air conditioner remote controls.
• Shower curtains (if applicable).
• Sink drains.
• Baseboards.
• Soap dispensers.
• Paper towel dispensers.
• Mirror frame.
• Toothbrush holders (if applicable).
• Air vents.

When you hire a professional commercial cleaning company, have a list of these hidden areas you would like them to clean. Some areas, like the air vents and baseboards, may only need occasional cleaning, while others need daily or weekly attention.

Bonus tip: To find hidden urine or feces, use a specialized black light. Use the light to search around the bottom of the toilet bowl, under the lid, and in any diaper changing areas to find these harmful contaminants.

Keeping your daycare center clean and hygienic is essential for children’s health. In addition, a clean daycare center looks professional and helps inspire parents to continue using your service.

As a busy daycare center owner, you have many tasks to deal with on a daily basis. Having a professional commercial cleaning service come to your center and help with daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning can help you stay focused on running your business and keeping the little ones entertained. If you’d like help with professional cleaning for your daycare center, request an estimate today. We look forward to providing you with our top-notch commercial cleaning service.

The first day of school is fast approaching, and you want to ensure your classroom is a place where young minds are molded — and not where mold is harbored. If you’re wondering where to start, our checklist helps you hone in on the areas that need it the most, so you can get your classroom in tiptop shape in no time.

Why Is Back-to-School Cleaning Important?

Our classrooms are the epicenter of learning, and back-to-school cleaning is an important step that will help set your students up for success. If you’re not sure where to begin your cleanup project, it may be tempting to start with the easy tasks. However, we recommend tackling the more challenging projects first. Welcome your students to a new year and new opportunities with a deep cleaning. You can begin several weeks before the students return to school from summer break. Take a look at this checklist for some ideas to get you started.

Step 1: Disinfect Surfaces

Disinfecting your classroom surfaces is a terrific first step. Children can spread germs and viruses to other students as they touch and share various items. You’ll need several materials to start this process, including three or four soft and absorbent microfiber cloths, a glass cleaner, and an all-purpose cleaner (bonus points if you can find one that’s eco-friendly!). Next, clean visibly dirty areas with soap and water before disinfecting. For ideas of shared surfaces that may require disinfecting, see the checklist below:

• Desks, including yours
• Tables and chairs
• Lockers and cubbies
• Walls and windows
• Cabinets and handles
• Bookshelves
• Door knobs
• Light switches

Step 2: Sanitize Electronic Devices

You may wonder how to safely sanitize your classroom’s computer systems, and we’re here to help! Of course, you already know that spraying your student’s technology with a liquid cleanser isn’t the best option. However, using 70% alcohol wipes will safely disinfect your school’s tablets, keyboards, and display screens. It’s one of the best ways to sanitize your school’s devices while protecting your delicate digital devices.

First, shut down the devices and unplug their power adapters. Next, gently swab hard, nonporous exterior surfaces. Then use a soft, lint-free cloth to remove smudges. Always avoid using products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide, as these products can cause damage.

Step 3: Vacuum and Mop Floors

Deep cleaning carpeted and laminate floors are your next steps. By the end of the school year, your classroom’s floor probably looks filthy. With our suggestions, you’ll make quick work of this chore.

Start by removing any tape or debris stuck on the floor, then use a broom or vacuum cleaner to pick up loose dirt and dust. Now it’s time to damp mop. You can choose from standard string and sponge varieties or try a steam mop to lift off the grime. Start at the back of the room farthest from the door and work your way out to the hallway.

If looking at your classroom rugs makes you nervous, consider sanitizing them as well. Over time, dirt, spills, and stains can make them look and smell musty. A deep cleaning will extend your rug’s life, and it’s as easy as sprinkling a powdered dry cleaning product on the fibers and then thoroughly vacuuming it up.

Step 4: Clean Sinks and Bathrooms

Not every classroom has the luxury of its own sink and bathroom. However, if yours does, you know these locations are hot spots for germs and mess. Don’t hesitate to get the kids involved as the year progresses to keep this area clean and tidy daily. Make sure to turn on fans for proper ventilation while disinfecting the restroom, then follow this checklist for a safe and sanitary washroom the kids will appreciate on the first day of school and beyond:

• Disinfecting sinks, countertops, and fixtures
• Clean and disinfect toilets and urinals
• Wipe the mirror
• Empty and sanitize trash cans
• Mop the floor
• Stock the bathroom with essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, and hand soap

Step 5: Wipe Down Whiteboards

Chances are you used your whiteboard daily last year. There may even be remnants of that math problem you erased ages ago, making it impossible to add any new notes. The marker ink builds up and smudges your display’s surface, creating a layer of grime that makes the board challenging to read and write on.

Erasers can only handle so much, so thoroughly clean your whiteboard using a cloth moistened with whiteboard cleaner before you launch into your first lesson. To revitalize the surface and keep it bright white and ready for a year of new ideas, follow these maintenance tips:

1. Clean the board weekly with a solution, such as warm soapy water or classic window cleaner.
2. Remove ghosting as needed by wiping the board with an isopropyl alcohol wipe.
3. Avoid wax-based solutions, like furniture polish, as they can leave behind a pesky film.

If you’re short on time or need an extra hand, leave it to the professionals. We can help you get your classroom sparkling clean and ready for the new year so you can focus on planning fun and educational activities. Schedule with us today, and your students can settle into a freshly-cleaned and sanitized area, ready to learn.

Cleaning an office takes more than a dust rag, spray bottle, and vacuum cleaner. Often, dirt and dust can get trapped in hard-to-reach places that are easily ignored, such as behind big pieces of office equipment. Having a few tips on how to clean behind, under, and around the following tricky places in the office can help make your daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning routine simple, leaving your office feeling bright and refreshed.

Behind the Desk and Office Machinery

Some cleaning crews don’t move furniture, like your desk or copy machine, on their regular cleaning schedule, as it’s bulky and heavy. Most of the cords from your computer, monitor, telephone, and chargers go behind the desk or other office equipment and collect dirt, dust, hair, and other contaminants. Certain toner cartridges used for the copy machine can emit harmful dust particles that your staff may breathe in.

It’s important that the cleaning company wipes the area behind office machinery and desks, including the cords and cables, to reduce the collection of particulates. However, this collection of cords and cables is often tangled, making cleaning behind the desk a challenge.

Bonus Tip: One way to make it easier for the cleaning crew to clean behind the desk and around the copier or printer is to organize the cords and cables. You can use Velcro straps or cable ties to keep the cords in one place.

You’ll want to start by unplugging all the cords from your power strip. Then, straighten the cords out and wipe them with a damp cloth to get them clean. Next, label them for easy future identification, collect them together in a loop, and wrap them with cable ties or Velcro straps. This method will help keep the cable mess easier to manage and make cleaning the area easier.

Leather and Upholstery Furniture

Most offices have chairs for the staff to sit on while working and for customers to lounge on while waiting for service or consultation. We may not think of cleaning these surfaces, but having the furniture cleaned periodically can help extend the life of the fabric, whether it’s upholstered or leather.

Bonus Tip: When cleaning your leather furniture, make a 50/50 mix of white wine vinegar and water. Take a microfiber cloth, dip it into the solution, and wring any excess moisture out. Next, gently clean the surface of the furniture, being careful not to saturate the leather. When finished, dry with a new cloth and apply a leather furniture conditioner.

Carpets

We may not realize how much dirt carpets can pick up, especially in high-traffic areas. Regular vacuuming helps pull surface dirt out of the carpet, but an occasional deep-cleaning will help restore the carpet so it looks and feels fresher. In addition to having your carpet look better, having them professionally cleaned will help extend their life span and protect your carpet investment.

Air Vents, Ducts, and Ceiling Fans

Having an HVAC system and ceiling fans is essential for the comfort of your employees and customers. However, these areas collect massive amounts of dirt, dust, and contaminants that can trigger allergic reactions for those sensitive to pollens, dust mites, and bacterial growth.

When cleaning the air vents, the cleaning professionals will turn the HVAC system off, take the vent covers down, and vacuum the inside of the opening. They’ll wash the vent covers with hot soapy water and replace them. With ceiling fans, they’ll turn them off and carefully clean the blades and the glass dome that houses the ceiling fans’ lights.

The ducting that’s part of your HVAC system can get filled with all sorts of allergy-producing components, such as pet dander, smoke, mold, and pollen. Consider hiring a professional HVAC company to inspect your HVAC’s ducting, make necessary repairs, and clean them. Doing this project every couple of years will help improve the air quality of your commercial office.

Desktop Equipment

Computer keyboards and the computer mouse are notorious for collecting germs and bacteria. If multiple people use the keyboard, these germs can get passed on, potentially causing an outbreak of sickness. Employees should wipe down shared office equipment like the glass on copy machines, buttons of scanners, and public telephones, after each use. When using a cleaning company, prepare the desk for a deep weekly cleaning that includes under the computer monitor, the base of lamps and their shades, and baskets that hold paperwork.

Light Switches, Doorknobs, and Handles

People touch doorknobs, handles, and light switches throughout the day. If someone hasn’t properly washed their hands and touched these items, they could spread germs. These obvious places can easily get overlooked. Wiping them down regularly with a cleaning solution and clean rag can help prevent the spread of germs and give your office a polished and professional appearance.

Cleaning these frequently ignored places can help keep you, your staff, and your customers healthy and happy. In addition, your office will look and feel better, impressing customers so they’ll return again for your services. If you’d like help cleaning your commercial office, contact us. We look forward to helping you clean your office, including those ignored places.

Summer is the time to lay in the grass and relax after a picnic filled with buttery corn on the cob, hamburgers with sweet barbecue sauce, and hot dogs smothered with ketchup. As you watch the kids’ popsicles drip onto their shirts, slide in the grass while playing with your furry friend, or accidentally slather sunscreen on your swimsuit at the beach, you may wonder, “How do I get rid of stains from my summer adventures?”

We’re here to help you with handy tips for cleaning those stubborn summer stains out of your clothes, so you can get outside and enjoy peace of mind that your clothes will be as good as new and free from stains.

Grass Stains

Grass stains are some of the trickiest to remove from clothing. You can get grass stains when kneeling on the grass to play with your child or dog, skidding into home plate during a fun baseball game, or laying down on the warm grass to daydream. While these are fun things to do, getting grass stains out requires elbow grease and items you already have in your pantry.

First, understanding the chemical composition of grass will help you get the stains out efficiently. Grass is made up of protein and organic matter and can settle into fabric stubbornly.

A common method we’ve found for removing grass stains from clothing is to soak the piece in a solution of equal parts water and vinegar for about 15 minutes. Next, take a rag and gently dab the stain or rub the fabric together until the stain is gone. If you have a grass stain on a piece of white clothing, you can soak the fabric in a mixture of 1/4 cup of bleach, a 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 3/4 cup of water. Soak for about 30 minutes and gently rub the stain away.

For grass stains on denim, soak in the vinegar/water solution and then apply liquid laundry detergent to the stain, scrub the stain with a bristle brush, and let the detergent soak for about 15 minutes. Launder any piece of treated clothing in cold water and air dry to ensure the stain doesn’t set into the clothing.

Ketchup or Barbecue Sauce Stains

Summer is the perfect time for backyard barbecues with burgers, hot dogs, and ribs. And what goes perfectly with these tasty summer foods — ketchup and barbecue sauce. As you’re eating that perfectly prepared hot dog or burger topped with tangy ketchup or nibbling on a rib slathered in sweet barbecue sauce, you notice that a big glob of the sauce drips onto your favorite summer top, staining it a bright red.

Because tomatoes have tannins in them, they stain clothing pretty quickly and are often stubborn to remove. Barbecue sauce has oil in it, so you’ll need to use the second method listed below to remove the stain.
Before tossing the piece of clothing into the washing machine, you’ll want to treat it using one of the following two suggested methods. First, rinse the stain from the inside of the clothing with cold water. Next, mix equal parts salt and baking soda with a bit of water to form a paste. Rub the paste into the stain until the stain is gone.

Another effective way to remove ketchup stains is to put liquid laundry detergent onto the stain, rub it with an ice cube, and then soak the fabric in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Once you’ve removed the stain, launder the clothing as normal.

Sunscreen Stains

There’s nothing quite as special as spending time under the summer sun. Whether you’re playing a rousing game of sand volleyball, paddle boarding on a placid lake, or relaxing in a chaise lounge by the pool, you’ll want to have the appropriate level of sunscreen on for UV protection. However, the oils in sunscreen can penetrate clothing quickly, creating unsightly yellowish stains on your favorite T-shirt, swimsuit coverup, or sundress. In addition, most sunscreens have an ingredient called avobenzone which causes rust-colored stains, especially when laundered in hard water.

One key to removing sunscreen stains is timing. The longer the sunscreen stays on the fabric, the more challenging it is to remove. The first step to removing sunscreen stains is to treat the area with liquid laundry detergent or a prewash stain remover. Next, take a bristle brush and scrub the stain and then let the detergent sit on it for about 15 minutes. Wash the clothing in hot water in the washing machine and dry as normal. If you have hard water, hand-wash the garment in heated distilled water to ensure the stain doesn’t set in.
Don’t let summer stains on your clothes keep you from doing the many activities you and your family enjoy during this special season of the year. Summer stains are a breeze to clean if you use the above-mentioned tips and techniques.

If you’d like more information about green cleaning or having your home or furnishings brightened up and refreshed, feel free to contact us. We look forward to helping you with your cleaning solutions.

Travel offers untold opportunities for enrichment and entertainment. While you can see a lot of beautiful places and inspiring performances online, nothing quite compares to being there in person. If you’re concerned about safely getting out and about, there are several things that you can do to help keep germs at bay while you’re on the go. Try these tips the next time you’re traveling. Whether it’s a quick day trip or a multiday adventure, these smart strategies will keep everyone a bit safer.

Minimize Germs on Airplanes

When you board an airplane, the rows of empty seats might appear clean, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re germ free. Some airlines don’t deep-clean the interior of their aircrafts as often as you’d think. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to enhance the cleanliness of your flight.

First, wipe down your space. Keep disinfectant wipes in your carry-on and take a moment to wipe down your entire area, including the:

• Seat
• Armrests
• Seat belt and buckle
• Tray table
• Window shade
• Air vent
• Seat pocket

Sanitize your hands thoroughly before and after you eat, drink, or use the restroom on the flight. When possible, avoid using the airplane bathroom. This compact space is so small that flushing can spray the entire room with germs. If you must use the restroom on the plane, wipe everything down with a disinfectant wipe first and use a paper towel to open the door when you’re finished.

Though you may be tempted to close the air vent beside your seat, it’s actually better to keep it open. The air coming from that vent is likely the cleanest air on the plane. Airlines often use HEPA filters that capture up to 99.9% of germs. Keeping the air circulating is the most effective way to filter germs out of the air.

Sanitize Your Hotel Room

Carefully inspect your hotel room before you settle in. If you see any obvious signs of dirt, ask for a room change. If the room looks satisfactory, you can move on to tackling a few tidying tasks on your own. Begin by wiping down flat surfaces with a disinfecting wipe for an extra layer of protection from germs. Focus on door knobs, taps, telephones, pens, and the coffee maker. 

Next, you can address the remote control. Microbiologists have found that this is one of the most contaminated items in the average hotel room. While wiping it down is a good start, you may want to go even further with this item and enclose it in a plastic bag so you’re not touching the buttons at all. Bring a small baggie with you or use a shower cap or plastic bag from another item in the room, such as the coffee supplies.

Remove all bedding other than the sheets. Though sheets are changed between guests, blankets and comforters often are not. If you find the bed too uncomfortable without the extra bedding, request freshly laundered items from housekeeping.

Pack Smart

As you’re preparing to travel, carefully consider not only what goes in your bag, but the bag itself. It’s best to use wheeled luggage whenever possible. This is especially true for a carry-on that’s traveling through an airport, bus station, or train station with you. Wheels help keep the bag off the ground so it will pick up less dirt along the way. If you’re taking a bag that slings over your shoulder, try to keep it small so you can juggle it as needed. For example, you may need to keep your bag on your person in the restroom so it doesn’t touch this particularly contaminated floor.

Carry a trash bag with you while you’re traveling so you can keep clean and dirty items separate. If you let your dirty clothing mingle with fresh items in your bag, you may spread any germs or dirt that you picked up while you were out and about. You should also keep extra shoes in a separate bag, as they can pick up a number of contaminants from the streets and sidewalks.

Carry Essentials On Your Person

Keep a handy travel bag with all the essentials you need to combat germy situations while you’re traveling. This should include:

• Hand sanitizer. Sanitize after you come into contact with high-touch items like a touch-screen ticket kiosk, gas station handle, handrail, or credit card reader.
• A purse hook. This useful little hook keeps your bag off the floor and out of the way in restaurants.
• Credit cards. One study found that the average $1 bill circulating in New York City is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, oral microbes, and more. Using a credit card instead will help you avoid touching cash and change.
• A pen. Keep your own writing utensil handy for signing receipts or even taking notes during travel so you don’t have to pick up the community pen.

While these tips will help you avoid germs while you’re traveling, there’s no foolproof solution for keeping all contaminants away while you’re on the road. Consider scheduling a good deep cleaning when you get home to take care of any germs or contaminants that may have hitched a ride back with you. Our team at Kingdom Keepers can help ensure health, safety, and cleanliness in your home.