| Cleaning an office may involve more than | | | | then clean it. When you do have to move |
| emptying the trash, sweeping the floor and | | | | something, place a cloth or towel under the |
| vacuuming the carpet. Some offices may have | | | | object to cushion it.6. No matter what decorative |
| areas covered with "trinkets" such as photos, | | | | item you are working on, clean it slowly and |
| plaques, sculptures and all kinds of knickknacks. | | | | carefully.7. Clean these special items using dry |
| There is no end to the list of items that people | | | | methods if possible. A microfiber works well on |
| may have on their desk or throughout their | | | | many of these surfaces. If you must use a |
| office.The following ten tips are guidelines of how | | | | cleaning solution, apply as little solution as possible |
| to handle cleaning these special personal or | | | | and remove it by blotting the solution. Ultrasonic |
| business treasures.1. Ask your customer if they | | | | cleaning may also be used on some items.8. Be |
| want you to clean any photos, plaques, sculptures, | | | | careful not to leave cleaning residue on the item. |
| etc. that are on desks, shelves, tabletops or in | | | | Leaving residue may leave a sticky surface on |
| display areas. These items may be personal | | | | the item allowing it to collect dirt faster.9. Replace |
| treasures the owner may prefer to clean.2. If | | | | any items that you moved for cleaning back to |
| customers want you to clean these items make | | | | the same place you took it from.10. If any |
| sure your employees know how to clean them | | | | damage or breakage occurs report it immediately. |
| properly. Ask the owner or a supervisor what the | | | | Never put a damaged item back in such a way as |
| recommended cleaning procedure is for that | | | | to hide what was broken. You have to be able to |
| particular piece. Taking the time to know how to | | | | handle items to clean them and occasionally things |
| clean something properly can save headaches | | | | may be broken or damaged.It may not be a part |
| later.3. Take the time to assess how old, delicate, | | | | of your cleaning proposal to clean decorative and |
| precious or heavy an item is before cleaning it. If | | | | unusual items in an office. But if it is, make sure |
| the item is moved will it fall apart? Or if you have | | | | you follow the proper protocol and treat your |
| to move a heavy item, such as a sculpture, can it | | | | clients' treasures as you would treat your |
| be put back safely?4. Examine items carefully to | | | | own.Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The |
| see if they can be cleaned safely. Test the | | | | Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for |
| cleaner you will be using with a white cloth or a | | | | owners and managers of cleaning companies who |
| Q-tip in an inconspicuous spot before cleaning the | | | | want to build a more profitable and successful |
| entire item.5. You do not have to clean items in | | | | cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of |
| place. It may be easier to move the item and | | | | the Week at and receive a Free Gift! |