Cleaning Education Archives | Page 5 of 5 | Performance Property Services Group

Cleaning Outdoor Furniture with Homemade Cleaning Solutions

Cleaning your outdoor furniture is important. It helps improve their ability to complement the natural beauty of your garden or backyard. There are many cleaning products on the market. Many of these contain very harsh chemicals that can damage your outdoor furniture.

A better solution is to make your own kind of cleaning agent to remove dirt, grime, dust, and other contaminants from your furnishings. Keep in mind that different furniture materials require different cleaning solutions. We will go through them one by one.

Rattan Furniture

Many Australian homes love outdoor furniture made of rattan. They have a more eco-friendly vibe to them that complements the natural landscape. Cleaning rattan furniture can be tricky, especially if it’s already been exposed to a lot of sunshine. A good cleaning solution is to mix a cup of a mild dishwashing soap to a gallon of warm water.

Moisten a clean microfibre cloth with the cleaning solution. Wring any excess solution off so you do not soak the furniture in the solution. Wipe the surfaces of the rattan. Pay attention to the nooks and crannies. Use an old toothbrush to reach and clean these areas. Dry the areas with another microfibre cloth.

Wicker Furniture

The cleaning solution for this type of outdoor furniture depends on the material that it is made of. If it’s made of rattan, then you can clean it using the same solution we shared above. If it is synthetic, then you will need a cup of warm water. Add about a third of a cup of ammonia and 2 to 3 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar. This cleaning solution is enough to remove the grime and other particles on wicker furniture.

Before you clean this type of outdoor furniture, it is best to brush it with a feather duster. This will help remove large debris. You can also vacuum the different surfaces of the furniture. This can help remove particles that may be trapped in the crevices in between weaves.

Soak a microfibre cloth in the cleaning solution and rub against stubborn stains and soiled areas. You can also use a sponge. Make sure to rinse it well before drying. It would be better to wipe dry the furniture before allowing it to air dry.

Teak Furniture

Australians who have teak outdoor furniture love the elegance that this furnishing brings to their patios and gardens. Teak is also more durable than rattan. It also requires less maintenance. A simple wipe with a clean piece of microfibre cloth is all it takes to keep the furniture looking new.

However, like all wood products, teak requires the application of oil every now and then. Oil nourishes the grains of the wood. It also helps fill in microscopic cracks that may be present because of exposure to the elements. It would be wise to invest in a high-quality teak oil.

If there is stubborn dirt or mould on the furniture, you can mix a cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water. Add several drops of mild dishwashing soap and mix well. Dip a soft-bristled brush in the cleaning solution and use it to clean your teak furniture. Do not use a metal brush or a brush with very stiff bristles. These can scratch the surface of the furniture.

Plastic Furniture

For those on a budget, plastic outdoor furnishings offer a more practical approach to improving the aesthetics of your garden. They are very easy to clean and will never rot or rust. However, they will still need a more thorough cleaning from time to time.

A good cleaning solution for plastic outdoor furniture is a mixture of half a cup each of dishwashing soap and baking soda. Add this to a gallon of water and you can start cleaning your plastic furniture. This solution is perfect for removing stains that may be present on plastic surfaces.

Cast Iron Furniture

Cast iron outdoor furnishings are very durable. They are also very elegant to look at. The downside to such a furniture is that it is quite prone to corrosion and stains. Cleaning this kind of furniture is easy. Mix a quarter of a cup of mild detergent to a gallon of lukewarm water.

Moisten a microfibre cloth or a sponge and use this to clean the surfaces of the furnishing. Make sure to dry it well. Otherwise, you will only facilitate the formation of rust on the furniture.

Cleaning your outdoor furniture is important to retain the natural beauty of your landscape. If you do not have time to make these cleaning solutions or to clean your outdoor furnishing, a home cleaning company can also do it for you.

If you need help with outdoor cleaning services, contact us at 1300 867 872

Dealing With The Unique Challenges Of Medical Cleaning

There are a growing number of Australian medical clinics and hospitals that employ the services of a professional cleaning company.

Unlike commercial establishments, cleaning a medical clinic or hospital can be very daunting. This industry poses a lot of unique challenges that only the best cleaning companies can address.

Safety

The hospital is not the cleanest and the most hospitable place to be. People who are in hospitals are often sick. They may have an ongoing infection that can be transmitted to others.

No one can see these microorganisms. Almost every other surface in the hospital can have these germs. From handrails to guardrails to door knobs and the like, it is easy to get in contact with disease-causing microorganisms.

Hospitals have protocols for minimising disease transmission. They often do not extend to non-hospital persons like guests, however.

People visiting hospitals are thus at risk of contracting these microorganisms. The same is true for cleaning technicians. They can also get exposed to such pathogens which they can bring home to their families.

Professional cleaning companies have to train their staff. They need to increase their knowledge of disease transmission. They also need to learn the different techniques of minimising the risk of disease exposure.

Workplace Protocols

Cleaning an office or a school is different from cleaning a medical facility. It is true that these establishments require the best possible cleaning for their property.

But when it comes to cleaning a hospital, it often entails adherence to very strict protocols that the organisation may have in place.

Many of these workplace protocols are pursuant to global standards. Numerous international organisations expect medical facilities to comply with these standards.

Different areas in a hospital may also have different regulations regarding sanitation. The operating theatre may have a different set of sanitation protocols.

These guidelines may come from the Australian College of Perioperative Nurses or some other similar organisation.

There are also protocols coming from the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses. In other areas of the hospital, cleaning companies have to adhere to the protocols that the Safety Institute of Australia has in place. In short, cleaning companies have to be very well-versed with these protocols.

Patient Privacy

It is easy to clean other establishments. Cleaning companies can close off one section at a time for cleaning. They cannot do this in a hospital setting.

Not only does it disrupt the delivery of care, it can also invade the privacy of the medical centre’s patients.

Patient privacy is a very important element in any health care setting. Only authorised healthcare professionals can interact with patients.

Cleaning technicians do not “interact” with patients. They may, however, have to enter the patient’s room to perform their cleaning duties. This constitutes an invasion of privacy for many patients.

There is also the issue of data theft. Cleaning often requires moving some equipment. This helps ensure a more thorough cleaning.

Unfortunately, “incidents” can happen. A cleaning technician can obtain patient data from various sources. It is for this reason that medical facilities are very strict about third party providers.

They expect cleaning companies to provide cleaning technicians that are trustworthy. Stringent background checks are a must for these cleaning companies.

Incomplete Cleaning

When cleaning offices and other establishments, a simple wipe of the surfaces is often enough. Removing soiled items and tidying up the space are often substantial in cleaning these establishments.

Unfortunately, such an approach would not suffice if you’re talking about medical cleaning. Hospitals require extensive and intensive cleaning protocols in their facilities.

One has to understand that the patients in a hospital are not in their peak health. Many have compromised immune systems that can make them more susceptible to infections.

As already noted, the hospital is not the safest place to be. It is a place where microorganisms of different types, strains, and pathogenicity reside. These are ever-present in the hospital environment.

A cleaning company’s job is to make sure that its cleaning technicians understand the implications of not being able to provide a very extensive and intensive cleaning.

A single missed spot is all it takes to spread infectious microorganisms to immunocompromised individuals. This can make them sicker.

Most cleaning companies will only focus on high-traffic areas, restrooms, and public areas. Most cleaners do not clean the doorknobs and handrails that line the hallways.

Many patients and hospital guests use these fixtures to aid them in getting from one hospital section to another. If these areas or fixtures are not cleaned properly, then there is a risk of transmitting a disease-carrying germ to other individuals.

Cleaning a medical facility or hospital is never easy. There are a lot of challenges that cleaning companies have to hurdle. Addressing these challenges can help ensure a more thorough clean of hospital premises and contribute to enhanced patient safety.

For professional and efficient commercial and household cleaning around Melbourne, drop Performance Cleaning a call at 1300 867 872 .

5 Cleaning Tips You’d Wish You Knew Sooner

There are always instances when cleaning would seem like taking a lot longer than usual to accomplish. More often than not, it happens in instances when you’re expecting a visitor or while performing a much-needed spring cleaning.

Or, you are trying to keep up with the shower of pet hair on your couch. While cleaning can be a real bummer, there are a few hacks and tricks you can employ to make your chores a lot easier.

Here are 5 cleaning tips you wish you’d have known much sooner.

1. Clean and Sanitise the Sponge

This foam contraption takes plenty of abuse whenever performing your cleaning chores. With each pass, it tends to pick up dirt, grease, grime, and germs.

You can dunk it in warm water and wring the excess out. But there is no telling if you also removed the germs sticking in the individual pores of the foam.

By the time you use it on another surface, you are now transferring these germs onto the next object. You now have more than one item to “sanitise”.

Cleaning your sponge on a more frequent basis is a must for a germfree, extra-clean home. Soak the sponge in warm water and wring the excess water out.

Do not let it go dry. Pop it in the microwave and heat it for about 30 seconds. This will kill the germs in the sponge. Wait a couple of minutes before taking it out of the microwave, though, as it can be too hot to handle.

2. The Vinegar Power Shower Spray

Vinegar is a very common household item. What many do not realise is that it is also an excellent cleaner because of its natural, non-toxic, and acidic nature.

It can dissolve hard water stains and other types of stains as well as soap scum and sticker residues. White vinegar works best when it comes to cleaning surfaces.

But, if you do find it too strong, then apple cider vinegar is a good alternative. Combine one part of white vinegar to 10 parts of water in a spray bottle. This is enough to clean your house.

One word of caution, though. There are surfaces that you should never clean with this vinegar power spray. For example, marble and granite countertops don’t do well with vinegar on their surface.

You should also not use it to clean kitchen knives, iron, solid wood furniture, and egg-based messes.

3. “As-Salt” the Carpet Stain

Most of us know that baking soda is one of the best hacks for removing carpet stains. However, if the stain is still fresh on your carpet, there is another simpler solution: salt.

Your ordinary table salt has enough moisture-drawing properties to help remove the fluid on the carpet. Scientists call it the capillary action. We all know it as “seeping” action.

As soon as you notice red wine or any other fluid on your carpet, resist the temptation to dab it with a dry cloth. Instead, pour generous amounts of table salt over the area.

You should see the salt mound starting to moisten. This means it is already drawing the fluid out from the carpet. Let it dry. Get your vacuum and start finishing up the mess. For still unknown reasons, salt works on mud stains, too.

4. Vacuum Cleaner-Turned Air Freshener

Cleaning doesn’t only have to lead to a tidier home. It should also result in a nice-smelling place. While you can apply air freshener right after the cleaning process, there is a better way.
Soak a cotton ball in your favourite scent like vanilla or another scent. Put this in the vacuum bag and start vacuuming the place.

This is a very simple hack that cleans and freshens your home in a single pass. It is perfect for getting rid of nasty pet odours, cooking smells, or any other offensive odour in the home.

5. Fuss-Free Oven Cleaning

Your oven has got to be one of the toughest appliances to clean, making the chore seem like an eternity. But there is a way which you can clean this large kitchen appliance without sweating.
Fill an oven-safe bowl or pot with water. Place this in the oven and heat it to about 230 degrees Celsius for 15 to 20 minutes.

What you are doing is creating steam to loosen the grease, grime, and dirt that may have accumulated inside the oven.

Let the oven cool down first before you give it a good wipe. The grease should come right off. After that, make a paste of baking soda and water and smear this on the oven’s enamel surfaces.
This will turn into the oven’s protective layer, allowing it to absorb grease every time you bake or broil.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be very challenging. It can be efficient and easy, too, if you know the tips and tricks to employ.

For commercial and household cleaning services, you may contact Performance Cleaning at 1300 867 872.

We Service All Areas Of Melbourne, Contact Us Today!