Top Tips: Preparing for your cleaner's return

There is talk of lockdown easing! Busy Londoners know that a clean and ordered house is essential for maintaining a happy work-life balance so that means that our cleaners are getting ready to return to work as well. Many of my clients have contacted me asking how they can prepare their home. Here are some of my top tips:

1. Check your store cupboard. You have been cleaning your own home so that means that you may have run out of cleaning products. Carry out an audit and place an online order so products are available for your cleaner. Think about descaling products, toilet cleaners, kitchen cleaners, limescale removers and so on. 

2. Check the vacuum cleaner. Vacuums get full very quickly and full bags just won't clean as well as empty bags. Do this ahead of time because some clients have already told me that they are finding it hard to locate bags online.

3. Look at your cleaning tools. Dustpans, mop heads and dusters do not last forever, so make sure they are fit for purpose.

4. Provide hand-sanitisers, towels and gloves. We still want to look after each other's wellbeing so make sure that you have products available for personal hygiene. Our cleaners will be washing their hands when they arrive at your house and they will be observing all distancing social requirements - so please, let's make this as easy as possible. 

5. Talk to us. After so many weeks in lockdown, it may feel strange having a cleaner in your space even though you are desperate to have a clean house again. The more we understand each other's needs, the more we are able to build trust and ultimately a happy work environment 

Chinese New Year 2017: Rooster

January 28th marked the Chinese New Year and it's now the year of the Rooster! Famous roosters are said to include Dawn French, Britney Spears, Yoko Ono and Bob Marley. 

I've been reading about Chinese New Year celebrations over the last week and discovered that getting your hair cut in the first month of the new year is apparently regarded as courting bad luck.  

However, you'll be pleased to know that house cleaning is fine as long as it takes place before the 28th. Decluttering and scrubbing is a symbolic way to say goodbye to the last year and welcome the new.  On a cautionary note, DON'T clean for the first few days of the new year in case you sweep away your good fortune. 

Here is another tradition I read about: It is very lucky to shop in the new year! 

Happy to new to all my customers across East London who celebrate this tradition. I'd love to hear about your special day.   

I wish you good health and prosperity. 

Justyna

New Year Resolutions

Welcome to 2017!

I adored my time with friends and family over the Christmas break but now I am back home in lovely London and full of excitement about the forthcoming year. 

Did you make any resolutions?

I did ;-)

I want to grow my business and throw myself into creating a beautiful home for my partner and me to enjoy.

I come from a very house-proud family tradition.  Walk past my front door and you will find orderly shelves, clean benches, perfectly folded towels and freshly ironed clothes.  

London is such a busy city. We are constantly surrounded by crowds, noise, and activity. While I love the fullness of London life, sometimes it's hard to find peace and quiet. For me, my home is my retreat.

I think it was Ghandi who said: "I will not let anyone walk through my  mind with their dirty feet." Cleanliness and order soothe but they also help me to think creatively and freely which is energising. 

I am big on decluttering.  I have a small selection of dear ornaments, treasured photographs and soft furnishing which totally reflect who I am. This year, I am resolved to make my home even more of an oasis. 

Good luck with your New Year resolutions. 

Best wishes,

Justyna