A1 Cleaning Services Blog

5 Must-Haves of any Office Space Cleaning routine

November 1, 2018/in Cleaning Advice /by Bryan Goh

Did you know that almost one third of your life is spent at work? Living in Singapore, a 40 hour work week and more, is the norm. With so many people spending a majority of their awake hours at the workplace, it would be wise to make office spaces, conducive and as comfortable as possible. Investing in employee wellness by keeping the office clean raises energy levels and creativity, boosts morale and hence, increases productivity. A clean workplace also makes your clients feel confident about your business. An unkempt workplace gives a careless impression and customers may assume you won’t care about their business needs too.

Raising the bar for Workplace Productivity

Besides a clean office, individual work space, furniture and office ergonomics also improve work standards. Good lighting, comfortable temperature, green or flowering plants as well as choosing the right colour scheme to stimulate your employees all make for a positive and productive environment.

Fortunately for us in Singapore, government agencies like the National Environment Agency (NEA) and SkillFuture SG (SSG) are always trying to raise cleaning standards here through training and up-skilling the workforce, adopting technology and more.

So how can one keep their office actually clean? With so much online information available these days on effective cleaning methods, it can get overwhelming! So, to keep it simple yet applicable, here’s a sequence of handy tips to clean any office space effectively.

5 Office Space Cleaning Routine Tips

Source: Office Space Cleaning Guide by NEA

1. Preparation and Inspection

Wear appropriate gear.
Check condition of tools and equipment.
Display safety sign.
Check and report any damages in the property.
Identify hazards or risks at work area.
Check for spills.

2. Removing Spills and Stain on Carpets

Check for colour fastness on the carpet.
Remove furniture and obstacles.
Spray carpet cleaner and clear spill with absorbent paper.
Spray water and use cloth to blot till spill or stain is removed.

3. Vacuuming and Cleaning of Surfaces

Vacuum carpeted area section at a time starting from far end.
Check for anymore spills or stains.
Place back all furniture.
Dilute cleaning chemical into spray bottle.
Spray solution on cloth and wipe all horizontal surfaces starting from the edge.
Rinse cloth when necessary.

4. Cleaning the Pantry

Display safety sign.
Spray cleaning solution on spills or stains on floor.
Clear spills using absorbent paper.
Spray water and use cloth to remove spills or stains.
Sweep floors paying attention to corners.
Fill water and mopping solution in bucket.
Dip mop in solution and wring.
Mop floor section by section.
Rinse mop before moving to a new section.

5. Emptying Waste Bins

Tie and remove used bin liner, keeping it away from body.
Dispose it in service trolley.
Clean the interior and exterior with sanitizer.
Place bin with new liner.

After completing these 5 steps, assess the areas cleaned and check that work has been done according to requirements. Remove all safety signs and return all tools and equipment to the store. Wash hands thoroughly for good hygiene.

Conclusion

Even with these standards in place, it is up to the office admins and facility managers to ensure processes are adhered with regular inspections and evaluation.

Keeping up with the cleanliness of your office space can be difficult on your own. That’s why many business owners choose to hire professional cleaning companies to maintain their space. A1 Cleaning Services has a dedicated team of trained office cleaners to meet your needs.

The ideal sequence to clean Washrooms the right way

September 1, 2018/in Tips and Tricks /by Bryan Goh

The other day I was at an office building for a client meeting. It was not one of those swanky offices, but rather a factory / warehouse type. I was just about to enter my client’s office when I had a sudden urge to attend the call of nature. One of my greatest pet peeves is using public toilets especially in such environments as its cleanliness can be ….questionable.

I rushed to the washroom with great unease, expecting the worst. To my surprise, the washroom was spick and span with the most alluring floral fragrance! I was amazed by the cleanliness and care taken in keeping the restroom clean! Boy was I relieved (pun intended). And plus points were that the washbasins were equipped with hand sanitizers and the toilets were also handicap friendly. On my way out I also saw that the restroom had received a LOO Award.

While cleaning toilets may certainly not be a task to be cherished. However, following a prescribed sequence and cleaning methodically can save time & effort, perhaps making the task not so arduous, after all.

How to Clean the Washroom Effectively

General cleaning should be done daily and follow a systematic sequence to prevent cross contamination. This improves work efficiency and reduces overall labour time.

Follow these 8 steps for a cleaner toilet.

1. Initial washroom inspection

Knock and inform public about cleaning works
Display safety sign at the entrance
Wear proper clothing and carry necessary tools and chemicals
Check for defects or spillages

2. Replenish consumables

Make sure hands are dry
Replenish toilet rolls and top up liquid hand soap

3. Washing urinals and toilet bowls

Wear protective gear
Flush and pour cleaning solution and let it soak
Prepare sanitizing solution and pour over stains or blood. Use absorbent paper to soak up stain
Brush interior and rims of toilet bowl and urinals; Flush
Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth soaked in sanitizing solution

4. Cleaning cubicles, washbasins, mirrors and vanity tops

Prepare sanitizing solution
Wipe mirrors, soap dispenser, hand dryer, vanity top and wash basins. Always work from top to bottom
Wipe the walls, partitions and cubicle doors. Work from top to bottom
Wipe urinal walls

5. Wiping windows, fans and other fixtures

Switch off the fan and dust the corners, ceiling fixtures, walls and air vents
Prepare glass cleaning solution
Wash windows with washer and solution
Use a squeegee to wipe away liquid on the glass

6. Sweeping and removing litter

Sweep floors paying attention to corners. Throw debris into bins
Remove bin liner and sanitize the bin
Replace bin liner

7. Mopping floor

Prepare buckets with water and mopping solution
Dip mop into water solution. Wring dry and then dip in mopping solution. Wring dry
Mop the cubicle areas. Rinse the mop
Mop around the urinals. Rinse the mop
Mop the common areas starting from far end of the toilet. Mop section by section

8. Inspection

Check the washroom is in good working condition
Free of dust, litter and odour
Waste to be removed and cleaning equipment to be stored
Update work record
Remove safety sign when floor is dry

Promoting a culture of Clean Restrooms in Singapore

By the way, did you know that there is a Restroom Association in Singapore? They are advocates in promoting clean toilets and also gives the LOO Award to organisations and individuals who have achieved world recognised standard of restroom cleanliness in Singapore. The NEA also advises public toilet owners to keep their toilets clean and make sure that enough toilet facilities are provided. This encourages proper usage by the public and promote good public health.

Since restrooms are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria and odours, proper cleaning and sanitizing is of utmost importance. Sanitized toilets for Ladies, Gents and the Handicapped are thus a basic expectation.

Conclusion

In order to maintain washroom standards, Cleaning Attendants should be properly trained and certified to perform the task well. In Singapore, certifications are available, one of which is the Environmental Cleaning Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ), developed by the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) in consultation with the cleaning industry and National Environment Agency (NEA). Call A1-Cleaning Services as all their cleaners undergo WSQ training, to ensure the highest of standards.

Essential cleaning tasks for the maintenance of Common Areas of your Office

July 1, 2018/in Cleaning Advice /by Bryan Goh

Wikipedia defines a Common Area as ”area which is available for use by more than one person” and these can be found in almost all types of properties, be it a gated community or commercial property such as shopping malls

As such, your office also has common areas. This would include the reception area, lift lobby, the pantry, restrooms, corridors or walkways and more, depending on the type of establishment. Maintenance and cleanliness of these spaces are crucial to your organisation. So, in this post we’ll touch upon the scope of work which typically covers Common Areas cleaning and how best it should be carried out.

Reflecting Business Prestige and more

Your personal desk space reflects on your personal image. A clean and organised office area reflects how your customers perceive your business. It also improves the general morale of employees, making them happier and more productive. A high level of cleanliness in the common areas also sets the standard for keeping individual work space clean.

A good way to gauge the quality of cleanliness in your common area would be to put yourself in your client’s shoes. What impression would your client get when they enter your office premises?

So how to attain an effective cleaning job? Below are some guidelines to achieve this –

Essentials of Office Common Area Cleaning

Tools and Equipment required

Make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment ready on hand to carry out the cleaning. Cleaners should have appropriate protective gear such as gloves, uniform and boots.
Keep a checklist of all cleaning solutions and equipment and see that they are available and in working condition. You don’t want to start the cleaning only to find out you have run out of vacuum cleaner dust bag!

Pre-work Inspection

Thoroughly check the area to be cleaned. If there are spills or stains which may be a hazard, they need to be addressed immediately. Report any damages to your supervisor.
Display the safety sign at the work area before commencing. Clean up spills on hard floors using the appropriate cleaning solutions and wiping it dry.
Clean up stains on carpets using cleaning chemical. Use a white cleaning cloth to clean the spill or stain on the carpet to avoid colour runs.

Dry Mopping of Dust

Use a dust mop to clean hard floors. Unlike brooms, dust mops prevent dust from flying everywhere. Start from one corner of the room and mop in a turning motion, paying attention to corners.
Use a broom and dustpan to sweep up the debris, dust and litter collected by the dust mop. Us the broom to sweep out dust collected in the corners.
Throw away the debris into a lined rubbish bin.

Wet Mopping

Use a double bucket, one for water and another with diluted cleaning solution. A cleaning solution with sanitizer is a good option.
Dip and wring dry the mop in water first and then in diluted cleaning solution.
Mop the floor using a number 8 or letter S motion for effective cleaning coverage.

Cleaning Passenger Lift

Use sanitizer and damp cloth to wipe the button panel, interior lift doors, wall, mirrors and ceiling.
Mop the lift floor.
Wipe the exterior lift door with damp cloth and sanitizer.

Cleaning Stairway

Display the safety sign. Use a cloth to wipe the inside and outside of the door and the handle.
Dry mop the stairs.
Wipe the hand railings.
Wet mop the stairs. Remove the safety sign once floor is dry.

Cleaning and Emptying General Waste Bin

Tie and remove bin liner keeping it away from the body and disposing it in rubbish bag in the service trolley.
Sanitize the interior and exterior of the bin and wipe with cloth.
Place a new liner in the bin.

Inspection of Areas Cleaned

Check the work areas ensuring that it has been cleaned as per required. A checklist can be used.
Remove and dispose the rubbish at the collection point.
Remove signage only when floor is dry.

Returning Equipment to Store

Clean and return all tools and equipment to the store.
Check against the equipment list for making refills of cleaning solutions or replacement of equipment.
Wash and hang the gloves.
Wash hands for personal hygiene.

Conclusion

With these steps in place, you can be sure that your office reception and other common spaces will leave a good impression on prospective clients and business partners. Make cleaning your common area as part of your routine cleaning procedure with A1 Facility Services’ professional cleaners.

Best Practices for Singapore Office Cleaning [Infographic]

April 1, 2018/in Cleaning Advice /by Bryan Goh

Office Cleaning Best Practices: A practical guide to ensure high cleaning standards for your Office

If you’re an office admin or facility manager of a Grade A, B or even C office in Singapore, you have probably engaged a local cleaning agency before. Every corporate or business premises needs a strict regime of upkeep and maintenance.

The question now is do you receive the level of service you expect? And if you don’t, then is there a procedure that’s followed to ensure quality standards are met.

In fact many a time’s office managers or business owners themselves are ignorant of the standards that should be expected from their cleaning contractor. And without set guidelines and processes it’s difficult to address any of this.

So in this post, we’ll lay out Office Cleaning Best Practices for you along with an Infographic that’ll serve as a handy guide for quick reference in the Singapore context. And thus, help you improve the quality of cleaning service that your company deserves!

Benefits of having high Cleaning Standards for your Office

Well, this one’s a no brainer….who doesn’t like a neat and clean environment? But wait…

Besides the hygiene aspect, a clean workplace also equates to a happy and healthy workforce. Its boosts staff morale and their delivery potential enabling them to focus on key result areas rather than on cleaning up. This in turn improves the productivity level of the company.

A clean office also portrays a good corporate image to customers and clients. It affects the way customers perceive your business, to be a trustworthy and professional one.

As a service buyer you need to ensure that your expectations for cleanliness, productivity and service quality are first set, then met by your service provider. This can be achieved through a well-crafted contractual agreement, work process efficiency, by leveraging tools & automation; thereby raising productivity and reducing reliance on additional manpower.

A Four-pronged approach to ensure high standards for Office Cleaning

A balanced and all-encompassing approach is needed to ensure cleaning standards for office and commercial premises. Starting with –

1. Setting Cleaning Procedures, Leveraging Tools & Equipment

Prescribed cleaning sequence/procedures, following the right methods and using correct equipment help deliver a better work outcome. A sample cleaning procedure would be –

Prepare & Inspect – Don personal protective equipment (e.g. Gloves, covered shoes, etc), check condition of tools, display signage at work area, perform colour fastness test for chemicals used, remove furniture and obstacles beginning cleaning tasks
Tackle Spillages & Stains – Clear spillages with absorbent materials, spray tested chemicals to remove carpet or flooring stains
Vacuuming – Vacuum the carpet floor section by section working from far end to near end, arrange furniture back. Use Vacuum Cleaners with appropriate attachments
Empty Dustbins – Tie & remove bin liner placing them in a larger disposal bags
Clean Horizontal Surfaces – Spray cleaning chemical onto cleaning cloth, wipe horizontal surfaces like tables, shelves, desk etc
Clean Pantry – Repeat above steps for the pantry. Ensure food waste is not be left overnight. Sweeping and mopping (damp mop) of the floor is a must
Re-instate & Finish – Check if work is done as per requirements, remove disposal bags to designated collection points, remove signage, return tools & equipment back to the store, and then wash hands for good personal hygiene

As a service buyer, you should specify upfront to the cleaning company on the use of effective tools and technology for better cleaning performance. If your office has its own equipment, then you are liable to maintain them in good condition. Always stress to the service provider for proper training to their cleaners on the usage of onsite machinery & tools.

2. Defining the Scope of Work

Convey as much information as possible to enable the cleaning service provider to submit an accurate proposal. This also helps the cleaning company to plan and deploy manpower for the required cleaning services. The scope of work must include – .

Area of Coverage – provide information on the list of inspection units, total number and fixtures in the inspection units. Area of coverage should include types of floor surfaces and total floor area to be cleaned together with a layout drawing / floor plan of the premise.
Service Hours – indicate the service hours (including the peak and off-peak periods) for the cleaning service.
Schedule of Works – a recommended schedule of work i.e. types of cleaning and the required frequency for the area of coverage should be provided for better management of resources.
Other Services – If other services besides cleaning services are required, (e.g. waste management, landscape maintenance, pest management, etc.) then these should be included in the contract.
Fault Reporting Procedure – Draft the fault reporting procedures and user feedback channels to ensure that all faults reported are attended to and resolved promptly. Some examples of faults include leaking or choked water fixtures, overflowing litter bins, presence of spillage, etc.
Pandemic Event – In the event of a pandemic outbreak, service buyers must agree on an appropriate deployment plan with the service provider to carry out and complete the works as specified in the contract.
Deployment Proposal – to help the service provider accurately plan and submit their deployment proposal, let them know of your requirement of the number of cleaners, by what date and so on

During proposal response evaluation, you must assess the service provider’s submitted list of equipment, materials, schedule of work and deployment proposal/plan for their suitability and effectiveness.

3. Service Quality Inspection

The quality of service determines a major portion of the performance of the service provider as it measures whether the service provider is able to meet the performance standards set by the service buyer. Your inspection strategy should include –

Inspection Checklist – can be made listing down inspection units such as entrance, lift lobby, common corridor, meeting rooms, etc depending on the scope of work for your facility. Inspections made should rate the actual cleanliness against the reference rating for the items in the inspection units.
Performance Ratings – Determine and give ratings (say on a scale of 1 to 5) per inspection and report it to the service provider for performance review. It is a good practice for joint inspections by both parties where possible. Definition of performance ratings should be defined prior
Inspection & Response Times – Carry out inspections immediately after the cleaning routine. Also measure the service provider’s response time to ad-hoc requests during and outside of service hours. Requests can be categorised based on work priority ranging from non-critical to very critical.

4. Performance Review

Keeping track of performance metrics and assessing service provider’s performance on a regular basis helps close the feedback loop. Implement a –

Performance Scorecard – An evaluation scorecard with relevant performance metrics, or KPIs, can be used; which can be customized based on individual facility requirements. Regular review meetings should be arranged to discuss the results
Incentive Scheme – Adopt some form of reward system as an incentive to cleaners when they attain a higher score than expected during the performance review. Giving out monetary incentives or non-monetary rewards can ensure that service providers regularly meet or exceed expectations

Support from Singapore Government Agencies

In tune with rising public expectations, government agencies are making the cleaning industry in Singapore a progressive one with guidelines, training programmes & regulations. See video below –

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has developed a 5 year Productivity Roadmap for the Cleaning Industry here. It features standards development (containing referenceable checklists, guides, etc); training programmes under WSQ framework; use of innovative technology and lastly regulatory measures for qualifying and licensing local businesses before they can provide cleaning services in Singapore. Service buyers thus have peace of mind when contracting a service provider.

Especially for cleaning service buyers, a sample of such a guide is available here.

Following best practices and observing set guidelines is the responsibility of facility managers and office admin staff. Working closely with the cleaning contractors on setting expectations, drafting contracts and laying out procedures leads to better understanding, stronger work ethics and ultimately higher cleaning standards.

How to Inspect Office Cleaning Work and ensure Service Quality

February 15, 2018/in Planning and Organization /by Bryan Goh

You come in to work and find the air-con out of order. Time to switch on the trusty old fan which has not been used for ages. BUT, dust gathered on the blades is strewn everywhere. Big mistake!!

You see the cleaning staff hired by your company every day and wonder why the fans have not been cleaned. And that got you thinking if inspections are being carried out on the office cleaning procedures from the contractor that was hired.

If this is a familiar scenario at your workplace then it’s time the Facility Manager or Office Admin carry out an inspection, ensuring that the quality of service rendered out always meets expectations.

While this may seem like a tedious task, quality management is crucial for evaluating the end result of the cleaning service. By keeping a baseline to check against whether service is improving, stagnant or declining, you can then use this information for feedback.

So, here’s the “how to” of office cleaning inspection that can help ensure service quality.

Raising Standards by measuring Cleaning Outcomes and Service Quality

Cleaning outcomes relates to the desired cleaning results whereas Service Quality relates to the response time for a particular task. This shows whether the cleaning contractor is able to meet performance standards set by your company.

An effective method of keeping check would be to create a Performance Inspection Checklist.

While general checklists are easily available for reference, it’s advisable to customise it according to your office layout and requirements.

Before creating checklists, first have a common understanding of the cleaning elements in question. A sample of what cleaning elements would include is shown below –

Cleaning Element Definitions

Description	Definition	Example
Visible Area	Area easily in line of sight	Table tops, floor, wall
Non-visible Area	Not within line of sight	Under table, high surfaces
Inspection unit	Elements within a given space	Corridor, lobby, stairway
Element	Items in a unit	Door, floor, fixtures
Dust	Light dust particles	Thin layer of dust
Dirt	Dust that has been gathered	Thick layer of dust
Dried stains	Stains from spillage	Liquid or beverage
Spills	Pool of liquid from spills	Liquid or beverage
Litter	Item not disposed correctly	Paper or other waste
Fixture	Items secured to wall or ceiling	Basins, switches, AED
Signage	Sign for information	Exit, directory
Display	Items hung on wall	Notice board, poster
Furniture	Movable items	Table, chair, sofa
Decoratives	Movable items	Pots, planters
Electrical Appliance	Electricity powered appliances	PC, microwave

How to obtain desirable Cleaning Outcomes

Here are some practices of getting desired cleaning outcomes –

Categorize the Premises

Decide which areas are high and low priority. High priority sites are to be inspected on a regular basis compared to low priority.

Identify What Needs to be Inspected

List of items that need to be inspected, frequency of checks and coverage targeted.

Performance Indicators

Do the cleaners provide a desirable cleaning outcome? Are the areas inspected free of dust? Feedback given by employees or the public on hard to assess areas are another method of linking performance indicators to desired outcomes. These indicators affect hygiene standards in your office premise.

Availability of Resources

Your company has the flexibility to decide if a comprehensive checklist is to be made for all areas to be inspected or to high priority areas only. A simplified checklist can be made for low priority areas. This is based on available manpower.

Ratings

If possible a joint inspection with the cleaning company should be carried out. Feedback and customer satisfaction can be shared based on ratings given.

What is Service Quality & how to record it?

How fast does the cleaning contractor response on ad-hoc requests? Are cleaning requests outside service hours entertained? These measures determine service quality. Response time for critical to non-critical requests should be recorded together with time taken to complete the task.

Ad-hoc and regular requests can be recorded in a simple spreadsheet or table of the form given below –

Conclusion

Inspection is recommended to be carried out immediately after a cleaning job. Take into consideration the time lapse between the inspection and the last cleaning for a fair review.

Including the above elements together with others which befit your organisation, your office environment will be clean and conducive to give optimum productivity.

With the professional, trained cleaners from agencies like A1 Cleaning Services, you don’t have to worry about dust flying off the fans should your office air-con be out of order!

What Cleaners ought to know about Food Court & Hawker Centre Cleaning?

January 20, 2018/in Cleaning Advice /by Bryan Goh

With hawker centres, food courts, fast food and fine dining restaurants in every nook & corner, it is no secret that Singapore is a foodie’s paradise. However, this status can be celebrated only if along with the variety and range of food, we also maintain high standards of cleaning and hygiene at public eating places.

Dirty tables with blobs of fish head curry or dropped morsels of greasy char kway teow left uncleaned on the floor can be a total turn off. But yet, many a time’s manpower shortage or untrained cleaners do result in such an unsightly experience for patrons….leading to lack of business for the food stall owners, or even worse, causing health risks. So what can food establishments do in order to ensure that cleaning and hygiene standards are upheld by cleaners in charge of food premises cleanliness.

In this post we’ll share F & B related cleaning procedures that will help you address this very issue. Read on!

F&B Premises Cleaning Procedures

Following prescribed guidelines together with proper tools/equipment when conducting cleaning at food establishments can ensure not only good cleaning standards but also reduce time wastage.

Before commencing the job, cleaners must wear proper cleaning attire such as apron, gloves and covered shoes. The cleaning trolley must be well equipped with cleaning supplies and tools such as spray bottle, wash cloth, bucket, receptacles, bin liner, squeegee, broom, dustpan, mop and safety signage. With the pre-work preparation properly done, there are 5 main areas to focus on –

Cleaning table tops

Before starting to clean tables make sure that cleaning solutions are replenished and bins are lined
Clear food spills and disposable waste into the waste bin
Clear used trays, crockery and cutlery from the table and place them in the halal or non-halal receptacles
Use squeegee to clean up liquid spills
Use cloth to clean the table. Rinse in bucket and clean again if required
Clean with sanitizer during off peak hours
Place all used trays, crockery and cutlery to the tray return station or the respective food stalls depending on the type of establishment

Use different colored cloth for cleaning and sanitizing for easy identification. Change cleaning solution in bucket often.

Tray Return Station

Clear leftover foods or waste from the trays, crockery and cutlery into the waste bin
Sort the trays, crockery and cutlery from the racks onto halal and non halal receptacles
Clean the tray return station racks and countertops with cloth
Use a different colored cloth to sanitize
Dispose the rubbish

For premises without centralised washing, clean the trays with cloth and sanitize with a different cloth.

Washing Used Trays, Crockery and Cutlery

Check working condition of dishwasher and report any faults to the supervisor
Scrape or rinse off food remnants and stains and soak in basin
Transfer all items into rinsing basin
Place all trays, crockery and cutlery onto receptacles and load the dishwasher
After the wash inspect the crockery to check for any stains or unwashed parts. Rewash if required
Dry thoroughly before returning items to respective food stalls
Clean the dishwasher and washing area and dispose rubbish

Sweeping and Mopping

Sweep floor and corners where dust can accumulate
Use 2 buckets – one for water and one for mopping solution
Rinse mop in water and wring dry and then in solution and wring dry
Prop up safety signage at both ends of mopping area
Mop the entire area section at a time making sure to overlap
Remove safety signage only when floor is dry and then move on to another section

For spot cleaning or removing of stains, twist the mop head.

Throwing Refuse

Tie and remove rubbish bag from the cleaning trolley
Use extra liner if leakage occurs
Throw rubbish bag into bulk bin taking care to avoid body contact
Wash inside and outside of bin. Let dry and place new liner

Main bin centre should also be properly cleaned with safety signage kept.

Return of Tools and Equipment

After cleaning, all tools and equipment have to be cleaned and returned to the store area.
Cleaning cloth, apron, gloves and mops need to be washed and dried.
Cleaners should wash their hands thoroughly for personal hygiene.

Mandating a strict Cleaning regime

Hawker centres and food courts are an integral part of life for Singaporeans. In order to make sure that hawker centres are kept clean spring cleanings, repairs & redecoration are carried out regularly. These are mandated and conducted by agencies like National Environment Agency (NEA) and by respective Town Councils for HDB owned centres. Such cleaning and maintenance schedules are announced by NEA on its website.

By following Cleaning best practices and maintaining a strict cleaning regime, a meal at the hawker centre or food court hopefully will always be a pleasant experience. Keeping in mind food patrons’ health, good cleaning practice also keeps pests and other harmful bacteria at bay.

How to prevent Food Contamination by following these Hand Washing techniques

June 30, 2017/in Cleaning Advice /by Barkha P

Food handlers need to be very careful about hand washing in order to prevent food contamination. Harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli and viruses such as Norovirus can be present on human hands and these can lead to contamination during handling, ultimately causing food poisoning. And as you know food poisoning is responsible for a number of sicknesses ranging from vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, stomach ache, weakness, migraine and even fever.

Besides the usual cleaning and hygiene maintenance routine in food areas, in order to remain safe from infections practicing proper hand washing techniques is very important. To put it in a simply, proper hand washing is one of the most effective way in which you can prevent the spreading of infections through food contamination.

Know When to Wash your Hands

While its essential for food handlers to wash their hands and wrists at frequent intervals. Here are some instances when it is mandatory for them to wash –

Before starting the preparation of food
Before handling ready-to-eat or cooked food
After preparation or handling of raw food
When changing tasks, i.e. when switching from handling of raw food to ready-to-eat food. This prevents cross-contamination
After handling waste or disposing trash
After cleaning duties
After handling money
After using the washroom
After coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose

Having an ideal Hand Washing Station

A designated hand washing station is a must in food preparation areas. It should be easily accessible. The taps should be pedaled, elbow or knee operated so that it is not required to use clean hands for touching any part of the washing station. This greatly helps in prevention of cross contamination.

Ideally, a hand washing station must have the following components:

Taps
Sink
Foot-operated rubbish bin
Paper towels
Liquid soap

Steps for Proper Hand Washing

Yes, we all do wash our hands but do we follow all the steps? Did you know that Hands should be washed for a period of at least 15 to 20 seconds. And the actual steps that should be followed are –

Wet your hands with clean, running and preferably warm water
Use liquid soap in good quantity so as to form lather
Rub your hands, including fingertips, thumb, wrists, in between the fingers and back of your hands
Rub your hand for about 15 seconds. Rub vigorously
Rinse your hands thoroughly in the running water
Dry your hands with a paper towel

Foodborne diseases are a common norm. In spite of the fact that most people recover from such health disorders, these can lead to chronic health issues in about 4% to 5% cases. Thus observe and follow infection control practices that can help keep such diseases at bay. If you are involved with food preparation at home or a food handler (Chef, cook, kitchen and food stall assistants) at your workplace, education and awareness in this regard is of utmost importance.

4 Ways To Clean Carpets And Make Them Look New Again

May 31, 2017/in Tips and Tricks /by Barkha P

Brown stains from a dropped cup of coffee….drops of juice spilled from a glass full of beverage…muddy shoe soles getting wiped clean….there are uncountable reasons why your carpet can be soiled and stained. And these are reasons over above the general tear and wear which the flooring has to endure due to everyday use. No wonder carpets are the must susceptible to dirt, spots and stains under the home/office upholstery category

Luckily, this is a common problem. And for common problems there are more than one solutions! So, in this post we’ll tell you 4 methods of cleaning your carpets along with the Pros and Cons of each. Read on…

Why Carpet Cleaning

Be it a office or your home, the ceiling and flooring must always be showcased in a positive light. The prestige of a corporate office or the ambience of your home can be easily compromised if carpeted flooring looks dull or worse remains riddled with stains. And stubborn stains are not easy to rid of with general hand scrubbing. So, when it comes to carpeting, you need to take proper measures to maintain it in a clean and in tip-top condition. Here are 4 ways to do that –

1. Using Carpet Absorbent Cleaners

This procedure is often referred to as Dry Cleaning, since there’s no virtual use of water. A fairly common process to clean carpets wherein a dry absorbent compound which contains detergent, solvent, and water in small quantities, is sprinkled on the surface of the carpet. The main purpose of this compound is to attract and absorb the dirt, grime and soil. A brush cleaner with mechanical action is worked into the carpet. The dislodged dirt is absorbed by the cleaning compound after which a thorough vacuuming session follows through.

Pros

Simple and straight forward method
Very little water is used in the process, there is no drying time involved

Cons

Powder (detergent) may remain trapped for thick carpets
Not able to clean deep down into the carpet

2. Carpet Shampooing

The concept here is to create a heavy foam and have it worked into the carpet fibers with the rotating brushes of a machine. When the foam dries the resulting residue attracts the soil in the carpet which then needs to be vacuumed the next day. Two of the commonly used machines in this process are rotary shampoo machine and cylindrical foam machine.

Pros

Simple, fast and affordable method
Rotating brushes provide good agitation

Cons

Dirt is piled and buried in the carpet
Extensive vacuuming is required before and after the process

3. Bonnet Method

This method utilizes an absorbent pad. After a cleaning product or solution is sprayed onto the carpet, the rotary buffer or bonnet (absorbent pad) operated by a floor machine scrubs the mixture with a rotating motion. Carbonated water may be used in this process to provide with better soil suspension. Even though considered as a dry cleaning method the carpet is actually wet and requires some time to dry up.

Pros

Fast, simple method that does not cost much.
Good for lightly soiled carpets.

Cons

Cleaning is superficial since its not able to reach deeper down.
Dirt and chemicals accumulates at the bottom of the carpet fibers.

4. Steam Cleaning

Also known as Hot Water Extraction this method is often referred to as a deep cleaning procedure to clean carpets. It is one of the best ways of carpet cleaning which uses a combination high water pressure for agitation, and hot water to increase reaction rate. The carpet is first treated with chemical regaents, after which a fine spray of pressured hot water is injected, which is followed by an intensive vacuuming where the gunk is sucked up into a holding tank.

Pros

Widely used method that provides thorough cleaning (from deep down in the carpet)
Ensures chemical reactivity facilitated by agitation, makes good use of cleaning solvents
Recommended by carpet manufacturers & cleaning experts

Cons

Long drying time
Requires expensive equipment hence relatively higher cost

Despite best efforts, any carpet will eventually become a victim of spills, drops, accidents and of course the dirt beneath your shoes. Mere vacuuming is not a feasible solution even though you would do it every second day. Thus, it’s best to let professional carpet cleaners and experts do their work and provide you with spotless, clean and fresh carpets that look and feel like new.

Why hiring an NEA licensed Cleaning Company is a smarter choice

April 30, 2017/in Cleaning Advice /by Barkha P

If you’re sulking over the quality of cleaning done by your full time helper at home or feeling agonized by the behaviour and skill level of a part time cleaner that you hired recently, then this post is just for you.

Low standards of cleaning and unprofessional work attitude is a wide-spread problem faced by many Singaporean home and office owners. And at times its not the workers or cleaners who are at fault but rather the errant services providers who don’t observe fair employment policies, hire unskilled individuals and even underpay their staff.

But the good news is that the National Envrionment Agency (NEA) has got into action to introduce some order and standards for the cleaning businesses in Singapore. Let me share more about this and most importantly how you as a customer can benefit from it.

NEA Cleaning Business License – What is it for and what does it entail?

A Cleaning Business License by NEA aims to impose better employment standards in the cleaning industry so as to ensure reliability and professionalism of cleaning services delivered in Singapore. From September 2014 onwards Businesses that provide general cleaning services (to Public and Private sectors) at premises or any public places in Singapore will need to be licensed. With exceptions given only for those belonging to the excluded cleaning works category.

The License needs to be renewed every year and there are penalties of upto S$10,000 for those who operate without a valid license.

To earn this license a Sinapore Cleaning Company is required to –

Be registered with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) or Registry of Societies (ROS)
Have an existing Cleaning Business – at least 1 cleaning contract on-going OR completed in the 12 months before applying
In case of start-ups have employees with demonstrated understanding, training, practical experience in cleaning
Send their Cleaners for training courses under WSQ framework or other relevant training programmes
Submit a progressive wage plan for their cleaners

Scope of Licensing

The following is the scope of Licensing regime –

Businesses that provide general cleaning services at premises or any public places in Singapore will need to be licensed
Companies employing in-house cleaners to clean their premises are exempted from this requirement
Those who provide housekeeping services to hotels, hostels and serviced apartments are required to be licensed
Accredited cleaning companies such as those with Clean Mark accredition will already comply with the licensing requirements

Benefits of hiring a NEA Licensed Cleaning Company

So what does all of the above mean to the end customer? In terms of the benefits here’s what it gives to the end user –

Skilled Workers

License requirement ensures that employees working for the company are well-trained or undergo the required training. With experienced and trained professionals doing the job, consumers can get superior quality of services.

Better Employment Standards

Cleaners have a pathway to higher wages in the future….they aren’t exploited, tend to have better work attitude and be more productive. Happy workers mean better standard of service and professionalism for consumers.

Better Quality of Services

Companies that offer cleaning services are valid business entities on the record and having a track record in providing such services.

Peace of Mind

Customers don’t have to fear of being involved in any kind of fraudulent practices such as hiring illegal or moonlighting workers

The licensing criteria thus ensures that the employees receive the wage they deserve and at the same time put in their efforts in honing their skills. It’s a win-win situation for the consumer as well as the employees. Business owners are also reminded to raise their game and uprade the service standards they provide whilst boosting their reputation. So, next time before you hire and sign the contract with a Cleaning Company do so only after to verify their NEA Cleaning Business License.

Clutter-free your office desk! Start your day on clean slate every day.

March 30, 2017/in Planning and Organization /by Barkha P

Stress…Anxiety…Monday morning blues every single day of the week….ever wondered what the reason might be? Well, that place where you spend one third of your day, your Work Desk, perhaps isn’t comforting enough.

Mess and clutter, are an immediate turn off. And that holds true even for your office desk, a pleasant working environment sure boosts one’s productivity. Research shows that 57% of supervisors, co-workers, and clients pass judgment based on how dirty or clean people keep their workspaces. You may be a worthy employee but a messy desk leaves a poor impression.

So, let’s walk you thru some easy tips & tricks that’ll help you start your work day on the right foot and also leave a lasting impression on your colleagues and customers alike.

Quick picks to reduce “stuff” on your desk.

The first initiative one can take is to reduce the number of things that hold permanent acreage on the desk. Such as –

Files & Binders

If you are one of those who works on multiple ongoing projects, then Create a System…prioritize, label, separate and keep the current on top. Gather like items together. Divide the “keep” papers or files into two lots: active and reference. Place them in order of necessity. Try not to pile; rather organize in vertical folder holders or binders on your wall or the side of your desk for easy access.

Mailbox

Let incoming letters and paper mails sit in one box at the corner of your desk. Best is to use a stacked In/Out tray

Concealing Cords

Bunch of power cords, telephone cables, network connection, etc can not only get messy but also gather dust. Designate an out-of-the-way spot, via a hole or side of the table or install conduits, wood panels, cable boxes or cable cords, so they do not need to be continually shifted about. Make your desk look presentable top to toe.

Printers and Scanners

Find a spot off your desk if possible, or better still opt for common printer that everyone in the office can share

Stationery

Too many supplies, pens and notepads can be annoying, keep only what you need and stash the rest in a drawer or a common Stationery supplies cabinet.

Personal items

Bags and purses are meant to be close, but their place is in a drawer or a cabinet, where it is safe and away.

Start with these measures and implement them bit by bit or if you can afford to take time off for a day then empty your entire desk and re organize it all over again. From there on its good to schedule a clean-up day, a particular day in a week or a month.

Bottom line…Your office desk should hold only essentials such as computer, a phone, and paper work that needs immediate attention.

Digitize and also Go Green

In this digital age, we are morally obliged to reduce usage of paper and also help the environment. Going digital and working with “soft” copies is the way to go. Some ideas to adopt are –

Post-it notes

Notes are just reminders; how long do you need them? Rather feed these bits of information into electronic software such as on-line post-it notes, One-Note, EverNote, or even the computer desktop and say bye bye to the tiny space eaters

Contacts and Business Cards

Business Cards are an unavoidable but a vital and ever going stack. But thanks to technology…Microsoft Outlook and other CRMs (Customer Relationship Management software) include note sections where you can provide information about the person and the meeting. Otherwise use a scanning app such CamCard and digitize them. It’s a lot faster to find and occupies much lesser space

Papers and Documents

Magazines, reading material, mails or previous month’s records are sure to have a copy online. Let them shred in peace! Keep a habit of storing and finding them digitally

Other (non-physical) Types of Clutter

Clutter might not only be physical. How many times has a thought, idea or action item popped into your head and then disappeared…and then we keep wondering what it was and simply not able to recall it due to the mental clutter in our heads. Well, add it to your to-do list or assign it to your calendar…this helps you to focus priority items first and then take up these for subsequent action by easy reference.

Clutter can also be technological. Your computer, smart phone, iPad or Kindle can be loaded with useless documents and apps. It prevents you from being creative and saps your energy and focus. So, uninstall or delete!

Everyday take a few minutes before you leave work to clear off your desk and make it presentable. The reason; when you walk into the office the next day, you will be cheerful and can get down to work right away with a big smile. Make your office desk a part of you, and you will keep it like your home! Sparkling, non-messy and clean.