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9 Things You Can Clean While Working Remotely

a person having tea while working remotely on their computer

A mass pandemic hit us all over the world in early 2020. For safety’s sake, as many people as possible are staying home and working remotely. And fortunately or otherwise, cleaning is recommended during any pandemic, to try and make your home less pandemic-y.

Picture the scene: You’re working remotely, either because of COVID-19, or because you can. It’s possibly the first time you’ve gotten to do this, and so you’re thinking – yay, I’m free from the commute! I can do as I please – it’s MY office!

Dream versus reality.

woman working remotely and holding her toddler

-You thought your office space would be yours, but then the kids decided to pay a site visit. Next thing, their toys are underfoot, their sticky fingers are all over your computer monitor, and they’ve decided to decorate your “office” with their finger paintings.

-You realize, after spilling your coffee, why the rule about not drinking at your desk was in place. You frantically look around for the cleaning staff. If you’re in the Fargo, North Dakota area, TLC can help you. Give TLC a call and schedule a one-time or recurring home cleaning appointment.

-Working remotely in your own space means that you set the boundaries. No unruly colleagues interrupting, phone calls diverted, and you can even minimize the number of meetings you have. But pets don’t respect your boundaries, you may have twice as many messages, and teleconferencing can be as intrusive as meetings.

Staying productive means staying organized

a man working remotely at a very organized desk

It pays to keep your workspace clean and tidy. Who knows when the boss might demand an update via video conference to literally “see” how you’re going? Your regular cleaners can’t come in, so you’re responsible for keeping the place looking like somewhere you want to work in.

Whether you’re working from home, in lockdown, or at home because, well, it’s home, keep the area as clean as possible. Germs love dirt, bacteria thrive on unhygienic surfaces, and really, it’s just not nice living in squalor. So when you’ve got a bit of spare time, check off the cleaning jobs you meant to do “one day.”

Computer

While working remotely, your computer is probably the most important tool in your arsenal.

Whether you use it for work or entertainment, your computer is probably one of the dirtiest items in your home. In fact, it’s so dirty that we’re going to look at the main parts separately. Always disconnect the computer from any power source before you clean, and remember, less is more so gentle wipes only!

1) Mouse

If you use a mouse, then think about what you’re doing to it. Your palm rests on it, your finger clicks when needed, and your hand moves it around the mousepad. Use alcohol swabs, or a moist cloth, to wipe its surface, and use a toothpick to clean any small spaces.

2) Monitor

That random dot on your monitor is not a punctuation mark in a strange place. More likely, that speck was caused when you didn’t sneeze into your elbow or when you tapped the screen with your finger. Spray a cleaning solution onto a soft, disposable cloth and gently wipe the screen until those smudges disappear.

3) Keyboard

The humble keyboard is where some of the real nasties can lurk. Hair, skin, spilled food, and general detritus find their way into the keyboard and lurk like evil goblins, waiting to strike. Shake out as much as you can, use a brush to loosen the remainder, then vacuum the remnants out.

You can also use a can of air to discharge any crumbs or debris, found at your local office supply store.

4) Desk

Drinking coffee at your desk is practically a given when you’re working remotely, so you need to watch for spills, condensation, or drips. At the end of each day, remove all paper, files, and objects from the surface. Use a clean cloth and cleaning solution to wipe it down and let it dry naturally before replacing items.

Other areas to clean

mom and daughter cleaning windows together

5. Workbench

If you are using mechanical tools, there will probably be spillages, like oil, sawdust, chips, or other mess. For safely, as well as hygiene, keep your workbench as clean as possible. Dust regularly, wipe up spills immediately (before they can stain), and organize your tools in a logical fashion.

6. Windows

Keeping your windows and window frames clean and clear can improve your outlook – both generally and literally. Don’t let sticky finger marks or smudges ruin your view. A gentle window cleaner, a lint-free cloth, a few wipes, and you’ve got a picture-perfect view.

7. Skirting boards

Don’t have your lazy afternoon on the couch spoiled by noticing just how dirty your skirting boards are. If you want a bit of entertainment, make cleaning these into a game with the kids. Whoever stays driest while cleaning these hard-to-reach, and often drippy, places wins.

8. Bookshelves

You may find yourself overlooking the bookshelves when cleaning, but they need a little TLC too. Quick weekly dusting may be sufficient, but once in a while, make sure you vacuum behind the bookshelves. While you’re at it, wipe the books down and try to instill some order to the shelves.

9. Light fittings

Definitely not on your regular cleaning list are the light fittings. But every time you press the switch to turn the lights on and off, your finger contaminates the switch and vice versa. Clean these regularly, either by spraying a cleaning solution onto a cloth and wiping or by using antibacterial wipes.

Other benefits of a clean, tidy home include:

Safety

You don’t want to trip over that untidy pile of rubbish every time you walk down the hall.

Physical fitness

Studies have shown that you are more likely to exercise if your house is tidy. It takes energy, determination, and willpower to keep your home neat, and these are all qualities you channel when deciding to exercise. Plus, some housework activities can double as aerobic exercises if you do them right.

Exactly how many calories do you burn when scrubbing a shower?

Longevity

Keeping your home clean and tidy helps prevent structural nasties from getting hold. It is far easier to prevent mold and mildew than it is to remove once it’s made itself at home. If you keep your home clean and ventilated, it is less likely to suffer from problems with dampness or rot.

Keep up the good work

someone using an iphone on a yellow background

Either as a treat or to keep your home looking and feeling cleaning and hygienic, let the professionals take over. The TLC Cleaning Company in Fargo, North Dakota, will keep your house looking as though you never worked remotely from it. So contact us for a quote and see how we can help you.

Why Your Office Needs a Commercial Cleaning Service

a woman providing commercial cleaning services

Are you an employer who wants to keep productivity high and ensure that your staff stay healthy, happy, and focused on the job they’re paid to do? Then you need to invest in the professional commercial cleaning services offered by TLC Cleaning Fargo.

Why does a business need professional cleaners?

Picture the scene. It’s your colleague Sally’s retirement function. Sally has been there forever. She has been the surrogate mom, most experienced team member, and the person who can always be counted on to find a solution to every problem or issue.

And now it’s time for Sally to retire. You all love her, so get together to give her a fitting send-off. So, you all get together and decide to cook her a farewell lunch. You bring in food from home or use the nearest oven for cooking your special savory dish.

Sally has a great time, cries a bit during the speeches, and tells everyone they shouldn’t have spent so much on the farewell gift. All in all, it’s a happy occasion.

Then Sally walks out into retirement land, and about then, you start to notice – hey, there’s a bit of a mess to clean up. And suddenly remember that the person who could always be counted on to tidy up after events like this has just retired.

Everyone avoids eye contact with that mass of dirty dishes, crumbs on the floor, the spilled drinks, and the pile of half-eaten leftovers.

Someone has to clean the mess up, and when you realize “someone” is you. You start grumbling under your breath about how you’re not everyone’s mother. You ask yourself, why are you the one stuck doing the cleaning, and when are we going to get a proper commercial cleaning service?

Bam! Right there! That’s your solution!

Every office, every workplace, every place of business looks, and feels, at its best when everything in it is clean and tidy.

There might be employees who don’t mind working in untidy surroundings or are prepared to tidy up after themselves. But when there are so many benefits to hiring a commercial cleaning service, why wouldn’t you want to utilize those benefits in your place of work?

Take a closer look at what you will get when you hire the professionals.

A professional, thorough clean every time.

person holding blue cleaning bucket with yellow glove on

If you expect to start each day in a workplace that gleams with cleanliness, then you may be out of luck unless you hire a professional. No matter how keen your co-workers or employees may be to keep their surroundings tidy, they aren’t experts. The trained, efficient cleaners who work for TLC are experienced in getting into those hard-to-reach places, cleaning up that stubborn stain, and leaving your carpet so clean that you would swear you only replaced it yesterday.

Those tough jobs get done.

a man and woman cleaning the lens of the camera taking the picture

It is tempting to think about getting your existing employees to do the cleaning, and who knows, they might even do a reasonable job of straightforward cleaning like vacuuming, doing dishes, wiping down surfaces, and the regular stuff. But will any of them clean the windows, shampoo the carpet, clear out the air vents, or do a proper “deodorize”? If the answer is “probably not,” then you need to hire professionals to do these tough tasks for you.

A healthier environment.

In 2014, CBS News released a study that showed how surfaces harboring nasty bugs could infect half of your staff within a few hours. Damp, humid air can lead to mold and mildew, and once it takes hold, it is hard to remove. Regular professional cleaning and sterilizing of risk areas will not just keep these unsanitary problems at bay, but also reduce the chances of your employees picking up nasty illnesses or bugs.

The best look for your clients.

man shaking the hand of a woman at a business meeting

What would your potentials customers think if they walked into your store, office, bar, or workplace and saw a messy, dirty floor, tables or desks strewn with litter, or odorous, unemptied trash bins? Odds are, they will turn around and leave as fast as possible. A clean, appealing workplace shows that you care about what you do and that you value your customers’ time and business.

A better staff environment.

As well as promoting a healthy physical environment, keeping your workplace clean and tidy is more likely to appeal to your employees. In a study conducted by the UK-based Warwick University, economists found that employees are 12% more productive if they are happy and healthy. Satisfied employees are motivated, spend more time doing the job they’re paid for, and are less likely to be absent without good reason.

After-hours service.

a cleaner wiping down a keyboard on a company desk

It can be incredibly distracting, trying to work when everywhere there’s a mess. The beauty of a professional cleaning service is that your cleaners come in outside of your standard working window, making sure that every day, your employees start work in a clean, tidy, healthy workspace. It’s like the story of the elves and the shoemaker – you never see them, but you know you can count on them to make your workplace as pleasant as possible for you and your staff.

Need more convincing?

You don’t want to trust one of your most valuable assets (after your employees) to just anyone. But over 3000 happy customers can’t be wrong. And if you want the perfect gift for your fellow business owners, why not give them a gift card, so they, too, can benefit from TLC’s services?

What are you waiting for?

person dialing numbers on a office phone

Don’t hesitate. Schedule with TLC Fargo and hire a commercial cleaning service. Let the team provide you with a free online estimate to find out how a professional commercial cleaning service is the best investment you can make for your business.