 Your employees are the backbone of your organisation and making sure your workspace is clean is a great place to start to keeping your staff happy, even if they don’t realise it! Did you know the cleanliness of a work environment has a direct effect on your employees’ mood, productivity, and attendance? Yes, and what’s more, all these things do have an effect on your business. So let us explain. Increased Employee Productivity From bad air quality to how the human brain seeks out distractions, cleaning leading to productivity seems like a tenuous link at first, but there are many studies and research to prove that a clean space is a productive one. We all know that people don’t always keep on top of their desks and the office in general (think of the kitchen). From Monday’s lunch crumbs to the multiple coffee rings that help kickstart their workday. If your employee's workspace is unclean, messy or cluttered, studies show they are more likely to feel fatigued and depressed. Research also suggests an untidy desk can make it hard to focus on particular tasks and achieve goals during the workday. That harmless coffee stain is a distraction, as are those plates and dishes piling up on the draining board, not to mention the bin overflowing with Tesco meal deals. This, in turn, leads to stress, which isn’t great for getting work done effectively. A top tip: If you have a clean, organised office, then your staff won't waste time searching for the odds and ends they need throughout the day. Hence, keep a clean, tidy, organised office and keep up staff productivity. This is music to most employer's ears!  Something is in the Air Also, believe it or not, air quality is very important. Indoor spaces, if not ventilated and aired out regularly can become stagnant and polluted. It is believed that dirty, unhealthy indoor air diminishes human cognitive function. So next time you walk into the office and it smells stuffy, open a window and let the room breathe. If you want a team of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, productive employees, help them breathe cleaner air. A regularly performed, deep, professional cleaning will leave your office air fresh, work environments uncluttered, organized and clean. Reduced Spread of Disease – Fewer Sick Days Imagine, you are in an office and one person is slightly ill. They’ve touched the copy machine, the kettle, made you a cuppa and have been handing you paperwork all day. Shared spaces are prone to the spread of germs and bacteria, especially in winter months when we button up all our commercial buildings tight. This reduction of airflow combined with the arrival of flu season means your office becomes the ideal place for unpleasantries to grow. This causes a dramatic jump in sick days. Moreover, your employees could pass sickness to their family which could mean more time off is needed, especially with children involved.  The following office conditions suggest a regular clean might be needed:
We know that it’s not easy to control employee behaviour. However, you can make sure the workspace is clean. Frequent cleaning and keeping on top of sanitising commonly touched or handled surfaces in the office are great ways to keep your employees healthy and reduce sick days. Mood Booster How amazing does it feel when your own home is clean and fresh? It’s the same when you walk into an office. After all, your employees might spend 8 hours or more in the same workspace. When that space gets dusty, cluttered and dirty, you often don’t notice it building up when it’s clean, you can guarantee everyone will feel better and happier for it! All these points do make for a better work environment and helping employees do the best they can in their job. Also, you benefit from it as well because your office will get the care and attention it deserves too!
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Looking for a commercial cleaning company in Cornwall? You are probably one of over 20,000 VAT/PAYE registered businesses in The Duchy that could benefit from a professional cleaning company. Should your business hire a professional company to organise, manage and take care of the cleanliness in your commercial building? The short answer is yes, it will benefit your employees and general business in both the short and long term. Want to know how? See the longer answer below.  Commercial Cleaning Benefits Your Business
1. Cost-Effective Ah, those sweet sweet words. It’s true, hiring a commercial cleaning can significantly affect your bottom line:
You will be a valued client. Meaning you will be looked after. Rather than having to monitor your own cleaning staff, you are paying for a cleaning company that will look after your business. This is a service that comes with advice, flexibility and accommodates your changing needs easily.
One less aspect of your business to manage. People management takes time, as does keeping on top insurances, training staff, and not to mention health and safety.
Different chemicals, different coloured clothes, and the right equipment. Having staff who are trained in health and safety on-site means you reduce the risk of any slips, trips, and falls.
The most obvious, but important point. First, second and every impression after one of your customers has when being in your office, restaurant, cafe matters. People seem to have this 6th sense when it comes to how clean a place is.
You are an expert in your field as are cleaners. With specialised training, efficiency and an entire arsenal of cleaning tips and advice, hiring a commercial cleaning company will know how to get your building shipshape.
Let’s all be honest, cleaning isn’t something business owners want to think about or worry about. A professional cleaning contract ensures peace of mind and ultimately has both and short term cost savings, especially in time. If you are looking for a professional, commercial cleaning company in Cornwall, give Passmore Cleaning a bell or email us and we can discuss what your business needs. It is no secret that holiday let cleaning in Cornwall is a booming business all year round.Whether its through Airbnb, a local letting agency or you manage your own property in Cornwall, knowing this list of commonly missed cleaning spots will help you keep on top of the Cornish holiday let game. From luxury coastal properties to boutique flats in the heart of town, letting out your property allows people across the country to enjoy the Duchy in every season.  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. General Missed Cleaning Spots in Every Room
 Cleaning the Living Room
 Cleaning the Bathrooms
 Cleaning the Hallways
Cleaning the Bedrooms
 Cleaning the Kitchen
 This list is not exhaustive! We just hope it helps a little. Equipment Image Credit: Numatic.co.uk 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.  Okay, so we know ‘cleaning’ in a shared student house can cause a few arguments. Even worse, passive-aggressive post-it notes stuck… everywhere. We’ve put together a simple checklist to keep on top of your student household cleaning, and most importantly to make it easy. This isn’t a full clean checklist, just little things that everyone can to do to make life cleaner and easier. It’s cliched, but ‘many hands make light work’. If each person in the house chooses one day a week each and dedicate one hour to cleaning, it will make a hell of a difference. Perhaps even a cleaning rota, although, this only works for a few. At the end of the day, the communal areas get used by everyone, so it’s fair everyone contributes. If you want to leave your own room in a tip, that’s okay. But do pull your weight within the other areas it will make for happier relations. Firstly, what cleaning stuff will you need?
A list of jobs to get into the habit of doing on a regular basis – it works!
 If you need any more advice please don't hesitate to contact Passmore Cleaning. We have more than enough experience cleaning student-lets and rentals and student end of tenancies. Give us a bell if you want more information. In the meantime, good luck and happy cleaning!
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.
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:
2. The Remote Method.
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
Con’s
Cleaning Company Pro’s - Cleaner trained and sourced for you
Con’s
Questions to ask your quoting cleaner.
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 One of the most frequently asked questions we get is ‘how do I get rid of mould’ and ‘how do I stop it from coming back?’ Living in Cornwall, most of us cannot live without coming into contact with mould as air from the southwest causes a moist environment. Excess water is one of the main causes of damp and mould, meaning the pesky spores will always try to infiltrate our homes. Be it in the corners of your shower cubicle or behind furniture in damp parts of your rooms, mould is part and parcel of our Cornish lifestyle and we can only manage the problem. We deal with this on a daily basis and want to share ‘how to get rid of mould’ and ‘how to stop it coming back’ Passmore Cleaning style.  - Here's one we cleaned earlier -  Damp Trap 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.  3. CLEANING THE DAMP/MOULDED AREA We recommend wearing a mask and gloves for this part and making sure the rooms are well ventilated with any windows open and all children, pets are out of harms reach. Now, all you need to do is spray the affected area with mould remover, we find Dettol Mould & Mildew to be the most effective, but use your own favourite. And most importantly… leave it. Do not wipe it. Simply spraying the mould will kill the spores. Repeat step 2 and 3 if necessary. 4. STOP THE MOULD COMING BACK So now you’ve got rid of the mould how do you keep it from coming back? Well, ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Especially when doing everyday tasks such as drying clothes and cooking. On top of this, just keeping your home dry and remembering mould feeds off moisture. The key is regular treatment of mould areas; if you see even a little creeping in then give the beggars a zap with the mould spray and remember… leave it to work it’s magic. So there you have it, a very simple way to combat Cornish mould. Another tip for the winter is to invest in a dehumidifier or dehumidifier traps as they absorb three times their weight in water and prevent mould spores feeding off moisture in your home. Dealing with mould and acting on prevention not only has health benefits but financial as well. Especially when living in rented accommodation, it is more cost effective to keep on top of the mould, as when you leave, you will get your all your deposit back and won’t be charged to get rid of it. Any more questions feel free to contact us and we will get back to you in a jiffy.  Follow us on Facebook! Yeah, that’s right, it’s that time of year to turn up the tunes and get to those neglected dusty cobwebs behind your sofa… you know they are there. The Beast from the East did a grand job of delaying our Spring Cleaning but hibernation time is over and it's time to queue the music and clean, dance and sing like no-one is watching. We’ve offered a little helping hand with a variety of ‘Music to Clean to’ playlists over on our Passmore Cleaning Spotify account. There is Indie, Pop and Brit Rock, even an Angry and Melancholy (sad) list if cleaning makes you feel that way! Apparently, you can cut your cleaning time down by half just by whacking up the tunes. Although theoretical, there is a positive correlation between music and productivity especially with up tempo music. Music releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine that is linked to feeling motivated. Also, simply listening to music activates most areas of the brain including the parts that make your limbs move. The more beats per minute the more motivated you feel and jiggle to the beat. I personally like cleaning to rap (Eminem, Yelawolf) though on occasion my ultimate guilty pleasure is cleaning to Bollywood dance tracks.  Apparently, you can cut your cleaning time down by half just by whacking up the tunes. Although theoretical, there is a positive correlation between music and productivity especially with up tempo music. Music releases a chemical in the brain called dopamine that is linked to feeling motivated. Also, simply listening to music activates most areas of the brain including the parts that make your limbs move. The more beats per minute the more motivated you feel and jiggle to the beat. I personally like cleaning to rap (Eminem, Yelawolf) though on occasion my ultimate guilty pleasure is cleaning to Bollywood dance tracks. Go over to Spotify and give us a follow, our playlists are a work in progress so if you have any suggestions, keep them rolling in. Below is our Pop playlist along with a link to Spotify. Happy cleaning and dancing! Spotify - Music to Clean to Pop! Music to Clean to (Pop)
Urgh. Oven Cleaning. We know everyone puts off cleaning their oven at some point. So we've put together a quick and easy way for you to deal with this task.
Welcome to our tutorial on how to get your oven grime free and looking beautiful on the inside. Cleaning an oven seems like a mammoth task and is one we all put off! However, regularly maintaining and looking after the appliance that feeds you daily means less chance of a break down and keeps it running at tip-top efficiency. ***We've included an environmentally friendly product list, the method slightly different but we will guide you through it. What you will need:
Ready? Let's get started!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!
 You've done it! Now go grab yourself a cup of tea, glass of wine or beer. Oven Clean Level Complete.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 |
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