We all judge by first impressions; that’s just natural. Even if our immediate attention is focussed on tasks or introductions, we subconsciously form an impression of an office environment the moment we walk into it based on cleanliness and upkeep. The smallest thing – a bad smell or smear of something undefinable on a surface – can trigger a bad impression. If a tiled floor gleams in the light streaming in through clear glass windows, and all the walls and surfaces are unmarked, uncluttered and free of dust, we can have confidence that we are walking into a polished professional environment. This will have an immediate positive effect on anyone who enters, whether they are important new clients visiting for the first time or staff who work at your office every day. Hiring a good commercial cleaning service is central to ensuring that your company maintains a polished and professional image in the eyes of both your clients and your workforce.
There is no mistaking the fact that the manufacture of household cleaning products is big business. There are hundreds of brands vying to grab your attention with bright packaging and ever more impressive claims as to how white they get your whites, how bright your coloureds will stay, how fresh your rooms will smell, how easily grease will slide off dishes and ovens, or how greater percentage of germs they will kill, dead. We are inundated with pseudo-scientific adverts – showing massively magnified images of germs, bugs, grime and bacteria – all of which warn of the dangers we face lurking invisible to the eye on every surface that isn’t thoroughly disinfected using these products on a regular basis. We end up with cupboards stocked full with an array of sprays, wipes, bleaches, air fresheners, and more. There is a different product available to deal with every type of dirt, dust and grime we could care to imagine. With this arsenal of germ-busting power at our disposal, we can all rest assured that we are safe from disease and ill-health in our own spotlessly clean homes, right? Wrong.
There are many great reasons to own pets. Science has shown that owning a pet can dramatically reduce stress levels. Dogs in particular also provide security, and they help to motivate us to stay active and healthy. Moreover many animals are simply adorable. Kids often want pets and it can be hard for parents to say no – after all, owning a pet is a great way to develop a sense of responsibility. The one big downside that makes many people anxious about bringing a pet into their home is the seeming impossibility of keeping their house clean with an animal around. Here are some great tips to help relieve your worries on that front.
How do you envisage daily home life in the future? It is more than likely that in answer to this question your mind has conjured up a Jetson-esque scene: you relax in your hover chair while a humanoid robot takes care of sweeping the floor of your luxury space-age apartment. Tapping the interactive touchscreen embedded in the arm of your hover chair causes a panel to open and a steaming cup of tea appears. Another swipe of the interactive pad and a screen emerges on an arm, unfolding a comfortable distance from your face and displaying your favourite TV show. Whatever your vision of the future, it is almost guaranteed that it does not involve getting down on your hands and knees to clean hard to reach corners, or putting in a lot of elbow grease to remove tough stains. The good news is – your fantasy of a chore free future may be closer than you think! Here's a look at some of the most cutting edge developments in the world of domestic appliances:
It can seem like a nightmare trying to get your home clean and tidy with young children underfoot and always in need of attention. The best solution: get them involved! Of course, telling kids they must clean or tidy something is unlikely to inspire cooperation – particularly if you ever moan about having to do housework or use it as a punishment. However, encouraging children to clean up by treating it as a fun game tends to be far more effective. Clearly there are some tasks that children simply cannot do – especially if they are young. Never give a child a job that involves using bleach or dangerous chemicals, and try to avoid putting them in charge of cleaning anything delicate or fragile. For general tidy ups and chores though, there are lots of great ways to get the kids involved. Here are some of our favourites:
Sofas and chairs are the focal points of most living rooms. We spend many hours choosing the right suite to perfectly set off our décor. Often the best look is achieved by opting for white or light coloured upholstery fabric, as this helps to open up the room and make it seem larger. A very dark coloured sofa will seem out of place in an otherwise light and airy environment. Herein lies the rub; as the main feature in the living room, any stains on upholstery fabric are on prominent display. Given the fact that sofas and chairs are also the most used items of furniture – sat upon by family members, guests, and even pets – there is a high chance of stains occurring, even in the most careful of households. Below we have put together a quick guide to keeping your upholstery looking as good as new.
Household cleaners are sold for a purpose; they get whites whiter, remove stains, degrease, disinfect surfaces, or leave glass sparkling. While most of the products on the market cannot be faulted for effectiveness, in order to perform their advertised functions the vast majority contain chemicals that can have dire effects on our water supplies and air quality.