KNOW YOUR FLOOR TILES AND HOW TO MAINTAIN THEM - "CERAMIC TILES"

CERAMIC TILES 

Ceramic tile is made up of sand, natural products, and clays and once it has been moulded into shape they are then fired in a kiln. When making ceramic tiles they can either be glazed or unglazed, but the majority of homeowners have glazed ceramic tiles in their home.

How To Maintain Glazed Ceramic Tiles
*  Sweep or vacuum your tiles floor regularly to clear every dirts and prevent them from setlling in them.
* Always use a mild cleaning solution and warm water to clean the surface using your soft mop after sweeping out dirts.
* Rinse the mop afterwards and get a clean and plain water
* Mop the tiles floor again with the plain water and your soft mop to dry.
* For stubborn stains, use your soft brush to scrub.
* Dry any liquid spills on the tiles immediately to prevent stains.

KNOW YOUR TILES AND HOW TO MAINTAIN THEM - "PORCELAIN TILES"

Porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles commonly used to cover floors and walls, with a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent. They are built using natural clay, which are made by applying heat to refined the clay. Porcelain tiles is generally denser and can either be glazed or unglazed.  Porcelain tiles are also available in a range of colors, textures, and sizes.

 To ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of Porcelain tiles, the condition of the tiles must be put into consideration to determine if the tiles are polished, unpolished and textured.
Also Ensure regular cleaning of the tiles to prevent build-ups of dirt and stains.

To Clean and Maintain Polished Porcelain Tiles

1. Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the tiles with an untreated dry dust mop.
2. Mop the floor with a mild and small quantity of cleaning product and hot water.
3. Clean stubborn stains with soft nylon brush
4. Rinse the floor with clean and clear water to thoroughly remove the cleaning product.
5. Go over the clean porcelain tile floor with a damp mop.
6. Dry with a microfiber cloth or clean towel.

To Clean and Maintain Unpolished Porcelain Tiles

1. Sweep or vacuum the dirt from the floor.
2. Saturate the floor with cleaning product and hot water, stir and allow it to stand on the floor for 5 – 10 minutes. "Cleaning product must not dry on the tiles"
3. Scrub stubborn stains already saturated with cleaning product using a floor machine equipped with an abrasive pad or soft nylon-bristle brush or a soft scrub brush.
4. Clear the dirty cleaning product with a mop or wet vacuum, and rinse the porcelain tile with clean and clear water.
5. Allow time for drying.
6. You may need a strong cleaning method if the unpolished porcelain tile is heavily stained.

To Clean and Maintain Textured Porcelain Tiles

This type of Porcelain tiles condition requires some additional cleaning procedures  and frequent cleaning as a standard wet-mopping will not effectively clean its surface. Thus for this condition,
1. Thoroughly sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the tiles floor using a soft-bristle broom.
2. Saturate the surface with a neutral cleaning product in hot water and stir. 3. Allow the cleaning product to remain on the floor for 5 to 10 minutes, scrub with a brush thoroughly
4. Rinse the porcelain tile floor with clean, clear water to remove the cleaning product and dry with mop.

Caution!

1. Do not clean porcelain tile flooring with bleach or acidic cleaning product.
2. Do not use any oil-based detergents, wax cleaners, or sealants.
3. Do not use agents that contain any dyes or colors on unglazed porcelain tile.
4. Use floor door mats at outdoor entrances to prevent grit from being tracked onto the tile flooring.
5. Do not use steel wool pads, because the loose steel particles may cause rust stains in the grout.

KNOW YOUR FLOOR TILES AND HOW TO MAINTAIN THEM - "TRAVERTINE TILES"

TRAVERTINE TILES

Travertine tiles mostly used in the kitchen and restrooms, is a form of limestone gotten from the byproducts created by hot springs around the world. During the process of formation, minerals within travertine are combined, providing a unique pattern, character, and collection.

Travertine floors are easily damaged and must be  properly maintain and cleaned with care.
DIY ways of maintaining your Travertine floors;

• Vacuum, dust, and sweep your travertine tiles regularly.
• Remove dirt and debris from your floors with a dry dust mop
• Wash regularly with gentle and mild cleaning products
• Dry and polish with clean microfibre cloth
• Clean up any spills immediately 
• Squeegee and wipe down your shower after every use to clean off soap scum that can grow mildew and molds
• Routine thorough cleaning of your bathrooms is important, may be weekly.
• Use hot pads, placemats, and coasters on your kitchen countertops to protect your tiles from hot utensils and acidic spills
• Do not place your beauty / bathing  products directly on the counter instead look for a convenient container or tray to place it before leaving it on the counter.
• To remove stains from your tiles, use the right chemicals or contact a professional cleaning service provider to do that.

PESTS POSE REAL HEALTH THREATS

Pests indeed cause environmental  menace and threaten our health. Public health officials attribute our current, clean quality of living to three very important variables:
1. Top-notch vaccines and medications,
2. Vastly improved sanitation, and
3. High-quality pest control.

There are most common pests which are constantly seen in our midst and can cause a great threat to our health if not given attention. These pests are uninvited guests in our homes and environs because we don't want them and can't live with them but on the contrary, they were highly invited by our untidy, unclean, unwanted waste environment, and lack of routine pest control in our environs.

Some Common Pests And The Disease They Inflict;

• Rodents and Ticks, are capable of transferring terrible diseases such as rat bite fever, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, monkeypox etc. 
• Mice and rats can carry Hantavirus, which can be fatal if passed on to a human. 
• Ticks carry Lyme disease, which comes with flu-like symptoms such as fever, rash, facial paralysis, and arthritis.
• Mosquitoes are capable of carrying a host of different illnesses such as Malaria, West Nile Virus,  Zika Virus, Dengue fever, Yellow fever, Chikungunya etc.

It is impossible to know if a pest is carrying a disease or not, which is why it is best to always be on the side of caution and play safe by doing the necessary.

A MUST HAVE BASIC SAFETY TOOLS "PPE" BY ALL CLEANING STAFFS / PROFESSIONAL CLEANING SERVICE PROVIDERS

As a professional cleaning staff or service provider you are exposed to germs and effect of cleaning chemicals or active products due to the nature of your job, which is why you must not joke with your PPE while  you render your services to guarantee your safety.

A must PPE a cleaning provider must have are

1. Hand gloves
2. Eye goggles
3. Long Sleeves uniform
4. Nose covers
5. Safety shoes, must be a non slippery shoe

FOUR BASIC SAFETY RULES TO PREVENT HAZARDS FROM THE USE OF TOOLS

Four basic safety rules that can help prevent hazards associated with the use of hand and power tools by OSHA "Occupational Safety and Health Administration:

• Keep all tools in good condition with regular maintenance.
• Use the right tool for the job.
• Examine each tool for damage before use and do not use damaged tools.
• Operate tools according to the manufacturers' instructions.

OBSERVING SAFETY DURING HOUSE CLEANING

Maintaining a safe environment while you do your house chores or cleaning in your office is an important part of general cleaning that must not be neglected.

This method of cleaning is to ensure that every part of your house or cleaning area is neat, ordely, non slippery and free from dangerous waste. It is one thing to see your house is always clean and tidy but another and most important thing to ensure everything is in order, in its place, floors are not wet and waste bin treated and emptied properly for safety from hazardous substances.

When objects and things are always put in their place, you are saving yourself and your loved onces from the risk of tripping off due to imbalance, or objects falling on them.

FEW CLEANING SAFETY RULES IN HOUSEKEEPING

1. Always read the instructions on all cleaning products before use
2. Always dilute concentrated cleaning products before use
3. All cleaning products and tools must be kept away from the reach of children and pet.
4. Ventilate rooms before you clean and in the case of a dusty atmosphere, make use of your nose cover
5. Place a thick absorbing cloth while washing the floor to prevent slippery 
6. Ensure the floor is dry during or after cleaning before any movement is allowed
7. Put all house items in their place to avoid tripping
8. Do not use any chemicals you do not have knowledge of for any cleaning
9. If you must use any chemical, always wear rubber gloves to avoid direct contact
10. In the case a particular porting to be cleaned requires the use of chemical you are not familiar with, contact a professional cleaning service provider near you
11. Empty, wash and treat all waste bin properly. 

WEEKENDS - PERFECT TIME FOR THOROUGH CLEANING

While growing up weekends are always the period everyone gets busy to ensure the house and environs are well cleaned. We joined hands together to sweep and clean every corner of the house and the environs, in that way only touch ups will be done within the week.

Weekdays could be so occupied that in a day or more we may not be able to really check the house for its cleaning condition as a result of how tight our schedule may be. That is why weekends is always the best time to do thorough check / clean the house. Yes there may be somethings taking you out of the house on weekends but you could always work arround it as it is easy to squeeze out time on weekends than weekdays.

To Thoroughly Clean Your House On Weekends, See That;

• You lift everything that has the capacity to store dirts while you sweep and mop
• Remove all cobwebs "as most times due to lack of time they are being neglected"
• Thoroughly clean all interiors and furnitures as they always attract dust
• Thoroughly clean and wash the kitchen 
• Thorough washing and disinfection of the bathroom is very important 
• All cabinets, wardrobes, fridge and freezer must be thouroughly cleaned if possible take your time and remove everything before cleaning.
•  If your weekends are always occupied or the workload in the house are much, contact a professional cleaning service provider near you to help 

DAMAGES TO PROPERTY AND BELONGINGS BY HOUSE INVADERS

Many home-invading pests find their way into your home in the first place because they have found a source of food. Pests that gained access into homes not only inconvenie the house owners and pose risk to their health but also damage house furniture / interiors. It is very key to always leave your home clean and constantly disinfect as to protect it from any future invader.

DAMAGES CAUSED BY SOME OF THESE PESTS ARE

1. Wood-faring bugs, such as termites and carpenter ants, are capable of tearing your home apart. They hide within the walls, so they often cause a lot of damage before anyone even notices they are there. 
2. Carpet beetles and silverfish, are attracted to organic fibers, and therefore love to munch on your belongings.
3. Cloth Moths cause damages to your Couches, clothing, blankets, and towels. 

Damages caused by these pests can cost us a lot to put back to shape which is why it is very important to always fight pests by;

• Maintaining a clean and healthy environment through daily cleaning
• Ensure you keep your environment free from any waste and unwanted stuffs.
• Disinfect constantly 
• Engage professionals if your DIY could no longer eradicate pests

A MUST CLEANING TOOL EVERY HOME MUST HAVE

To maintain cleanliness in your home, there are two important things you must consider;
1. Be willing and deliberate
2. Have the basic cleaning tools

MUST HAVE CLEANING TOOLS

* Microfiber Towels and clothes
* Microfibre mob
* Bucket
* Spray bottles
* Liquid Soaps
* Distilled white Vinegar
* Scrub brush
* Toilet Cleaner and brush
* Toilet and bathroom cleaning soaps and disinfectant
* Broom and Packer
* Hand gloves
* Waste bin and disposable bags
* Air freshner
* Vaccum cleaner 

DO-IT-YOURSELF" Isn't Always Doing Enough

Do It Yourself has always been considered  a good way to ensure cleanliness in your home and save your home from the health risk of germs and pests. But many do-it-yourself treatments appear to get the job done, when in reality they only attack the tip of the iceberg.

Most store-bought and home remedies are only capable of taking care of what you see on the surface, more often than not, the source of your infestation is hidden away. That is why it is important to contact a Pest control professional at the first sign of a home invasion to keep enjoying a clean and pest free atmosphere in your home without interruption.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR WASTE BINS FREE FROM MAGGOTS

A maggot is the larva of a fly "larvae of Brachycera flies", such as houseflies, cheese flies, and blowflies. After a pupal stage, maggots turn into flies. Sometimes, it may seem like the maggots appear from nowhere, but it's just that you didn't notice the fly or its eggs. The fly lays hundreds of eggs at a time! They will begin to hatch within a day.

Maggots are seen in homes if left over food are not put away appropriately, waste bin not emptied regularly or always covered, and unwashed waste bin. When flies are seen on dirty waste bins or left over food,  they may lay eggs, which will then hatch into maggots that can contaminate our food and harm our health.

HOW TO PREVENT MAGGOTS  IN YOUR HOMES

• Put all left over food away in the freezer if not needed 
• Make sure you always cover your food in the kitchen
• wrap all left over food in a polythene or paper before trashing in the bin
• Always leave your kitchen neat and tidy free from any trace of food that can attract flies
• Do not dispose any waste straight into the waste bin but see that you always place a disposable bag inside
• Enusre your waste bin has a lid and you always cover the lid
• Emptie your waste bin regularly 
• Your waste bin must always be washed thoroughly after its been emptied.
• Use a cleaning product with fragrance to prevent the flies from your bin.
• In the case you discover maggots, use boiled water or salt to get rid of them

HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOMES AND ENVIRONS FREE FROM MOSQUITOES

There are many ways of repelling mosquitoes/insect which may or may not be effective. To protect your family and not exposed them to  mosquitoes bites and its effect on thier health, you must at least understand and implement the methods of preventing the insect from your home.

Mosquito control is one pressing issue in our world today, with such diseases like malaria and  yellow fever.

The estimated mosquito related death in the world is around 2million a year. With this fact, its a must for us all to fight against this insect epidemic.

HERE ARE THE TIPS ON HOW TO GET RID OF MOSQUITOES TO HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ITCH FREE.

1. Make sure your window net, screen and doors are well fix and intact. Open window net or gaps from your door exterior is obviously an open access for mosquitoes insect to come into your house.

2.This might sound somehow but it definitely work. Garlic is one of the most efficient mosquito repellants.Yes Garlic, all you have to do is crush a few garlic and boil them in water for few time.Pour the water in a spray bottle and spray it around the room to prevent any mosquitoes insect.

3.Ultrasonic repellers is one method that is so sufficient, attractive, affordable and very effective today. This Ultrasonic device also work well in many case against mice and bugs, and its also chemical free but affect only your radio frequency wave.

4.Insecticides are also effective in getting rid of mosquitoes as well as other flying and crawling insects.

5.The Mosquito Killer Night lamp is an innovative device designed to get rid mosquitoes from your home. In this part of the world, mosquitoes are very common and you sometimes find yourself spending lot of money on ineffective ways of keeping mosquitoes out of your home. The Mosquito Killer Night Lamp has a straightforward operation for usage; you plug it into a wall socket, turn on the switch and it starts killing mosquitoes.

6. The pre-treated insecticide mosquito net has proven effective for protecting you from mosquitoes and also killing them. Before they can be used, mosquito nets have to be taken out of the packs they come in and spread outside for a minimum of 12 hours.

7. Mosquitoes are quite weak flyers, so ceiling, desk and tower fans, can all help repel mosquitoes by making it very difficult for them to fly, forcing them out of your home.

8. Get rid of standing and drain water, this are excellent habitats for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. So, to help your home less attractive from mosquitoes you must always remove any standing or drain water around your home or gardens.

SIMPLE AND ESAY WAY TO MAINTAIN HYGIENE IN YOUR HOME

Hygiene is a must to maintain in every home if we want us and our loved ones to always be free from germs and healthy. It is something we don't have to go through much stress or spend much to achieve if we follow the simple steps to get it done.

BASIC STEPS TO MAINTAINING HYGIENE IN YOUR HOME

• Sweep both inside and outside of your homes daily
• Clean every part of your house "wall, windows, doors, floor , rails etc. regularly 
• Ensure all interiors and furniture are always clean
• Keep all convenience clean and dry
• Ensure all personal stuffs are well cleaned and arranged in their places
• All waste must be disposed properly and regulary, and waste bin washed once dirty
• Make sure there is enough ventilation in the house "Air freshner is important for every home as it keeps the home fresh and neat"
• Your kitchen must be left neat and tidy after every use
• Protect your homes from pest and insecticide once seen around the house.

REASONS WHY YOU NEED REGULAR PEST CONTROL

A tidy, well-kept house is always pest free right? Not really. Pests can be attracted to homes for various reasons, many of which have nothing to do with cleanliness. Some common home invaders make it very obvious that they are there, while generations of others may hide away without a peep. 

There are many reasons why regular pest control is necessary for every home owner to consider which are;

1. To completely disinfect your home from germs.

2. To control pest within your home 'as they can be dangerous'.

3.Not only can pest or rodents cause harm to you and your loved ones, it can also cause physical harm to your furniture.

4.There is no harm in trying to eradicate  them yourself by laying some traps,  but once it passes the stage of seeing randomly then its beyond what you can handle.

5.Its the best deal as it eases you off the stress and time of fighting pests and saves you cost as well.  

6.You will enjoy comfort in your home when its free from unwanted rodents and insects.

HOW TO GET RID OF BAD ODOUR / SMELL IN YOUR HOME.

Every home deserves a lovely smell and to achieve this, we need to take note of some important facts. You must be sensitive, deliberate and observant of what happens in and around your home. Saving your home from bad odour is not relatively expensive as some claim but with deliberate effort and following these few tips below you can be sure your home will be free and safe from bad smell.

BASIC POINTS TO NOTE IF YOU WANT YOUR HOME FREE FROM BAD ODOUR.
1. Always clear your kitchen after use, clean and clear all dishes immediately. "Do not leave kitchen or dishes unwashed till the next day"
2. Make sure every left over food or waste from your cooking are properly disposed.
3. Always flush the toilet after every use, and make sure your rest room are well cleaned.
4. Any water mistakenly poured on your rug carpets, cushions, or foam should be dried up immediately. "You can either sun dry or vaccum dry them"
5. Make sure your windows are properly closed when its raining to avoid water entering the house and soaking some furniture.
6. Properly dispose your pets poo.
7.Always wash the foot wipe mart at your door step, some stored dirt can over time smell so you need to check often.
8. If in case you perceive heavy smell of death rodents maybe after fumigation, make sure you call for a professional cleaning to help disinfect the entire house from germs.
9. Always check and ensure your refrigerators are in order and very clean as bad odour can spread easily from spoilt items.

NOW WHAT TO DO TO MAINTAIN FRESH SMELLS IN YOUR HOME.

1. Put baking soda somewhere inside the fridge to avoid or stop any offensive odour / smell in the fridge. "Black charcoal can be used as a substitute"
2. When cooking fish, meat, vegetables etc, always place a white vinegar on the stove to absorb the odour / smell.
3. Always deodorize both your rest and bathrooms.
4. Make sure your shoes are well deodorize after wear.
5. Clean your home regularly and install some good fragrance to keep your home fresh all the time.

TOILET / BATHROOM SAFETY ALERT

Be careful when using the toilet in the dark or daytime, snake do enter through the toilet chamber in search of food and shelter.

Do not fall a victim of this prey, contact a professional pest control provider for permanent solution if in case you observe this.