House Soclean Cleaner’s Training Manual   Introduction   House Soclean is an established and well-respected Cleaning Company  Located in South East London. The Company specialises in Residential and Commercial Cleaning. We also provide benchmarked training for our staff and those wishing to go into cleaning business. There are many cleaners working for themselves who have been beneficiaries of our training programme. This training provides you with a wealth of vital information essential for your daily cleaning tasks and a successful and profitable operation of your business.   The guide includes every day cleaning tasks and techniques. Most people dream of being their own boss and long for the freedom, power and control over their own destiny which this brings; they also like the fact that you keep all the money you make! In other words, when you are your own boss you are working to make yourself rich not someone else! Working for yourself is demanding and at times can be stressful, therefore you must be totally committed, disciplined, motivated and determined to succeed. Good luck!     House Cleaning Organisation 1. Where do I begin? Well how about house cleaning organisation for starters? Ok! I know you do not want to perform this task, but perform it you must. So first of all you must plan and organise. So you have a look around the house. 'Where do I begin?' you ask. There is no fixed rule contrary to what some people say. E.g. you must do the bedroom first, then the living room etc. It all depends. Anyway whatever the situation you're in you have to make a plan of what you are going to do. This is where house cleaning organisation comes in. 2. Make a Checklist.   Identify areas. Check room by room and area by area to determine which parts of it needs attention. Which parts do you have to concentrate on? What cleaning products do you need to obtain? Select the tools and utensils needed for the parts of the house that needs cleaning. A good idea is to prepare a Task Sheet on which you can tick the areas that need to be cleaned in that particular cleaning session. Place products and utensils in a bucket Keep all cleaning products in one place and carry it around with you while you are cleaning. Saves you time running around to get the right tools and products. Use the right product. In that particular room or house make sure you obtain and use the correct product. This should have been identified at stage 2. Use good quality, heavy duty products that do a good job. 3. Other planning tips. Clean from top to bottom generally. Clean from back to front. Right to left. When you enter a room, divide it into 3 levels: Eye level, ceiling level and floor level. Start at the left hand corner (from top to bottom) and work towards the door. Then do the same for the right hand corner, working towards the door. Focus on one area at a time. Try to put things where they belong right away. This saves you handling it twice, thus having to clean it again. Doing all the above will help you realise that house cleaning organisation is worth it. Bathroom Cleaning Tips! 1. Welcome to our Bathroom Cleaning Tips Page. The bathroom is one of the used most rooms in the house and this is one of the rooms, apart from the kitchen that must be cleaned or have cleaned on a daily basis. You have a bath in there every day, you use the toilet bowl you use the sink, you, brush your teeth (Oh! Don't you hate those toothpaste spots or do you like looking through a frosty mirror?). So this is indeed a good place to start. So let's begin with our Bathroom Cleaning Tips. 2. Preparation. First, gather all the utensils, tools and cleaners that you need to do this chore? What? You mean you have not done this or planned what you need to do? Please see Planning and Organisation. You will need a couple of sponges, paper towels, a bucket, a toilet brush, a stiff brush with storage container, an old toothbrush, bleach , water, a mildew remover and rubber gloves to protect your hands. Then clear the whole area that needs to be cleaned of knick-knacks including removing everything around the toilet, such as items on the tank, lid covers, and mats around the base of the toilet. 3. Spray the bathtub and shower. The first thing to do is to spray the bathtub and shower with the mildew remover and let it sit for a few minutes. Open the windows and doors to make sure that the bathroom is well ventilated for the fumes that the cleaners will cause. After you spray down the bath tub and shower, move to the toilet. 4. Clean the toilet. This is at the top of our Bathroom Cleaning Tips.  In the bucket, mix two parts water to one part of bleach. Never mix bleach and ammonia together as this is very harmful. Put the rubber gloves on and pour a little of the mixture into the toilet. Take the sponge and dip it into the bucket of the mixture and wipe down the rim of the toilet and the seat. Also wipe the outside of the bowl and the base of the toilet using the paper towels for this and not a sponge. The reason is sponges spread disease around and no one knows if a sponge has been used on a toilet. You wouldn't want that sponge to go elsewhere in the household. Make sure to also wipe the area behind the seat. Take the toilet brush and begin to scrub the inside of the toilet. Rinse your sponge as needed and then rinse in fresh water and re-wipe the entire area to remove the chemicals. Flush the toilet. The hardest and most avoidable of this task is done. Throw away the toilet sponge and replace. Then move to the sink next. 5. Clean the sink. Take your replacement sponge and dip it into your bucket. Wipe down the entire counter, taps, and sink. Rinse the sponge in the bucket as needed and then rinse in fresh water and rewipe the entire area to once again remove any of the chemicals. Take the old toothbrush and dip it into your bucket. Scrub any areas around the taps and sink to remove any mildew that may be hiding in any small places. Then rinse with fresh water. Wipe down with a clean dry rag. Shine chrome of the taps with a soft rag. Take your sponge and redip again in the mixture in the bucket. Ring out and wipe down the skirting-boards. Rinse in fresh water, ring out and rewipe skirting-boards to remove any chemicals. 6. Clean bathtub and shower. Go back to the bathtub and shower that you had sprayed with the mildew remover. This would have done most of the work for you.There may be some soap scum build up left and for that you will need your bucket of cleaner and your stiff brush. Take the stiff brush and begin to gently scrub the entire tub and walls. Redip when needed. Once all the tub and walls and curtain and/or doors are scrubbed clean, take the old toothbrush out again and dip into the mixture. Scrub the taps and drain areas. Pour out mixture in the bucket and fill with fresh water. Rinse the tub and shower down to remove the chemicals. Take another dry clean rag and wipe any water off the walls and floor of the tub and shower. Lastly, mop the floor.   Kitchen Cleaning Tips! 1. Welcome to our Kitchen Cleaning Tips Page. The kitchen apart from the toilet area of the bathroom is perhaps the messiest part of your home when you actually are using it. 2. Preparation. First, gather all the utensils, tools and cleaners that you need to do this chore? Not planned your cleaning yet? See Planning and Organisation. You will need household sponges, cleaning rags, liquid dish detergent/degreaser, disinfectant cleaner/sanitizer, Soft Scrub and/or Comet and window cleaner. Also do a checklist for cleaning the kitchen: Cooker - Overhead Fan Extractor Stove, Hood. Microwave. Pots and Pans. Appliances - Switch off at mains first. Freezer. Cupboards. Window. Counter Tops. Table and Chairs. Dishes and Dishwasher. Cutlery. Refrigerator Sink. Kitchen bin.Trash extractor. Kitchen Floor. 3. Cleaning the Stove. Caution: Consult the owner's manual before using cleaning products on a range of kitchen appliances. Some ranges have metal trim that can be ruined by ammonia and ammonia products. Remove burner drip pans (if they are removable) and put them into the kitchen sink. Cover with water as warm as you can touch, or hot water and allow it to cool until you can put your hand in it comfortably. Add a liquid dish detergent and allow the pans to soak to soften the burnt on grease and drips. If burner drip pans are not removable, move the elements out of the way, and spray the pans with a cleaner/degreaser. For the surface of the stove, remove the knobs and put them into the sink with the drip pans. Then spray the stove top with a degreaser. Use a sponge and scrub the stubborn areas. Then re-spray with the window cleaner and buff to a shine with paper towels. Use a scrub brush on the knobs, rinse well, then dry and replace. Apply the liquid abrasive cleaner to the drip pans if they need extra attention and have not soaked clean. Then scrub with a sponge, rinse well, dry and replace. 4. Cleaning the Oven. Spray the inside of the oven with a heavy-duty degreaser/cleaner and apply some elbow grease if you do not have a self-cleaning oven. Use a scrubby with the cleaner and rub lightly to removed baked on food. Rinse well and dry with a clean cloth. Use window spray for the hood of the stove. Remove the filter and put it in the sink. Cover the filter with warm water and a cup of household cleaning ammonia (if suitable). After a few moments, rinse out in the water, and replace. 5. Cleaning the Dishwasher. Sprinkle a cup of baking powder inside of the dishwasher if it has a stale smell and run it through a short cycle. Using an all purpose cleaner, spray the outside and wipe down. Do the same to the trash compactor. If you don't have time, give them a quick rinse and put them in the dishwasher. Throw away table scraps and vegetable trimmings into the trash as soon as possible and give the sink a quick wash and rinse. Shine the taps with a cleaner/degreaser or window spray. 6. Cleaning the Microwave. Wipe microwave inside and out. Take out the turntable, wash and dry it before replacing. Clean the inside of the microwave as food often splatters when heated. Usually all it needs is a scrubbing with the kitchen sponge dipped in hot soapy water. Wipe with a cloth dipped in clean water and dry. 7. Cleaning the Refrigerator. Using a cloth dipped in hot soapy water and wipe the inside and outside and the top of the refrigerator. Follow with the window spray, then wipe with paper towels to give a soft clean shine. 8. Cleaning the Kitchen Counter tops. When cleaning counter tops, remove all items from the counter, then wipe the counter from one end to the other. Use the disinfectant cleaner, or hot soapy water to remove grime and grease. Rinse well and wipe dry. Then replace canisters, small appliances, and other items. Clean the surfaces of the small appliances, finishing off with a spray of the window cleaner to make them shine. 9. Cleaning the Kitchen Floor. You can't clean a kitchen floor too often. Sweep, vacuum, or dust mop the floor and then give it a damp mopping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wall cleaning

1. Welcome to our Wall Cleaning Tips Page.

The interior walls! This is the part of the house that gives it the most atmosphere.

2. Dusting and spot cleaning wallpaper.

Dusting is easy. Beginning at the top, use an extended duster or an electrostatic dry dust cloth,

and wipe down, left to right. Then spot clean by wiping off fingerprints and smudges around light switches with a damp cloth.

3. Cleaning washable Wallpaper.

Always start from the bottom of the wall and work up. Using a light touch, sponge with a mild detergent in warm water. Rinse thoroughly with a clean sponge, dipped in clean warm water.

Always wipe with the seams (usually up and down).

Dry with a soft, absorbent lint-free cloth.

4. Cleaning non washable Wallpaper.

For wallpaper that is not washable or delicate, you should clean your wallpaper with a dry cleaning sponge or a dry cleaning eraser.

5. Dos and Don'ts.

• Do always check with the manufacturer first for instructions on the proper care of wall paper.
• Do not use steel wool or powdered cleaners, or active solvent-type preparations, such as nail polish remover, tar and bug removers, etc. because they may damage the wallpaper.

In other words do not use abrasive materials and do not use abrasive cleaners.

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6. Other Wall Cleaning Tips.

• Waterproof and stain-resistant wallpaper, such as vinyl or acrylics, can be washed with warm water, a mild soap, and wiping with a cotton cloth or a soft sponge.
• Stains should be removed as soon as possible to eliminate any possible reaction between the stain and the wallpaper. If soil remains on the wallpaper too long, permanent discoloration may result.
• Ordinary dirt spots can be removed with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Blot wallpaper dry with a soft lint-free towel.
• For more difficult stains that are only surface deep, use if a stronger detergent is recommended. Try an inconspicuous spot first before attempting the entire wall.
• One should always rinse after applying a detergent. Abrasive rubbing of spots should be avoided so discoloration cannot appear.

Door Cleaning Tips!!

·         1. Welcome to our Door Cleaning Tips Page.

·         Doors are that part of the house which is just meant to walk through.

·         However keep it closed and it becomes as much a part of the house like the floors, walls, etc.

·         Yes! Doors needs as much cleaning maintenance as any other part of the house. It may not look that dirty sometimes but take a close look and you will see all smudge marks (including children's finger prints) and the dirty water that accumulates and the cleaner fresher look of the door after a thorough cleaning may surprise you.

·         So without further ado let me give you Door Cleaning Tips!

2. General Door Cleaning.

First of all gather all tools and materials necessary for the job. This would include:

• Soft, absorbent cleaning rags.
• Your favourite window cleaner.
• Multi-purpose cleaner.
• Soft, absorbent cleaning rags.
• A Squeegee.
• A Sponge.
• Vacuum cleaner with nozzle attachment.
• Small brush - whiskbroom.
• A Scrub Brush.
• Waterproof sliding track lubricant.

Wipe the top of the door frames to remove dust. Then using a rag, wipe all around the frame of the door. You may wipe the entire surface of a varnished wood door with oil soap using a soft rag. Wipe the door in the direction of the grain. Buff the door to remove excess soap and to dry the surface.

Use a sponge to apply an all-purpose cleaner to painted doors. Wipe it dry with a soft clean rag. Use the all-purpose cleaner on the door knobs or handle. Wipe well to remove dirt and then dry.

If your door has brass fixtures, use a good brass cleaner. Follow manufacturer's instructions. If your door has a glass inset or window, use a glass cleaner to make it sparkle. Do inside and out. Finish by spraying or wiping the door knob with a sanitizer (antibacterial product).

3. Cleaning of Painted Doors.

With a rag dipped in soapy water, wipe all around the edges of the door beginning at the top. Use a scrub brush dipped in your cleaning solution for especially tough spots. Sponge off the cleaning solution with clean warm water.

Wipe door dry using a soft, clean, highly absorbent towel.

4. Cleaning of Sliding Glass Doors.

• Use the whiskbroom to get at the ends of the tracks where the sliding action of the door actually pushes and compacts the dirt. Dig that all out and then vacuum it up and go on to the door frame.

Using the multi-purpose cleaner, spray the whole frame of the door, one section at a time.

Rub to loosen soil and wipe it off as you go. Then clean the glass, inside and out.

Going back to the tracks, spray a heavy coat of multi-purpose cleaner into the track and allow to set for a moment or two to let the dirt loosen. Travel an old toothbrush or the small brush and really get in the groove, running it up and down the track to dislodge dried up dirt.

Wrap a cleaning rag around your fingers to get into the tight track and soak up the dirty solution and particles. You may have to stuff the rag into the track and run it back and forth a few times until it really looks clean.

When you are satisfied, finish up with a quick spray of sliding track lubricant.

• The outside of Sliding Glass Doors need special attention. After months of rain, the sun bakes the water spots onto the glass and it takes a huge amount of effort to remove the etch and get that glass really clean.

First, you need to get a sponge that has the scrubber on one side. Using your favourite window cleaner solution apply the cleaner onto the scrubber and scrub the outside glass. After the surface feels smooth to the touch, rinse well. Hand dry, using a soft absorbent towel.

Remember, it's better to choose a windless, cloudy day for this task because sunlight and warm breezes dries the solution too quickly and you'll end up with a lot of streaks.

• Spot Cleaning. To remove any markings from grease, oil, tape adhesive, crayons or paint, apply a small amount of a nonabrasive cleanser such as Soft Scrub to a clean, wet cloth, or apply a solvent such as acetone or mineral spirits to a clean, dry cloth or towel and rub on the areas of glass that need spot-cleaning.

Take care not to get any cleansers or solvents on the wood. Wipe clean using a dry, clean, lint-free towel or cloth. Then clean the glass as mentioned above.

• Exterior aluminium Cladding. Clean the surface with warm, soapy water. Stubborn stains and deposits may be removed with mineral spirits.

Do not use abrasives. Do not scrape or use tools that might damage the surface.

If your cladding becomes dull, you can use a quality car cleaner and wax to restore the shine.

Tile Cleaning Tips!!

1. Welcome to our Tile Cleaning Tips Page.

There are different types of tiles. These are:

• Ceramic tiles which can be glazed or unglazed.
• Quarry tiles.
• Terracotta tiles.
• Porcelain tiles.
• Mosaics tiles.
• Natural stone products like limestone, marble, granite and slate.

Tiles are used in different parts of the house. On the floors, walls, bathrooms etc, even on parts of the outside of the house and they also have lots of commercial uses.

We will start with Ceramic tiles as these are widely popular in the household. Cleaning of the other types of tiles will be brought to you as we develop this site further.

So without further ado let me give you our Tile Cleaning Tips!

2. Cleaning Ceramic Tiles.

Before you start cleaning.

Test it with a small amount of water. If the surface darkens, it absorbs water and needs to be sealed.

Generally, cementitious grouts require sealing while specialty grouts like epoxy and furans do not.

If the grout darkens with water, it needs a sealer.

4. Everyday Cleaning.

Tile maintenance should progress from the least invasive to the extreme. Never start off with the most drastic solution to solve a cleaning situation.

All tiles regardless of type should be cleaned regularly with water. Immediately wipe up spills and messes. By cleaning ceramic tiles daily with plain water (or pH balanced cleaners and soap less detergents) and drying them thoroughly with a clean towel or cloth, you will avoid any mold, mildew dirt and grime build up that will collect on it's surface.

5. Grout Cleaning.

Grout holds ceramic tiles together. It is a type of glue, or actually cement and sand combined with acrylics and silicon.

Grout, especially unsealed grout will collect dirt and grime and will stain easily.

If your grout has stained or discoloured and the ceramic tile is dull, first of all agitate grout joints with a soft bristled brush to loosen debris. Then make a solution of 1/4 cup of mild detergent with 1 gallon of water. Take your sponge with the cleaning solution, and carefully scrub and clean the areas that are stained and dull. Thoroughly rinse, dry with a cotton towel or cleaning rag, and polish cleaned areas.

6. Heavy duty Grout Cleaning.

Acidic cleaners will eventually erode the grout in the joint, making cleaning and maintenance more and more problematic. This is especially true if using acidic cleaners on sanded grout installations. This is due to the tendency of the acids to eat away the smaller aggregates first leaving the larger stain attracting aggregates in their place.

An attempt should be made to solve the cleaning problem with high quality pH balanced cleaners. These can include non-staining household scouring powders or poultices manufactured for this purpose. Be sure to agitate the cleaners again with a soft bristled brush to loosen stubborn grime.

A good practice is to allow the cleaner to rest on the surface for a while to take advantage of the cleaners maximum potential. If the results are not acceptable, high alkaline cleaners are the next step. These cleaners are recognized by their names like: "heavy duty" or "deep clean."

On large areas, it is perfectly acceptable to use commercial buffing machines to clean tile and grout. The important consideration is the type of cleaner and the thorough rinse following the deep cleaning.

If the result are not satisfactory using the PH balanced cleaners, it may be necessary to use a acidic solution to solve a particular problem. Sulfamic and phosphoric acids are the safest and most used acids used in solving tile and grout cleaning problems.

These two acids have very specific mixing and application recommendations that must be followed to the letter.

Regardless, thoroughly rinse the cleaned area, dry, and polish.

Following an intense deep cleaning, especially if an acid was used, a good practice is to reseal the affected grout areas.

Furniture Cleaning Tips!!

1. Welcome to our Furniture Cleaning Tips Page.

There are different types of furniture. Wood, Antique, Wicker, Fabric etc and each type of furniture needs different Furniture Cleaning Tips to keep them in good condition and make them last for a long tome.

Below we give you all the tips for each type of furniture.

2. Cleaning of Wood Furniture.

• Water Marks. Use a clean cloth, placing it down on top of the stain. Use a warm iron on top of that. Keep doing it until the ring is gone. Make sure to properly wax or polish the furniture afterwards.
• White Marks. Make a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice. Dip a cloth into it and apply to the area.
• Milk and Alcohol Stains. Wipe up the spill quickly and rub the spot vigorously

 

4. Piano Cleaning.

• Cleaning: Follow manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. The lacquer finish on the wood only needs to be dusted with a vacuum cleaner brush, and sometimes wiped with a soft, untreated dusting cloth or paper towel. It may not require waxing.

Vacuum the keyboard.