COVID seems nowhere ready to go away. For months now, many commercial buildings have been closed to the public and frequently to people who work there. Many people are working from home. There is, however, limited usage of many commercial spaces, and so it continues to be important to keep restrooms clean. The job of thoroughly cleaning restrooms should be done daily with a sanitizing check-up on an hourly basis. Ideally, public restrooms should be cleaned by a professional cleaning service, one that has been in business for several years and has a good reputation.

If you live in Ocala, Florida, or surrounding areas such as Orlando, The Villages, or Gainsville, one outstanding professional commercial service with over 20 years of successful experience is Cassie’s Meticulous Touch. By calling (352) 216-0513, you can speak with a Cassie representative who can answer your questions regarding how Cassis’s team has responded to the COVID precautions both in work done and how the employees take all necessary and recommended precautions while working.

Sometimes, however, it is necessary for untrained persons to do the cleaning of public restrooms in a commercial building. Here is a list of things to be done to provide safety from the COVID germs:

• Having soap that scrubs away the COVID virus from hands is essential. Paper towels are best for drying as hot air blowers can circulate air-borne viruses.
• Start the cleaning by wiping down walls, stall doors, waste product containers, and all surfaces with a strong disinfectant. While using environmentally safe cleaners is usually a good idea, it is best to check on using industrial-strength cleaners to thoroughly eliminate the COVID virus in a public bathroom. Let the surfaces you have wiped down air dry.
• Be sure to look for hidden spaces such as behind toilets, under-sink areas, behind waste containers, and around faucets and soap and towel dispensers to spray with disinfectant and wipe clean.
• Clean mirrors
• Do a thorough job of cleaning toilets and urinals.
• Mop floors using a strong disinfectant
• Lastly, spray the entire bathroom with an effective disinfectant spray and wipe door handles on your way out.
• A quick wipedown of surfaces, emptying trash, and spraying disinfectant hourly will greatly help keep the COVID virus at bay.

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee 100% cleaning for eliminating the COVID virus, especially in public bathrooms in commercial buildings. By following the above suggestions, however, you can provide the public with clean and disinfected bathrooms. If persons wear a mask, practice social distancing, and wash their hands correctly, they should be able to use a properly cleaned public restroom safely.

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Cooler weather is upon us, from the extreme cold in the northern states to the moderate but still cool weather in the south. Depending on your location and how much extreme weather, such as snow, you will experience as well as how often you plan to use your outdoor porch during winter will determine some steps in winterizing. All porches, however, need a good seasonal cleanup, so this is a good time to do that regardless of where you live.

To begin with, you will want to wash down or, for certain fabrics, wipe down any furniture used outside. Some types of furniture, especially the kind with PVC pipe arms and legs, will harbor mold. The mold can be removed with a light bleach solution rub down. You can also purchase cleaning sprays with bleach in their ingredients. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and let air dry. Place all furniture in the yard, weather permitting, or to one end of the porch. If you plan to store the furniture during the winter months, this is the time to put the cleaned furniture where it is to be stored.

Once you have the porch area free of furniture and potted plants, it is time to tackle the screens and porch. Do the screens first so any debris will fall on the porch floor before you clean the floor. First, sweep the screens down, top to bottom, with a stiff broom. Be sure to check all corners for spider webs. Next, spray the screens with hose water. If the porch floor cannot be heavily wet, use a wet cloth and wipe down both the inside and outside of the screens. Let air dry.

Your final job is to give the floor a good cleaning. If you can wash the screens with hose-water, then you want to sweep the floor before you clean it but after you have swept down the screens. Some porches have indoor-outdoor carpeting on the floors and will need to be vacuumed before the actual cleaning. Cement and tile floors can be washed with a mild detergent and then rinsed. Indoor-outdoor carpeting can also be cleaned with a mild rug cleaner. Some areas may have become stained and will need extra attention by scrubbing or using an appropriate stain remover. Wipe down any walls and screen supports before the floor is washed. Check corners for gathered debris. Allow all areas where water has been used to dry thoroughly. If possible, choose a sunny day with some wind to clean your screened-in porch as this will make drying go a lot faster.

While it may seem unnecessary to thoroughly clean a screened-in porch, you will find that screens, floors, and most certainly the furniture will last longer and look better if taken care of properly. Rust, mold, and fading are quick to take over when a screened-in porch and its furniture is not winterized each year.

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Parties in the workplace will be very different this year due to the restrictions coming from COVID 19 protection enforcement rules. Many workplaces will forego a holiday party altogether. Still, for those offices and commercial buildings who do opt for a party, there are a number of helpful tips to consider when making plans both for set-up and clean-up.

Set-up

• To begin with, the words “making plans” are the key to a successful party under any set of circumstances. Impromptu get-togethers are different than a party. Preplanning is essential to have the right space, decorations, and enough food for a party.
• Most business parties will have a party coordinator and several people working with him or her. This group or committee should begin planning at least a month in advance.
• Before plans can be suggested, it is important to have a budget to know how much money will be available for party needs.
• Make a list of what needs to be accomplished both before and after the party, including the date and time of the party, how many will be attending, what theme will be used for decorations, what and how much food and drink will be needed, and if there will be music or entertainment.
• Make sure COVID rules are followed when setting up room plans. Keeping six feet apart is a challenge when it comes to seating and serving food.
• Try to enlist the help of extra persons for the day of set-up.
• Use paper products for food, drinks, and serving. This will make clean-up much easier. Paper products are also more sanitary and less liable to spread germs.
• Make sure the area for the party is thoroughly cleaned with sanitizing products. This is especially true for bathrooms that will be used by guests and any areas where there will be food preparation.
• Provide enough disposable, plastic-lined trash receptacles to accommodate the number of guests. It is best if these containers have covers.

Clean-up

• Once the party is over, be sure all used items are thrown away. You will likely need to take the large trash bags to a dumpster.
• Wash and dry any non-disposable dishes and put them away.
• Refrigerate leftovers as needed
• Take down decorations
• Wipe down all areas, especially counters, tabletops, and chair seats.
• Clean sinks and bathrooms
• Sweep and if there are carpets, vacuum
• Use a disinfectant air spray in all areas used by guests

While all of the above party planning is time-consuming, it will be well worth it to have time to relax and enjoy those you work with. Of course, all the set-up and clean-up can be done by those who work at the office or commercial building, but if the budget allows, having a professional cleaning service do this part is a great idea. Professional cleaners have the right equipment, products, and know-how to ensure your holiday party is well set up and cleaned up and the area and bathrooms sanitized. If you live in Ocala, Florida, or the surrounding area, including The Villages, Gainsville, and Orlando, Cassie’s Meticulous Touch offers party set-up and clean-up service. She has successfully been in business for over 20 years. If you call Cassie’s office at (352) 216-0513, a friendly and knowledgeable receptionist will be glad to answer your questions and arrange for a free estimate.

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This the season to be jolly! So says the now-famous song, the lyrics of which are often quoted this time of year. And, one of the “jolly” parts of the season is the giving and going to parties. Ah, you say,” going” to is jolly, but the giving can be anything but jolly. It is a lot of work to plan, set up, and clean up for a holiday party in your home or office. But there are helpful hints to make party giving easier This article will focus on the home party, and part two will focus on the office party.

Before we get started on holiday party giving, there needs to be a special note for this year of 2020. No matter what your personal feelings are, the pandemic guidelines in your community for COVID will need to be taken into consideration. In most locals, COVID restrictions will determine the number of people allowed in an area and will mandate the wearing of masks and keeping seating and activities at the proper social distance, usually six feet apart. Guest masks, hand sanitizer, and paper towels should be available in several spots in the home. Once you have determined how many people you will invite and how you will arrange your home for adequate social distancing, you can begin to plan your party. Planning ahead is very important, so when the big day arrives to set up, you will be prepared. Here are some hints to make the set up easier:

• Plan to use as many paper products as reasonable. Paper will make for an easier clean-up and will not spread germs as such items as cups and eating utensils will be thrown away.
• Clean your home carefully, making sure to take extra care in the kitchen, and any bathrooms guests will use. Use paper towels in places where hands will be washed; seasonally decorated ones are fun. Provide anti-bacterial soap for washing.
• Place chairs and furniture that will be used for sitting six feet apart.
• Decorate the theme of your holiday celebration. If there are children in the home, let them help with the decorating. They even enjoy making decorations such as paper chains, popcorn chains, and pinecone sparkle trees.
• Plan your food preparation to coincide with guest arrival and eating times. Simple menus are often best with lots of emphasis on vege snacks and holiday cookies.
• Have plenty to drink but try to avoid drinks with artificial food coloring, especially red, as when spilled, these drinks can permanently stain a carpet.
• Remember the napkins
• It is usually a nice touch to have holiday music playing in the background.

The party is over. Time to clean up. Here are some helpful hints to make this job easier too:

• Hopefully, you have been able to use paper products for most eating needs. And, hopefully, you have a dishwasher for non-paper items. Hand-wash items, when needed, using hot water with a small amount of bleach.
• Return chairs and furniture to their proper places. However, it might be wise to vacuum first as it will be easier not to move items twice—Wipe-down arms and areas where people sat or leaned.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect the kitchen, bathrooms, and any area where there has been food.
• Sweep floors and vacuum rugs.
• Wipe counters, tabletops, and exposed surfaces
• Spray all rooms with a disinfectant spray

Yes, it’s the season to be jolly, and hopefully, having a holiday party will bring out the jolly. On a side note, if you can use a professional cleaning service to do the set-up and clean-up for your party, it will really make for “jolly.” And, if you live in Ocala, Florida, and surrounding areas, including Gainsville, Orlando, and The Villages, you can call on Cassie’s Meticulous Touch. She and her team have been helping folks have a jolly holiday party for over 20 years. Call her office at (352)216-0513 to learn how Cassie’s Meticulous Touch can help you have a wonderful, jolly holiday party in your home.

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The year 2020 has been a difficult one and, in fact, continues to have its challenges. And yet, time marches on, and we find ourselves quickly approaching the annual holiday season, so looked forward to and enjoyed by most. Even for those folks who find the holiday season difficult, there is usually a sense of renewal and hope for a better future. While many people continue working from home, there are still many commercial spaces open to the public. Perhaps, more than in other years, it is important for those responsible for the care and decorating of commercial spaces to take the time not only to make sure commercial spaces are correctly sanitized and safe for users but also that these spaces are spruced up for the holidays. Prior to decorating, a commercial area should consider extra details such as having windows and carpets cleaned and floors stripped and freshly rewaxed. Walls, doors, and all display areas can usually benefit from a pre-holiday spruce-up. Many commercial cleaning companies offer holiday specials, which makes using professional cleaners an even bigger plus.

Once the elements of cleanliness and continued sanitation precautions have been put in place, it is time to think about how to make your commercial spaces uplifting during the holiday season. As present-day culture embraces many ethnic and religious backgrounds, it is important to honor the season without focusing on one particular group.

The holiday of Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays to focus on the ability of all people to be thankful. Sometimes it seems there is little to be thankful for, but each day has its ray of sunshine, no matter how small. The smile of a child, alone flower among weeds, enough water to drink even if it is from a public fountain, and the very fact you live in the United States of America are reasons to be thankful. Within a commercial space, there can be splashes of the colors of fall, orange, brown, yellow, and red. These can be displayed in many ways such as pictures, displays of fall leaves and flowers, artfully draped curtains, and signs of welcome. Depending on the size of the areas to be spruced-up will determine what decorations will work, but big or small, there can be evidence of welcome and thankfulness.

Shortly following Thanksgiving is the holiday traditionally termed “Christmas” with its colors of red and green and its trees brightly lighted and decorated. Many commercial establishments utilize these traditional means of decoration, but it has become more and more common to now embrace other cultural celebrations happening during December, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Being sensitive to all cultures is important in commercial spaces, and often pictures, foods, and music can be either neutral or representative of different beliefs. The main goal of December celebrations should be acceptance for all and a spirit of rejoicing.

Finally comes the ringing in of the New Year. Once again, this celebration can be cultural such as the emphasis the Chinese put on the coming of the New Year. Overall, however, welcoming in the New Year can be done with bright colors, wishes for happiness and good things to come, and enjoying family and friends on the days given over to celebration. Certainly, this year coming up, we all want a better year than the one coming to a close.

Celebrating the holiday season within commercial spaces is important. People need people not only for making money or getting the help of some kind but for the very fact of feeling good about themselves. All commercial spaces can if they will generate a sense of welcoming, especially in the holiday season coming up. And, the extra cleaning and sanitizing done during these holiday times, whether by individuals or professionals, will benefit all.

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All homes need to be kept clean and sanitized, especially in the present times of the COVID infection crisis. Ideally, it is good to have professional cleaners take care of this task. However, even if you are fortunate to have professional help, sometimes areas get overlooked. While most overlooked areas don’t need cleaning as often as the main areas, such as appliances, floors, counters, and bathroom fixtures, the areas mentioned below need attention. Looking at often overlooked places in a home that needs cleaning, we find:

Kitchen: Because of food preparation, eating, and often frequent congregating of family members, a kitchen is a room needing a lot of clean-up attention. Under the sink and behind and under appliances are sometimes great gatherers of dirt and small debris. When cleaning under the sink, it is best to take everything out, wiping down such items as bottles and containers as you do. Then, using a damp cloth with your favorite cleaning solution (hopefully homemade and environmentally friendly), wipe sides, top, and floor areas. Leave the area open to air-dry for at least a half-hour before returning items. This is a good time to organize under the sink items as well. When possible, appearances should be moved out from the wall, and the outsides thoroughly wiped down. Sweep and wash the floor under appliances as well as washing the wall behind the appliances. Again, let air-dry before moving appliances back.

 Bathroom: Here is a room where germs love to grow. And, unfortunately, a bathroom has some hard to get at places to clean. For example, behind the toilet, there are pipes and toilet indentations just waiting for germs to settle. You will need to get down on the floor to reach around to thoroughly clean this area using a disinfectant cleaner applied with a soft, wet cloth. Let air-dry. Continue wiping down all baseboards and getting into the corners and crevices of floors, tub, and shower. A good under the sink cleanout is required in this room as well.

Bedroom: As one might guess, under the bed is a key hide-away place for dust bunnies and germs. Remove anything stored under the bed. Vacuum, if you can, and then disinfect the floor according to its covering, i.e., carpet, tile, hardwood, etc. Closets should be emptied of their contents and floors, walls, hanging bars, and storage shelves cleaned and disinfected according to their surface requirements.

Laundry rooms: Similar to the kitchen in that appliances and storage areas for supplies need a thorough cleaning and disinfecting.

Areas in general:

• Ceiling fans: dust and wipe with a damp cloth
• Under large furniture: vacuum and clean when surfaces are cleanable
• Baseboards: wipe with damp cloth and disinfectant
• Tops of doors, both inside and outside doors: wipe with damp cloth and disinfectant
• Mirrors and glass tabletops: use glass cleaner. Vinegar and water is best
• Picture frames, both the frames and the glass: glass cleaner and damp cloth on frames
• Windowsills and window ledges: damp cloth with cleaner and disinfectant
• Vents of all types, both floor, and ceiling: Some floor vents can be removed, and the area underneath vacuumed and wiped clean, and the vents washed.
• Washing of scatter rugs, curtains, and furniture throws
• Wiping down entrance doors and doors of cupboards, storage areas, and entertainment centers with a damp or dry soft cloth
• Rungs of chairs and tables: soft cloth, damp when possible

Each home is different, and you will likely have other areas not mentioned here, which need occasional cleaning. It is important to remember you don’t have to clean everything at once. In fact, the best way is to tackle one room or project at a time, spacing it out over several days or even weeks. Airing your home (if no one has allergies) at least once a week will help eliminate unwanted germs. You can also spray areas inside with a disinfectant spray when persons are out of a room for a while.

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For many years, even way back in ancient times, professional cleaners were used to maintain home dwellings. Unfortunately, sometimes the people used to clean were slaves rather than employees, but the bottom lines for those receiving the services were basically the same. Here are eight good reasons why it is still, and likely always will be, a smart choice to have your home professionally cleaned.

1. Probably first and foremost is the fact professional cleaners know the best, most economical, and up-to-date ways to clean. In modern times professional cleaners are put through thorough training before ever coming to your home to clean. And, as time goes on and new ideas and products are developed, additional training is provided.
2. Important too is the extra time you have to do other activities, be they pleasure or work. Thorough cleaning requires a lot of time and energy; something most of us don’t have after a day on the job.
3. In these days of COVID concerns, it is highly unlikely the average homemaker knows the best way to eliminate virus infiltration in their home. Professional cleaners are trained and prepared to fight the COVID virus in every corner of your home.
4. Any reputable company will have a guarantee of satisfaction in place. This will mean that should there be any problems, be it with the workers or the work done, the cleaning company will promptly fix the issue at no extra charge.
5. Not only is time valuable, but it is also costly. If you take you wage or salary and figure out how much you make an hour and then transfer that amount to yourself in relation to how many hours you spend buying or making cleaning products and equipment, storing these items, and then getting everything out to clean as well as the cleaning itself you might be surprised how much of yourself you are spending. And don’t forget, any rags and containers used for cleaning must be washed, dried, and put away before the job is completely done.
6. Cleaning products and equipment can be expensive, adding to the cost of home cleaning.
7. Professional cleaners are usually concerned about and knowledgeable about helping to keep the environment safe. Not only are professionals able to purchase and use industrial-strength cleaning products, but they are also able to know what environmentally safe yet effective cleaning products are available. This is especially important when there are pets or children in a home.
8. There is a certain peace knowing that a home is thoroughly clean and sanitized. Being able to relax regarding the sanitation of your home is a great stress reliever, especially in these difficult times.

For folks who live in Ocala, Florida, and surrounding areas, including The Villages, Orlando, and Gainsville, Cassie’s Meticulous Touch is a successful professional cleaning company. For over 20  years, her teams of cleaners have been caring for homes of satisfied customers. She offers a variety of schedules and a free estimate to discuss your needs. A 40% discount is offered for new clients for their first cleaning. The phone number to call to speak with a knowledgeable person for questions and to make an appointment is (352) 216-0513.

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Ten months ago, people in the United States were alerted to a very deadly virus and the term COVID became a household word. While there have been many improvements in coping with this virus, new cases are happening daily. So, it is we all must take precautions to keep our living and working environments safe. In Part l, we discussed ways to keep your home or living environment safe. In this part, we will discuss tips to help make your commercial, which is an office and industrial spaces, safe during COVID.

One of the major problems with preventing COVID on a large scale is how to sanitize main areas such as hallways, public bathrooms, reception and waiting areas, and entryways. For the most part, there is little a nonprofessional person can do apart from wearing a face mask and practicing social distancing and thorough hand washing. There are, however, a variety of sanitation techniques a professional cleaning service can administer. Some of these include:

• Regular vacuuming followed by a sanitizing floor wash.
• Intense cleaning of all bathrooms with particular emphasis on toilets, sinks, counters, and receptacles of any kind. Making sure all special soap containers are kept full in important as well.
• Intense cleaning of employee break areas taking particular care to clean countertops, tabletops, chair seats, microwaves, fridges, and open shelves.
• Wiping down walls from about seven feet up with a sanitizing solution and including all doors, door frames, and baseboards.
• Using a sanitizing solution to wipe all door handles and light switches.
• Some buildings have specialized equipment such as medical or dental, and almost all offices have computers and other large types of equipment. These features must be carefully wiped down with an appropriate solution on a soft cloth.
• All waste receptacles must be emptied daily, and the contents bagged in closed plastic bags which are to be removed from the premise. Containers must be cleaned and sprayed with disinfectant.
• Furniture in reception areas, waiting rooms, and conference offices must be wiped down and sprayed appropriately. A professional cleaning service will know what is best for which type of wood and fabric.
• When an area has been completely sanitized, it should be sprayed with a disinfectant capable of killing the coronavirus.

In these times, it is imperative to find a professional cleaning service that not only understands the proper method and products to use but also how to use them correctly. Additionally, all workers must be trained and must themselves wear masks, practice social distancing, and adhere to all CDC guidelines when working within the commercial confines. If you live in Ocala, Florida, or surrounding areas such as The Villages, Orlando, or Gainsville, there is a professional cleaning company with over 20 successful service years. This company, Cassie’s Meticulous Touch, is highly prepared to service commercial buildings regarding the sanitation needed to combat the coronavirus. She offers a free estimate and up to 40% off on the first cleaning. You can call the office at (352) 216-0513 to discuss your needs, ask any questions you might have, and set up an appointment for a free estimate.

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It’s hard to believe that a virus can so disrupt our entire world and, for over eight months now, continue to influence the way we live and go about our daily lives. For many people staying in their living spaces has become the norm. Even now, as more businesses are opening and some schools are as well, people still want to keep their homes free from the coronavirus in as many ways as possible. Ideally, of course, having professional cleaners clean through your home every day would be the best solution, but that is not likely for most. However, there are several ways a home can be protected from spreading the coronavirus.

• Probably the most important is to make sure all who live in the home do not have symptoms of the virus and if they do have them tested immediately. If their test is positive, have an area as separate as possible from other family members during the recovery time. All members of the household will be required to quarantine for two weeks and then be tested.
• While being in the home, face masks and gloves are not necessary, but family members should wear them in pubic and dispose of the gloves and keep used face masks in a sealed receptacle when returning home.
• Have a box of disposable face masks and a container of hand sanitizer available at any entrance where a visitor would enter. Without being rude, don’t allow anyone who is sick inside your home.
• Keep all surfaces in your home as clean as possible. Wipe areas such as counters, tabletops, appliances, and bathrooms regularly with a product designed to kill the virus. You can make your own cleaning solution using alcohol with at least 70% alcohol and then apply with paper towels. Using cloths may be more economical, but it is also costly to use hot water, bleach, and strong soap to disinfect the cloths after use.
• Provide paper towels at all areas where hand washing will take place along with plenty of soap. Regular soap is fine as too much anti-bacterial soap can actually destroy the body’s natural resistance to germs.
• Provide a covered, lined waste receptacle in every room to encourage proper disposing of any trash. Liners can be recycled bags.
• Educated members of the household from small children to older adults on the importance of handwashing, keeping hands away from the face as much as possible, and always covering a cough or sneeze. Be careful not to scare young children with the statistics regarding illness and death but do stress the importance of handwashing and covering their mouths when necessary.
• Keep up with cleaning your home on a daily basis. Try enlisting the help of all who live in the home, using reasonable rewards to help motivate. These rewards can be for adults, too, such as a favorite meal or a foot rub.
• Remember when cleaning to wipe surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, computer keyboards, and electronic surfaces. This is especially true for children who spend a lot of time on electronics and are prone to put their fingers in or near their mouths.

While there is no way to eliminate all germs from a home, a vigilant following of the above suggestions will make a very positive difference. Ideally, as well, it would be most beneficial to have your home professionally cleaned at least once a month, oftener, if possible. If you live in the Ocala, Florida area, including Orlando, Gainsville, and The Villages, Cassie’s Meticulous Touch cleaning service is prepared to clean your home during these trying times properly. Cassie has successfully been in the cleaning business for over 20 years and has many recommendations regarding her work. You can call her office at (352 ) 216-0513 if you have questions or would like to get an estimate. You will receive 40% off your first cleaning.

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