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Outdoor Cleaning Tips for Nigerians: Keeping Your Spaces Pristine

Keeping our outdoor spaces clean and well-maintained is essential for creating a pleasant and healthy environment. In Nigeria, where the climate can be challenging, it’s even more crucial to adopt effective cleaning practices. Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or a patio, this blog post will provide you with valuable outdoor cleaning tips specifically tailored for Nigerians.

 

Regular Sweeping and Raking

Start by sweeping or raking your outdoor spaces regularly. This simple task helps to remove litter, dead leaves, and debris. By doing so, you prevent the accumulation of dirt and maintain a clean and tidy area. Invest in a sturdy broom or rake designed for outdoor use to make the task more efficient.

 

Clearing Drains and Gutters

Nigeria experiences heavy rainfall, especially during the rainy season. To prevent waterlogging and potential damage, it’s crucial to keep drains and gutters clear of debris. Regularly inspect and clean them to ensure proper water flow and prevent blockages. This will help to avoid water stagnation and potential flooding around your property.

 

Pressure Washing

To remove stubborn dirt, grime, and mold from surfaces like driveways, patios, or fences, consider using a pressure washer. This powerful tool blasts away dirt and leaves your outdoor surfaces looking fresh and clean. However, be cautious not to damage delicate surfaces or plants, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a pressure washer.

 

Weed Control

Weeds can quickly take over your outdoor spaces if left unattended. Regularly inspect your garden or lawn for weeds and remove them promptly. Pull them out by hand or use a weeding tool. Additionally, consider using mulch or ground cover to suppress weed growth and maintain the appearance of your outdoor spaces.

 

Patio Furniture Maintenance

Outdoor furniture can accumulate dirt, dust, and bird droppings. Regularly clean your patio furniture using mild soap or detergent and water. Wipe down all surfaces, including cushions, and pay attention to hidden corners and crevices. For wooden furniture, consider applying a protective finish or sealant to prolong its lifespan and protect it from the elements.

 

Pruning and Trimming

Maintaining the greenery in your outdoor spaces is crucial for a neat and tidy appearance. Regularly prune and trim your plants, hedges, and trees to prevent overgrowth and maintain their health. This practice also improves air circulation and allows sunlight to reach all areas of your garden, promoting plant growth and vitality.

 

Trash Disposal

Proper waste management is crucial for keeping your outdoor spaces clean and avoiding the spread of diseases. Always dispose of your trash in designated bins or bags and ensure they are securely tied. If you have a garden, consider composting organic waste to create nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

 

Action points

Keeping your outdoor spaces clean and well-maintained not only enhances the aesthetics of your property but also contributes to a healthier and more enjoyable living environment. By following these outdoor cleaning tips specifically tailored for Nigerians, you can ensure that your outdoor areas remain pristine throughout the year. Remember, regular maintenance and a little effort go a long way in creating a beautiful outdoor oasis for you, your family, and your guests to enjoy.

4 Window Cleaning Hacks

As pollution and grime collect on your windows, inside and outside, over time, they obstruct your views and block natural light. What could be worse? An improperly cleaned surface leaves thick streaks.

4 Window Cleaning Hacks

Keeping your glass streak-free is easy if you use the right products and techniques for window cleaning.

1. Window cleaning is NOT best done on a sunny day.

In the previous article, we discussed how cleaning your windows in the sun can leave streaks. The shady side of the house should be cleaned first if you need to clean.

2. Don’t spray cleaner on top of dirt and dust.

Before you begin, sweep or vacuum dirt from the frame of your windows with a brush. Why? When dirt is mixed with a cleaner, it will not turn into a muddy mess. Put a soft brush and hot, foamy water on your window screen if it looks like dirt is ingrained on the glass surface, then rinse and let dry before replacing it.

We recommend using a microfiber duster (Not a thick or heavy towel) on both sides of shades and blinds, or opening the slats (in Venetian window blinds) and wiping each one with a damp cloth followed by a dry one.

3. Don’t use low-quality window cleaners

Use as much spray as you need, especially if your windows are extra dirty. This is because to completely wipe away dirt, you need enough cleaner to dissolve and suspend it. If you don’t do this you’ll see streaks.

Visit your supermarket to get a good window cleaner, but, for a homemade glass cleaner. You will be needing, 2 cups of Water, ½ cup of Cider Vinegar, and 70% Alcohol concentration. 

 Mix these ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle. Caution keep out of reach of children, asides from keeping this mixture from children or pets, label the bottle so everyone can know what’s in the bottle, it’s a standard procedure for safety!

4. If you want to dry your windows, don’t use an old cotton rag.

Microfiber cloths are the best for drying surfaces. Microfiber cloths are better than weak paper towels for drying panes.

A wet microfiber cloth dries quicker than a cotton cloth, allowing bacteria less time to grow. Also, stainless steel and glass can be cleaned easily with microfiber because it leaves no streak behind.

Action Point

Window cleaning is not your everyday cleaning task, most time we get to clean them once, twice, and at most thrice a year. Today’s article points to the fact that if windows are to be cleaned they should be thoroughly cleaned.

The four hacks here should help you get the best cleaning for your windows.

Here are 4 Tips to Keep Your Reception Area Tidy

Even so, it’s hard not to judge a business by its reception area, just as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Visitor’s first impression may be of the reception area of your business. You can be sure that they will form an opinion about your company based on what’s in front of them while they’re waiting. There are many oversights that could mess up the start of your next meeting, including soiled floor and cluttered counters.

Here are 4 Tips to Keep Your Reception Area Tidy

Making a memorable first impression on prospective customers and employees begins with an inviting reception area. Our office cleaning experts have come up with four office cleaning tips you can use to keep your reception area in good shape.

  1. Clear the space

Visitors will not feel comfortable in a cluttered, crowded reception area. A cramped workspace will indicate a disorganized company, which may be reflected negatively in your business. There are some steps you can take to make your reception feel larger even if small and medium sized businesses don’t have the budget for a large, elegant waiting area:

  • Make sure that your reception area does not double as a storage area for files, stationery and other equipment. Find an alternative storage area or hidden solution to this dilemma.
  • You shouldn’t saturate your reception with magazines – While a few business-appropriate magazines show your company is on top of things (and are diverting), take care not to overstuff your reception with publications. Keep your collection small and regularly updated.
  • Don’t put up a reception desk – If your area is too small for a desk, consider having a mounted tablet where guests can sign in.

Reduce the amount of furniture in your reception area. In order to maximize your reception space, downsize reception furniture to a few sleek, simple chairs so that guests won’t have to wait long for their appointments.

  1. Get rid of stale smells

In an open-plan office environment, workplace smells, like coffee, snacks and lunches packed in food flasks and plastic containers, are unavoidable. Smells can have a substantial impact on a visitor’s first impression of a business, so reduce them as much as possible in your reception area. To keep your reception area smelling pleasant, avoid consuming food in the reception area and nearby areas, and consider using an air freshener. This entrance space might benefit from a few simple transparent glass covering that will provide more privacy for your employees.

  1. Floors are the focus

It is likely that employees will pass through the reception area on their way to and from their desks. Hoovering, sweeping, or mopping may be necessary more frequently in your reception area. To prevent mud and debris from damaging your reception area, make sure you install a bootscraper and an effective doormat. Also, consider more frequent floor cleaning of this area.

  1. Providing amenities

It is essential to have a small waste bin and a small recycling bin at the reception desk. Visitors can discard rubbish conveniently by using these amenities, which prevents waste from being left behind. You might also consider installing a water dispenser in your waiting area to enhance comfort.

Action Point

Maintain a regular cleaning schedule that pays special attention to your reception area. We have been providing outstanding office cleaning services across Nigeria for over 20 years. You can reach us at 0803 620 8815 to learn more about our services.

Discover why your office smells, and how you can fix it

It’s a bit of a joke that our sense of smell exists. People usually think about this sense only when something stinks, which is why it is most people’s least favourite. Humans didn’t develop olfactory senses to compete with animals – their noses aren’t even close to as good as a dog’s (although dogs receive all the credit for their strong sense of smell, they’re completely outdone by bears, sharks, and elephants).

For all of its relative weaknesses, our sense of smell is far from useless. Our sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses we have.

We have relied on smell throughout history to help us survive – by quietly telling us when it’s safe to eat, when danger is present, and by helping us recognize familiar surroundings.

We associate smells with emotions and memories – such as how the scent of disinfectant can transport you back to the first day of school, or the memory of a hospital corridor. Similarly, the smell of freshly cut grass can evoke an old memory that has long remained buried in the back of one’s mind.

Discover why your office smells, and how you can fix it

Your home and office both have a distinct smell. As we become accustomed to those smells, usually we become blind to them. On the other hand, we notice smells when they are unpleasant.

It’s usually pretty easy to figure out what smells at home:

  • Overflowing refuse bins
  • Animals (and people!)
  • The toilets

Often, the same is true in the office as well. In many cases, however, tracing the origins of office smells can be difficult. With this article, let’s check out the sources of the smell in your office and see if we can make a difference.

 

  1. Food

Is there fish in the microwave? How about abandoned lunches left in the fridge for months? What about a forgotten sandwich in a desk drawer? Those are all familiar experiences in the workplace – and can sometimes cause a little controversy!

The majority of employees admit that they usually eat at their desk (31%) as well. This is the recipe for a keyboard, desk, office chair, and phone-crushing nightmare. Warming up lunch is also a whole smell-producing ordeal (usually only cured by opening the windows).

It is possible for sticky foods eaten at desks to penetrate woodwork or fabric, leaving long-lasting odors. We recommend eating in a canteen or break room rather than eating at your desk during lunch. If you’re prone to spills and if you’re prone to smelling, vinegar is a great way to clean up.

 

With regard to forgotten sandwiches and left-over groceries, it is crucial to encourage good cleaning practices and get everyone on board with tossing out old food. After all, it could make people ill or trigger allergies, so when it comes to food, office cleaning must be taken seriously.

  1. Water sinks

Kitchen sinks get absolutely everything thrown at them at the office. There are probably a lot of things left in the sink, so it’s not surprising that they can smell bad. Food, teabags, packaging, we’ve seen it all!

The office sinks that are clogged and slow to run are almost always the source of office odors as well. Cleaning out dishes, food, and debris out of your office sink as soon as possible is your best bet to prevent an office sink smell. You can, however, try this if you’ve passed the point of no return and your office kitchen sink is dripping:

  • Fill a kettle with boiling water and pour it down the drain.
  • Add about 50g of bicarbonate of soda and let it work for a few minutes.
  • Take 250ml of vinegar and 250ml of hot water and mix them together. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
  • Flush the sink thoroughly with water.
  • Your sink should be freshened up and speeded up by this!

  1. Rugs or Carpets

Once you’ve sifted through everything and found nothing, try aiming your nose downwards – below your feet!

Office carpets are often the most difficult to pinpoint when it comes to office smells. Nevertheless, years of mucky feet, walking in mud, and forgotten spills add up to a pretty bad smell In wet weather and with increased foot traffic, a musty, mouldy smell may arise.

There is probably no way your office vacuum cleaner will be able to get rid of that – but you can try treating the carpet with bicarbonate of soda Testing baking soda on a small patch of carpet first is a good idea since it is a mild alkaline.

Baked soda absorbs oil and dirt, which helps remove even stubborn stains and odors more effectively. Pour baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for as long as possible.

After that, simply vacuum everything up.

Action Points

Baking soda can sometimes fail to reach the mark, and carpets may still produce unwanted office odors. Use our office carpet cleaning service for restoring carpets and getting rid of lingering odors. We use powerful, professional grade equipment to clean your office carpets.

 

Keeping your office clean with a keen nose for details is our specialty at Kleenrite Cleaning Services. Contact us at 0803 620 8815 today and discover how we can make office cleaning as hassle-free and as minimal as possible for you.