Today See’s the Start of Computer Cleaning Week

September 18, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : News, computer cleaning , add a comment

Monday 17th September is the first day of Durable UK’s Computer Cleaning week, as a supplier of office cleaning products the company want to highlight the issue of how dirty our office’s are. Durable’s latest survey shows that the UK’s offices are some of the most dirty places in the country.

Here are some tips on keeping those germs away and maintaining a clean computer:

One thing that can keep your computer functioning properly is to dust your card slots and cable sockets with a vacuum.

A good investment to keep your computer clean is a compressed air can, as dust inside your computer will act as an insulator and as heat is what kills electronics, if you want to prevent your computer getting to dusty. Air cans are an ideal solution as it blows the dust out, without heating up the electronics with a vacuum. You can also use the compressed air to efficiently clean your keyboard too.

So to keep your computer living and functioning properly for as long as possible, clean it regularly.

Germs in the Workplace

September 7, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : News, environment , add a comment

It may or may not strike you as hard to believe that the workplace in which you spend your hard working hours in, is not the clean and hygenic place you once thought. It has been proven that Phones, keyboards and PC mice are harboured with the most germs, within the office.  

A study carried out by Durable UK found that: The keyboard is the filthiest item within the office, it was disovered that only 17% of people describe their keyboards as clean. As most wait over two weeks for germs to build up before they decide to clean it. The survey also showed that of the 70% of the office’s that have cleaners, only 3% of office cleaners have the correct equipment for cleaning inbetween keys, leaving us vulnerable to bugs and viruses.

Professor Charles Gerba has discovered some grubby secrets about the workplace. He says the average office holds around 20,96 microbes per square inch, compared with 49 found in a toilet bowl. The professor also found that the computer mice harboured 1,676 particles per square inch and both mobile and phone handsets could be considered health hazards because of the bacteria they hold.

Cleaning Your PC Monitor

August 7, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : Cleaning Advice, computer cleaning , add a comment

That’s right, its due time that the fingerprints and dead gnats are removed from the computer screen but don’t just wipe it with any cleaner you have under the sink. Monitors are delicate equipment and must be cleaned accordingly. Never spray directly on the screen–the liquid could seep under the edges of the monitor bezel and damage the circuitry within. Instead, lightly spray some suitable cleaner on a folded piece of soft cloth or a soft paper towel, then use that to wipe the glass.

Another option is lint-free wipes, which promise nonabrasive cleaning. Whichever method you use, your monitor should be turned off (better to see the dust and smudges you’re trying to remove), and you shouldn’t turn it on again until the screen is dry.

For LCD screens, steer clear of ammonia-based cleaners. Instead, use a soft lint free cloth dampened with plain water. Just make sure the cloth isn’t too wet, otherwise droplets could seep under the bezel and cause damage.

Monitors should never be opened. Never take the cover off any type of monitor, even if it needs cleaning. Why? Well, your PC’s monitor is one of the two components of your system that carry enough voltage to seriously hurt you (the other being your PC’s power supply). If your monitor needs to be serviced or cleaned on the inside, take it to your local computer shop.

(note CRT monitors are the monitor types that have some very dangerous voltages inside them LCD monitors don’t have the high voltage circuits that CRT’s do)

Housekeeping Tip of the Decade!

July 23, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : Cleaning Advice, Funny , add a comment

One of my collegues sent me this.

cleaning tips

Always keep several get well cards on the mantel….. so if unexpected guests arrive, they will think you’ve been sick and unable to clean.

 

Mayor Rejects Waste Forum

July 11, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : News, environment , 3 comments

London Councils expressed delight at the government backing proposals to improve the way waste is managed and recycled in London.

Defra minister, Ben Bradshaw confirmed the government has set up a statutory London Waste and Recycling Board with proposed funding of £19m  – a move proposed by London Councils earlier this year.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has written to the minister to object to the government’s approach to London’s waste and recycling. 

 Although Mr. Livingstone supports the setting up a London Single Waste Disposal Authority through the Greater London Authority Bill, which is currently being considered in Parliament the Mayor has told government that he sees “no purpose” in participating in a Board which has no statutory powers and “which is no more than an administrative mechanism to deliver a funding stream.”

You can read Ken Livingstone’s letter here For further information you can see the London Councils take on the matter here

Total Clean can help with your waste removal needs

Pathway Card clearing the way for improved office cleaning staff recruitment and retention

June 13, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : Cleaning Advice, training , add a comment

Since its launch last year, the Pathway Card has generated a great deal of interest not only within the cleaning sector, but also within facilities management circles. The initial take up and interest in the card means the original target of 50,000 cards issued by the end of 2006 is well on its way to being achieved.

The pathway card securely holds on-line a clear record of achievement and competence, and one of the attractions for FM and cleaning companies is that it recognises day to day training which is undertaken on the job, as well as more formal academic qualifications. The cost savings to a firm can be significant, helping to prevent duplication of training being undertaken by new recruits. For employees who have historically moved around jobs on a frequent basis, the advantage of the card is that information on their career history, and experience and achievements are held in one convenient place. They can then define a career path, building and developing on training undertaken to enhance their existing roles or to specialise within other working environments.

Richard Beamish, Chief Executive Asset Skills believes

“the infrastructure is now in place and Pathway Card is set to provide a cost effective, meaningful and motivating record of achievement and experience for all staff”

More info can be found at the asset skills site the the Sector Skills Council that covers cleaning and at the main pathway card site

The Pathway Card was developed by Asset Skills, British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), Cleaning and Support Services Association (CSSA), and is supported by the British Cleaning Council (BCC).

Dyson Commercial Criticised Over Miss-Representation

May 31, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : News , add a comment

Rival firm Hoover and 35 members of the public complained the commercial implied Dyson cleaners did not have filters. After an investigation, the Advertising Standards Authority found the commercial in breach of industry rules.  The ASA said Dyson must not broadcast the commercial again in its current form as viewers were likely to infer from the advert that Dyson cleaners did not have filters. The cleaners have pre-motor filters which should be regularly cleaned to ensure they do not get clogged and to avoid basic loss of suction.

Responding to the investigation, Dyson said its machines each contained both a pre-motor and a post-motor filter.

Inventor Sir James Dyson said the firm planned to appeal against the ASA’s decision. Neither of the filters removes dust and dirt from the collected air.

Dyson recommends that owners rinse their machines’ pre-motor filters every six months.

Naomi Campbell Finishes Her Five Day Community Service

Posted by Administrator in : News , add a comment

36 year old Super Model Naomi Campbell completed her community Service on Friday 23 March. She worked wearing an orange, reflective Department of Sanitation vest, equipped with washcloths and scrub brushes and was on her hands and knees at some point.Her chores included sweeping garage floors, mopping and sweeping hallways, and scrubbing toilets, as well as “the locker room detail” said Deputy Chief Albert Durrell, Campbell’s’ boss for the week.

Campbell pleaded guilty to misdemeanour assault on her maid, Ana Scolavino, for throwing her crystal-encrusted Blackberry mobile phone over a missing pair of jeans. Scolavino required four stitches to her head.

Misdemeanour assault is punishable by up to a year in jail. In an agreement with prosecutors, Campbell agreed to take two-day anger-management program, pay $363.32 in restitution to Scolavino and cover her hospital bills.

Ms Campbell has a history of altercations with three of her employees dating back to 2000 and has attended anger management classes in the past.

Naomi Campbell said her recent stint of community Service was humbling. She denied reports that she had to clean toilets but: “I swept and I cleaned walls and tables and offices. I tidied up.”

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell leaving New York’s Department of Sanitation after completing her five days of community service. . Naomi wore a metallic Dolce and Gabbana gown with stilettos, and left in a silver Rolls Royce.

5 office cleaning tips

May 10, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : Cleaning Advice , 3 comments

Office Cleaning Tip # 1 – Sort Your Papers

Computers were supposed to reduce the amount of paper we use and create a clutter-free work environment!  so how come My waste paperbins  are over-flowing.  Often when you decide have to do something about the mess, you wind up moving papers from one pile to the other. It may look a little neater after you’re done, but the problem is not solved.  The solution is ORGANIZATION! To get started, grab another piece of paper …. and write down five broad categories of subjects you usually address in your office. Try to limit the list to five topics. Perhaps you will start with “Personal,” then “Finances,” then “Medical,” etc. Begin sorting through your papers and placing similar subjects in one pile, following your list.. Buy a box of manila folders, label according to subject, then place the papers in the appropriate file, according to your categories.

Office Cleaning Tip # 2 – Set Aside Time

It’s a good idea  to set aside a specific time each day/week/month to handle the housekeeping and tidying that every office needs.

Office Cleaning Tip # 3 – Delete The Junk

It may take some time to go through those precious papers but, as you do, it will be easier for you to see how much is duplication, unnecessary, out-of-date, and just plain trash. Throw out the stuff you no longer need. If there’s personal information, financial or other, on some of those sheets you are discarding, be sure to shed them! If you don’t have a shredder, buy one.

Office Cleaning Tip # 4 - Assign Priority

You may have five or six piles of papers now. Some of these you will want to access frequently, some not as much. Decide which are your priorities and put the categories that you use most often closer to you. Use file caddies to keep the files upright on your desk rather than laying the folders flat. It’s easier to see the file labels when they are upright.
File Your Documents

There are many options available for storing your important data. Browse through an office supply store; visualize the various filing systems as if you had them in your office. If you opt for fie cabinets, consider using color coded folders. Coding helps reduce the chance that papers will be filed in the wrong place (i.e. – green: financial records; blue: medical records, etc.). Storage systems come in many sizes, shapes and composition. Old standbys are the metal filing cabinets with Manila folders but the cabinets now come in modern colors and finishes with smooth glide drawers. There are also attractive plastic stacking boxes, a variety of desk and drawer organizers, and the old standby, corrugated bank storage boxes.

Office Cleaning Tip # 5 Hire a Cleaning Service

Sometimes we just get too busy doing the important stuff to worry about being neat! It doesn’t take long for the clutter to stack up and all of a sudden, it’s out of control. This is the time for you to consider hiring a cleaning service. You can request a one-time visit to help you get organized and give the office a good dusting and vacuuming, or you can ask for ongoing, routine cleaning to help keep your office organized and clean.

Contact Total Clean services  for more office cleaning information

Top 10 Spring Cleaning tips

April 17, 2007 Posted by Administrator in : Cleaning Advice , add a comment

As spring now appears (touch wood) to have finally sprung here are our top10 tops for giving your home or office a spring clean.

1.  Start your spring clean at the top of the house and work your way down, working from room to room and not moving onto the next until the last is complete.
2.  Choose some good music to get you in the mood and to keep yourself motivated.
3.  Clear out all of the old clutter that you don’t need anymore and be firm; if it’s clothes you haven’t worn in the last 12 months you probably won’t wear them again.
4. Tackle the dusting before moving onto the vacuuming or mopping, it will save you going over things twice.
5. Take time to clean your windows and lights, this will help light to come in and brighten up your home.
6. Leave no stone unturned, don’t avoid big pieces of furniture such as sofas and wardrobes.
7.  Change the look of your home by re-arranging some furniture, a change is as good as a new look and will help your home look refreshed.
8. Introduce some bright accessories, simple touches such as cushions, throws and candles can make a huge difference.
9.  Keep all those odds and ends tidied away with some innovative storage solutions – you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
10. Offices need a spring clean and total clean services can help with one off or regular office cleaning.