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[P69]Part Time Cleaning Jobs

by David Andrew Smith, Dav

All the talk in the cleaning press at the moment and over the past few months has been about the move to cleaning offices during normal working hours. Machine manufacturers are coming up with quiet vacuum cleaners, scrubber driers and buffing machines all of which supposedly allow you to carry out the cleaning without disturbing the occupants of the premises.

For cleaning companies this would make life a lot more pleasant and cleans easier and cheaper to manage and the cleaners would be able to work more sociable hours. According to some reports in the cleaning press companies are falling over themselves to switch their cleaning to office hours as opposed to after they have closed down for the day. My own experience would not indicate that this is so. None of our clients have asked to move their cleaning times or even considered it as a feasible option when they have been approached about the possibilities of changing the cleaning times.

Vacuuming with ‘silent' vacuums is not a problem. Cleaning toilet areas is not a problem. Cleaning kitchen areas is a problem as they tend to be in constant use during the day. Doing anything to hard floors is also a problem. If there are people using those hard floors then while they are being cleaned they have to be diverted away from those areas which is obviously an inconvenience to them and something that is not going to be tolerated for long.. Any food deposited in waste disposal units, bins etc will be left overnight with the potential to smell come the following day. Also there can be no attempt at cleaning work stations whilst someone is at work.

All in all the problems of cleaners trying to do their work whilst the occupants of a building are trying to carry on with their work far outweigh the advantages. Cleaning times will be extended and prices will rise. The theory is good and I would love to be able to get all the cleaning out of the way come five in the evening but the practicalities will not allow it to happen in many work environments.

There is really no wrong way for you to clean a home. But as with any business, time in your cleaning business is valuable. The more cleaning jobs you can fit into a day, the more potential profit you earn. If you can complete the basics faster, then you have more time to offer specialized services or to move on to cleaning the next home.

When you start cleaning it is important to not track dirt into rooms that you have already cleaned. It is most productive to start in rooms that are not centrally located - usually the bedrooms and bathrooms and then work your way through the rest of the house. Clean the high traffic areas, including the kitchen, last.

Following are some general tips to save time while cleaning:

* Make sure that you have the supplies you need close at hand. An easy way to do this is to carry all your supplies in a caddy. If you use concentrated products, mix up enough in the morning to last throughout the day.

* When cleaning, make the most of every movement. Avoid backtracking. Every footstep you spend going back to rooms you've already cleaned costs you time and energy.

* Always clean from top to bottom; otherwise you will have to re-clean soil and dust that drops from higher surfaces.

* Working in circular patterns helps to lessen footsteps and keeps you focused so no tasks are left undone.

* Use color coded microfiber cloths so you don't cross-contaminate surfaces.

* Always use high quality cleaning products and supplies. Spend a little more and get professional strength cleaning chemicals from a trusted janitorial distributor. Avoid using homemade mixtures as they will not always be of the same strength, may damage the surfaces you're cleaning, and affect the quality of your cleaning.

* Save time and energy by letting your cleaning products work for you. Apply the cleaning solution and then give it a few minutes of dwell time before rinsing.

* Always keep your tools and equipment in good working order. Spend a little time at the end of each day to clean and inspect your equipment.

Save time when cleaning a bathroom by first applying cleaner to the toilet bowl. Then as the cleaner is working, move on to the shower or tub. Remember to start at the top and work your way down. After the shower, finish the toilet, and then move on to the counters, sinks and faucets. As an added touch, clean any soap dishes. Don't forget to wipe down the walls and light switches. Finish by sweeping and mopping the floor.

For living rooms, bedrooms and dens, begin by dusting high and moving your way down. Wipe down any light switches. Vacuum the room slowly and thoroughly. If you are cleaning a large room or one with furniture that has to be moved, you may want to break the room up into sections.

The kitchen should be one of the last rooms cleaned. The specific way in which you clean a kitchen is determined by its floor plan. As always, work from top to bottom. Begin by cleaning any countertop appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. Then move on to the stovetop and clean with an all-purpose or disinfectant cleaner. Wipe down countertops. Move and clean under appliances. Then wipe down the outside of the refrigerator, oven door and any other large appliances. Clean the sink and then finish by sweeping and mopping the floor.

Working efficiently, having your cleaning products do the work for you, and keeping your equipment in tip-top shape will speed up your cleaning time on any job. And, the less time spent cleaning, the more profits in your pocket!

Copyright (c) 2006 The Janitorial Store

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Both David Andrew Smith & Steve Hanson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

David Andrew Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Franchise and Computers and The Internet. David is the owner of a which provides a whole range of cleaning services across the UK. David Andrew Smith's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

Steve Hanson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cleaning Business, Business Plan and Home Appliances. Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for anyone who would like to learn. Steve Hanson's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.