Cleaning Tips

Know the pH of Your Product

Did you pay attention in your chemistry class? You probably never thought chemistry could help you choose the best cleaning supplies for the job.

The pH scale is used to determine how acidic or alkaline different solutions are. The scale goes from 0 to 14. Right in the middle is 7, considered to be neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic. But anything above 7 is considered alkaline. Dish soap comes closest to being a neutral cleaner.

Why does this matter? Alkaline solutions are better at cutting through dirt, grease, proteins, oils, and other organic items. Acids are better for removing calcium, rust, and other minerals. Knowing the pH can come in very handy.

What Kind of Chemicals do Office Cleaners Use?

Chemicals need to be specific to the environment they are being used in. For example, ceramic floors would need a different cleaner than a vinyl floor with a polymer finish on it. Without getting too technical here is what the line up looks like:

Windows: non-ammonia based glass cleaner (not Windex!)
Hard surface desks, walls, table tops: neutral pH cleaner
Ceramic floors: neutral pH to alkaline de-greaser – based on soiling patterns
Vinyl floors & marmoleum: neutral pH cleaner
Carpet: spot cleaner
Washrooms: acid based bowl cleaner, commercial grade cream cleanser, hospital grade disinfectant
There are a number of other “specialty” products available (ie stainless steel cleaner) that may be used depending on what your office is comprised of.

What you shouldn’t be seeing is household chemicals in your office such as Windex with ammonia, Mr. Clean, Vim etc. these are fine for home use (except for the ammonia) but are not what a commercial grade service provider would use for your office.

Toilet Paper

Do the math to make sure you are getting a good deal. Pillowing is a tactic used to make the roll "look bigger" when it is not. Sheet size is another tactic - check out the size of each sheet. A few centimeters shaved by the paper companies can add up to consumers paying a lot more.

Cleaning Glitter

If you like to keep things tidy, glitter is probably your worst nightmare. The good news is that there is actually a solution to your problem!

If you have glitter around, you probably have Play-Doh. Just use a ball of Play-Doh to pick up all those little glitter pieces! (If you don’t have Play-Doh, just use something sticky like tape!)

Cleaning Organization

Pegboards aren't just for hanging tools in the garage. Use this super functional surface to turn wasted wall space into storage for cleaning supplies and tools.

Use a shoe holder to hang your cleaning supplies on the back of a door. This keeps them away from little ones and gets them out of the way. Genius!

Spring Cleaning

Deep-Space Kitchen Storage
If you'd rather not experience a domino-like toppling of all your cleaning bottles when you reach into a cabinet to fish out the one you need, a Lazy Susan is your solution. Use the device in a multitude of cabinets, including under the sink to house all the cleaning supplies.

Room-Ready Cleaning Caddies
For less rummaging, organize the products you need for each room in labeled bins and keep them on an easy-to-reach shelf in the laundry room. Chalkboard-style labels are cute and functional, so come cleaning day, all you have to do is grab one and go!

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