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What Is Electrostatic Disinfection and How Does It Work?

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

Electrostatic Spray Comes in Handy …

Most people consider dry and wet dusting enough to clean their surfaces or objects. Yes, they are ideal for cleaning most areas, but they spread the filth around, that’s unless you wash the rags regularly. With dry dusting, you will remove the resting particles and kick them into the air before they rest on other surfaces.

Wet dusting, on the other hand, involves the use of harmful cleaning chemicals. It’s also tough to reach certain objects or spots. Sensitive areas such as R&D labs, clean rooms, healthcare facilities and schools require more effective methods for removing dust, dirt, and germs. That’s where electrostatic spray comes in handy since these areas need specialized sanitation practices.

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What Is Electrostatic Disinfection?

It is the process of spraying an electrostatically-charged spray mist on objects and surfaces. Electrostatic spray includes specialized solution atomized by an electrode and combined with air inside the sprayer bottle. The solution contains positively charged particles that can adhere to objects and surfaces aggressively. As such, they will cling and coat the surface they are sprayed on.

For the hard to reach places or objects with weird shapes, you only need to point and spray. The solution will coat on these surfaces evenly and envelope any objects, even when sprayed from one side. After applying the spray, the sanitizing agent can now disinfect the covered surfaces. That’s why electrostatic spray is the best solution for handling areas ridden with germs and contaminants.

How Does Electrostatic Disinfection Work?

The spray is usually electrically charged allowing solutions of disinfectants, mold preventatives and sanitizers to coat and wrap around different surfaces evenly. Once the solution leaves the sprayer, it gains a positive electrical charge. The droplets are attracted to the negative surfaces covering the backside, the visible area, and the underside evenly. Surfaces that are already covered with the solution will repel the mist, so the application method is very efficient.

  covid 19 corona virus

Can You Use Electrostatic Spray Disinfection for Your Business?

Do you have areas in your business sensitive to germs and grime? Whether it’s clean rooms or R&D facilities, you need electrostatic spray when cleaning the surfaces and equipment in these areas. It might sound like a very aggressive cleaning method for commercial cleaning, but it’s actually the best choice. The benefits and features of disinfecting your surfaces using electrostatic spray includes:

  • It reduces the time required to disinfect and cover all the surfaces, including the areas that are hard to reach, by at least 50%.
  • It improves control of infections and the spread of viruses such as HIV, MRSA, influenza, coronavirus and many more.
  • It applies the solution in a controlled and efficient method thereby avoiding overusing of the substance.
  • It helps prevent the costly expenses associated with contracting contagious infections.

You should use electrostatic sprays when cleaning floors, desktops and walls. It should also be used for equipment and areas that are had to reach. If any equipment is trafficked heavily, you should consider this cleaning method to remove dirt and germs effectively. It’s a huge benefit to your organization in the ways mentioned above and many more.

Don’t Fight Coronavirus on Your Own

As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the globe, it’s a great idea to be prepared. You can get the best help from cleaning experts. You should hire deep cleaning professionals and sanitization experts to disinfect your office and business effectively. Your life and everyone around you is very important!  For all of your cleaning needs, contact us at Goldstar Cleaning Services, we’d love to help.

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Spring Cleaning Tips for The Office

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

5 Quick Tips to Tidy Up the Office

Tip 1: Get your paperwork organized

The concept of having a paperless office sounds very appealing. However, turning that into a reality can take some time. It requires that all of your business processes be digitized and for you to eliminate using paper in your entire facility. A solution that is more feasible is to find ways to ensure that all of your paperwork stays regulated and organized. One way to do that is to create space on a bookshelf or cabinet for the amount of paperwork that you need to store.

The next step that you need to do is divide up you are papers into various categories, like having a set that is labeled “to be filed” while another one is for your “to do” paperwork. After the various groups have been categorized, the documents should be stored in the appropriate file boxes or paper trays.

Tip 2: Set aside an area for your supplies

It’s common for office supplies and stationery to be found on practically every desk in many offices. At the same time, those types of supplies are not normally used on a daily or regular basis. Those items over time make desks look very messy and untidy. In order to avoid that situation, assign a special drawer or bin to organize your office supplies. Only leave the items that you use frequently on your desk. Everything else should be thrown out.

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Tip 3: Find a place to store your temporary items

Temporary items can be defined as things like trade publications and magazines. To avoid getting them mixed up with important client files or documents, have an area designated for those items. When temporary items are placed in a single designated area, that allows you to monitor them as they continue to accumulate. That gives you enough time to determine which files to get rid of, older editions in particular.

Tip 4: Organize your computer

Another important task that is involved in office spring cleaning is tidying up and organizing your virtual desktop. Filing documents that you are most likely to use frequently or again is the best approach to take. If you have any old documents you don’t need any longer, then you should delete them. That will clear off your desktop, and also save you numerous hours that you would have spent looking for important documents.

Tip 5: Get Rid of Clutter

In order to keep your office tidy and clean at all times, you will need to do other things beyond cleaning. You will also need to get into the habit of ensuring that everything is always in the right place. If you tend to have a cluttered workspace, spring is a great time to make a new resolution for yourself and get into the habit of having better cleaning habits. Only keep your most essential belongings and get rid of any clutter that is unnecessary out of your work area.

For all your cleaning needs, contact us!

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Tips for Making and Using DIY Hand Sanitizer

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

The Benenfits of Hand Sanitizer

Health organizations and experts all over the world have constantly been reminding people to wash their hands properly with soap to prevent COVID-19 infection, but hand sanitizers prove to have many benefits that make them a more appealing solution. The National Hand Hygiene Initiative has listed some of them as follows:

-It takes less than 30 seconds to clean your hands with a sanitizer, although it does not kill all the microbes like soap and water.

-Most hand sanitizer formulas are less irritating, and unlike soap and water, you do not need to use paper towels to complete the job.

-Also, there are places or situations where water and soap are not readily available such as meeting rooms.

In this article, we are going to take a look at how you can make your own hand sanitizer with readily available ingredients.

Alcohol is obviously the primary ingredient when it comes to making DIY sanitizer, as it’s pretty effective in killing various types of bacteria and viruses. However, the conventional vodka you may have at home may not be quite effective as an alcohol concentration of above 60% is required. Most alcoholic drinks usually have a 40 to 47 percent alcohol concentration, proving them ineffective. So, you’ll want to head out to the local pharmacy or hardware store and buy some isopropyl alcohol.

man using hand sanitizer

For Gel Sanitizer, You’ll Need:

-1-part aloe vera gel

-Three parts of isopropyl alcohol

-Several drops of tea tree oil

For Spray Sanitizer, You’ll Need:

-1 and 2/3 cups of isopropyl alcohol

-A tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide

-Two tablespoons of glycerin or glycerol

-1/4 cup of distilled or cool boiled water

Keep in mind that both iterations should be mixed using clean instruments, bottled, and left to sit for 3 days in order to kill any germs from the preparation process.

When & How Should You Use the Sanitizer?

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, you should use sanitizer as per the following:

-Only when water and soap are not readily available

-If the hands are soiled, use towelettes to get rid of the soil, prior to applying the sanitizer

-Ensure the hands are dry as wet hands will only dilute the hand rub.

-Apply enough to cover your fingers and the surface of your hands.

-Rub the hands together until the hand rub completely evaporates.

hand washing

Situations to Wash Your Hands

It’s advisable that you wash your hands with water and soap not less than five times a day, including times when you wish to use hand rub. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention in the United States, you should wash your hands with soap and water in the following situations:

Before, during and after meal preparation

-Before eating food

-After using the restroom, cleaning up kids who have used the bathroom and after changing diapers

-Before and after treating a wound

-After coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose

-After touching an animal including your home pet

-Before and after being in contact with a sick individual

-After touching garbage

-After being in contact with any touchpoints such as buttons, handles, doorknobs, etc.

-If your hands are dirty, soiled, or greasy.

 With these tips, you should be able to increase your chances of staying safe from the virus.

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Best Practices for Maintaining Hotel Cleanliness

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

Hotel Cleanliness is Key

Hotel cleanliness is key when it comes to making visitors happy. Travelers of all types expect hotel rooms to be top notch, and that goes for the common areas too. Even owners of beach hotels featuring a tropical setting in paradise know that the rooms need to be clean for the guests. Dirty hotel rooms are a distraction from the other amenities, and they are a nuisance to guests paying hard-earned money to stay somewhere nice. The hotels that promote cleanliness are the ones that win awards, get good reviews and are highly regarded by travelers.

hotel-room

Here are the areas that Goldstar Services focuses on when cleaning hotels and common areas.

Clean Floors

When the floors are clean, it’s noticeable, and the room smells better. Keeping the floors clean requires that the proper care methods be in place. For carpeting, not only vacuuming but frequent shampooing is necessary. These rooms are high traffic areas. Hardwood floors are going to need to be buffed from time to time and not just regularly cleaned.

Clean Bathrooms

Bathrooms are always subject to mold. If there is even a spot of mold, there are going to be guests that ring your bell over that one. This includes corners and crevices, the shower drain and well, any place that a person’s eyes might take a gander. You want to show your guests that the bathroom is spotless. Clean the bathrooms well, and always provide a finishing touch that shows them that paying attention to detail is important to you.

Clean Walls

People spill drinks, especially if kids are present. These spilled drinks end up hitting the walls. Collectively, the walls may appear clean, but they need as much attention to detail as the bathrooms and the floors. This is especially true when it comes to walls by countertops and dinner tables.

 Clean Fridge

Any fridge and mini bar needs to be spotless. People love the fact that they have a nice fridge and mini bar at their disposal. If they are not clean, however, you’re going to get complaints. Be sure that everything is clean and well-stocked.

Clean Windows

People love to check out the view, and those windows need to be spotless. The windows shouldn’t just be cleaned every once in awhile. They should be cleaned every time a guest checks out. Remember, pay attention to detail.

Guest satisfaction is tied to cleanliness in many ways. You want your visitors to have a great impression of your hotel. When they do, they are more likely to return, and they are more likely to recommend your hotel to other people they know.

Goldstar’s friendly and well-trained staff specializes in cleaning hotel rooms, common areas and strata complexes. 

Contact us today for all of your cleaning needs.

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Flatscreen TV Cleaning Tips

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

The flat-screen TV occupies a central place in a huge majority of homes big and small.

The Goldstar team sees TVs used in various settings — not just for watching TV, but for playing games, music, streaming video, and more. Now we offer you the benefit of our professional experience with these simple screen cleaning tips.

Cleaning TV

The question, then, is how to clean your flat screen effectively without causing any inadvertent damage? It’s not as hard as you might think!

1) Check Your User Manual

Like most appliances and devices, flat-screen TVs still come with manuals and/or instruction sheets. These should give you some basic cleaning guidance. The manufacturer’s preferred cleaning techniques will vary depending on the design of your TV. Scratches are an especially big concern for LCD screens, for instance, obliging you to avoid any abrasive cleaning products.

A lot of people turn to window cleaning products when they’re looking for a TV cleaner. There’s a logic to it, of course: TVs and windows are both sheets of glass, right? It’s true the both share the same basic material, but your TV is set apart by the special coatings applied to it.

The biggest risk of using a window cleaner on a flatscreen TV is that any ammonia in the product will hurt the screen’s anti-glare coating.

You need to consult with the documentation provided with your TV because you may even void your warranty if you clean the device incorrectly. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your TV manufacturer online or via phone if you want additional guidance on cleaning.

2) Use the Right Tools

The single best step you can take to minimize the risk of damaging your flatscreen is to approach the cleaning job with the right materials. We recommend the same key tool that the Goldstar Cleaning Services team uses: A soft-finish microfiber cloth that’s treated to minimize static electricity.

This is the same sort of cloth you’ve probably seen sold for cleaning eyeglasses, camera lenses, and portable electronic devices. Treat your television to the same level of pampering! You wouldn’t clean a high-end camera, a laptop, or a pair of designer glasses with a terrycloth rag, would you? Of course not.

Ideally, you should try cleaning your TV screen without using liquid cleansers or even water.

You can get more debris off than you might think with a dry microfiber cloth! Use a gentle, circular scrubbing motion across the whole screen. You’ll see fingerprints, dust, and other smudges come away easily.

There are, of course, dedicated products and even whole kits sold for cleaning flatscreen TVs. While these can be effective, our advice is to avoid chemical cleansers unless you have no other way to tackle your screen-cleaning job.

modern livingroom with flatscreen

3) Clean the Whole TV

The screen is, of course, the “business end” of your television. If the screen gets dirty enough, it will directly impede your enjoyment of your flatscreen. But don’t neglect the other parts of the device when it’s time to clean! You should spare some attention for these components, too:

* Speakers

* Cables

* Ports

* The Remote Control

Your entire TV, and its remote, should be wiped down regularly to keep dust away. The remote deserves some extra attention because our fingers tend to transfer a lot of oil, grease, and bacteria to the device. This isn’t the place for strong chemicals, though. You don’t want to scrub the lettering off your remote’s buttons, and this is a possibility with a lot of cleansers.

To simplify the remote-cleaning job, take the batteries out first. This will make it impossible to accidentally press a button while you’re wiping the remote. You don’t want to inadvertently change your DVR settings when you’re just trying to clean. Make an effort to remove dust from ports and the delicate grillwork of your television’s speakers.

There’s a reason to take extra time with this: Removing surface dust keeps it from working its way into the electronic innards of the device where it can cause real damage.

Safety Tips

Safety is an important concern whenever you’re cleaning something that uses electricity. Most flatscreen TVs are plugged into multiple devices along with a wall outlet or surge protector. When you’re doing a thorough cleaning, don’t just unplug the TV’s power; unplug its other connections, too.

It’s doubly important to power down your TV if you plan on using water or any sort of liquid cleanser on your set.

The shape of the modern flatscreen TV often puts it at risk of tipping and falling, and this risk is greatest when you are cleaning. If you know some of your entertainment devices, or the TV itself, are in especially precarious positions, move them to a more stable location before you clean. Many times, lowering the TV base to the floor is the easiest, safest way to prepare it for cleaning.

Maximizing Your TV’s Lifespan

A thorough cleaning is a great way to keep your television in tip-top condition, but you can take other steps to prolong its lifespan, too. Make a habit of turning your TV off when you’re not watching it. This conserves electricity, and it will even make the screen last longer. It’s also not a good idea to leave your screen paused for too long, as a still image may lead to permanent marks or discoloration.

Trust the Professionals!

Cleaning a TV thoroughly is a rather involved process. A lot of people just don’t have the time or energy to give the job the attention it deserves. You can trust the Goldstar cleaning team to take care of your electronics along with all of your other cleaning tasks, big and small; we’re happy to give you the expert help you need.

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Save Your Employees from the Dreaded Spring Time Flu

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

Springtime flu’s cost your business money, hinders performance and deters sales.

With spring comes varying temperatures. If we experience anything in the Kootenays, it’s summer-like weather one day and a winter snowstorm the next. Now, these varying temperatures aren’t only hard on our mental state, they also affect us physically. With a rise in sick days happening every spring, Goldstar wanted to remind you that a clean office will cut down on sick days.  Save your business money, encourage productivity and increase sales.

 On average

sick womanCanadians are taking 9.3 sick days per year which is costing the economy $16.6 billion and that doesn’t even cover replacement workers, CBC reports. Plane and simple, sick employees are costing you money. The thing is, you aren’t helping them stay healthy. The water cooler is a breeding ground for germs, no one’s cleaned the microwave in years and don’t get me started on those keyboard keys. By hiring a cleaning company to make weekly visits to your business you are proactively protecting your employees from unwanted germs and illness. By providing a clean workspace you are encouraging your employees to stay healthy and work harder. After all, we know what our personal productivity is like when we are sick.

 

employee Performance working-hard-productivity-employee-spring-sickness

We’ve all been there, we woke up with a headache we can’t shake and our stomach has never felt so uneasy. But somehow, someway, we convince ourselves to go to work. We’re snotty and blowing our nose 30 times a minute. We’re running to the bathroom at the thought of coffee and that darn office chair is SO stinking uncomfortable. Our productivity sucks, our mood is sub-par, and our bodies HATE us! Keep productivity at its peak by scheduling weekly Goldstar visits. Clean environments allow employees to concentrate on what’s really important. Their work!

SALES, SALES, SALES!

cash-money-canadianClean offices don’t only lead to happy and healthy employees saving you money, they also promote business. A clean office means a business is professional and detail oriented. Think of any time you have walked into an untidy business. What kind of first impression did it leave? I’m sure not a very good one. In the business world, first impressions mean everything. It is likely that if you do not leave a good first impression, chances are you are not getting the client.

Though we may not think of these important factors off the top of our heads, it’s great to have a reminder that a clean office leads to overall job satisfaction, builds trust with clients and saves/ grows your money!

Spring Cleaning with Goldstar Services

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com
  spring-cleaning-organization-kids-can-help-tooWith Spring officially arriving in Canada we’re now welcoming longer days, melting snow, and an increased urge to be outdoors. Unfortunately, along with spring never-ending muddy boots appear, sticky fingerprints are all of a sudden WAY more visible on your windows and yet another cold and flu season is here to tear through your office or family. Luckily there is a quick solution to all of your spring cleaning dilemmas and that solution is simple. Goldstar Cleaning Services.  

 Spring Cleaning Floor Care Solutions

carpet-cleaning-goldstar-floor-care-spring-cleaningHow is it that no matter what you do to keep it outside, mud is always making its way inside? It sneaks in on your husbands work boots, the kid’s rainboots (wait a minute, let’s be realistic here. ANY footwear your kid’s own) and that adorable little fur baby. Before you know it, the celebration of spring suddenly becomes servitude to the mud Gods. Instead of buying the expensive equipment yourself or renting a machine that doesn’t sanitize your carpets, a professional carpet cleaner will ensure your carpets are receiving proper treatment. After all different carpets DO require different methods.  Spring clean with Goldstars confident carpet cleaners and floor care experts.

Spring cleaning Window WASHING

cleaning-windows-spring-cleaningSticky fingerprints, dog drool, and is that, someones…face? How did all of this end up on your once crystal clear windows? It’s amazing what we are blind to during the long dark winter months. However, now that it’s spring ALL you can see is those cringe-worthy smudges. Hire a professional to help protect your windows and save yourself the accident waiting to happen. Start off Spring with sparkling windows to really help soak in that sun. Spring cleaning just keeps getting easier.

Combat Germs and Reduce the Risk of Flu Season

SPRING-CLEANING-KILLING-GERMS ANOTHER cold and flu season, you have got to be kidding! Unfortunately, we’re not. Spring is the perfect time of year for those pesky germs to cultivate and attack when you’re at your weakest. How can we beat them to the punch? By hiring a cleaning company. The average Canadian is missing eight work days a year because of illness. By hiring a professional you are attacking germs head on as the employees know that high traffic areas aren’t only the employee lounge or the bathrooms. They know that germs are most commonly on keyboards and phones, doorknobs and microwaves. Schedule your weekly office cleans with Goldstar today and keep your employees healthy and productive.
So don’t let spring stress you out or cause you unwanted illness, be proactive by hiring Goldstar. Let us take care of all of your spring cleaning needs.
 

How Partnering with Goldstar Can Boost Employee Productivity and Sales

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com
Boosting employee productivity seems to be something any business could use a little more help with. Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a simple solution? Would you believe me if I told you there was? Think about partnering with Goldstar Cleaning Services, no matter what industry you work in. Goldstar can help you reestablish organization within your company, boost employees overall health, and create that flawless first impression that will lead to improved sales down the road.  

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits when partnering with Goldstar.

Organization

Disorganization can lead to wasted time and wasted money. Employees find it distracting to be in a cluttered environment. Organization is a simple habit to build. Start off with creating a place for every item. Good organizational practices include labels, proper filing systems, and diligence. By hiring Goldstar you are setting a certain standard for the employees. Each week a certain level of cleanliness and organization must be kept up in order for Goldstar employees to effectively do their job.

Health Benefits

We’re often spending more time at our workplaces than we are in our own homes. This makes it SO important to have a clean and healthy environment to work in. With weekly cleaning regimes, you will eliminate dust and other allergens that are making their way around your workspace, stop the spread of germs and alleviate stress. According to the National Post, on average Canadians who work full time are missing 9.3 days a year due to illness. By partnering with Goldstar you can help your employees reach new health standards. Remember healthy employees have a greater work ethic, are more creative, and happier. After all happy employees lead to happy customers and happy customers make positive recommendations.

First Impressions

Though we may agree, sometimes first impressions aren’t always right, we are still being judged on our first impressions. Especially if you are a business. A messy office gives the impression that you are sloppy, you aren’t professional and you just don’t care.  Hiring Goldstar can make sure that your customers or potential customers are seeing you at your best, every time. With a positive impression clients are more likely to conduct business with you. People want a company that is diligent, caring, and above all professional. If they don’t see that you care enough about your own workspace, it makes them think you won’t care enough about whatever it is you’re selling them. So put your best foot forward and really sell your services, not your dirty office!

Resolutions for a Stress Free and Organized 2018

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com

I know what you’re thinking, “Another New Years Resolution post in January?!” but bear with me. Here are four resolutions you will actually want to keep in 2018. Follow the easy tips provided to help you stick with them too.

 

De-clutter

Now you either love to organize or you hate it, there is no middle ground. It’s liberating letting go of the things you don’t need anymore, almost like the stress has immediately vanished when you donate that figurine your aunt Patty gave you last year for Christmas. However, sometimes it’s stressful! Constantly doubting if you actually need something or if you’re going to get rid of it only to need it again in a couple of weeks. Try these handy methods that will help make the de-cluttering process liberating and not stressful.
The Box Method
  • Take the items you are wanting to get rid of and place them in a box.
  • Put the box in the basement, garage, or storage.
  • Set a time limit. (example: one month)
  • Once the time is up, if you haven’t used the items in the box, it’s time to donate them.

Simply organize your items into three categories

  • Keep
  • Donate
  • Trash

Get Organized

Organization is such an important skill! We don’t realize the amount of stress added just from being unorganized. So clean up your act in the new year with these helpful tips:
  1. Get Recycling and Garbage Bins – Not only in the kitchen, you’ll be amazed at how handy it is having a garbage and recycling bin in places like the laundry room or the kids living room.
  2. A Place for Everything and Everything in its Place – Stop by the local hardware, craft, or housewares store for great organizational tools. With different shelves, bins, and baskets the possibilities are endless.
  3. Write It Down – When you’re thinking of a task that needs to done or a goal you would like to accomplish, don’t forget to write it down. Psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews found that people are 42% more likely to achieve a goal if it is written down on a regular basis.
  4. A Calendar and White Board – Not only are calendars and whiteboards genius to keep your schedule on track, they are also a great place to write down your goals and uncompleted tasks. Being aware of a task is the first step in completing it.
  5. A Key Rack – Constantly misplacing items is frustrating but something as simple as a key rack can help keep you organized. Start with something simple like putting your keys on the key rack each time you get home. Remember, it only takes 21 days to make something a habit.
 Stop Procrastinating
We all use the famous four words, I’ll do it later. Some of us stick to our word but some of us don’t. In 2018 become a person of your word and stop procrastinating! You’ll feel so accomplished when you set your goals and crush them. Instead of setting your goals and forgetting about them. Here are a few helpful hints to get you started
Be Realistic- Set realistic tasks and realistic time frames. trying to accomplish more than you can in a day is setting yourself up for failure.
Remove Distractions- turn off the t.v., put away your phone, find your perfect workspace, and listen to music without lyrics. REWARD YOURSELF- set up a simple reward system for yourself. something as simple as completing two tasks on your to-do list = one episode of your favorite show on Netflix.
Do it Now- stop saying you’ll do it later. we all know later is a magical place that doesn’t really exist.
 

ask for help when you need it

This may seem like an easy concept, but a lot of us seem to struggle with it. Asking for help is giving up control. However, we know that as one person, we simply cannot do everything. Think of how lovely it is to walk into a perfectly cleaned home. The floors are clean, the garbage has been taken out and the bathrooms counters don’t have a trace of toothpaste. By asking for help and scheduling bi-weekly services you now have the extra time to go skating with your kids or take up competitive dog grooming again.

So there we have it, three easy resolutions to help make 2018 your best year possible.

 

How to Keep That Hockey Bag and Gear Fresh

Posted on by dev@genexmarketing.com
 

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There it is again. Sitting, lifeless. Dropped off again right beside the washing machine. Its been there for three whole days. Left to fester, left to seep, left to marinade. The dreaded hockey bag, consequently full of sweaty equipment you’d rather forget about. It belongs to your roommate, your kids, your significant other, but honestly, it doesn’t matter who’s it is, you just want it to stop wafting through the entire house. So let Goldstar guide you. Here are four helpful hints to keep that hockey bag winners circle fresh.    

1.Air it out; don’t let the wet gear sit.

First of all, don’t let it sit! The worst thing you can do is let the wet sweaty equipment sit. An indoor clothing rack will become your best friend. They’re easy to find and you can purchase at your local housewares stores. Somewhere like Fernie Home Building Center is sure to have what you need. Add a heater, a fan, or a dehumidifier to help speed up the process. On those bluebird days, lay it out on the deck. The cold temperatures will surely kill any smelly bacteria that may be lingering.  

2.Wash what you can, regularly.

Aside from airing it out, it’s important to wash our hockey equipment to keep it fresh. A lot of hockey hockey equipment equipment is safe to add right to the washing machine! Both front or top loading machines will do the trick. (make sure you leave enough room for equipment to move once it’s in the machine. A washing machine overfilled will lead to tears in equipment.) Here is a list of the hockey equipment you CAN and CANNOT wash in the machine.   WASHING MACHINE FRIENDLY
  • Socks, Jerseys, and base layers.
  • Jock (don’t forget to remove the cup as it cannot be washed in the machine. Fasten the Velcro so it doesn’t attach to anything else in the wash.)
  • Shin Pads*
  • Hockey Pants*
  • Elbow Pads*
  • Shoulder Pads* and
  • Gloves*
DO NOT use bleach; white vinegar CAN BE added to the wash is a great alternative, as it will kill odor-causing bacteria.
* DO NOT put equipment in the dryer. Allow it to air-dry.
  NOT WASHING MACHINE FRIENDLY
  • Goalie Pads
  • Goalie Mitts
  • Skates
  • Helmet
If you’re not sure about any items, you can drop anything off at our dry cleaning depot and we’ll take care of that for you.  

3.Don’t forget the inside of the helmet.

In addition to our body equipment, an important piece of equipment that we never forget to play without, but sometimes we sometimes forget to wash, the helmet. To effectively clean the inside of your helmet you will need to follow these simple steps.
  1. Mix a bowl with hot water and no tears kids shampoo.
  2. Dip the sponge in water/shampoo mix, ring well, and scrub inside of the helmet.
  3. Repeat process with only water and dry out.
(With sweat commonly built up in the helmet, it is especially important that you use no tears shampoo. If there is any chance that soap hasn’t been properly rinsed out and drips into your eyes while playing, this will save you from a tearful accident.)  

4.LAST BUT NOT LEAST, Those smelly skates!

Finally, our most dreaded piece of equipment… the hockey skates. Though they may seem like the most daunting task, they are actually the easiest piece to clean. All you have to do is sprinkle some baking soda in those stinky blades, let them sit overnight and dump it out in the morning! You’ll be amazed by how effective this simple trick is.