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RESOLUTIONS FOR THE PLANET IN 2020

1/8/2020

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It's 2020! The year that will mark 50 years of Earth Day! Can you believe it? The 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22 will bring Earth Day back to its roots to mobilize millions to act for our planet, but why wait until April if we can star Right Now?
Solving our climate crisis isn’t going to be easy. It’s going to be a challenge, and it’s going to be uncomfortable. But what these acts may do is set you on the path of continued action, and increased ambition, from day to day, week to week, and year to year.
Ready to take the first step (or steps) to help save the planet? 

​1. GO PLANT-BASED (1-2 MEALS A DAY)

You might be regretting your food choices over the holidays. Skip the crash diet (you look beautiful!) and try plant-based instead. 

Animal agriculture has an enormous impact on climate change, contributing as much greenhouse gases as every car, plane, train, and ship on Earth. Going plant-based is one of the most powerful ways to reduce our personal carbon footprints (or foodprint, as we call it).  Not ready to go all the way? Just start with one meal, or go plant-based for breakfast and lunch.

​2. SKIP THE GYM. SKIP THE CAR.

We know this doesn’t work for everyone, but where and when you can, skip the car and walk, bike or take public transportation instead. You’ll get some good (free!) exercise, while taking a huge bite out of your personal carbon footprint.  For every mile you don’t drive, you reduce your carbon footprint by one pound. Bonus points if you’re lugging bags of groceries home on your walk.

3. COMPOST, COMPOST, COMPOST.

Food waste greatly contributes to climate change. Think about it — when you toss food in the trash, you’re wasting all the resources that it took to grow, harvest and ship that food. 
Food also sits in a landfill, producing methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that is 34 times more potent over a 100-year period than carbon dioxide. If food waste were a country, it would be the world’s third-largest emitter after the U.S. and China. So serve yourself as much as you can eat, salvage your leftovers and compost what’s truly bad.
 

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4. ​SKIP THE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAG.

Did you know that those convenient plastic grocery bags are only used for an average of 15-20 minutes? Meanwhile they have a lifespan of 500–1,000 years in the landfill. Suddenly that convenience is looking very inconvenient for our planet… Just stick a reusable bag in your purse or backpack, or stash one in your desk. It’s that simple. 

Grocery bags dissolve into potentially harmful microplastics and, in the case of ingestion or entanglement, hurt and kill animals. They’re pretty much the worst. Even though these bags are technically recyclable, you must go to a drop-off area to do that, not your curbside bin.
​To take this step to the next level, see if you can go a whole day without plastic. It’s much harder than you might think, but it gives you an illuminating view at just how bad our plastic problem is, while identifying key places to cut plastics from your life.
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5. STOP BUYING WHAT YOU DON'T REALLY NEED.

Take fast fashion as an example — we buy far more clothing than we need (and wear), often tossing clothes in the trash: Research shows that a garbage truck’s worth of clothing and textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second. So, don’t buy it, and don’t buy into it! You should never underestimate your power as a consumer. Instead, try shopping secondhand. It’s a great way to give new life to old clothes while saving money and keeping perfectly good clothing out of landfills. 
It’s also a good way to ensure you’re not wearing the same faux-hipster bohemian crop top as everyone else this season…Like with food waste, not only are these clothes sitting in landfills to produce greenhouse gases as they break down, but the resources (including low-paying and dangerous labor for marginalized communities) used to create these textiles is also wasted as well. Our current clothing industry is incredibly polluting, resource-intensive and wasteful (not to mention unjust).

​6. USE ECO-FRIENDLY JANITORIAL SERVICES.

At Peak Janitorial, we are convinced that we will satisfy all your cleaning needs and worries.
​We offer you a large selection of services, using eco-friendly products used by bonded professionals. 

Many green products today out-perform conventional products and they are not only safer for the environment they’re safer for people too.  Moreover, many of these eco-friendly products are even more affordable than traditional cleaning alternatives. 
Whether you are looking for residential or commercial cleaning services, at Peak Janitorial, we use only environmentally-safe products to ensure the health and safety of your family, customers and or employers.
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Prepare your home for winter.

12/3/2019

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It’s that time of year again the days are getting shorter, the leaves are falling and the rain has returned. Winterization is essential to keeping your home and family both comfortable and safe. Additional benefits include energy conservation and helping you save money. Timely inspections and preventative maintenance minimize disruptions and costly emergency repairs. With the right planning winterization is an affordable investment that you can budget for in advance. As a homeowner, these changes are a reminder that some preventative maintenance around the house is required. Here is top 5 list for must-do’s before winter: 

​1. Check Your Home’s Rain Readiness

You know the weather in Vancouver, the west coast gets a substantial amount of rain. As a homeowner checking that your properties ability to deal with water is crucial to preventing costly water damage. Take a walk around the exterior of your home next time it rains hard and look for the following:

Gutters – Are they flowing freely? If you can safely look inside make sure they are free of debris. If you can’t you should hear water running through the downspouts and water should not overflow the tops. Clean gutters divert the water from your roof away from your foundation. Clogged gutters can also cause water to seep over the back of the gutter, causing the fascia to rot. The bottom line is water damage is expensive to repair and gutter cleaning is an affordable way to prevent it. 

Paint protects the wood on your home against moisture. Once it begins to peel and flake moisture begins to cause rot. Even touching up problem spots before the winter months will save you money next time your decide to repaint.
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Windows & Doors – Caulking your windows and doors prevents moisture and mould. It’s an easy fix considering the alternative. We don’t need to tell you how nasty mould is. A good seal also prevents heat from escaping, reducing heating costs. Cold air continuously enters your home and hot hair escapes from underneath doors. Doors with an externally facing side cause energy costs to rise significantly, as homeowners offset the cold by turning up the heat. A simple remedy is to roll up a towel or thick sheet to fill the gap. However, draft guards are an inexpensive alternative that help save heat and money.  

​2. Inspect Your Driveway

Take some time to inspect your driveway for cracks. Damage to asphalt happens in the winter when moisture enters the cracks and can freeze (even in Vancouver). Filling the cracks and sealing the driveway will extend the life of your driveway and make it look better too!
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​3. Prepare Your Deck

Remember to store your outdoor cushions in a dry area, all that rain isn’t good for them even if they are treated. Empty the soil from any clay pots you have store in your yard – frozen soil will cause them to crack.

4. Winterize Faucets and Sprinkler Systems

Similarly, you want to ensure that none of the outdoor water systems get freeze over. Drain and cover all these systems to properly protect them. To prevent freezing and cracking, drain all water from garden hoses and any other irrigation systems while you’re at it.

​5. Keep Your Roof Clean

We see it all the time. Neglected roofs full of debris and moss that look terrible and are causing needless damage to the property on otherwise well maintained homes. Roofs aren’t cheap and they protect your home from moisture. Debris and moss compromise this system and redirect water where it isn’t supposed to go. They also cause the roof to age prematurely.
Whether it's customers' windows, floors, or carpet-covered kitty condos, chances are, Peak Janitorial can clean them. The company sends a staff of highly trained cleaning professionals to homes and offices to clean carpets, windows, and everything in between with ecofriendly products. Depending on the client's preference, these scouring services can be performed daily, weekly, or monthly. In addition, Peak Janitorial offers floor-care treatments, including stripping, waxing, buffing, and tile and grout cleaning.
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Transition your home with the seasons.

10/31/2019

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Changing our homes to reflect season to season, doesn't need to be complicated nor cost you too much money. No matter your budget or style there are simple ways to help welcome the cooler weather into our homes.
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Use the change of seasons as your starting point and go through the areas of your home that require seasonal rotation.

Rotate your wardrobe.

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Out with summer clothes, in with fall!. Set an appointment on your calendar for a weekend when your whole family will swap summer wardrobes for fall.

When you switch clothes for the seasons, get rid of clothes and shoes that:
  • no longer fit.
  • don’t look good.
  • are stained or have holes.
  • are old or faded.
  • or you just don’t wear.
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​Fall and winter are a great time to donate coats and warm clothes to local shelters or charities or to offer hand-me-downs to friends and family.

Bring out scarves, gloves, hats, sweaters, jackets, boots and the essentials for your daily routine. 

Add warmth to your bedroom.

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 A quick way to add warmth to your room without changing out furniture or changing your color scheme is to simply add some warmth and texture with pillows, blankets. Notice above the colour scheme is pink, orange and white. You could also add some rugs to your floors to make a warmer and cozy feeling.

Beds are perhaps the easiest thing in the home to change for the seasons. Sheets are relatively inexpensive these days and so why not have a few on hand to accompany the changing of the seasons. Perhaps flannel is what you are after for a warmer, cozier feel during the cooler days of fall. Toss on a few blankets, even a faux fur throw to really welcome the fall!

Kitchen cabinets and pantry.

Move in the serving utensils, gravy boat, and other dish and cookware required for holiday entertaining. If you use seasonal colours or designs for sheets, towels, tablecloths, now it's the time to bring them out. Check expiration dates of food on your pantry and rotate out what hasn’t been eaten.  

Set your tables with warmer colours. Add candles and fresh fruit, gourds or pumpkins in autumnal hues.  You could buy decorative pumpkins in silver and gold tones, for a more formal look.

Create pretty displays with decorative pines or pumpkins.

Using natural resources, you can create warm and visually appealing displays. Combine candles with fruit, pumpkins, gourds or nuts and arrange them in wooden boxes and crates, plates, platters or trays and place them around your home. The warm glow created by candle light makes any home feel comfortable and warm.

Make a cozy livingroom.

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In the living room switch out decorative pillows, slipcovers or curtains. For a feeling of warmth, add textures and play with orange, white & gold colours. 
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Visuals aren’t the only thing that contribute to your home’s overall style; the scents it's filled with are surprisingly influential when it comes to how you and others feel in your space. Winter months are great for warm, rich scents like cinnamon, pine and vanilla, while warmer months lend themselves to breezy aromas like floral and citrus. And the beauty of this idea is that all you need is a candle or essential oil diffuser for a complete home scent makeover. Enjoy transitioning your home with the seasons!
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House cleaning schedule.

9/25/2019

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Who doesn't like to spend time in a clean, well organized home? Today we bring some tips for you to be successful everyday without the overwhelming effect cleaning can bring.  

Tackle one room or job each day so you're not doing everything all at once. For example, devote Monday to cleaning kitchen messes, bring out the vacuum on Tuesday, make Wednesday the day for changing sheets, and so on.
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photo credit to: Daniel von Appen
Tips for Cleaning Every Day:
  • Make bed.
  • Clean your coffee maker: Wash removable parts with warm, soapy water or stick dishwasher-safe pieces in the machine. Wipe down the outside and warming plate to remove spills.
  • Clean dirty dishes: Enzymes in your dishwasher detergent actually work better when they can attach themselves to food particles. So don't be afraid in using your machine to wash your tableware. You can invest your time in different tasks while the dishes are done!
  • Sanitize toilets: Use an eraser-type sponge to remove marks, then sanitize by plugging the drain, filling the basin with warm water, and swishing a tablespoon of bleach around. Let it sit for five minutes, then rinse.
  • Wipe your countertops and take out the garbage daily.
Tips for Cleaning Every Week:
  • Mop Kitchen and bathroom floors.
  • Clean mirrors.
  • Dust furniture.
  • ​Vacuum floors.
  • ​Change being.
  • ​Toss expired food and clean fridge.
  • Wipe down kitchen appliances.
  • Clean inside microwave.
  • Do laundry.
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photo credit to: Good Soul Shop
Tips for every Month:
  • Dust blinds.
  • Clean dishwasher and washer machine.
  • Empty Vacuum cleaner.
  • Clear Vents.
  • Clean and dust lights.
  • ​Clean carpets.
Tips for every 3-6 months:
  • Clean Oven.
  • Vacuum mattress.
  • Wash pillows and quilt.
  • Vacuum and clean under furniture.
  • Clean shower curtain.
  • Clean inside fridge.
  • Clean outdoor furniture and deck.
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photo credit to: Heather Ford
Thank you to www.declutteringyourlife.com
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DIY Way To Get Rid Of Pesky Fruit Flies For Good!

8/28/2019

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If you’ve ever escaped for a long weekend and left fresh fruit on your counter (or forgot to take out the garbage), you’ve likely come home to find some unwanted guests buzzing around your kitchen.
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Fruit fly invasions are inevitable in the summer months (especially if you’re forgetful like me), but there’s a simple way to get rid of these harmless pests. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be fruit-fly free in no time.
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How to get rid of fruit flies

  • Grab a piece of paper, some tape, a mason jar or a tall drinking glass, vinegar (any will do, but apple cider is best) and, if you want, a piece of fruit, like an apple slice
  • Roll your piece of paper into a funnel and make sure the narrow end fits snugly into your glass before taping it together
  • Drop your fruit (if using) into your glass and pour in a few tablespoons of vinegar
  • Place your paper cone into the jar and leave your DIY trap on your kitchen counter (or wherever you need it!)
The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and fruit, but once they fly into the cone, they won’t be able to get out. A former food editor at Chatelaine used the cone to battle a particularly nasty infestation and claims it works better than all other methods, including the popular plastic-wrap-over-a-glass technique. So the next time you find yourself swatting away one fruit fly too many, pick up a piece of paper and get rolling.
Original Article By: Amy Grief
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The Importance of a Clean Workplace

7/31/2019

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The workplace environment influences employees’ productivity, performance and well-being. No matter the industry, maintaining a clean workplace may help keep staff members safe, healthy and efficient. However, busy production schedules and increasing workloads may cause standards to dip.
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While it may be tempting to put off dusting or other types of cleaning around the office or worksite, doing so may put employees at risk of suffering an injury or illness and may even impact performance levels. Maintaining a clean workplace is vital for employers to reduce their workers compensation claims and keep efficiency high.​​​
Essential to safety
When employees work in a messy environment, they may not notice all hazards, which increases the risk of an accident. An occupational hazard is anything in the workplace that may cause harm. An occupational hazard is commonly caused by neglect on the part of the employer or a lack of awareness by workers. When the office or worksite isn’t clean, it may increase the chance that a hazard will go unnoticed by a supervisor and staff members. For example, if equipment is placed along an emergency route, workers may become injured if they trip or fall over it because it is out of place. If boxes aren’t stacked properly, they may fall on a worker and cause an injury. Employers may want to remember to keep the workplace free of debris and remind workers to put all equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), in designated places to prevent an accident.
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Crucial to health
Flu season is rapidly approaching and workplaces may see an increase in the number of employees using sick days if they become ill. According to Kimberly-Clark Professional, germs can spread quickly through the workplace if supervisors and employees don’t adequately sanitize their hands and their workspaces. Commonly used spaces, such as break rooms, can be hot spots for germs to accumulate.
According to Kimberly-Clark, break rooms have been found to have approximately 20,951 germs per square inch. Parts of the break room that tend to be touched the most, such as doorknobs, microwave oven handles and sinks, can be ripe with germs. Employers may want to clean these places on a frequent basis, and daily during flu season.
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Another common health hazard of unclean workplaces is the germination of mold. According to OSHA, mold can cause adverse health effects for employees who are exposed to mold spores. Mold is a fungi that can release millions of spores into the air and can cause respiratory illnesses. Because of this, OSHA has strict standards employers are asked to follow to prevent the growth of mold in the workplace. According to OSHA, mold germination occurs in warm and humid conditions, making it essential that employers regularly clean worksite facilities, such as bathrooms, to reduce the chance of mold growth. Employers also may want to replace or clean indoor air filtration systems frequently to ensure any mold spores that are released into the air don’t reach workers.
As a result, a messy or unhygienic workplace may influence worker productivity. If employees receive an injury or illness at work, they may not be able to perform their tasks as well as when they were healthy. This decrease in efficiency may cause deadlines to be missed and additional errors to occur. It is just good practice to create a high standard of cleanliness for your business. Wether you do it yourself, or hire a cleaning crew to maintain your space, you'll only benefit from a clean, well looked after workspace.
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The Right Equipment Is Key

6/30/2019

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Floor maintenance is one the most important aspects of keeping your business looking and feeling clean. Cleanliness is essential for a business because it will attract customers and create a safe and positive work environment for the employees. This is why so many successful businesses know the importance of cleanliness and invest in professional cleaners.
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Floor maintenance is a specialized job that needs professional equipment in order to be performed with perfection. A skilled and experienced team with the right tools is required to perform these operations. Better floor maintenance can yield great results for your business in less time. ​
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Proper floor maintenance requires the right tools in order to yield amazing results, therefore, proper machinery and cleaning solutions are an important part of the floor maintenance. This is why hiring professional cleaners with experience in floor care is important. They have a skilled team and  knowledgeable managers and supervisors who make sure that the work is performed with perfection. There are the different floors for every business and each type of floor needs a different method for maintenance. A professional cleaning service like ours will have will have the knowledge to care for your floors needs and keep the clean and sparkling.

So, if you want your business to be ahead of the competition look for a professional service with the right equipment and experience such as Peak Janitorial. You must never undermine the importance of first impressions and professionalism in your business.
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6 Must-Ask Questions for Potential Cleaning Services

6/6/2019

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These days more and more people are turning to cleaning services or maids to manage the chore of cleaning their homes. While having some help around the house is a big time-saver, actually hiring a housekeeping service can be a tedious and time-consuming process.
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Where do you start?
 Many people are not sure about the best way to find a suitable cleaning service. For most people, they choose to obtain a referral from a friend, or family member or read online reviews. When you’re doing your homework consider the benefits of hiring a cleaning service company vs an individual. While it may be a little cheaper to hire an individual, you could be putting yourself at bigger risk of them not performing the service in a reasonable time frame or not showing up at all. With a reputable cleaning service, there is also usually more flexibility with scheduling and the backing of a brand behind the service you’re getting.
It’s important to do your homework when deciding on a cleaning service because having someone you trust in your home with all your important possessions is no small task. With this list of questions, you’ll feel more in control and have clearer expectations for your potential housecleaning service.
 1. How do you set rates?
Some cleaning services choose to price their services per sq. ft, number of employees needed or just give a flat hourly rate. Other providers may give also give you a price based on what service is being provided, such as a flat fee for end of lease cleaning, or the number of rooms.
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 2. How much experience do you have
While it may be tempting to go with the cleaning service that quotes you the least, are you sure they’re going to know the best & most efficient way to clean your home? That kind of knowledge only comes with experience.
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3. Will you use all your own cleaning supplies and tools?
​While most cleaning services bring their own cleaning products, it is worth checking to see if you’ll be expected to supply ladders, vacuums or other cleaning supplies.
 4. What kind of cleaning products will be used?
​Due to the often harsh nature cleaning products, it’s really important to understand what kind of chemicals will be used in your home. It's best to make sure your cleaning service uses eco-friendly products that won’t leave harmful residue. If they are using products you’re not happy with, make sure to ask if you can supply your own.
 5. Do your staff have background checks?
​While most cleaning companies conduct background checks as standard, hiring an independent individual means being responsible for doing a background screening yourself.
 6. Is your company insured or bonded?
​Even with the most trustworthy cleaning service, this is still important to ask as accidents happen. Ensuring your cleaning service has a policy for if something gets damaged, broken, or goes missing will give you peace of mind.
Lastly, before you go off to enjoy all the spare time you’ll save with a cleaning service, make sure any agreed upon service comes with a written contract. This not only helps outline expectations but also helps avoid any unwanted surprises down the road. 

Ready to take the plunge or have more questions about what services we can help you with? Contact our team at Peak Janitorial today!
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Do I need to pre-clean my house before Peak Janitorial cleaners arrive?

2/13/2019

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The snow has finally stopped and it's now time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning! Whether it's your windows, floors, or carpet-covered kitty condos, chances are, Peak Janitorial can make them spotless. Our company sends a staff of highly trained cleaning professionals to homes and offices to clean carpets, windows, and everything in between with our eco-friendly products. Depending on the client's preference, these scouring services can be performed daily, weekly, or monthly.
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Why doing a pre-clean could be beneficial for you.

Many homeowners struggle with the dilemma of whether or not they need to pre-clean their home before our cleaners arrive. If you are one of these who is wondering what pre-cleaning is necessary, first consider why you are asking the question: do you not understand the service you have requested, or are you afraid our professionals will think your family is messy? If it is the latter, don't sweat it - we're here to help you keep your home clean and tidy. We understand your lack of time; that's why we're here for you!

Basic tidying up

Remember, that the dirty floor cannot get scrubbed if the housekeeper can't find it! That is why it is important to pick up major messes like kids toys; clothes from chairs, floors and beds; magazines and papers from countertops and tables; and major clutters from the rooms being cleaned. Clear off bathroom vanities as much as possible and basically put personal items away where they belong. With these basics done, your cleaning professional will be free to concentrate on the kind of cleaning you have hired them to tackle. 
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​Cleaners can focus on their job

The following are what's included (but are not limited) to what Peak Janitorial maid services can do:
  • vacuum carpets & sweep floors
  • mop tile and hardwood floor surfaces
  • dust knick knacks, furniture and picture frames
  • scrub bathrooms (toilets, vanities, bathtubs, showers, tiles, etc.)
  • clean countertops
  • clean the exterior surfaces of all appliances
Our February specials will end on the 28th, book today to snatch this deal and get ahead of your neighbours! Spring Cleaning Services $129 for up to 5 hours of cleaning!
Book Now
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10 Clever Kitchen Organization Ideas to Maximize Storage Space

1/23/2019

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by Elizabeth Stamp on www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kitchen-organization-ideas-to-maximize-storage-space
​If it feels like you never have enough storage in the kitchen despite tons of drawers and cabinets, it may come down to how you’re storing things. All the storage space in the world won’t help if the items inside of it are totally disorganized. We’ve gathered kitchen organization ideas that will help you make the most of your storage space and even create more. Try out these genius tricks to corral clutter and store cooking essentials to make your kitchen more functional and less chaotic.

1. Make Use of Cabinet Doors

The inside of your cabinet doors is filled with possibilities for storage. Install hooks to store pans, lids, or serving and measuring spoons, or add a slim rack to stash pot lids or boxes of foil and plastic wrap.
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2. Turn The Sink into More Counter Space

Counter space is always at a premium, but there's an easy fix: Get a cutting board that fits over the sink to create an extra space for chopping. Many have built-in colanders to help make prep a breeze.

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Peak Janitorial Inc.
Unit 101- 1750 Harley Ave
Coquitlam, BC
​V3K7A1
​Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 12 PM
Sunday: Closed
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