Category: 1

Part of what I do these days is to travel around the country providing training for housekeepers, household managers and nannies. Sometimes I am asked to do some private in home trainings for those sponsoring the training event. Today was one of those days when I had the opportunity to meet with a housekeeper who has been working in the same house for more than 10 years. It is a learning experience for all parties, but what I wanted to share here most of all was the issues that came up during the training:

1) Laundry Room - an issue that always seems disturbing to most clients is that housekeepers tend to forget what they left in the dryer, or forget to wash the rags or leave clothes unfolded and not ironed. If you work 5 days per week and every day is a day for laundry, then each day before you leave, the laundry room should be left immaculate and free of anything left to do. Laundry can be a daily chore especially with a large family. Students may go to school and require that their uniforms are cleaned and pressed. Laundry can pile up easily and should be attended daily. Rags used daily must be cleaned separately after the day is over.

2) Organization - while you clean, a housekeeper must organize every room, drawer and cabinet. A good way to do this is to always maintain attention to detail. which means multi-tasking when putting laundry away and cleaning a room. One thing is to clean under the sofa chairs and cushions, another is to organize the cushions and pillows properly so that they look orderly.You may need to put away silverware in a drawer, but while you there, why not make sure that everything in the drawer is neatly put away. Sometimes you may need to quickly remove everything and clean the drawer itself.

3) Cleaning Thoroughly - it is one thing to say "yes, I cleaned the counter", but it is another to actually do it properly by removing everything off the counter, cleaning from corner to corner and cleaning every accessory item individually and putting it back exactly where you found it. Always remember to use clean cloths, sponges and have others ready to dry where you have used a damp cloth. Always choose appropriate cleaning products for each surface and object.

4) Making beds - this can be a pet peeve for most employers. They want to see their beds made exactly the way they like it each and every time. A good way to be sure that you do it right each time is to take a photograph and keep it handy in your "household manual" so that you can refer to it each time. Speaking of household manuals.

5) Making a schedule - the best way to be organized with every duty that you must do in a household is to separate these functions into a daily/week/monthly and semi-annual schedule so that every aspect of the home is attended to in its own time frame so that nothing gets overlooked. Household Manuals are great for this and every home and housekeeper must have one to be efficient.

6) Keeping up with Lists - there are many lists that a household needs to stay on top of everything needed such as: cleaning products, paper goods, pantry and food items, things that have broken and need replacing, school items for the children and on and on and on. It may be the responsibility of both the housekeeper, nanny and maybe even personal assistant to maintain good lists and keep them handy. An expert list maker will also separate lists in terms of stores where you can get the best prices for each item.

7) Doing one final check before ending the workday - every housekeeper should finish the day by reviewing each room that they completed to make sure that everything is in its place and nothing is left behind such as: cleaning products that need to be put away, cleaning rags, laundry or other clothing items that need organizing, a spec of dust on the floor, a corner that may need a good wipe to complete the job, a glass or newspaper that can be put away, a mirror that might have a smudge or two still there.

http://www.MartaPerrone.com

6 Reasons Why Nannies Get Fired or Not Hired

12/22/2011

If you are reading this it is because you are one of three people:

Nanny - concerned about getting fired
Agency - concerned that their candidate will need to be replaced
Family - concerned that due to their nanny's conduct, they will need to hire again

It never ceases to amaze me at how people manage to make some very important mistakes causing them to get fired. Mistakes that could have been rectified with a little common sense and professional training.

LATE, LATE, LATE - Yes, 3 times or more is simply going to get you fired. America does not run on the "mañana" mentality and if you work for a family who depends on you getting to your job on time, then PLEASE arrive ON TIME. Traffic is simply going to be worse around the holidays, so leave earlier to make sure you get there on time. AND, don't think because your boss works from home that you can get there late. She/He is on a schedule and depends on you to arrive in order to start the work day.

CURIOUS GEORGE - If you are a Nanny you know about how Curious George would ask a lot of questions, but he is a monkey and not a nanny. Nannies often ask the wrong questions and find themselves losing an interview. You can ask about the household and the children and everything that pertains to the job, but DO NOT ASK personal questions....especially when interviewing or doing a trial with a celebrity. (They are the most offended by this action.)

IMPOSING OPINIONS - We all have opinions about almost everything, and it is difficult to not share them. However, if your opinions are political, religious or simply personal thoughts on how to raise a child, and these happen to NOT COINCIDE with your employer's opinions, you are going to find yourself in a pickle. A nanny is there to follow the instructions that a parent gives on raising and caring for "their" child. The operative word is "their".

TAKING ADVANTAGE - If you are working for someone who is paying you for every hour on the job, then it is your responsibility to perform to the best of your ability every minute on the job. This would mean avoiding, checking your phone and emails constantly, calling your friends, reading a magazine or watching TV instead of caring for the child in a productive manner, going on personal errands on the boss's clock, doing sloppy housework, ignoring a child's needs and professional care. Reserve your breaks for personal activities.

ATTITUDE - As a parent, I can only say that when any of my children show me "attitude", it seriously upsets me. There have been employees in my office that showed a bit of attitude and quickly found themselves out the door. No one wants someone around them with a sense of "entitlement" or an "unpleasant mood". It gets worse when you have someone in your home that is your sanctuary with a BAD ATTITUDE. So if you can't come to work with a pleasant smile and a good attitude, then perhaps you need to find another type of employment...but actually, I can't think of any job that doesn't require a good attitude.

NEGLIGENCE & FORGETFULNESS - At the ripe age of 55, I certainly understand what it means to forget things from time to time (that is why I take LOTS whatever that vitamin is called). As a nanny or housekeeper, you have a tremendous responsibility on your hands with a home and child or children. Being negligent and forgetful can cost your job but also someone's home and child. Example, not locking doors, opening doors for strangers who happen to be criminals, forgetting to pick up a child from school or an activity, leaving a child alone and unattended, forgetting to put the seat belts on a child, driving unsafely....and the list goes on and on. If you have trouble remembering things, put them into your household manual, refer to your daily list of assignments and keep your mind on the job!

Finding a job today is not easy, so when you find it, do everything possible to KEEP IT!!

http://www.martaperrone.com

Common Household Poisons

12/22/2011

http://www.MartaPerrone.com

http://www.nanny.net

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional poisoning results in almost 82 deaths per day in the United States, and an additional 1,941 emergency room visits. Proper storage and handling of poisonous materials is a common-sense approach to safeguarding your family and pets, but do you know all of the poison hazards in your home? Of all the potentially dangerous products in the average home, the following are the 9 most common household poisons:

Medicines – If not kept out of the reach of children, or if not taken as prescribed, common medications in the home can be poisonous. Cold and flu medicines, and analgesics account for a large number of poisonings.
Cosmetics / Personal Care Products – Among children under the age of 6, who account for more than half the cases of unintentional poisonings in the U.S., these products are most commonly involved. Perfumes, nail polish remover, mouthwash, even toothpaste are poison risks for children.
Cleaning Products – Bleach, ammonia, solvents, furniture polish; drain cleaners, oven cleaners, lye and detergents all need to be stored properly and kept out of children’s reach and away from pets.
Pesticides – When treating the home for pests, it is important to take care in what areas are treated and to observe the label instructions very closely. Rodent poisons should never be placed within reach of children or pets, or in food storage areas. Always wear gloves when handling pesticides.
Paints / Paint Thinners – Whether via fume inhalation, ingestion, or lead poisoning, paints and thinners are potentially hazardous products. Care should be taken to use proper ventilation when using these products.
Plants – Some household plants can be toxic when ingested by pets or small children. Around the holidays, hazards include such common decorative plants as mistletoe, poinsettias and holly.
Small Batteries – The combination of their size and chemical composition makes these miniature batteries, like those used in watches and hearing aids, a serious choke and poisoning risk.
Antifreeze – Can be fatal if swallowed. This common household item is particularly dangerous because it has an attractive smell and taste to pets, and is readily accessible to them if spills are not cleaned thoroughly.
Hydrocarbons – These products include gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, lighter fluid, and lamp oils. They are not only a choke hazard, but pose a risk to the lungs when ingested. Another leading cause of poisoning death in children.

Bedbugs Get Under Your Skin

10/31/2011

There has been so much talk about bedbugs lately that Ben H. Winters decided to write a novel about it called "Bedbugs". The story takes place in a brownstone in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood that is being rented by the Wendt family. Before long, the tiny creatures plague Susan (the mother) eventually covering her body with bites. In a very creepy scene as Susan is covered from head to toe with long underwear, gloves and a showercap, a bedbug crawls into her mouth and bites the back of her tongue. She begins to physically deteriorate as she scratches her body so much that she develops bloody wounds "chewing her nails to ragged shreds." She cannot sleep and eventually becomes irrational and violent. "When bedbugs latch on, they feast on blood for ten minutes and fall away; badbugs feast not only on blood, but on body and soul...and when they latch on, it is forever."

Bedbugs hide under mattresses and in the corners of bed frames. The story is worth reading as it reminds you of one thing every night as you crawl into bed and check your covers wondering if anything else has crawled in with you. Happy Halloween!
http://www.MartaPerrone.com

A Housekeeper's Diary: The Master Bedroom

10/26/2011

Every home has a master; hence a master bedroom must be cleaned daily.This is where I start my day. But before getting started, I must open that sliding door or window and get some fresh air into the room.

1) Remove the bed coverings & pillows completely off so we we can ventilate the sheets. Take the bottom (fitted) sheet and pull up on it releasing it from the mattress so that you can shake the sheet for 30 seconds. Use a damp cloth and run it across the head and/or foot-board of the bed. If it is upholstered, use a vacuum attachment to remove the dust.

2) Begin making the bed: Stretch out the fitted sheet one more time and place it down and smooth out the wrinkles for the tightest fit possible. Pull up the sheets, quilt, comforter or bedspread one at a time - stretching each one. When folding over the second (flat) sheet, use a spray bottle of distilled water and spray mist over it while using your hands to smooth out the wrinkles. Place the pillows in a decorative manner to the master's liking.

3) Collect and clear away all water bottles, glasses, tissues or any other items from the floor, nightstands or dresser. Hang up any clothes and put those that need washing into the dry cleaning bag or hamper.

4) Clean upholstery using a vacuum with a hose and attachments to freshen up the sofa chair cushions, sitting bench or chair. Place cushions back with zippers down and hidden. Fold any throw blankets neatly.

5) Dust any furniture by first removing all accessories carefully. Use a very damp or dry microfiber cloth to first remove dust. If the furniture needs polish, spray the polish sparingly on a new microfiber dusting cloth. Polish all sides of the furniture from top to bottom. Wipe down lamps and all accessories before replacing in their original place.

6) Vacuum away debris on the baseboards & door thresholds using the appropriate attachment. You may also need to use a damp cloth to further clean any dust. Vacuum carpet and/or area rugs.

7) Mop a wooden floor using mopping system specifically designed for wooden floors like BONA. Never use an excessive amount of water on any wooden floor as too much moisture will ruin it.

8) Final touches: Check the bed is made perfectly, dust is all removed, cushions and pillows fluffled and orderly, no smudges on the walls, floor/carpet clean, accessories organized and the room sparkling clean.

Perfect and just in time....I hear my master coming from the kitchen.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Method Lil' Bowl Blu & Bathroom Cleaner

10/24/2011

In the past, I have been reluctant to give praises to certain "eco-friendly" products simply because so many of them look and sound good, but don't work as well.

For the past month, I have been using Kaboom by OxiClean which works wonderfully. However, I happen to pick up Method Lil' Bowl Blu (clever play on words for "Little Boy Blue" or "Blueboy" paintings).
The packaging is what really caught my eye. Their other products also have beautiful colors and designs. Using both this morning, here is my report:

Lil' Bowl Blu has a wonderful smell. Similar to Kaboom, you just squirt it and leave it in the bowl for 10 minutes so that it can work on its own. It uses lactic acid to get rid of tough stains and ring-around-the-rim. What I like best is the smell - it is "fresh" leaving a fragrant sign that the toilet is now clean.

Their Bathroom Cleaner specifically is plant-based formula and can be used in the showers, tile, fixtures, chrome and tubs. One of the things I like about this type of product is that you do not have to use water to get the surface clean. It cleaned well and removed the soap scum nicely, also leaving a lovely fresh cleaning smell.

Apparently, from the time manufactures of non-chemical cleaning products began making these formulas, there seems to be some improvements worth checking into.

http://www.martaperrone.com

What Should You Pay for Housekeeping

09/15/2011

During "The Professional Housekeeper" household training seminars, groups of mostly women in various parts of the country invariably ask me how should they estimate a housekeeping job. Today's training at the Hispanic Resource Center in Mamaroneck, New York, it came up again. So here is a good approach and some guidelines for anyone working as a "Day Cleaner" and for those hiring a housekeeper to consider:

1) It is best to do a pay scale that coordinate the size of the unit/home with the number of hours needed to complete the job. To make this assessment, you will need to consider the number of rooms, bathrooms and overall square footage.

Here is how you can estimate the costs:

    a)   1,000-2,000SF usually 1-2 Bedrooms 1-2 Bath
          Time for cleaning: approx. 2 1/2 to 3 hours - 1 efficient worker
          Cost: $60

   b)    2,500-3,500SF usually 3-4 Bedrooms 2-3 Baths
          Time required for cleaning: approx. 3-4 hours - 1 efficient worker
          Cost: $80

   c)   4,000-5,000SF usually 5-6 Bedrooms 4-6 Baths
         Time required for cleaning: approx. 6-8 hours - 1 efficient worker
         Cost: $120

   d)   5,500-7,500SF usually 5-6 Bedroom 5-6 Baths
         Larger living areas and possibly other rooms consisting of gym, library, recreation/playroom
         Time required for cleaning: approx. 8 hours - 1 efficient worker
         Cost: $150

    e) 8,000-9,500SF 7-8 Bedrooms/Rooms 7-8 Baths
         Larger living areas and rooms: gym, library, recreation/ playroom, offices, sun room, theater
         Time required for cleaning: approx. 8-10 hours - 1 efficient worker
         Cost: $175

    f) 10,000-20,000SF 8-10 Bedrooms/Rooms 8-10 Baths
         Larger living areas and rooms: gym, library, offices, theater, recreation/playroom, sun room, theater
         Time required for cleaning: approx. 8-10 hours - 2 efficient workers
         You may consider a cleaning crew of more workers to get the job done in less hours
         Cost: $250-$300

Providing a deep cleaning service consists of: floors, baseboards, complete bathroom, complete kitchen, vacuuming, using vacuum attachments to clean upholstered furniture, vacuuming corners of rooms, window sills & coverings, door thresholds, light switches and door handles, mirrors, lamps and lighting fixtures of every type, dusting and polishing furniture, dusting and wiping down accessories in all rooms, organizing pillows, rugs and accessories, making and in some cases changing bed sheets and removing. Window cleaning may be included for those few french doors and windows that are easy to reach, but normally it is best to use a window cleaning service there are numerous windows and require using an extended ladder.

To do a thorough cleaning requires someone who is meticulous, detail-oriented, efficient, organized and who has the physical strength and know-how to get the job done. Any capable person who works in the housekeeping industry should be properly rewarded and in accordance to what is standard in the industry.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Legislators getting into bed with you.

07/21/2011

Fitted or flat sheets is no longer the question, it is being demanded by the government. Hoteliers are being requested to purchase fitted sheets for their housekeeping staff as an effort to alleviate injuries. Hoteliers are not happy because this is going to cost them $20-$50 million to purchase the sheets and for the manpower to fold them. (Flatted sheets are folded by a machine.) Pulling on a fitted sheet also takes a certain amount of strength, but doing it right requires bending at the knees and using your arms rather than so much of your back. On the other hand, putting a flat sheet on a bed requires lifting the mattress. Personally, I know that lifting my temper-pedic mattress is the part of making my bed that I simply cannot do alone.

If this passes (which I think it will) the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) would then have to adopt enforcement standards by September 2012 and include it in their normal course of inspections resulting in a misdemeanor and fine to violators.

One other request as part of this bill is that hoteliers purchase mops for cleaning bathroom floors instead of asking their housekeepers to get on their hands and knees. Frankly, I find it easier to clean a small area on my hands and knees, but do not think it is fair necessarily to ask an employee to do so. It is best to have all the proper cleaning equipment for a housekeeping employee to use. This clearly applies to not just hotels, but to households as well.

http://www.martaperrone.com

Getting Your Husband To Work on a Sunday Afternoon

06/26/2011

The Summer has arrived and now we are spending more time outside by the pool, on our patio furniture and using the barbeque. But wait, all of this needs to be cleaned before we can enjoy it comfortably. Today, I was able to get my husband to clean all the patio furniture and even the barbeque enticing him with a lovely dinner when he finished the job. It also gave me an opportunity to see how this Patio Furniture cleaning product called "Goo Gone" works. It seemed to get the job done nicely removing stains on the cushion covers.

Here are the highlights:

*Biodegradable ingredients
*Removes suntan lotion, grease, tree sap, bird droppings and mildew stains
*Works on wicker, wood, plastic, vinyl, canvas, rattan, metal and glass
*Spray directly, use damp cloth, soft brush and rinse clean with water

Dinner is almost ready, and the patio so lovely that I think we will dine outside tonight!