Cleaning Vs. Disinfecting

Cleaning + disinfection is a two step process designed to keep your environment not only clean looking, but disinfected for the health and safety of your family, co-workers and customers.  

It is important to differentiate between cleaning and disinfecting. Remember... just because it looks clean doesn't mean it has been disinfected.  

Cleaning, at its most basic definition refers to the removal of dirt, debris and other unwanted particles from a surface.

Disinfecting, on the other hand, refers to the use of chemicals to remove germs, bacteria and viruses. A surface must be cleaned properly prior to disinfection otherwise attempts at disinfection become flawed and incomplete. 

We use a two step process when we clean both residential and commercial spaces.

First we use hot, soapy water to clean surfaces.This step not only removes dirt and debris, the soapy water can break down the fatty exterior of virus molecules, thus rendering them unable to further infect. 

Second, we treat hard surfaces with:

• Lysol* brand All Purpose Cleaner (on most items)

• Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner (for toilets)

• Lysol Kitchen Pro for kitchen areas and appliances that may be extra greasy

• Lysol Bathroom foam cleaner to treat vertical surfaces. (Foam contains a surfactant which allows the Lysol product to emit in a foam form which adheres to vertical surfaces better than liquid Lysol)  

All Lysol products must remain on a surface for a minimum of three minutes in order to be effective at killing germs and viruses. (This is called the dwell time).  

It is important to note that Necessity Cleaning Service has always used Lysol products and we have always believed that our service is more than just cleaning. We're happy to say we've been providing disinfection services to our clients since we opened.  

* Lysol is an approved product in the fight against Coronavirus (and others) and is listed with Heath Canada and the EPA.  Links are available below.   

Health Canada - Approved Disinfectants

Environmental Protection Agency - Approved Disinfectants

If you have additional questions about our cleaning and disinfecting services please contact us.

SCIENCE BASED CLEANING IS A NECESSITY

NEVER HAS THE NEED FOR CLEANING BEEN MORE NECESSARY 

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent a shock-wave around the world and provided us with stark reminders about how quickly germs and viruses travel. One of the steps in battling these deadly viruses is disinfection. 

The difference between cleaning and disinfecting is very important:  

• Cleaning refers to "the removal of dirt, grime, debris, and germs. Cleaning doesn’t kill germs such as viruses and bacteria that make us sick. But removing them lowers their numbers and the risk they can infect us."

• Disinfecting refers to "using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This must come after cleaning."

The good news is this changes almost nothing for us at Necessity Cleaning. We've always used tried and true cleaning products and have recently added an extra finishing step to disinfect your your space. When you combine our structure cleaning regimen with high energy and thorough cleaning, you have a winning result. 

Our two step cleaning process using HealthCanada and EPA approved products will leave your home or business not only clean, but disinfected too. We put extra focus on high touch areas and areas often forgotten during day-to-day cleaning.  

You can't put a price on your health, or the health of your family, your co-workers and your clients. Cleaning is a necessity. 

Do I really need a commercial cleaning service at my place of business?

The simple answer to whether you need a commercial cleaning service is yes!

Read on and find out why…

1. Impressions count - how you treat your property/space speaks volumes about an organizations character. Is your waiting area dusty and dirty? Is there uncollected garbage in receptacles? Are the glass doors and entryways grubby with old fingerprints and spills? Are the washrooms tidy and fresh smelling? Are staff lunchrooms, kitchenettes and lounges clean and tidy? Is the staff fridge clean? Take an objective walk through your commercial space. Pretend you are seeing it for the first time and ask yourself how someone who had never been there before would think or feel entering your place of business.

2. If you don’t have your place of business cleaned properly and regularly by a commercial cleaning service, germs can spread through a facility rapidly. In fact, most pathogens can live on a surface for more than 24 hours, and considering that work absences cost the Canadian economy approximately $16 billion a year its something you can’t ignore. Are you really taking care of your employees and their ability to work in a safe and healthy environment if no one is cleaning your commercial space properly?

3. A clean work environment improves worker morale and productivity. A tidy and clean commercial space reduces distractions (and illnesses) and provides the best possible atmosphere for your employees to work. Studies have shown productivity is higher in commercial work environments that are clean.

4. If you don’t have a commercial cleaning service and your employees are doing the cleaning, is that the right way to spend worker wages? Is it fair or does it make sense to have a paid professional on your staff cleaning your toilets? If you were the person responsible for that “extra”, how would you feel? Leave the cleaning to cleaning professionals, and let your staff do what you hired them for.

A good professional cleaning service will get into the nooks and crannies for you. They will work efficiently and diligently to deliver on contracted promises and contribute to your businesses success.

When hiring a commercial cleaning service, here are some things to consider:

1. Are they local? The further your cleaning service has to travel to get to your location the more potential there is for missed cleaning times and dates.

2. Have you researched them? Do they have positive on-line reviews?

3. Can they provide local references? Make sure you call their references and ask the tough questions.

4. Are they reasonably flexible in scheduling cleaning when you need it?

5. Are they insured?

6. Do they offer an opportunity to cancel cleaning services (even if under a contract) with reasonable notice?

A little due diligence will help you determine the best commercial cleaning service for your business.

Has your vacuum lost its suction?

There are a few reasons why a vacuum may lose its suction. Here are some things to check or consider:

1. The bag may be full

2. The hose may be clogged

3. The height of the rollers isn't right for the floor surface you are cleaning

4. The vacuum/bag may not be airtight

5. There is something snagging the roller brush/beater head

Check these things first before taking your vacuum in for service. Good luck!

Ants, ants and ants...

It doesn’t matter if you live in a big house or a small house, in the city or in the country, keep a tidy home, or not. One thing all homes have in common in the spring is….ANTS. Ants and spring go hand in hand. Get over it, and deal with them.

Here are a few tips to help you rid your home of these uninvited guests.

Ants travel and make their way to food sources by following a pheromone trail. If you can detect the trail, eliminate it using one of these methods:

1. Use soapy water, an all purpose cleaner or a bleach solution to wipe the area where the ants have been travelling. Wipe away any dead ants by rinsing your sponge or cloth frequently in a sink of running water. Do this a few times to ensure the pheromone trail and area have been wiped a few times.

2. Mix a natural solution of equal parts cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the ants and the pheromone trail a number of times, and wipe away dead ants by rinsing your sponge or cloth in a sink of running water. The vinegar odour will be strong at first, but dissipate quickly.

3. Purchase commercial ant traps and place them in the pheromone trail area, and other areas in your home where you notice ants, usually doorways, kitchens and pet beds. Always read and follow the instructions on commercial ant traps. The active product inside will dry out over time, so make sure you know when you should be replacing the traps. (Usually one to three months.)

4. If you have a lot of ants, you may choose to vacuum them up, but it is best to kill the ants first using Borax or diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle either on and around the affected area first, then vacuum thoroughly. Make sure to empty your vacuum afterwards in case any ants are still alive.

So take heart in knowing you aren’t the only one battling the ants. Just make sure you win the war!

Vinegar Don'ts

Vinegar can be a great natural product to use when cleaning your house, but be careful what you are cleaning. Not every surface in your house should be cleaned with vinegar.

For instance, never use vinegar on surfaces like granite, marble or soapstone. Vinegar is very acidic, and should not be used on natural stones as it will cause pitting and dull the natural shine.

And don’t use vinegar on egg-based messes. The acid in the vinegar mixes with the protein in the eggs and creates a very gluey substance that is even more difficult to clean.

Never use full strength vinegar to clean solid wood surfaces. The acid in the vinegar can eat away at certain finishes on your wood.

When in doubt, check with the manufacturer on how to best clean the item in question.

Three House Cleaning Tips you Can Use Today

Actually, there are many more than three, but lets keep it simple to start!

1. Keep your vacuum in good working order. Don’t let the canister or bag become too full. The more dirt in a vacuum, the more likely it is to emit an odour. You can buy scented beads to put in your vacuum to keep the odour at bay, but why spend the extra money when all you need to do is empty your vacuum on a regular basis. Most canister vacuums come apart and can be cleaned with hot soapy water. Allow the pieces to air dry completely before re-assembly. Most vacuum bags have a ‘full line’ to prompt you to change the bag. Wipe the exterior of your vacuum with a damp cloth on a regular basis. Even the highest quality vacuums can emit fine dust through the exhaust that coats the exterior of the vacuum. A quick wipe will keep your vacuum looking clean and new.

2. Let the cleaning product do the hard work. The best way to get the most of your cleaning products is allow them time they need to do what they are supposed to do. Always read the directions first, then apply and allow the product to sit while you turn your attention to another small chore. When you return, the next steps (scrubbing, wiping or drying) will be so much easier and a lot less tiring.

3. Dust is attracted to lamps and light fixtures, particularly bulbs and lampshades. A damp micro fiber cloth is all that is needed to clean a lightbulb - just make sure the bulb is cool to the touch before you start, otherwise the bulb may break. Lampshades can be cleaned easily with a lint roller brush or a clean paintbrush, particularly on pleated lampshades.

And if you don’t want to do the cleaning yourself, contact Necessity Cleaning Service and we’ll take care of it for you!