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Volume 18
October 20, 2009
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Clean Team Pro Newsletter. Remember the 1970s? (If
you weren't even born yet, don't tell me!) Bell bottom pants, gas-guzzling
sedans, and dull laminate counter tops. We sure have come a long way (baby)! Our
pants are "boot cut"; the Prius is a top seller; and counter tops are
anything but boring. But what about cleaning
all these 21st century counter tops? With all the new surfaces out there, it's
hard to know which cleaner to use when. This month's newsletter features a
handy guide to cleaning all of today's kitchen counter surfaces, along with a reader question about staff training, and some
advice from yours truly about using acid-based cleaners.
Don't forget, if you have any questions you would like to see addressed in this newsletter, please send me an email at jeff@thecleanteam.com. Your input helps us to better meet your needs! | |
Cleaning Today's Kitchen Counter Surfaces
 There are a plethora of counter top options today, from naturally beautiful marble,slate and granite to stunning composites such as Corian and Silestone. And, of course, the most common kitchen counter top surface is still laminate, which, while not natural, can be versatile and attractive.
With such a variety of options in counter top surfaces, figuring out the right cleaner can be a real guessing game. Let us take the guesswork out of your counter cleaning with our quick guide to today's counter top surfaces.
Composite Counter Tops
Composite counter tops, also known as solid surface counter tops or synthetic stone, are sold under a variety of brand names, including Silestone and Corian. They are referred to as composites because they are a composite made from crushed pieces of stone and acrylics, melted and poured into a mold. The end result: An aesthetic and strong counter top surface.
For day-to-day maintenance, homeowners should use a damp sponge or soft cloth to wipe down the counter top. For spills, dish soap and water is usually sufficient. To keep water stains from forming, it is recommended to dry the surface after washing and after each use.
For tougher spots and deeper cleaning, you can safely use a mildly abrasive cleaner, such as our Pro Scrub or Soft Scrub, etc.
Marble Counter Tops
An elegant, durable and beautiful surface top, marble is the top choice of many gourmets. Dough can be rolled out directly on the counter top, making it ideal for bakers. Marble can also tolerate heat, so there is no need to put a trivet down before placing a hot dish on the counter top. Since marble is porous, it does require some maintenance to avoid dulling and scratching.
Most homeowners know that acid is the enemy of natural stone--especially marble. Even mild acids such as orange juice, tomato juice, vinegar and so forth can etch the marble and cause permanent damage--or at the very least, cause damage that only a professional can fix.
For day-to-day maintenance, homeowners can dust their counter tops with a dry or damp cotton or microfiber cloth. They should avoid, however, abrasive cleaners that could damage the finish, such as Ajax and green pads.
To clean up spills, use a pH-neutral cleaner such as dish soap or Red Juice, which is close enough to neutral to be safe on marble or granite. Make sure your cleaners know to not use any Tub-and-Tile type cleaners on marble or granite, as they are almost always acidic and can ruin the surface sheen.
Also, be sure to recommend that your clients have their counter tops sealed annually. If water soaks into the surface rather than beading up on top, it's time to have the counter tops resealed. Not sealing can result in permanent stains from oil or butter, for example.
Granite Counter Tops
The benchmark for modern kitchen design, granite counter tops come in a range of beautiful colors, making them especially versatile. Granite is a natural stone formed from volcanic magma. Incredibly strong and durable, granite resists heat and is an ideal surface for kneading and rolling out dough.
For day-to-day cleaning, homeowners may use a dry or damp microfiber or cotton cloth. The best day-to-day cleaning involves wiping with a sponge and a little dish soap and drying with paper towel or dry cloth.
For weekly cleaning, spray with Red Juice or other pH neutral cleaner and wipe dry with a cleaning cloth. Never use acid cleaners such as tub and tile cleaners on granite counter tops, as they can etch the surface. Stubborn stains may necessitate a call to the stone layer to buff them out with professional tools.
Granite should be sealed at least once prior to installation. Re-sealing is optional. If kept clean, regular re-sealing of the counter top is not necessary, but still recommended.
Ceramic Tile Counter Tops
Ceramic tile is a popular choice for counter tops since it comes in a range of colors, styles and price ranges. Ceramic is also heat- and stain-resistant, making it an ideal choice for a busy kitchen. However, while the tiles themselves resist stains, the grout between them does not--and grout is particularly susceptible to staining or mildewing.
For day-to-day cleaning, homeowners should wipe up any spills immediately with a sponge or damp cloth. Be sure to dry thoroughly to avoid mildew. For deeper cleaning of the tiles, Red Juice or other all-purpose cleaner is a good solution. For dirty and dingy grout, add a toothbrush or hand brush to dig into and remove dirt. While the process can be time-consuming, regular maintenance will protect your initial investment.
Remind your customers that grout must be sealed occasionally. There is no set interval, but annually would be a fairly good guideline. Without sealing, spills (such as spaghetti sauce, for example) will turn into permanent stains. When you are giving your customer their in-home estimate, pay special attention to any existing grout stains You may want to point out to the customer that those stains are likely to be permanent, although your cleaners will do their best to remove them.
Laminate Counter Tops
The most common and least expensive of the counter top surfaces is laminate. Plus, laminate, often referred to by the brand name Formica, comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, making it an ideal choice for budget-conscious homeowners. Made by laminating together layers of paper and plastic, these counter tops hold up well to spills and don't dull easily. They are not heat-resistant, however, and a too hot pot placed on these counters can permanently stain the surface. Additionally, the seams between laminate pieces are especially susceptible to water damage and mildew.
For day-to-day, homeowners should wash with a sponge with a bit of dish soap and water. It is a good idea to dry the counter tops to prevent water build-up in the seams.
For weekly cleaning, an all-purpose cleaner is the ideal choice. Just spray on and wipe down quickly with a damp cleaning cloth.
For more stubborn stains, apply a mildly abrasive cleaner, such as Pro Scrub, and use a toothbrush. As with most any surface, but especially with the less expensive surfaces such as laminate, you can damage it if you scrub hard enough. Be gentle.
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Using Clean Team Products
The Acid Misconception
 As the American consumer becomes increasingly green-minded, one of the most common requests we hear is not to use products that contain acid. While we applaud our customers for wanting to green their homes, the concern about acid is actually misplaced.
Many articles cite acid-based cleaners as being unfriendly to the environment. But the truth is that acid isn't necessarily harmful. If fact, it can often be the best bet for cleaning certain things in the house-especially hard water spots. 
It is the strength of the acid and the amount of water--and other additives-- in the acid solution, as well as the dose, that determines the effects (cleaning and greening) of the acid. (The true 'strength' of acid is a measurement of the extent it ionizes in water, but for our purpose, we can ignore this more scientific definition.)
Now many people--including our customers--forget that lemon juice, orange juice, tomato juice, Coca-Cola, and vinegar are all acids. Obviously these acids are not poisonous in the solution and dose we use them in.
Notice that I included Coca Cola. There is phosphoric acid in Coca-Cola--just check the ingredients on the side of a  can--and Americans drink millions of liters of it a day. In fact, Coca Cola is the largest producer of phosphoric acid in the world. Phosphoric acid is the acid in our Tile Juice. Our other super safe bathroom cleaner, Scum Bum contains glycolic acid and it is Green Cross Certified. Our rust remover container oxalic acid. So does spinach.
Now this doesn't mean that you should drink our cleaners--or that all acids are automatically safe. But they aren't automatically unsafe, either. You can remind your customers of this if they are in the "no acid whatsoever" camp. Explain to them that because of your knowledge of effective, safe housecleaning products, you are certain that this particular acid-based cleaner is not only the best product for the job, but also 100% safe for their home and the environment.
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Reader Mailbag
Questions from Our Cleaners
Dear Jeff,
When you have a team of
two employees, do you teach the bathroom employee the dusting and vacuuming job
so they know it? Or wait until an opening in that position becomes available
and then teach them?
~Lauren, Castle-Maids
Jeff's Response: While I don't think
it's smart to switch jobs back and forth among team members, I do think it's
smart to cross-train team members. So, yes, teach the bathroom person
other jobs once he or she has the bathroom job mastered.
Do you have a how-to question or a comment to share with me and our readers? Please send me an email!
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Thanks for reading us this month! Come visit us on the web at www.thecleanteampro.com.
Sincerely,
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Jeff Campbell
The Clean Team Catalog |
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