Cleaning in Cornwall: Everything you need to know.

Welcome to our Passmore Cleaning Blog.

A large part of holiday letting in Cornwall is making sure the cleaning standards of your holiday cottage, house or flat are sky high. 

The following holiday let cleaning schedule should help those 5 star reviews and a fully booked season. 

Pass these tips to your Cornish holiday let cleaner, perhaps even make a tick chart to incorporate into their cleaning routine. 

The magic tool for a lot of these hard to reach/awkward areas is the often overlooked, upholstery brush that fits on the end of your vacuum.

We suggest a tub vacuum like a Nuvac or Henry, as the upright hoovers are not as efficient at cleaning as the pipes generally speaking have a limited reach, no matter how much space they save.

Holiday let cleaning in Cornwall is just one of many cleaning services Passmore Cleaning offer.

Short Answer: Research, a of bit perseverance and asking the right questions.

As the demands for cleaners increase I wrote this in the hope some may glean some practical tips on finding a cleaner and what to ask and look out for.

This is my long answer to: How do you find a decent cleaning service?

If you are a holiday let owner, a private household, require a one off clean or a small business; this is my initial advice.

• Don’t start looking when you're desperate. Where possible, give yourself time to get in the quotes and speak to the different cleaning services. This is especially important for holiday let owners, I strongly advise you start teeing up your cleaners for the following season just as soon as the current one ends. These cleaners get snapped up and locked down very quickly for the following season.

 

• If your looking for a domestic cleaner, towards the end of September beginning of October lots of cleaners are laid off after the holiday season has ended, if it's worked carefully and you show flexibility you will probably be able to keep your cleaner when the new season starts up again the following April.

 

• During the season change, this is a good time to change cleaning contracts again because there’s experienced cleaners looking for work and cleaning companies have their pick of staff and are easily able to find staff for any new positions that need to be filled.

Next concerns how you approach the matter. There are basically two approaches to finding a cleaner, personally I would use a bit of both.

1. The Personal Approach:

• Speak to your local estate agents these guys have their finger on the pulse regarding local cleaning companies and the cleaners who they contract out themselves. Estate Agents have multiple cleaning companies they call on for both small and large jobs. These cleaners are more likely to be flexible as they have to be for the agents.

 

• Speak to your friends, family, work colleagues, other small businesses, you will be surprised how many actually use domestic/cleaning services, if not they may know someone who does and where the hidden gems lie.

 

• There's nothing that tops a sincere personal recommendation, once you have that personal recommendation, do ask questions and probe for more information to see if they meet your cleaning requirements..

 

• For micro or small businesses ask your local businesses as they usually have strong recommendations either way on their current cleaners.

Personally I think it's  better to employ locally or as close as you get get as this brings down the cost of cleaning. This is due to travel cost as your smaller cleaning services would have to add fuel and time to travel on to quote if they live further away..

• Network events are also a great source of info, even if it just something as mundane as finding out what cleaning services other networkers use and whether they are any good, drop it into the conversation you will be surprised the info you can get.

2. The Remote Method.

• The usual methods apply, look-up ‘Cleaner Falmouth’ for example and plough through all the cleaning companies.

 

• If there is one that catches your eye and you cannot get through on the phone, make sure you drop a text/email. Why? Because cleaning services in high demand are busy but are totally worth the extra effort, and are more likely to get back to you and quote.

 

• Gumtree is great for individual cleaners and the smaller cleaning businesses, though be warned it can be hit and miss.

 

• Facebook - Lone cleaners and smaller businesses may not have their own website but showcase their services here.

 

• Instagram is a great way to find cleaners as they post their work and you can get a feel for their business pictorially and the type of work they do.

 

• Lastly there are ‘find a service’ web sites where the businesses pay for leads, its handy as a consumer to be able to get lots of quotes, but as I’m sure you are aware cheaper is not always best, so do you research and ask the proper questions..

Who to approach?
There are two main routes you can go down, the Self Employed cleaner or a Cleaning Company.

What a dilemma, there are pros and cons to both. I know which one I would go for, but I’m definitely biased so my lips are sealed.

Self Employed Cleaner
Pro’s

• On the whole usually local in your immediate area
• Dealing with one person
• Easy to contact
• Hourly rate on the whole a lot cheaper as less overheads
• Personal relationship direct, no red tape.

Con’s

•  No holiday/sickness cover
• Health and Safety not as rigorous
• Having to deal with negative issues directly with cleaner
• Hit and miss with standard of cleaning

Cleaning Company
Pro’s
     - Cleaner trained and sourced for you

• Holiday and Sickness cover
• Cleaner on probationary period (so if does not suit you can ask for someone else)
• If you are not quite happy, any issues dealt with by the cleaning company and put right.
• Generic high standard of cleaning and product use.
• Better Insurance cover

Con’s

•  Cleaning rate is usually much higher due to overheads e.g, training, uniform,holiday pay, health and safety etc, especially if VAT registered.
• Some (not all) of the bigger companies are impersonal and may send out a different cleaner each week so standard may fluctuate.

Questions to ask your quoting cleaner.

• Do you have insurance?  Cleaning services under 5 staff should have at least Public Liability Insurance.
• Do you charge by the job or an hourly rate?
• What is the job/hourly rate?
• Are cleaning supplies/equipment  included, this can make a difference of a £1 an  hourly on hourly rate.
• Is it a pick up and drop service as and when required or does it have to be contracted. What flexibility is there?
• Do you cover holiday and sickness if required?
• Are you prepared to do a work trial? This is to see if they are a good fit or get the right member of staff.

Most cleaning services will probably want to meet up to see the site first, which would be a good time to size each other up and see if you can actually do business together.

I wish you well in finding your perfect cleaning service!

The key is, once you have your cleaning service, is communication from the outset and stating clearly from the beginning your requirements written down if possible .

I cannot stress enough if you are unhappy and it’s not quite right get it out there and speak up!

We don’t bite - much.

Passmore Cleaning

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1. WHAT IS CAUSING THE MOULD?

First of all, you need to determine the root of your damp and mould, our climate is one cause, however other factors such as plumbing leaks, lack of ventilation and simply cooking and drying clothes can be major contributors. See more causes here and here.

2. DRY OUT THE DAMP/MOULDED AREA.

There is little point starting treatment until the area affected is dry, as mould cannot develop if there is no moisture. An option for this is using a dehumidifier, however, be sure that all windows and doors are closed as you will be simply be attempting to dry the air outside… and that’s never going to happen. The opposite option is open the windows during warm weather (rare, but it does happen). We can’t stress enough that ventilation is very important for a damp free home. It seems contradictory to open all the windows to keep out mould but ventilation prevents condensation and moisture building up on walls and ceilings.

1.  First, you need your dirty oven! Take out the racks and place them to one side. ​
​EF - Mix your Bicarbonate of Soda (3 parts) and warm water (1 part).
​3 parts to 1 to form a thick paste.

2. Glove up and protect your eyes! This is important as chemical oven cleaner is harmful and corrosive on the skin, using a paintbrush can cause flicks. Safety first!

3. ​Next, unhook the seal on the bottom oven which are secured at each corner and set aside. (Simply give a wipe if it's dirty).

4. Starting on the hob, take your oven cleaner or Bicarbonate of Soda paste and spread a thin even layer onto the surface using your clean paint brush, paint away from you to avoid and rogue flicks.

5. After this is done gently place a black bin liner or greaseproof paper over the top and leave. This is done to ensure the solution doesn't dry out over night.

6. Take off both side racks of the oven by unclipping them and set aside. Please note DO NOT put any solution on the self cleaning plates to the side or back of the oven (shown in photo).

 7. Repeat the process of applying the oven cleaner or bicarbonate of soda to the inside of your oven (bottom and top) including the inside of the doors (again brushing away from you). The beauty of using a paintbrush means you get into every nook and cranny. Again, cover with all surfaces with a black bin liner or greaseproof paper. Gently press against the surface to that it sticks. Leave it do it's magic.

8. For those using the chemical process, repeat painting on the solution to the racks and leave covered with a bin liner/greaseproof paper. We recommend leaving the oven, racks and hobs for the night.  Those using the EF process please see next step.

10. Almost finished! Once left, when you come back to the oven the rest is easy. Remove the bin liners and wipe away the dirt with a cloth! For the EF process remove the greaseproof paper and spray the solution with white vinegar before wiping away the dirt.

11. Do the same with the racks, we recommend using the sink for ease and the wire scrunchie if needed. For the EF method, remove the racks from the bath and do the same.

12. Once you've replaced all the oven components, your oven should be looking as good as new. We recommend putting tinfoil or a washable oven matt at the bottom to catch any runaway burnt cheese, or whatever you enjoy eating!

From Passmore Cleaning.

 Role: Bank Cleaner

Pay: Competitive 
​
Responsibilities:
Cover Staff Sickness
Cover Staff Holiday
Be on Call for Impromptu Cleans
(i.e. end of tenancies, one off cleans, deep cleans, holiday lets etc.)

Requirements:
Flexibility
Reliability
Trustworthy
Cleaning Experience
Able to work on site solo or within a team
Confident Disposition (very important)
Friendly and Approachable
Understand and appreciate the core values of Passmore Cleaning 
 
Desired:
Own car and full driving licence 

There are several positions available for Bank Cleaners at Passmore Cleaning in Falmouth and Penryn Area.
Our company is steadily growing and we need flexible, reliable and experienced cleaners to be on call for our impromptu cleaning jobs and to cover sickness and holiday. We are looking for confident and friendly people to join our team who we can call up and, depending on availability, be able to work on our non-contractual, one-off cleaning jobs.
 
To apply, please ring Sharon Passmore on 07715 284451 AND send an email to sharonpassmore@passmorecleaning.co.uk with your interest, experience and availability. Please note only applicants who do both of these will be considered for the role.
 
Happy applying and looking forward to hearing from you!
 
Passmore Cleaning

We are so proud of our Passmore Cleaning Team. Their hardworking ethos and winning flexibility have helped smooth the (sometimes scary) rapid business growth. They have all been supportive and are part of Passmore Cleaning for a breadth of different reasons so here’s a few perks of being a cleaner!
 
1. There will always be work.
 
Cleaning is like pi – it never ends. This, from our perspective, is a good thing. You can work 2 hrs a week or 20 hrs a week; it’s completely up to you! Big or small, there will always be someone in need of a cleaner, from estate agents, to offices to new builds and domestics.
 
2. Its Good… No Great, Exercise.
 
Let’s get physical, physical. If anyone tells you cleaning is an easy job, tell him or her to walk on the spot for three hours, bend up and down (at the knees) and push or carry a hoover. Cleaning is a workout, not to mention all the stairs!
 
3. You are an Advisor
 
Be it how to manage the efficient cleaning of a holiday let to ensuring people get their housing deposits back. It’s surprising the amount of knowledge you can pass on to clients and share tips and tricks of the trade to make people’s everyday lives a little cleaner. A student may have all the technology at their fingertips but showing them how to master a cloth will help them for the rest of their life!
 
4. Job Satisfaction and Recognition
 
So you have just sweated several buckets to make your cleaning project sparkle. The client walks in and can’t believe their eyes! Lets be honest, what you have done is impressive but to see the client so satisfied and happy really makes the job worthwhile.
 
5. You’ve Got The Confidence
 
It’s no secret that Cleaner’s have some sort of stigma in society. Thankfully the majority of people are appreciative and grateful, however when you do come across a bad apple, you know to smile and dismiss their judgement, beacuse you know how many Yorkie’s they ate at lunch.  
 
There we have it, five perks of being a cleaner, hope you enjoyed the read!
 
Passmore Cleaning

I​Welcome to Passmore Cleaning’s 2018 blog!
 
This first post is dedicated to our start-up story and how a very determined Mum of four built Passmore Cleaning from the ground up last year and now employs ten staff and counting. All with a bucket, some elbow grease and an electric bike!
 
Lets rewind back to March 2017 when everything kicked off.
 
After a few hardworking months of being both self-employed and employed Sharon Passmore (founder) decided to take the leap of starting her own business and with all guns blazing, waved goodbye to hired life
 
But the decision wasn’t one you’d normally hear in a start-up tale. Sharon started the business as a knee-jerk reaction to get out of the single-parent income prison of the government’s tax credit system and to blow a raspberry in the face of it.
 
Also, working on minimum wage and supporting an entire household with four scallywags on your own is bloody difficult and Sharon had enough.
 
In true family spirit, when Sharon told her children that she intended to start a business, everyone was excited chipped in. They all supported each other and contributed to allow Passmore Cleaning to be born!
 
In March, the website and brand (created by her daughter) went live and fingers were crossed for the work to come in. Within the first week, the phone was ringing! This was followed by an email from Falmouth Town Council itself to put a quote in for the Municipal Building on Falmouth Moor! After winning the quote, Passmore Cleaning grew from strength to strength to become the busy, ethical and hardworking company it is today.
 
From this, Sharon is dedicated to paying her staff above minimum wage and delivering a reliable and friendly cleaning service to all her clients.
 
So now you know!
 
Happy New Year, thank you for reading and we will be back next week!
 
Passmore Cleaning