Clean Office Means Higher Productivity

My calculator, I’m sure I had it here somewhere. Where did I put the Penske file? Has anybody taken my USB stick? That Productivity Report was here on my desk last night, I’m sure it was, underneath all this mess, wasn’t it?

Seems to me if you or your staff can relate to the above then time is being wasted, productivity is being stifled, tensions are raised and money is lost. Hardly a work environment that management would advocate.

Business is always looking for ways to improve productivity, because let’s face it, the more productive the workforce the more effective and profitable that workplace will become. The basics are often overlooked and a clean working environment can achieve more productive minds enabling them to concentrate on the most important task at hand. So let me suggest some pointers likely to bring about a more highly productive office.

Let us start by setting aside time in your work day to start afresh. Depending on how messy and disorganised the workplace is will determine the length of time it will take. Let’s not be half hearted about this, when bad habits need changing it is best done by starting with a clean slate.

Strip bare your desktop and drawers. Have a rubbish bin nearby to dispose of any unessential items. Many people have a propensity to accumulate large quantities of unusable items that can only be described as ‘stuff’. Fearing the what if, they find it difficult to dispose of such items. Get tough on yourself, if it is unlikely it will be used then out it goes. File away all documents and files.

Personalising the workspace is common practice amongst workers however this often becomes excessive. Having an oversupply of photo frames, colections of stuffed toys and other inanimate objects often adorn a desk leading to not only a cluttered environment but can also be intrusive on others. Keep personal objects at a minimum.

Once all clutter is removed it’s time to give your desk a thorough clean, inside and out. It will probably be some time since many areas have seen the light of day so get yourself a rag and disinfectant and with some elbow grease clean every inch. Don’t forget the drawers.

Make sure your PC is clean. A microfiber cloth comes in handy here. Used in conjunction with a window cleaner can bring it up like brand new. Note that you lightly spray the cloth, don’t spray directly onto the screen.

Sigh… That’s it, deep breath. You’re well on your way to a cleaner, neater work environment.

Design and implement how your desk will best suit your working needs. These days we often require items such as iPads and iPhones. Arrange these chargers for easy access on your desk, preferably with a holder that stores them upright. A cordless keyboard and a cordless mouse are a big advantage. Whilst on designing, make sure you get yourself an ergonomic chair and you also have the proper lighting in place.

Get yourself a desktop organiser to store the necessary items used on a frequent basis. For the not so frequently used but necessary items, an organiser in the draw is the perfect place for them. An IN and OUT tray will help keep you organised throughout the day.

Refrain from replacing clutter, the hard work has been done, don’t ruin that by returning unnecessary items. Develop a routine of tidying your desk, one suggestion is at the end of each work day file all documents you have finished working on so the next day you start with a clean slate.

So there you go, job done. A clean working environment to encourage a productive mind. Now, back to work!

Commercial Cleaning Tips

No one should have to work in a pigsty and as you would expect, hiring a commercial cleaning company goes a long way in providing a clean and hygienic workplace. A team effort however is required to leave your office free of clutter and tidy till the next time your cleaners visit. The benefits can be enormous, not the least of which is increased productivity. Use the following helpful tips to set you on the right path.  

Encourage staff to keep their desks tidy. One way to do this is by avoiding a buildup of paperwork on the desk. Paperwork should be organised daily. When this is done at the end of the day it not only has the effect of allowing cleaners to clean desks more thoroughly but also provides a clean slate for your staff to begin the next business day.

‘A place for everything and everything in its place.’ Never a truer word said. Everything in the office should have a place to be stored and should be tidily returned there when not in use. This will inevitably lead to a reduction of clutter around the office.

In the interests of reducing dust and bacteria, provide staff with microfiber cloths and disinfectant wipes. Encourage them to keep their desks, phones, computer screens and keyboards clean. Make use of coasters for coffee cups and clean up any spillages.

Finally, disposing of drinks and food stuffs in the office bin leads to bad odours throughout the office. Use the appropriate rubbish bins for disposal.

Have your staff follow each of the above commercial cleaning tips to help ensure that your workplace is kept neat and tidy in between visits from your regular cleaners. It will also assist in providing an organised workplace where your employees can deliver the best quality of work.

Invest in a Professional Cleaning Service

Chances are if you’re looking at this site then either your current cleaners have let you down once too often or you are taking the leap from having your own staff clean your premises to delegating that task to a professional cleaning service.

With this in mind here a few reasons you should consider Hillson Cleaning as your cleaning service provider:

We believe in plain speaking, by that I mean no bull. It’s our job to not only clean your premises but keep it spotless… no excuses. It’s our endeavour to surpass all your expectations.

We understand that trust and reliability are essential ingredients in building a strong working relationship with our clients. At Hillson we will go to great lengths to earn that trust.

We have over 10 years’ experience in managing the cleaning needs of clients from a wide range of industries, from commercial office cleaning, to retail and hospitality cleaning. We’ve seen it all and we’ve got it covered, confident in the knowledge that we will satisfy our customers’ needs.

Phone Kev on 0438-401-459 for a friendly chat, where you can discuss your needs and organise a no obligation quote.

Don’t underestimate the importance of your business having a quality cleaning service. Give us a call today.

Microfibre Cleaning Cloths the Product of Choice

People in the commercial cleaning industry have their own secrets, shortcuts and techniques to enable them to clean their clients’ premises with a minimum of fuss and with maximum results. One product we like to employ when cleaning is the use of microfibre cleaning cloths.
What is a microfibre cloth? It is a cloth with a blend of 20% nylon/80% polyester that comes in a variety of weaves and textures for use on different cleaning purposes such as dusting, cleaning windows and mirrors, floors and computer screens.
Why use microfibre? One of the major benefits of the microfibre cloth is that it leaves no lint behind, unlike when using other type cloths or paper towels. It also allows for quick drying and leaves behind no tell-tale streaks.
The added advantage of the microfibre cloth is that it washes easily for reuse. With literally hundreds of times that it can be reused, this single product can last years making it extremely cost effective and efficient.What’s the best way to clean microfibre? Your microfibre cloth can be rinsed clean and wrung out as your using it. For best results launder it with detergent (never use fabric softener).

You can purchase microfibre cloths in packs, as I do. They come in a variety of colours which can be designated different colours for rooms or tasks.  For the uninitiated, I recommend you use microfibre, whether it be for commercial cleaning or just around the home, it’s the product of choice of the experts.

Cleaners Controlling Infection in the Workplace

Our cleaners are continually confronted with varying degrees of biohazards and play a major role in infection control in the commercial properties we clean. This applies not just to our customers in the medical industry but also includes our customers in the hospitality industry and through to our commercial office customers.

The level of bugs and germs we encounter relies heavily on the particular cleaning task we are performing. Coughs, sneezing or the neglect of washing hands thoroughly can cause the spread of viruses and bacteria throughout the workplace. When cleaning medical facilities or washrooms in any establishment, our staff are frequently exposed to and trained to manage Biological Hazards in the form of body fluids such as blood, vomit, urine or faeces and discarded needles.

It is our practice to pay special attention to areas that people touch which spread those dastardly bugs and germs throughout the workplace. Such as cleaning in the toilet – the flushers; toilet seats, handles, taps, light switches. It’s by focusing on the detail that our cleaners can maintain a clean and healthy working environment for our customers.

Our cleaning staff, armed with protective gloves for their own personal protection, are supplied with the appropriate cleaning equipment (colour coded to minimise cross contamination), disinfectants (Safety Data Sheets are provided) and training to control and eliminate the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Finally, in the interests of personal protection and hygiene, we recommend to our customers that they encourage their staff to practice good hygiene by washing hands thoroughly, ideally with a sanitising gel.

Cleaning The Melbourne We Love

‘Melbourne… The best city in the world to live in.’ Don’t believe me? That’s not me, a proud Melbournian, going off half cocked about his home town. It’s a fact, Jack! According to The Economist Intelligence Unit‘s (EIU) most recent global liveability report.

And what a wise organisation the EIU must be, recognising Melbourne as the ideal destination. Let’s face it, they had good reason. There’s the arts, culture, cafes, restaurants, laneways, parks, gardens, gotta love the climate… four seasons in one day. There’s Melbourne’s city precincts and inner-city suburbs that have their own distinctive character. Not to mention being sports capital of the world.

That’s why we at Hillson Cleaning take pride in the work we do. Playing our small role in helping Melbourne show the world it’s best face. Cleaning the Melbourne we love.

Cleaning Your Business

Every businessman aspires to have their business run smoothly, managed professionally and achieve success. To have all aspects of the business work in unison to deliver a product; a vision; a service that equates to excellence.

Of course none of this is possible without the proper expertise and know how. Relying on each others skills to bring about the best results.

Believe it or not, providing a clean working environment will benefit your business in reaching its goals. Providing your staff with a pleasant place to work will improve company morale, productivity and excellence. It will also heighten your image in the eyes of your valued clients.

When Commercial Cleaning is done right it provides significant results.

So when it comes to providing this important function within your business let us impart on you one very important tip - Leave the business of cleaning your workplace to the people who make cleaning their business.

New Year, Fresh Start

Given the busy period we have encountered, I would like to start off the New Year with a few important messages. 

First, I would like to thank all Hillson Cleaning staff who worked during the holidays to help keep our clientelle satisfied, the period went by with barely a hiccup. Your efforts and dedication are acknowledged and appreciated.

To our clients, may you have a happy and prosperous New Year. Be assured that we realise that you are our greatest asset and it is to our advantage to fulfil your every need. This is why in 2013 we will do our utmost to surpass your expectations and provide you with a cleaning service that you can rely on.

To those businesses throughout Melbourne who are disappointed with the service provided to them by their current cleaners, it is time to begin the New Year with a fresh start. We would appreciate the opportunity to give you the professional cleaning service we know you deserve. 

Finally, 2013 promises to present Hillson with as many opportunities and challenges as last year, and I look forward to working successfully with all staff to achieve our goals.

The Silly Season Has Arrived

‘Tis the season to be jolly’… Yes, it’s that time of year again. Santa’s Ho-Hoing, whilst children count down the days in anticipation for that special day of the year. Christmas Day. 

Christmas in the cleaning industry is our busiest time of year. As we specialise in the hospitality industry our cleaners have to step up a gear.

Of course for everyone the lead up to Christmas can seem like there just isn’t enough hours in a day. There’s the obligatory christmas shopping. Trying to find those perfect presents for family and friends in the overcrowded shopping centres, with the overcrowded car parks.

There’s the office luncheons and parties where we tend to overindulge ourselves in food and drink to excess. This tends to be repeated on Christmas Day among family and friends.

Otherwise known as the ‘silly season’ this time of year everything seems chaotic, so I thought a few helpful tips maybe warranted.

  • Make a list of all the gifts you wish to buy before you go shopping
  • Try and get your Christmas shopping done early, don’t leave it till the last minute
  • If planning a Christmas luncheon at a restaurant then make sure to book early
  • Enjoy yourself at the office party but try not to be the one wearing the lampshade on the head or crying in the washroom
  • Don’t drink to excess and don’t pig out, know your limits
  • If preparing Christmas lunch/dinner at home don’t do everything yourself – delegate tasks to other family members

From everyone at Hillson Cleaning have a Merry Christmas.

A Few Tips For The Spring Racing Carnival

Spring has sprung and the Spring Racing Carnival is well underway in Melbourne. With The Melbourne Cup and other feature race days like Oakes Day just around the corner its high time I gave you all a few tips… cleaning tips that is.

Tip Number 1: The Sweep – the broom of choice for professionals everywhere is made by Oates. The brand we rely on.

Tip Number 2: The Odds – Sick of washing socks and coming up with one short? Here’s the solution Nooddsocks. The no fuss wash bag that saves you time and money.

Tip Number 3: Scratchings – Annoyed by those difficult to get rid of scratches on your windows and mirrors. How to remove scratches from glass will give you the answer.

Enjoy the Spring Carnival and I hope you all clean up at the races!