Housekeeping & Janitorial

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What I need to know about Housekeeping Services
What I need to know about Janitorial Services
What Sets Us Apart
How to choose a Housekeeping or Janitorial service

What I need to know about Housekeeping Services

What is "Housekeeping" and why is it necessary?

According to Wikipedia:

"Housekeeping is the act of cleaning the rooms and furnishings of a home…Housekeeping is done to make the home look better and be safer and easier to live in." - learn more

How often should Housekeeping be done?

Regular maintenance of the home should be done on a daily basis. This includes such tasks as putting dirty clothes in a hamper instead of on the floor, wiping down the glass doors after every shower, putting dirty dishes in the dish washer after each meal, etc.

A deeper cleaning should be done weekly.

And a more intense and extensive cleaning should be done on a monthly basis.

"Spring cleaning" a home once a year doesn't get the job done.

Housekeeping Misconceptions

1. Ammonia is as close to a universal cleaner as you can get.
• False.
• While it is true that ammonia can clean some things, the side effects regarding your health far outweigh the cleaning benefits, or cost savings.
• Ammonia is extremely toxic and poisonous. Even in the 5% concentration often recommended for household cleaning, it's vapors can irritate sinuses, cause tearing of the eyes, and be a serious irritant for anyone with breathing problems or asthma.
• Heavy rubber gloves should always be worn when using any type of ammonia solution to prevent skin damage and irritation.
• Everything that enters your body (past your lips, through your skin and hair, etc.) must either be used by the body, eliminated by the body, or if neither of those is possible then it will probably be stored in your liver as "garbage." Two of the basic ways to keep your liver healthy are: 1) Drink plenty of water every day, and 2) Avoid exposure to toxins in all forms (food, air, soap, lotions, shampoo, etc.).
• Ammonia can damage no-wax floors with repeated use.
• Ammonia can also damage some plastics.
• Don't use ammonia as a cleaner, if you value your health.
  
  
2. Vinegar is as close to a universal cleaner as you can get.
   • False
   • Yes, vinegar cleans many surfaces well, but can you tolerate the noxious odor during and after cleaning?
   • Never use vinegar:
   • To clean hardwood floors
   • To clean no-wax floors
   • To clean stone surfaces, including granite counter tops
   • To clean grout that is old (needs to be re-sealed), or has not been sealed yet
   • To "remove" pet odors from carpets (all vinegar does is mask the problem, it does nothing to remove the source of the problem in the carpet)
     
     
3. Bleach is as close to a universal cleaner as you can get.
• False.
• Bleach is a "disinfectant", not a "cleaner."
• Bleach kills germs, and can remove some tough stains from porcelain.
• However, bleach does not remove dirt, residue, or grime from surfaces. This requires a cleaning agent, scouring or scrubbing, and thorough rinsing.
• The fumes from bleach are toxic and irritating. Bleach should never be allowed to contact bare skin, even for a few seconds. Eye protection should be worn anytime bleach is being used.
• Bleach is very good for removing color from fabrics and many household surfaces (synthetic countertops, plastics, wood, etc.). If it's not your intent to remove color from the surface, don't use bleach.
  
  
4. Professional carpet cleaning shrinks carpets.
• False.
• Today's carpets are made from synthetic materials, so carpet shrinkage is not a concern.
• Natural fiber carpets could shrink, if they are not cleaned correctly. Always use an experienced, reputable firm for carpet cleaning.
  
  
5. Vacuum cleaners are bad for carpets.
• False
• Dirt in the carpet is far more harmful to the carpet because it deteriorates the pile, and is a good breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites.
• The small amount of fiber that might be removed by a vacuum cleaner's rotating normally does not affect the life of the carpet. Minimize fiber removal by using the correct brush height setting on your vacuum cleaner.
  
  
6. More soap or detergent = more cleaning strength.
   • False
   • Soaps and detergents are specifically designed to loosen and attract dirt so it can be rinsed away.
   • Using more soap or detergent than the manufacturer recommends makes it more difficult to rinse the soap, and therefore, the dirt away.
   • Excessive concentrations could possibly damage some surfaces.
   • Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
   • More isn't necessarily better.
     
     
7. Furniture should be polished every time you dust.
   • Not necessarily.
   • Polishes, even the "natural" ones, can result in a build-up of residue on the surface over time resulting in a dull surface.
   • In addition, oils in furniture polish can attract dust and contaminants.
   • Follow the furniture manufacturer's recommendations.

Some of our Standard Housekeeping Services

(additional services available on request – contact us)

• General light dusting
• Dusting blinds
• Dusting window sills
• Trash removal Vacuuming
• Removing cobwebs
• Cleaning ceiling fans (up to 8 foot ceilings)
• Cleaning refrigerator door
• Cleaning counter tops
• Cleaning and sanitizing sinks
• Cleaning floors
• Cleaning microwave oven
• Cleaning stove top
• Cleaning exteriors of appliances (toaster oven, etc.)
• Spot cleaning walls (air vents, switch plates, doorknobs, doors, windowsills)
• Dusting living room photos, pictures, works of art, lamps and shades, etc.
• Dusting book shelves
• Clean door mats (inside and outside)
• Cleaning computer monitor and TV screens

Special Services

"Atfter Party" Clean-Up

• Remove trash
• Wash dishes and glasses (or load dishwasher)
• Clean surfaces and carpeting in the affected area
• Straighten furniture (chairs, tables, etc.)
• Additional services as requested.

What I Need To Know About JANITORIAL Services

What is "Janitorial" service?

Janitorial service addresses the presentation and sanitation of the workplace.

Why is Janitorial service necessary?

What happens to your home if you neglect basic housekeeping and sanitation chores? It quickly becomes an unsanitary mess.

The same thing happens in your place of business, only much faster because more people are in your workplace.

How often should Janitorial service be done?

Daily cleaning and maintenance of the workplace should be done.

More intense cleaning should be done once a month.

Our Janitorial Services

• Cleaning the office area
• Floor cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Light bulb maintenance
• Wall cleaning
• Cleaning computer monitor and TV screens
• Restroom cleaning and sanitation
• Trash removal and relining of waste baskets

What Sets Us Apart

Family-Owned

"America's Best" is proud, family-owned company with a name you can trust.

America's Best “customer and safety first” approach has brought us over 3 decades of satisfied customers.

Our technicians are trained professionals with many years of experience in power washing. We conduct background checks on each technician prior to their joining our team. Our team is knowledgeable, courteous, and drug-free.

We do the job right, the first time, and every time. We are safe and insured.

We don't cut corners on quality or materials. Our commercial grade equipment is capable of efficiently handling jobs of all sizes.

Our cleaning products are friendly to the environment.

How to choose a Housekeeping or Janitorial service

• Get at least 3 quotes, 5 is better
• Eliminate any firm that charges to give you an estimate
• Insist on being listed as "additionally insured" on the contractor's liability, worker's compensation, and vehicle liability insurance policies
• Make the contractor state, in writing on your quote, that they will not use "day laborers" or uninsured laborers on your job
• Ask for references and check them out – this is for your protection

Other services: pressure washing | gutter cleaning | awning cleaning | screen repair | window tinting