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Remember the good ol’ days when you would hop, skip and jump to the finish line at recess? Or rushed out of the classroom to battle your friends at four square at lunch? Of course, you wouldn’t have thought about it then, but those games were made possible because of playground line marking. Now you’re working in a school or local government, line marking is on your radar. Perhaps the basketball court lines are fading, and students are fighting over whether the ball was out of bounds or new concrete is ready for its line marking debut. Whatever your interest, we’re glad you’re researching it because line marking is important for every school.     What is playground line marking? First, what exactly is playground line marking or schoolyard stencilling? Similarly to car park line marking or warehouse line marking, playground line marking is the process of painting stencils, markings or symbols on concrete, bitumen or brick to create boundaries in games and sporting activities. Line marking can be as simple as clean, white lines or feature vibrant colours and shapes to engage the little ones.  Popular playground line marking include Playground boundaries  Basketball Netball  Foursquare or handball Hopscotch  Snakes & Ladders Mazes  Word games   5 reasons playground line marking is important 1. Ignites learning experiences  Play is essential to child development because it facilitates learning. It aids in developing problem-solving skills, cognitive processing and memory, so creating as many opportunities for children to play is essential, especially at school. If spaces aren’t set up for play, e.g. concrete without schoolyard line paintings, students won’t play that game of hopscotch or imaginative game that will benefit their learning. 2. Encourages physical exercise  We’ve all heard the reports about the obesity rates rising in children, and inactivity is said to be one of the key factors. Technology has meant children spend more time indoors than ever before, with their eyes fixed on the screen, remaining sedentary. However, sports games like basketball, netball, tennis and handball, games made possible because of playground line markings, get kids outside and moving and keep them fit and healthy.    3. Improve outdoor facilities  Are you invested in your school’s reputation? Tired old bitumen with cracked line markings from days gone by doesn’t give the greatest impression! You may not have the budget to do much about the greying bitumen, but a fresh coat of line marking is doable. Schoolyard stencilling will lift the look of your school and show that maintaining facilities is a priority. 4. Activate forgotten spaces  If you’re managing a property, you want space to be utilised. You also need to keep crowd control in mind, with students evenly distributed in the playground. If you’ve got a patch of bitumen in the corner of the school that students avoid, you can create a space for sports games to encourage students to utilise it. 5. Keep children safe  Safety is, of course, the highest priority in schoolyards. With little kids, especially, keeping them in eyesight is easier when you have clearly defined boundaries where they need to remain. Line markings define areas in the playground or create boundaries for separation between grades.   How to choose quality line markers How do you choose a line marking or schoolyard stencilling company? Line marking specialists will adequately plan and design your playground line marking, so it’s 100% accurate. They will also use special long-lasting line marking paint so all that foot traffic won’t make a dent in the sparkling white lines!  At Kleenit, our line markers use airless spraying technology, which applies the paint more consistently and accurately. Our schoolyard stencilling is long-lasting and will stay bright for years to come.  Is it time to invest in playground line marking services? Get a free quote today. 

Business owners and property managers can agree that dealing with graffiti is frustrating when it comes to building maintenance. And we’re not talking about cool street art on our alleyways; we’re talking about the ugly tags that cover buildings everywhere. Graffiti may not seem like a huge deal, but it can cause many problems. These are some of the reasons why graffiti should be dealt with quickly:  Certain tags can be offensive to the community   Graffiti can obscure branding and signage  Graffiti affects your building’s appeal Spray paints can damage exterior surfaces Tags attract copycats or “one-upping.” As pressure cleaning specialists and experts in graffiti removal, we’ve removed our fair share of ugly paint, and unfortunately, it’s not always as simple as water and soap or store-bought graffiti cleaner. The process requires a specially formulated stripping gell or spraypaint remover and high-pressure cleaning equipment to blast off the paint.  We now recommend properties invest in anti-graffiti coating. Anti-graffiti coating is like a special enamel that seals the paint on your building that repels liquids from the surface of your building (much like water runs off a leaf). It makes graffiti easy to clean and prevents long-term damage.   Benefits of anti-graffiti coating    Take a proactive approach to damage  We’re sure you have enough to do without cleaning your building every day. So how do you deal with graffiti, especially when you try to DIY graffiti removal yourself and overnight there’s a fresh batch ready and waiting for you? Anti-graffiti coating is a proactive approach to vandalism. By investing in protection, you can avoid having to get paint professionally removed repeatedly. It’s an easy fix because the pain will wash right off.  Reduce the cost of cleaning  If you’ve had to pay for graffiti removal a few times now, you’ll know the costs quickly add up. Anti-graffiti coating makes spray paint easy to remove, so you won’t have to invest in professional removal, reducing building maintenance costs. And you immediately remove graffiti, and vandalists will quickly get the picture that there’s no point messing with your building!  Maintain the look and brand of your building  We all judge buildings by their appearance, whether you’re conscious of it or not, and one of the unfortunate consequences of graffiti is its damage to your reputation. Graffiti makes your property look unkempt and neglected, which gives off a wrong impression. Not to mention ruin the branding you’ve invested in – we’ve all tried to decipher signs covered in spray paint! You can quickly remove spray paint with anti-graffiti coating to keep your property looking professional.  Deter other graffiti artists  Graffiti attracts more graffiti. The culture of graffiti artists is one of ownership, status and hierarchy. Taggers like to one-up each other by tagging on top of each other’s work. What does this mean for you? One tag on your building will attract more tags your building. The quicker you clean up the graffiti, the less chance you will attract more damage. Anti-graffiti coating means quick removal.  Avoids staining and long-term damage  Did you know spray paint can strip the colour of your building and cause long term damage? Certain paints can have a corrosive effect on surfaces. They can also leave stains or shadows even once removed. The permanent anti-graffiti coating prevents damage from vandalism and keeps your building looking in tip-top shape.    Are you sick of graffiti and want to make building maintenance less of a headache? Get a free anti-graffiti coating quote today.  

We wouldn’t think that a quarter of a way into 2022, we would still be thinking about Covid-19, but here we are. The only difference is that now Australia is moving toward living with the virus rather than actively delaying the spread. We’re now coming to terms with precisely what this means.  95% of adults are now fully vaccinated, so the Government is lifting restrictions and emergency measures such as lockdowns and international travel. But we’re not in the clear yet. There are 1,641 Covid hospital cases in New South Wales, 578 in Queensland, and 248 in Western Australia (As of 22 April 2022).  We’re also heading into flu season. The Government is investing $2.1 billion to protect us against COVID-19, focusing on resources for people with severe illness and support for the economy over winter.  As an employer, you are responsible for minimising the risk of Covid-19 for employees with Covid cleaning. The Omnicron variant is now well and truly present in Australia, so keeping your workplace clean is imperative.  So with winter in mind, how clean is your office? Are you staying on top of disinfection to protect your staff from the Covid-19?   Covid-19 cleaning or DIY disinfectant cleaning The easing of restrictions has meant that workplaces have had to be even more vigilant with cleaning, investing in special cleaning services to avoid losing their entire workforce to the virus.  How you clean your workplace will depend on the type of work you do and the premises in which you operate. Consider what surfaces you have in the office and how often surfaces are touched (the more people who touch surfaces, the higher the risk of spread).  Common office surfaces that will need to be cleaned: Tables, chairs, counters Frequently touched surfaces – door handles, light switches, keypads, lift buttons Computer stations, printers, phones  Meeting room surfaces  Public toilets and bathrooms - floors, doors, cistern pans and seats, sinks and tapware, paper towel dispensers and air dryers. Tips for DIY disinfectant cleaning: Prioritise deep cleaning high-frequented areas and frequently touched surfaces daily Use disinfectant to kill bacteria on surfaces Promote proper hygiene – washing hands with soap and water and drying with disposable paper or single-use cloth or towel Provide adequate alcohol-based sanitiser for staff and customers/clients Make sure cleaning sure are well-versed in cleaning for Covid-19, and they’re using high-grade chemicals  Ensure cleaners or staff protect themselves from harsh chemicals – wear gloves and eyewear. Want to know the difference between antiviral cleaning and antibacterial cleaning? We have written a few articles on Covid-19 cleaning over the last three years. You can read our blog on commercial disinfection: business biohazard cleaning for COVID-19 here.     When do you need to book Covid-19 cleaning services? Covid-19 cleaning is required if your office or workplace has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection. We recommend booking a specialist cleaner to be sure you remove biohazards before your staff re-enter the workplace.  Specialist cleaning can be a preventive measure. You can book disinfection services daily, weekly, forthrightly or monthly – whenever you need it.    Covid-19 cleaning services for offices  Covid-19 cleaning services is a thorough cleaning of your workplace based on health service recommendations. It includes eradicating germs from floors, walls and frequently touched items (e.g. door handles, handrails, counters, tables, desks and appliances). Kleenit uses hospital-grade disinfectant with viricidal properties and foggers or mist sprayers to remove the need for contact with surfaces. If your space is a contact site, our specialist Covid cleaning services team wears appropriate PPE, including a jumpsuit, gloves, eyewear & mask or a full-face respirator. Our team of specialised cleaners will keep your workplace safe and sanitised. Book your Covid-19 clean today. 

Experiencing a fire is scary, no matter the size and severity. It's not only a threat to your safety during the fire, but well after. Structural damage, lingering smoke, soot, and mould are all a concern. Aside from the health considerations, even a small fire can severely damage your property. Smoke and soot can quickly stain surfaces and become difficult to remove. The water from fighting the blaze can cause damage too. The aftermath of a fire is overwhelming and you may be wondering what to tackle first. As fire restoration cleaning experts, we have seen our fair share of fires. We go through the fire damage you can expect and tips on what to do to recover your property. What fire damage can you expect? Structural damage Depending on the severity of the fire, the structure of your property may be compromised, and you could encounter dangerous debris. Heat can warp walls, crack foundations and shatter glass. In addition, fire can damage supportive beams and cave in ceilings. It’s also important to note that sometimes structural damage cannot be easily be detected. Materials will react differently to heat and flames. It’s always best to tread with caution. Smoke and soot damage When it comes to fire damage, smoke and soot are a concern. Smoke quickly permeates walls, ceilings and furniture. Soot, the powdery substance from burning embers, settles on surfaces. Both smoke and soot stain and discolour walls, ceilings and appliances, causing corrosion if left for a considerable time. Smoke can smell pretty bad too, and unfortunately, deep cleaning is required to eradicate it. Smoke and soot are also health concerns. Smoke causes burning eyes and a runny nose, and prolonged exposure can even cause fatal diseases. Water damage Putting out a fire requires water, and unfortunately, this can damage your property. Porous materials like wooden floors soak up water and quickly swell. Carpets are easily ruined. Water can also become trapped in ceilings, which can result in collapse. The longer water is left the worse damage. After you extinguish the fire, flood restoration is often needed to remove  water, dry the property and conduct mould removal. Fire damage cleaning tips 1. Assess the safety of your home Your safety is the priority, so the first thing to do is assess the danger. The Department of Fire and Services recommends contacting a building inspector to ensure your home is structurally safe before you go inside. If you have insurance, your provider may call one for you. It’s also important to turn off electricity, gas and water. Contact utility providers, inform them of the fire and get their professional attention on whether these elements are still functional. 2. Prepare for insurance Are you insured? If so, call your provider and inform them of the damage. Your fire damage services and/or flood restoration services may be covered. They may also have a preferred provider – it may be us! Our team will investigate the extent of the damage and provide a quote for fire damage cleaning and smoke damage cleaning immediately. We will work with your insurance company to restore your property and contents. 3. Ventilate and save While you wait for professional fire damage cleaning and other professionals to attend to the damage, open windows and doors to ventilate the area so the remaining smoke can escape, which will reduce odour. Remove any electronic devices near the fire site, as smoke and soot may contaminate them and cause further damage. You may also choose to cover other surfaces, furniture and appliances to protect them before the cleanup. 4. Prepare for fire restoration cleaning Smoke, soot and water will continue to damage your property well after the fire – the longer you leave it, the worse it will get. The most important thing to do is to act quickly. We recommend calling a fire restoration company immediately if the fire was considerable. DIY cleaning can often cause more damage. Do you need to book a fire damage cleanup? Get in touch.

We regularly clean inside the house, but what about the outside? We rarely give it a second thought! Discoloured bricks go unnoticed, cobwebbed walls are ignored, and dust-caked concrete becomes the norm.  Your house is open to the elements – dirt, dust, pollution, bird poo – the list goes on. Year after year, these elements build up and you can’t see the original colour of your house anymore. High-pressure cleaning can shave years off your property and increase its street appeal. We give you three reasons why exterior house washing is worth it.    3 reasons why house pressure cleaning is worth it  1. House exterior cleaning increases the value of your home  Selling or renting your property? You know the saying, first impressions count. The outside of a building is what buyers and renters see first, and if it’s dirty, they will assume the inside is dirty too. Take a look the next time you go for a drive. You will notice the buildings that look worse for wear – we bet they haven’t seen a high-pressure hose for a while! Discolouration can also age your property, decreasing its value.  So how do you revive your home and make it look its best? Invest in house pressure cleaning. Cleaning the exterior of your home will restore brick to its original colour, make your pavers look new and give your roof a healthy glow. You’ll be surprised by what a refresh can do.  2. House high-pressure cleaning removes dangerous mould    Another reason to get house exterior cleaning is to remove mould. Mould grows in warm, damp and poorly ventilated areas. Unfortunately, it can also grow outside, and once it’s alive and thriving, it starts to grow inside, which is bad news!  Mould not only looks unsightly but can be damaging to your health. Black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) can grow toxic spores which can cause respiratory illnesses or aggravate existing ones. If you have kids in the home, this is something to consider.  If you do notice mould, we recommend hiring a professional or mould removal specialist as heavy mould exposure can trigger a reaction in some people. Professional high-pressure cleaners will use PPE, gloves, eye protection and a respirator, so they stay toxin-free. Plus, trying to remove mould yourself is a big job to take on! And if you’re anything like us, you would rather spend your weekend doing something you enjoy.  3. House high-pressure cleaning prepares for renovation  Planning a fresh slick of paint? Whether you’re painting brick, wood, stone, concrete or plaster, you will need to wash exterior walls in preparation. Why? It will make your paint last longer. Unfortunately, scrubbing with water and soap won’t cut it. A high-pressure house washing professional will remove dust, dirt and tough stains like oil. They will also be able to access hard-to-reach places like roofs and deep crevices.    Can you wash the outside of your house yourself?  While cleaning your house exterior may seem like an easy DIY job, without a commercial-grade hot-water pressure hose and the skills to know how to use it, it’s unlikely you will be able to clean your house sufficiently.  DIY cleaning solutions can also be too abrasive for some surfaces, resulting in damage to walls, especially coloured concrete. Kleenit uses environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products that are gentle on your property and won’t harm the earth!  What about the budget? Is it cheaper to high-pressure clean yourself? After spending time researching how to DIY, buying products and equipment, and then struggling through the job yourself, a professional cleaner is often more cost-effective in the long run. Plus, you have the confidence to know Kleenit has got the job done correctly.    Why choose Kleenit  Kleenit is a high-pressure cleaning expert. Our highly trained operators have years of experience, and we use the latest equipment on the market. We can blast through years of buildup and can reach spots others can’t. Make your property look new again with exterior house cleaning and commercial building washing. See the improvement.  Get a free external house washing quote. 

Have you ever thought about running your own business? What’s stopped you? Is it the fear of failure or the thought of staying on top of operations yourself? There are many reasons you may be reluctant to take the leap but if you ask Kleenit franchisees they would tell you they wished they bought a franchise business earlier, like Neal Munson, who started his Kleenit journey in 2006. It’s not just the money you can make as a franchisee, you have the freedom of running your own business, along with the support of an established company. You also don’t have to reinvent the wheel. All processes have been tried and tested, and you can rely on the brand equity the franchise has built over the years (we have been in business for over 30 years). You may suit becoming a franchisee if… ● You’re ready for the next challenge ● You have an entrepreneurial spirit ● You already have a trade or experience in high-pressure cleaning ● You want to create more work-life balance ● You want access to ongoing support   Benefits of owning a franchise business Flexibility and freedom Do you love freedom? Want to work your way? Flexibility is a big drawcard for franchisees. You become your own boss and get to call the shots. You can work when and where you want, and once you’ve invested in an available territory, it’s yours to own! You can also choose to work solo, partner, or build a team. It’s up to you! Want to book a longer holiday? Do it. It’s your choice. Free training and ongoing support Professional development sets you up for success but organising training yourself can be time consuming and expensive. With Kleenit as your franchise partner, you get all the training provided to build a profitable franchise business, including how to perform your duties, as well as admin and sales education. After an initial one 2 week induction, you’ll be ready for your first job. You’ll then have access to further technical upskilling as you build your services over the next year. The support makes the whole “business” thing less daunting. Leverage an existing brand and don’t worry about marketing Worried about getting work? An established brand gives you major leverage compared to new businesses trying to enter the market afresh. Kleenit is a trusted brand in high-pressure cleaning with an incredible presence online. Taking on a franchise business means you don’t have to do any marketing either. Instead, you can focus on building your business and enjoying your newfound autonomy. Access to help and ongoing support One of the downsides to owning a business is working everything out yourself. It can be daunting facing the obstacles of the business alone. But by joining a cleaning franchise, you have access to ongoing support. Multiple services and income streams There are many franchise businesses to choose from – some with one service or product they sell, others with multiple income streams. The great thing about choosing a franchise with multiple services is you can make more money. Kleenit allows you to build a customer base with 20+ trade services, including high-pressure cleaning, graffiti removal, painting, floor coatings, COVID-19 environmental cleaning and disinfection. Get leads straight off the bat This is the best thing about investing in a Kleenit franchise business – we send you enquiries. We help you secure domestic, commercial, industrial and even large government contracts. That means less time generating leads yourself. You will have exclusive rights to market your services within your designated territory and receive enquiries for the region. Better than other franchise opportunities A Kleenit franchise offers a diverse range of services and is a high-value alternative to other options, such as: ● Car wash franchise ● Carpet cleaning franchise ● Garden maintenance franchise ● Carpentry franchise ● Electrical franchise ● landscaping franchise ● Fencing franchise ● Graffiti removal franchise ● Handyman franchise ● Lawn mowing franchise ● Painting franchise ● Plumbing franchise ● Pool cleaning franchise ● Roofing franchise ● Tiling franchise Looking for a franchise business for sale? Kleenit has opportunities in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. Want to find out more about our franchise opportunities? Head to our franchise page to express your interest.

Flooding is one of those things you never think will happen to you, but water damage is more common than you think. We provide flood cleaning services to commercial and residential properties that have experienced water damage regularly. Whether it’s a burst pipe, appliance malfunction or heavy rainfall, flooding can cause irreparable damage to the structure of your building. Depending on the severity, your home or business may need anything from carpet cleaning to structural repairs. Types of water damage restoration According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), there are three categories of water damage. The IICRC-500 industry-standard sets these out as: Category One: Clean water damage, such as from a broken/running tap or broken plumbing supply line. Category Two: Greywater damage where the water may contain contaminants or chemicals that would cause discomfort or health issues to occupants, including an appliance leaking, broken fish tank, or rainwater leaking through the roof. Category Three: Blackwater damage is anything likely to contain pathogens, such as a sewage back-up and overflow, or water from watercourses (in the case of flooded rivers or lakes). No matter the category of your flooding, it’s wise to act as soon as possible to avoid further damage, illness, and mould growth. The best thing to do is to call emergency flood cleanup immediately. What to do when your property is flooded 1. Take immediate action Leaving a flood for too long will likely cause damage. It’s best to call an emergency flood response company immediately. 2. Put safety first Turn off electricity at the meter box. You may need to call an electrician to isolate any affected power points and light switches. 3. Prepare for insurance Your flood cleanup may be covered by insurance. Our team will partner with your insurance company to restore your property. 4. Move items and ventilate While you wait for the flood response team, move any wet items into a dry area to prevent further damage. Flood cleaning services Beyond the ‘soggy carpet’ that comes to mind most when thinking of flooding, moisture can become trapped between wall coverings and inside plaster walls, creating damp environments that spur mould growth. Water damage cleanup requires specialist equipment to get into hard to reach places and restore your property. Kleenit provides the following services: Drying We use specialist drying equipment to remove the moisture from within the structure to prevent mould growth. Carpet water damage We dry the carpet weave and underlay, as well as pull up all the carpet to pressure clean the floor below. Mould removal/remediation Kleenit implements chemical mould treatments, including air scrubbers so mould won’t spread further. Sewage cleanup and biohazard We’re certified in waste-water removal and use commercial-grade chemicals. We also sanitise your building to remove bacteria, allergens and prevent mould growth. Air Quality Control We take on odour control by drying areas thoroughly and applying odour suppressants. Restoration equipment hire Do you want to get the job done yourself? You can hire dehumidifiers, fans and air scrubbers—restoration equipment that will get the job done. Thermal imaging We make sure no unseen damp spots remain by using thermal imaging and penetrative moisture assessment probe. Emergency flood restoration The Kleenit water damage cleanup team has the equipment and experience to get your residential or commercial property back in shape fast. Choose WA’s experts in flood remediation. Got a flooding issue? Call Kleenit on 1800 255 336.

Building or renovating is a messy business. The bricklaying process, especially, involves a large amount of cement. Excess cement can dry on the bricks. If these markings aren’t cleaned after the build, your commercial building will look old, dirty and unfinished. Exterior bricks are the first element of your building people see, so you obviously want them to look their best. This is why commercial brick cleaning is the finishing touch to a renovation or build. Acid cleaning removes unsightly marks and staining and leaves the outside of your building clean, bright and new. What is commercial brick cleaning? Brick washing or brick cleaning is the process of cleaning excess mortar, dust, residue and other dirt off bricks once bricklaying is completed. It is one of the last stages of a build or renovation and is best done as soon as possible (within 3-14 days) before the mortar hardens. Older commercial buildings also require brick cleaning. Exterior bricks are exposed to elements such as water, dirt, moss and minerals. These cause stains and discolourations such as efflorescence (white stains) or vanadium staining (green tinge). They can make commercial buildings look weathered. Cleaning bricks is part of the general upkeep of a commercial building. Commercial buildings look substantially better after special cleaning services. The bricks of the building look brighter and make the building look new again. How does commercial brick cleaning work? Bricklayers are required to clean bricks as they go, but the mortar will likely still stick. If mortar residue dries, it is difficult to remove so cleaning commercial bricks require an acid solution to soften the compound and high-pressure water to rinse the material off. As a high-pressure cleaning specialist, our commercial brick cleaning involves: Matching brick type to cleaning method and solution Applying acid mixture to the brick surface Agitating mortar and residue with a scrubbing brush Cleaning the brick surface with fresh water sprayed at high pressure Do you need a professional to clean bricks? Although building blogs give out DIY brick cleaning tips and amateur cleaning acids are available at hardware stores, commercial brick cleaning is definitely a job for professionals. It requires specialist skills, commercial cleaning equipment and safety awareness. As mortar is hard to remove, harsh chemicals are required. Cleaning with chemicals is dangerous and should be approached with care. Bricks may look indestructible but they can be easily damaged. Cleaning bricks with store-bought acid could stain the bricks. You will also need high-pressure water. Professional commercial cleaners know the right distance and angle of the high-pressure hose to use so they do not disintegrate the brick. Professionals keep the following things in mind when commercial brick cleaning: Different brick types will require specific cleaning Various compounds e.g. mortar type may require alternative cleaning solution and techniques Cleaning chemicals shouldn’t dry on the bricks Water pressure will vary depending on brick type and markings Kleenit provides commercial brick cleaning for buildings – large and small. Do you need the finishing touch to your building? Get in touch with Kleenit to arrange an obligation-free quote.

2021 was set to be a better year but unfortunately, COVID-19 and its rampant Delta variant have resulted in mass outbreaks, particularly for the eastern states of Australia. The Delta variant is twice as contagious as the previous variants, and as we have seen in NSW, it spreads quickly. Although 19,000,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, there still isn’t enough information to know how long protection will last. And as Healthy WA says, "No vaccines offer total immunity." We’ve become accustomed to COVID-19 and the “new normal”, and as the vaccine rolls out, employers have relaxed their cleaning practices. But recent outbreaks are a stark reminder of our responsibility to protect our workplace through proper contamination cleaning. What to clean in your workplace for COVID-19 Your covid cleaning practices will depend on your workplace and what you touch on a day-to-day basis. For non-healthcare workplaces, The Australian Government’s Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Principles for COVID-19 [2] have divided routine cleaning into two groups: Frequently touched surfaces: Door handles, bedrails, tabletops and light switches. Minimally touched surfaces: Floors, ceilings, walls and blinds. As COVID-19 bacteria survive on surfaces from a few hours to several days, frequently touched services should be cleaned at least once daily. Depending on whether you’ve been near an outbreak, disinfection should also happen at least once daily too. If there’s a spill or visible dirt present on a surface, you should clean it immediately. Minimally touched surfaces should be cleaned weekly. It’s also advised that you change window curtains and clean sinks and basins regularly. General cleaning vs. disinfecting your workplace If your workplace isn’t near contamination, daily cleaning with detergent should be sufficient. But if you’re near a contamination site or there’s been a suspected case in your workplace, a disinfection clean is required to kill Covid bacteria. What’s the difference between a general clean and a disinfectant clean? General cleaning usually involves the removal of dirt and germs with detergent and a water solution. Disinfectant cleaning uses chemicals to bacteria. These includes: 70% ethyl alcohol to disinfect small areas such as reusable dedicated equipment (for example, thermometers); Sodium hypochlorite at 0.1% (1000 ppm) for disinfecting surfaces; And for areas where fecal contact has occurred, commercially available quaternary ammonium compounds, such as cetylpyridinium chloride, used according to manufacturer’s instructions, and peracetic or peroxyacetic acid at concentrations of 500−2000 mg/L. [1] How to disinfect your workplace for COVID-19 Clean with detergent first Surfaces must be cleaned with detergent before being disinfected. COVID-19 droplets may not be killed by disinfectant alone. Practice safety Protect yourself from harsh chemicals. Wear gloves and eyewear when preparing disinfectant solutions, such as bleach. Remain in open-air environments. Use disposable wipes, gloves and masks After cleaning, dispose of wipes, gloves and masks in a plastic bag (double bagging) to reduce contamination. Healthcare workplaces Special cleaning is required in healthcare workplaces. Disinfection cleaning should be conducted daily and between each occurrence of patient care. Kleenit specialises in decontamination cleaning. We’re still providing covid cleaning services in workplaces around Australia. We also provide a covid cleaning certification on completion. Get in touch to book your deep clean.   [1] World Health Organisation, Water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management for the COVID-19 virus, 23 April 2020, https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331846/WHO-2019-nCoV-IPC_WASH-2020.3-eng.pdf Retrieved 21 January 2021 [2] Australian Government, Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19 https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/environmental-cleaning-and-disinfection-principlesfor-covid-19.pdf

Flood damage remediation covers a broad cross-section of trade services. Depending on the severity of flooding, your home or business may need anything from carpet cleaning to structural repairs. Kleenit is one of the many services that you may require to handle water damage restoration. We’re more than happy to collaborate with builders and other trades to get your property back in order as quickly as possible. Types of water damage restoration According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), there are three categories of water damage. The IICRC-500 industry-standard sets these out as: Category One: Clean water damage, such as from a broken/running tap or broken plumbing supply line. Category Two: Greywater damage where the water may contain contaminants or chemicals that would cause discomfort or health issues to occupants. This might include an appliance leaking, a broken fish tank, or possibly rainwater leaking through the roof. Category Three: Blackwater damage, which is anything likely to contain pathogens, such as a sewage back-up and overflow, or water from watercourses (in the case of flooded rivers or lakes).  No matter the floor situation, it’s wise to act as soon as possible to avoid further damage, illness, and mould growth. If there has been no specific ‘flood event’ but are detecting a mouldy smell in certain areas, contact Kleenit for information on mould removal. You can read some of our most recent flood response tips here.  Flood damage remediation: What to do   In a Category One situation, flood damage remediation involves removing the excess water from cavities and soaked carpet. So long as an area is safe from electrical shocks, remove items that may stain the floor, such as curtains, rugs, pot plants, books, wood and metal furniture. A professional wet-dry vacuum is then used on carpet to thoroughly clean it, followed by placing air dehumidifiers in affected spaces to ensure they dry quickly and won’t foster mould growth. We also use mild chemical treatments to kill existing mould preventing further spread. In a Category Two or Three water damage event, you’ll need to protect yourself with gloves, goggles, boots, protective clothing and a respirator if you plan to perform any cleaning yourself in the home. If it’s safe to do so, turn off mains power, or at a minimum, the air conditioning to prevent pathogens from cycling into your system. Close doors and windows while you await a professional cleaner to assess the situation.  Note: Houses built before 1990 in Australia are likely to contain asbestos cement products; it’s important to consider protective gear before interfering with damaged cladding, floor tiles or roof tiles. Flood remediation services Beyond the ‘soggy carpet’ that comes to mind most when thinking of flooding, moisture can become trapped between wall coverings and inside plaster walls, creating damp environments that spur mould growth. As part of our special cleaning services, Kleenit employs a wide range of equipment in flood damage remediation. Depending on the situation and severity of the damage, we may use: Moisture meters to detect wet areas Professional pressure cleaners Negative air machines with HEPA filters Self-contained vacuum equipment  Fans, air dehumidifiers and/or heaters Generators (where power isn’t available) Mould-killing and anti-bacterial solutions Personal protective equipment Disposal following flood damage remediation In cases of grey- and blackwater events, some materials may need to be disposed of and treated as a potential biohazard. A clean-water flooded area that has been left unchecked may also harbour a build-up of mould, bacteria and other dangerous pathogens. Removing materials that may contain asbestos, especially friable (crumbly) asbestos, is another danger. Discuss the risks with your contractor or tradespeople before commencing work and the potential of additional costs for disposing of such materials.  For more information on flood damage remediation for your commercial or residential property, get in touch with Kleenit to arrange an obligation-free consultation.