Although a slight diversion from house cleaning, good hygiene habits, especially hand washing, is worth some attention. This habit is so very important. We live in a world of constant interaction with people and objects. If we could see the germs in our environment, we would certainly be alarmed. A current study tells us that:

• Less than 75% of women and less than 50% of men properly wash their hands with soap after using the bathroom
• Estimated global rates of handwashing after using the toilet are only 19%
• 80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch

Washing hands with soap or using a hand sanitizer should be done for many occasions and here are a few: before preparing and touching food, after handling money, and when caring for infants or anyone who is especially vulnerable to germs.

Teaching your children personal hygiene is about helping them to form good habits that once established, are done effortlessly. Forming habits is important because it creates automatic behaviours that help us achieve our goals, whatever they may be. Good hygiene habits help us maintain good health and well-being. They also help us increase our productivity. They provide structure and consistency to our life because they are ingrained actions.

Here are some tips to help you establish good habits in your children:

1. Start them young and teach them using age appropriate language.
2. Be a good role model. Nothing is more affective.
3. Establish this as an everyday responsibility.
4. Check in frequently making sure they are performed properly.
5. Promote personal hygiene as a form of wellness.

Cindy Dayman is the owner of Take Time Home Cleaning, a Winnipeg based company. Take Time to Live Well! Taketimecleaning.com 431-777-8750

My all-time favourite, used long before “hacks” were a thing, saved my sanity as a busy working mom with four small children.  Now, grown up with children of their own, this hack continues.

Tools:

• Kitchen Tray or plastic bin
• Med size box
• File Folder

For me, facing a messy house after working all day was soul destroying.  It took my energy away.  I’d like to say that my children were dutifully trained to put their belongings away every day but sadly not the case.  Life was crazy busy and honestly it was easier for me to deal with it.  This “hack” really helped me. Make it a daily habit done while supper is cooking.

1. Take Tray/Bin room to room gathering up cups/plates/cutlery. Put on kitchen counter. Load in dishwasher with after supper clean up.
2. Misc paper (flyers; school forms; mail… put in file folder)
3. Everything else put in med size box—everything: toys, clothes, rogue socks, pen on the coffee table, whatever.
4. Tidy: straighten items on coffee table; fluff corner cushions on couches; push chairs into table and align symmetrically, straighten hall carpet, etc.

This restores order to your space plus a sense of relief and energy boost.

On Saturday every member would take their belongings from the box and put away.  All paper, gathered together, to throw out or deal with.  A simple system that restores order and peace of mind.  So simple.  Huge impact.

Like so many women of my age, I often reflect back on previous chapters in my life. Remembering those years I spent with a demanding career, 4 kids, a husband working shiftwork, and the family dog, multiple hockey games, practices and fundraising, etc. I wonder how did we do it all.  Still, it was a wonderful time. I love that time in my life.

Now, I have perspective.  Like so many my age and older, I understand the shoulda, coulda, woulda mindset.  If I could change anything, it would be Time, I needed more of it.

Cleaning is hard work and most people don’t enjoy it.  An average home consumes 2-4 hours or more of your time every week and that’s After all the pick-up.  What could you do with that time?  Develop a skill; pursue a hobby; assist with a charity; spend time with your family and friends creating memories; or just relaxing and recharging your batteries after your busy work week.  They all take time.

Cleaning should not be seen as a luxury anymore.  You really should consider what your time is worth.  It’s precious because you can’t get it back.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Take Time Home Cleaning is Winnipeg’s largest and most awarded cleaning company since 2009.  We provide a service for every budget whether it’s a short priority list for areas such as floors and bathrooms only or a full house clean on a weekly, biweekly or monthly frequency.  See our website at taketimecleaning.com and schedule your free time now.

We are often asked by clients how we make their bathrooms sparkle and shine. 

This article will focus on how to clean a bathtub.

Step 1: Remove clutter and thoroughly vacuum.

Limit the clutter (Store the other items until needed.)  Then use a soft vacuum brush and vacuum the entire room removing dust and hair.

Step 2: Use an appropriate bathtub cleaner.

Use an effective but non-abrasive cleaner to remove dirt and soap scum.  We use Dawn dish soap mixed with warm water.  Use soap sparingly.

Step 3: Spray and scrub.

To clean, spray the mixture on the entire tub.  Use a damp good quality microfiber cloth to wipe away the residue. For tough bathtub stains, let the mixture sit for 15 to 20 minutes before scrubbing.  Scrub the bottom last, then drain the tub.

Step 4: Rinse the bathtub clean.

Thoroughly rinse the tub with clean water to wash away any remaining solution.  This is also a good habit to practice after each use, so your bathtub is clean and free of residue.

Step 5:  Always Dry and Buff the Surface after Washing and Rinsing.

After washing and rinsing, dry and buff the tub thoroughly with a clean dry towel.  Do after each use, so your bathtub is clean and free of residue.

At Take Time, we dry and buff after cleaning many types of surfaces whether man made or natural.   Acrylic, porcelain, glass, chrome, stainless steel, marble are a few examples.  This method prevents water droplets from forming and drying on surfaces, causing a dull appearance.

This method has been used for decades by cleaning professionals in the hospitality industry and in private households.

We are happy to share it with you. 😊

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, cleanliness is on our minds — the workplace included. But is your office clean? The average office has more than 10 million bacteria. If your office has multiple desks, then it’s no wonder why illnesses run rampant in the workplace.

More reasons to maintain a clean office.

Reduce employee illness. As we’re learning from Covid, illnesses spread rapidly. Germs collect on our desks, chairs, the break room, on doorknobs, in the bathroom, and in other places.

Better mood.  Do you feel better after cleaning your home? There’s a reason for this. When you’re in a clean and sanitized work environment, you’re more comfortable in your space.

Motivation? There’s a connection between a positive mindset and concentration, so your staff will feel great while getting more done.

Disorganization means you can’t find anything, you’re constantly looking at the clutter.   Time you spend trying to find things can be used toward accomplishing your work.

Extended Equipment Life.  Office cleanliness not only pertains to organized papers and clean bathrooms. Your office likely has lots of equipment, or at least a printer and fax machine. This equipment requires maintenance and even cleanliness. If your whole staff is using the equipment, be sure to sanitize them regularly.

Create a tidy culture.  Influence your staff to keep a tidy workplace and clean up after themselves. If you all tend to eat in the breakroom, enforce your staff to wash their own dishes.

Better first impressions.  Does your business attract foot traffic? No customer wants to shop in a dirty business.

Also, who knows if the next person walking through your business door is a supervisor, or CEO.

At the end of the day, your business is your image. If your office is unclean, that reflects on the public’s perception of you. Especially since there are commercial cleaning services that can easily keep a clean workplace.  Give us a call 204-770-7103.0

This can be overwhelming.  I have limited this to FOUR major considerations.

1. Security:  most obvious, company should be bonded and insured.  Ask for a copy of the insurance certificate.  Also ask how do you secure keys or codes, credit card information; how many people have access to my information.
2. Transparency (Clear and Honest): Be cautious of Reviews. Unfortunately, some companies will flood their review sites with fake 5 star reviews while posting 1 or 2 star reviews on their competitor’s sites.  There are actually individuals who earn a living (under the table) by posting fake reviews for their clients.  With a variety of devices and locations their IP addresses are different and go undetected by algorithms.
3. Service and Policies: Is service complete/customizable or are there lots of Add-Ons. Policies may be used to make more money off the account.  Required notices when more than 24 hours is not necessary.
4. Pricing: by the Hour or the Job: This is huge. If a company won’t give you an hourly rate, stay clear.  All companies have an hourly rate even if they charge by the Job.  Pricing by the Hour Is the only Transparent method.  You know exactly what you’re paying and what your getting in return.  Pricing by the Job or some other hocus pocus method is purposely unclear.  You are very likely paying more than is necessary.